Virgin Knight Who Is the Frontier Lord in the Gender Switched World - Chapter 39

For me, Faust von Polydoro, an incomprehensible situation continued.

Do you desire my progeny?

Why would that be?

Before me, Queen Katarina and Lady Valiere were engaged in intense negotiations.

“Conceiving a child from Faust von Polydoro is the condition. Do not make me repeat myself,” said Queen Katarina.

“No, but Lord Polydoro is merely a lord who has signed a protection contract with our country. Even as the advisor to our Second Princess, he has no authority to enforce such a thing in the Kingdom of Anhalt,” replied Lady Valiere.

“Who said anything about enforcing? Enough. I will speak with Lord Polydoro directly.”

Lady Valiere was quickly defeated, deemed useless by my inner thoughts, although her argument wasn’t wrong. It appears I must speak directly with Queen Katarina. Really, I must understand what she is thinking.

“Do you find the notion of being embraced by me distasteful, Faust von Polydoro?” Queen Katarina rose, her voluptuous figure barely contained by her dress, highlighted by her flowing red hair. A beauty without question, her ample bosom was noteworthy. Not that I object. Far from it. Yet…”

“Queen Katarina, although I have come for peace negotiations, I stand before you as a champion from a potentially hostile neighbouring land, the very one who bested Reckenber—a hero of Virendorf and akin to a parental figure for you,” I laid out my case, fully aware of its inadequacy.

“And what of it? The duel with Reckenber was a fair fight. Moreover, you even mourned her death. I bear no grudge against you. On the contrary, Reckenber, watching from Valhalla, would be pleased that I have found a man suitable to father my child,” Queen Katarina dismissed my logic effortlessly.

“But is there any issue with me bearing Lord Polydoro’s child?” she inquired.

“Not in the slightest,” responded the old woman with a smile, clearly pleased that Queen Katarina had decided to prepare for the next queen’s birth. “Ideally, we would want Lord Polydoro as a consort for our country, but that might be asking too much. Let’s settle for a compromise,” she concluded, her laughter not easing my concerns.

I expected the high nobles to oppose…

“Allowing Lord Polydoro to impregnate you,”

“How enviable,”

Contrary to my expectations, there was no opposition. I thought there would be desires for alliances with men from their own country.

Ignoring my thoughts, Queen Katarina asked, “I ask all the nobles and knights present in this hall. Is there anyone opposed to me bearing Faust von Polydoro’s child?”

Despite my expectation of at least some resistance in a feudal kingdom filled with Virendorf’s lords, no one opposed it.

“Queen Katarina, could you not also consider granting Lord Polydoro’s progeny to our ducal house?”

“And to my eldest daughter as well,”

“To our house too…”

Wow, I seem to be quite the catch. Enough, all of you. Given this world’s inverted moral compass, why such fervent longing for my seed? Is it because I’m from Virendorf, seen as a peerless beauty in this country, and in a culture that venerates the strong, offspring of the mighty who inherit great potential? Somehow, I’m forcing myself to accept this reasoning.

“Denied, I want Faust von Polydoro for myself. As the military minister said, ideally as a consort. But Lord Polydoro has his own land, and people are waiting in Anhalt. This is already a compromise,” she added.

Despite her consideration, which I appreciated, my other self, currently constrained beneath a chastity belt, had no complaints either. Being embraced by the Queen of Virendorf…

“Queen Katarina, Your Majesty, if I may express a fear,”

“What is it?”

“Being embraced by Your Majesty would make finding a spouse for myself hopelessly difficult.”

Especially since I’m not exactly popular in the Kingdom of Anhalt, the only ones openly courting me are Duchess Astarte, who desires me as a lover, and Sabine Dono, the only one who has directly courted me as a man. If rumours spread that I became the lover of an enemy queen, any hope for a brilliant marital life would be dashed. A wife would be out of the question.

“In the Kingdom of Anhalt, I’m scarcely favored by the opposite sex. To then be labeled as the consort of a queen from a rival nation…”

“That would merely underscore the folly of the Kingdom of Anhalt,” Queen Katarina snorted in derision, dismissing the concern outright. And here I am, an envoy from that very “foolish” Anhalt.

“A hero of the nation, yet not a suitable bride is arranged for him. Furthermore, a hero is treated coldly by his people and nobility. What has become of the Kingdom of Anhalt? I truly wonder,” she mused.

“I cannot say I am entirely without grievances in that regard,” I admitted, hoping for at least some intervention from my home country. I had faced near-death experiences in the Virendorf campaign and undertook seemingly impossible tasks for the second Princess Valiere. And now, these peace negotiations present yet another unreasonable challenge. Despite all my efforts, why has the royal family not arranged a marriage for me? The nobility of Anhalt neither invites me to their parties nor offers me any chance to meet potential brides among their daughters. Reflecting on this, I realised Faust von Polydoro’s discontent stemmed from being overly cherished by the royal family of Anhalt, intending to make him a lover for Princess Anastasia or Duchess Astarte, thereby preventing any noble parties from inviting him. Essentially, Faust’s predicament was mainly of his own making. While not everything was his fault, his obliviousness to the overt affections of Queen Liesenlotte, Princess Anastasia, and Duchess Astarte played a significant part due to his ineptitude in love. This included the current situation with Queen Katarina’s affection.

“From Virendorf, I will select a suitable bride for you, despite the fierce competition. I will ensure she meets your requirements. How does that sound?”

“No, but to accept a bride from an enemy country…”

“Once peace is established, we cease to be adversaries. The peace need not last merely a decade; it could extend to twenty, thirty years, or even till Lord Polydoro’s demise.”

Overwhelmed by Queen Katarina’s determination, I struggled to find a counterargument. The other me, confined beneath the chastity belt, seemed resigned, even though I saw Queen Katarina quite to my liking.

“Is Your Majesty in love with me?” I ventured, reversing the question.

“I do not know,” she responded candidly.

“Perhaps I only seek solace. To hold you in bed and weep. That may be all I desire.”

Her eyes, filled with a plea, gazed at me as she spoke as if to herself.

“Would you find it objectionable to share a bed with me to soothe our wounds together?”

Not at all. The other part of me responded keenly.

“Suppose we share a bed only after I’ve taken a wife? What do you think?” I ventured, offering it as a provisional measure.

Rejecting her offer could jeopardize the peace negotiations and possibly lead to a second Virendorf conflict, which we would almost certainly lose. Thus, I had no choice but to consider her proposal, albeit temporarily.

“Married first, then? How long will you need to convince your bride? And how many years until you marry? I cannot wait long.”

Queen Katarina entertained this provisional suggestion, proving she was not unreasonable.

“Could you wait two years?”

“Two years… By then, both of us will be 24.” 

That’s about as long as I could wait, too. Whether Anhalt arranges someone or I manage something with Sabine-dono, I can afford two years. If Sabine-dono does not become my bride, and if Anhalt fails to arrange anyone else, I might as well embrace Queen Katarina, arrange for a bride from Virendorf, and secure an heir for my lands. Beyond this, I could think of no other solution. I needed to navigate this situation with calculation.

“Very well,” Queen Katarina agreed.

“I will wait. I will look forward to the day I can hold you in my bed.” 

“If you are satisfied with this arrangement, I am relieved.”

There is no longer room for negotiation.

Valiere-sama, who has been silent all this time, seems to understand that much and is holding her head.

Valiere-sama, it’s not your fault.

Even if the negotiator were Anastasia, the First Princess, or Duchess Astarte, the negotiation terms would not change.

Queen Katarina has no intention of conceding anything.

“Alright, it’s decided. Come again next year, or rather, the year after next, Faust von Polydoro. It will be hard not to see your face for two years.”

“Understood.”

So, I’ll be coming next year too.

No, it’s not that I dislike it.

I don’t dislike Queen Katarina as a man or a woman.

But personally, I feel like I’ve been overpowered by authority, and that’s indeed the reality.

The other me beneath the chastity belt doesn’t mind.

But something inside my brain, inside my skull, feels a bit off.

Well, there’s nothing I can do about it.

I sigh.

“With this, the negotiations are settled. We will accept a 10-year peace negotiation. Depending on the wishes of the Kingdom of Anhalt, we might consider extending the peace period. Valiere, the Second Princess, I’m sorry if it seemed like I ignored you.”

“Yes.”

Valiere-sama has an expression that says she’s left everything to Faust.

But you must apologize to Queen Liesenlotte with me about the stolen rose.

There’s still work to be done.

It would be troublesome if you became too dejected.

“Polydoro, no, I shall call you simply Faust from now on. You are to become my lover, after all.”

“Understood.”

I’ve given up on something.

“As much as I hate to part, even for a second, Faust, please go offer flowers at the Reckenber cemetery for now. Then, where you’ll stay tonight. My bedroom is available, but—let’s save the enjoyment for later.”

Queen Katarina, with a cheerful smile, looks toward the line of knights.

At the very end, a girl about 12 years old.

She directs her gaze to the girl, speaking.

“Nina von Reckenber, guide them to your mother, Claudia von Reckenber’s grave, and then host the Second Princess and Faust at your house.”

“Understood. My house will surely offer comfort to Lord Polydoro.”

Eh, this girl, the sole daughter of Lord Reckenber?

I had the information beforehand, but it doesn’t feel comforting.

Not comforting at all, to spend a night in the house of the daughter of someone I killed in a duel.

I’ve been living quite cautiously around Martina as well.

You guys, show a little consideration for my feelings.

“Then, let’s conclude the negotiations here. Enjoy the capital of Virendorf from here on.”

I can’t find any joy in this, though.

“Ah, Nina von Reckenber. One last thing. Your mother, Claudia’s magic longbow. Would you lend it to Faust? I’d be troubled if he died fighting the nomads.”

“Well, whether he can draw it or not. If he can, I’m not opposed to lending it.”

Things are progressing without me.

Ah, the strong bow I faced in the battle of Virendorf.

Well, if I could use it for next year’s military service against the nomads, I’d be grateful.

“With that, let’s completely conclude the negotiations. Everyone, it was a great effort.”

With Queen Katarina’s words.

The peace negotiations were thus concluded.

Leaving behind Faust von Polydoro’s mixed feelings.

Anyway, the peace negotiations are over.