My Childhood Friend Told Me to Go Marry the Most Beautiful Woman in the Kingdom, So I Seriously Started Improving Myself—and Somehow Ended Up Making Women Fall Hard - Chapter 102 & 103

Chapter 102: Women Who Fell into the Swamp (11)

Side: Natasha

After Lord Hort fell asleep and I finished casting my healing magic, I lay down beside him, as if staying close to him.

No…

In truth, I wasn’t really asleep.

I was simply enjoying the happiness of being right beside him.

I know how precious it is to be allowed at someone’s side.

After losing my parents, my only purpose in life became protecting the children.

And yet… the feelings I have for him—the love I carry—are the one thing that was given to me.

Just thinking about him, even when he’s not here, makes my chest feel warm… and fills me with happiness.

Gently, Lord Hort got up and pulled the sheet over me.

The door closed, and his footsteps faded away.

I could have opened my eyes and called out to him.

But I didn’t want him to see how shameless I was… falling asleep beside him like that.

Or the ugly desire I carried.

Lord Hort’s warmth.

Lord Hort’s scent.

Lord Hort’s breathing.

I wanted to stay wrapped in all of it.

For a while, I couldn’t move from the middle of the room.

The bed where Lord Hort had been lying.

The faint warmth still left behind… and his lingering scent.

…I didn’t want to leave that gentle, happy space.

“I wonder if I managed to ease his burden, even a little… haa~”

A warm breath slipped from my lips.

Even though I am a sister who serves God… I can no longer truly believe in Him.

Something deep in my chest felt ticklish, almost frightening… and yet it filled me completely.

I worship Lord Hort.

When he came here, his face looked so exhausted.

That’s why… I wanted to do something for him.

If I could offer it… I would give everything I have to him.

“If you ever feel tired again, please come back. I’ll always be waiting for you.”

I whispered softly in the empty room, then wrapped myself in the bedsheets.

As I held onto the warmth left by Lord Hort… the heat in my body refused to fade.

♢

Side: Fururu

Mom let me have my own workshop.

It’s not just about bras.

This place focuses on developing women’s underwear and clothing, and I’ve got help from dwarf women and even women from the smallfolk tribe.

And today… big brother came to visit.

I wanted to talk with him a lot.

I wanted him to see everything I’ve made.

And more than anything… I wanted him to praise me.

Big brother listened to everything with a warm smile.

He even brought a brand-new bra design with him.

As expected… big brother is amazing.

He came up with a design that matches formal wear for nobles and even royalty—something we never would’ve thought of.

He really is a genius.

After that, we worked together on new ideas, planned designs, drank tea, and talked a lot.

I told him—

That I want to create a future where women all over the world, not just in the royal capital, can feel beautiful, comfortable, and enjoy fashion freely.

He told me that was amazing.

And that he’d work hard together with me.

That made me really, really happy.

After big brother left, the workshop suddenly felt quiet.

I looked down again at the blueprint spread across my desk.

The lines he drew were clean… without a single wasted stroke.

It was a design that truly considered the person who would wear it.

“…He really is amazing.”

Big brother is such a kind person.

Even though he must be busy as a knight, he still takes the time to think about women properly.

He designs while working… and even turns those ideas into real, usable pieces before handing them to me.

He’s just too cool.

He makes my craftsman’s heart race.

“As expected… he really is my Bra Knight…”

I lightly slapped my cheeks and grabbed a piece of fabric.

“He went out of his way to bring me a new design. I’m going to try it out today!”

Making things together with big brother is fun.

He gives me so much inspiration… and I want him to praise me even more.

So next time he comes…

I’ll make something truly amazing!

♢

Side: Nagi

Hort was probably thinking about something really big.

Something I couldn’t even imagine.

But even so, he sat beside me, ate dinner with me, listened to what I had to say… and even though he’s busy as a Royal Guard now, he hasn’t changed at all.

He’s kind.

He always thinks about everyone.

And he tries to do what’s right.

“Hey, Nagi. You’re back late.”

“You went on a date, didn’t you?! Come on, tell us everything!”

“Fufu, you two are teasing her too much.”

The moment I got home, Uru, Ramune, and Zina were all grinning at me.

I’ve been getting along well with the three of them as teammates.

“Spending time all lovey-dovey with Hort is Nagi’s happiness.”

“Oooh, listen to that~ your face is totally red!”

“I’m not red!”

Uru is always so noisy.

But… it still feels warm somehow.

I can tell that Hort cares about me.

We walked side by side.

We ate the same food.

Just that alone made my heart feel lighter than today’s adventure… like all my tiredness had melted away.

“…I was really happy.”

Just thinking about it made me smile.

Uru tapped my shoulder.

“Hey, that’s a pretty nice expression you’ve got there.”

“So annoying! I’m going to sleep!”

No matter what troubles come up…

As long as I can stay in this royal capital where Hort is, that’s enough for me.

And if one day Hort reaches his dream—

Nagi will support him with everything she has.

♢

Side: Adelheid

When Hort stepped into the training ground, he had a troubled look on his face.

It was the look of someone lost.

Even though he was holding a sword, his heart hadn’t caught up.

That’s why I told him to pick up a sword.

Faster than comforting him with words… I just needed to knock away everything unnecessary.

But in the end, I was the one surprised.

Hort had clearly grown stronger.

Even back when he first came to the Second Knight Order as a trainee, I thought he had talent.

And now, in just half a year, he could properly exchange blows with me.

Before, he would only get blown away.

Now, he could block my strikes… and keep fighting again and again.

So I showed him a serious strike.

There had only been one time I ever swung my sword seriously at someone.

The time I defeated my grandmother.

“This is your final test. Come at me seriously.”

“Yes!”

A strike like that—for the first time since then.

And after defeating the demon Daitaros, I realized something—

I had become even stronger than I was back then.

Hort took that strike… and was blown away.

And still, he stood back up.

And in the end, he said—

“I’ll swing my sword for my own purpose.”

I told him what I needed to tell him.

And I showed him everything I could.

There was nothing more I could do for him.

His back was straight.

His face held pride.

It was no longer the face of a man who was lost.

It was the face of a man who had made his resolve.

“…Good.”

I gave a small nod.

Next time we meet, I’ll push him even further.

He said he wants to stand beside me.

Then all I have to do… is train him with everything I’ve got.

“He’s turning into quite a fine man… and standing beside me, huh… well, I suppose I can allow that—for Hort.”

As I imagined Hort standing next to me, a small smile slipped onto my lips.

Chapter 103: Hort’s Answer

After taking a rest at the inn, I headed to the Third Knight Order’s barracks first thing in the morning.

“What’s up, Womanizer? You’re here early.”

“Long time no see, Commander Snake. And please stop calling me that.”

“Shut up. Hey… you’ve gotten stronger again, haven’t you?”

“I think so.”

“Tch. You’re still an interesting guy. So? What do you want?”

I had walked around the royal capital, talked with the four people close to me, and thought about a lot of things.

And from all that, there was something I wanted to ask Commander Snake.

“Commander Snake… what kind of country do you think this should become?”

“Hah? What’s with that all of a sudden? Becoming a Royal Guard mess with your head or something?”

“…Maybe it did. I stepped into the center of politics… so maybe I’ve become part of it too.”

“Come with me.”

“Huh?”

Commander Snake dragged me along as we walked through the street stalls.

I thought we were heading to the training grounds, but instead, we arrived at an old fountain plaza in the center of the capital.

This was the place where I settled things with Daitaros… after he became a demon.

“How does it look to you?”

“…Huh?”

“This is where Daitaros died.”

“…!”

“That guy went as far as becoming a demon just to beat me.”

“…Eh?”

“And yeah—I lost to him.”

“…!”

“But think about it. Was that really his strength? And even if he won like that… do you think he was happy?”

Commander Snake looked unusually serious.

Maybe it was because of his best friend’s death.

I looked out at the view from the fountain again.

Even after that intense battle with the demon, the city was lively like nothing had happened.

All the destroyed buildings had already been repaired.

“…It’s amazing.”

“Hah?”

“Even after something like that, the city just goes back to normal. No one even remembers Captain Daitaros. But… you and I won’t forget him. In a way… maybe he did achieve his goal—winning, no matter what it took.”

“Hah! You’re annoying to the very end.”

Maybe he was satisfied with my answer.

Commander Snake laughed.

We bought coffee from a street stall and drank it together.

I never thought I’d have a moment like this—just casually talking with him.

“About that question earlier.”

“Earlier?”

“You asked what kind of country this should become, right?”

“Yes.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“…Huh?”

“No matter what kind of country it becomes, people will still live in it. Whether things get hard, painful, or easy… it doesn’t really change much. People just keep living.”

Commander Snake’s words settled into me naturally.

“Thank you.”

“Hah?”

“I think I already had my answer… but your words gave me the push I needed.”

“Hoh! Next time, I’ll beat you to a pulp.”

“I won’t go down that easily.”

“Later.”

Commander Snake walked away.

Watching his back, I couldn’t help thinking how cool he looked.

My day off had come to an end.

I had walked through the royal capital… talked with many people…

And on my way back to the castle, I found myself slowing down again and again.

The warmth of Natasha’s hands.

Fururu’s work, thinking about the future.

Nagi, who had come to love this country as an adventurer.

Commander Adelheid’s strike… and her words.

And Commander Snake’s unchanging way of living.

The people living in this capital…

They struggle to smile.

They struggle to make it to tomorrow.

♢

The royal castle at night was quiet.

The red carpet swallowed the sound of footsteps.

The lights were dim, casting long shadows.

I stood in front of Lady Lumina’s room and knocked.

“Yes.”

“It’s Hort. I’ve returned.”

“Hort? Please, come in.”

“Excuse me.”

The door opened, and I stepped inside.

Lady Lumina stood before a pile of documents.

Her silver hair was neatly tied back.

She set her pen down and looked up.

…She looked tired.

And yet, she still smiled as if to hide it.

“Welcome back. How was the capital?”

“I went out to see things… and to think. I met the people I wanted to meet.”

Lady Lumina nodded.

“Then… tell me your answer. Will you take my hand, Hort? Will you walk this harsh path with me?”

“Before that—”

My voice came out firmer than I expected.

Her brows shifted slightly.

“What is it?”

“Could you… tell me your goal again, Lady Lumina?”

“My goal is to bring peace and stability to this country. Why do you ask?”

I stepped forward and spoke what I had decided.

“I’ve been thinking about it ever since you told me. I’ve seen how hard you work. Your diplomacy… your negotiations with your siblings… I understand that you’re fighting in ways I can’t even imagine.”

A woman who speaks of her dream… and continues working toward it.

That’s something that makes me want to support her.

Even the side she shows only to me… I want to support that too.

“But… I don’t think you’re suited to take the throne, Lady Lumina.”

“…What?”

She looked genuinely shocked at my words.

“I understand that the Second Prince and the First Princess have dangerous ideas. And I understand that’s why you chose to take action yourself. I think that’s admirable. Choosing to walk such a harsh path for that reason… makes you an incredible woman.”

“…Then—”

She tried to speak, but I continued.

“But your body is weak. You can’t fight on your own. Even so, you’re trying to fight with your mind… and by relying on others.”

My sister’s words came back to me.

She told me—let women share the burden.

She told me—understand women.

She told me—if a woman is in trouble, you should protect her from outside threats.

She told me—women want to support an incompetent man.

Those words rose one by one inside me.

And then…

They led me to a single answer.

“To me… it looks like you’re the one being sacrificed, Lady Lumina.”

Her eyes wavered.

“Sacrificed…?”

“Yes. Is that truly your dream?”

“…What?”

“For the sake of the country. For the people. For the royal family. You’re trying to carry everything… and do it all yourself. But that’s too much. It feels like you’re pushing yourself far beyond your limits.”

Lady Lumina looked shaken.

“It’s not too much! What could you possibly understand?! You have no idea how hard I’ve worked to get here!”

“You’re right. I don’t. And I’m not trying to deny your efforts. But… you’ve lived your whole life within the royal family.”

“…What?”

“I understand now that you’re an incredible person. You’re smart, and you’ve worked hard. After hearing your story, I thought your dream was amazing. I wanted to support you.”

I had no intention of denying her.

I didn’t have that right.

“But… is that really your dream? I walked through the capital. The slums, the craftsmen’s district, the street stalls… I spoke with the people living there.”

Lady Lumina’s eyes stayed fixed on me, as if weighing my words.

“Right now, merchants are raising prices because the royal family’s control has weakened. And because the knights are short on people after fighting demons, public safety is getting worse.”

“Then all the more reason for me to take the throne and give orders—!”

I shook my head.

“It’s true that if a king steps in and stops rising prices, the people would be relieved. But… if the king does everything for them, will the people really grow?”

“…What do you mean?”

“I think the First Prince being uninterested… might actually be the right answer.”

“What are you saying?! Isn’t that just irresponsible?!”

For the first time, Lady Lumina stood up and raised her voice, showing her emotions.

“Is it really? Even without the king interfering in everything, the people in the capital are already thinking for themselves and living their lives. When prices rise, they cut back. When safety worsens, the knights tighten their watch. When the city is damaged, people work together to rebuild it. In a way… it’s because the king doesn’t interfere too much that they’re free.”

“…!”

I forced out the rest of my words.

“I’m not denying the role of a king. But I don’t think the kind of king you’re aiming to become is necessary. What I want… is to protect you. Not just as my liege—but as a woman. If you’re heading toward danger, I want to protect you. And if I think the path you’re taking is wrong… I want to stop you.”

Lady Lumina’s breathing became unsteady.

“…What do you even understand?!”

Her expression twisted.

She had probably struggled all this time.

Trying to become someone needed by others.

Chasing her dream with everything she had.

But…

Just because you work hard…

Doesn’t mean you’ll always reach the right answer.

Even my sister—the one I respect so much—

Had struggled greatly to find what truly mattered.

There isn’t always just one correct answer.

“This is the answer I came to… after seeing things with my own eyes. I’m not denying your beliefs, Lady Lumina. But the path you’re on right now… I think it’s dangerous in its own way.”

Commander Adelheid’s words echoed in my head.

Don’t make excuses using others. Choose for yourself.

“I saw it for myself, and I made my own decision. That’s why I’m saying this. If you’re trying to take the throne by sacrificing yourself for others… I can’t agree with that. Why do you want to become king? Not a vague answer like ‘for the peace of the country.’ Tell me your own reason.”

Lady Lumina looked at me in silence.

Something burned deep within her silver eyes.

Then, she quietly let out a breath.

“…So you’re rejecting my ideals, Hort.”

“I’m not rejecting your ideals. If becoming king is truly what you want from your own heart… if that’s your dream, then I’ll support you with everything I have. But right now… it doesn’t feel like that. You look desperate… like it’s become an obligation.”

I lowered my head, steadying my resolve.

“I can’t accept a path where you destroy yourself just to reach that ideal.”

I took a step back and bowed deeply.

“I know this is disrespectful. I’ll accept any punishment. If you believe I’m unfit to be a Royal Guard, then dismiss me. If this means I lose my chance to become a Crown Knight… I’ll accept that too.”

Kneeling down, I said everything I needed to say.

Lady Lumina wasn’t smiling.

But she didn’t look away either.

“There’s no need for punishment.”

Her voice wasn’t cold.

If anything… it trembled.

“Hort.”

“Yes.”

“…Do you really think I’m wrong?”

I didn’t back down.

“I couldn’t see your choice as the right one, Lady Lumina.”

She was prepared to break herself if necessary.

I didn’t want to see a future like that.

After a moment of silence, she gently placed her hand over the documents on the desk.

“…Then answer me.”

“…Yes.”

“Then what should I have done?! What is this path you speak of—one where I don’t become a sacrifice?!”

It was a direct question.

There was no avoiding it.

I took a breath.

“…Why don’t we find it together? I want to stay by your side and help you achieve your goal. But… I don’t want to support a path where you break yourself and become a sacrifice.”

“…You’re the first person to ever say something like that to me.”

I didn’t know what her words truly meant.

But her eyes had grown moist.

She turned her gaze away… and looked out over the royal capital through the window.