Virgin Knight Who Is the Frontier Lord in the Gender Switched World - Chapter 48

In the Anhalt Royal Palace, within the chambers of Princess Anastasia, the first princess.

“How was the parade?”

Duchess Astarte, the advisor to the first princess, pours wine into her glass and sips it. Though it’s still noon, she feels like getting drunk—it’s essentially drinking out of frustration. The issue at hand is the legitimate wife problem. At this point, it’s unacceptable for Faust von Polydoro to remain single. Initially, the Anhalt Royal Family planned to have Anastasia, the first princess, become Astarte’s lover and make Astarte’s youngest child the lord of the Polydoro territory. However, Faust von Polydoro is unaware of this.

Queen Virendorf, Ina-Katarina Maria Virendorf, has become his lover, attracting the most attention from regional lords within Anhalt. Faust von Polydoro is currently oblivious to this situation.

“The parade began with his smiles, as soldiers from the ducal army who fought alongside him in the Virendorf campaign stood in attendance.”

“Well, he would at least nod to our soldiers.”

The captain of the first princess’s personal guard reports on the parade, more precisely, on Lord Polydoro’s demeanor to both Anastasia and Astarte.

“However, his expression turned sour as soon as the cheers from the citizens began.”

“That’s to be expected.”

“Indeed.”

The citizens of the Kingdom of Anhalt did not repay Faust von Polydoro, the hero of the country and the foremost in military achievements, during the parade following the Virendorf campaign. The Virendorf campaign was a local conflict, merely a war that occurred along the border between Anhalt and Virendorf. However, it was a significant battle, as a breach could have led to Virendorf’s regional lords joining the fight due to their desire for Anhalt’s land, potentially jeopardizing the country.

Nevertheless, the citizens did not welcome the Knight of Wrath, Lord Polydoro, with cheers. Anastasia and Astarte, who had fought alongside him in the hellish Virendorf campaign, considered punishing the scornful citizens but ultimately decided not to, as doing nothing was not a crime.

The reward for his military achievements was solely the money desired by Lord Polydoro himself and granted by Queen Liesenlotte. However, it was of no consequence. The true value of Faust von Polydoro was understood only by those who had experienced that hellish ordeal together.

But the situation has changed.

If things continue as they are, Faust will be given a legitimate wife from Virendorf, and the ambitions of Anastasia, the first princess, and Duchess Astarte will be dashed. Astarte speaks up.

“Faust achieved the nearly impossible peace negotiations with Virendorf at the cost of his chastity. How should the royal family reward him? What reward would satisfy all regional lords under the protection contract with the Anhalt royal family?”

“Either land or bloodline or perhaps both. Land is out of the question. Although it’s acceptable to carve out royal land, it would become an exclave, which Faust would dislike.”

After finishing her wine, Duchess Astarte attempts to pour herself another glass but instead starts drinking directly from the bottle.

“Then it comes down to bloodline. That means marriage, but who would be the suitable partner?”

“Valiere would be appropriate. Well, not so much appropriate as she is the least objectionable option.”

Anastasia, facing Astarte, clicks her tongue. The bloodline to be offered to Lord Polydoro must come from the royal family and its relatives.

“Am I not suitable?”

“That’s impossible. Whether it’s me or you, marrying someone already married to a king or a duke is out of the question.”

“Even with my contributions this time?”

Duchess Astarte puts down the wine bottle and wipes her lips. She ponders whether it would be possible to make him her husband.

“Why must you make me say it? Valiere is essentially my spare. Unlike you, who will inherit a ducal family with tens of thousands of subjects, she’s different.”

Anastasia responds with a sigh, mixing frustration with resignation.

Astarte, clicking her tongue, turns her gaze to the captain of the first princess’s personal guard, addressing her due to the sensitive nature of their conversation.

“Alexandra, what do you think?”

Captain Alexandra, a towering figure at 190cm, with a body slightly adorned with specialized muscles and a bust size that causes pages to startle upon seeing her, is a beauty. A younger daughter of a hereditary noble, she was personally scouted by Princess Anastasia. Last year, she won a tournament hosted by the Anhalt Royal Family. Apart from a berserk royal family member, she is considered the second strongest in Anhalt, next to Faust, although the gap between their strengths is significant.

“Are you suggesting I marry Lord Polydoro? I would gladly accept.”

“Not at all, you fool.”

Astarte shows her annoyance. The Virendorf campaign has enchanted many women by Faust’s bravery, far more than anticipated.

“I believe a great superhuman child would be born.”

“If he would give me his virginity, I might consider making you his legitimate wife. But the situation does not allow it.”

Alexandra’s words about birthing the next generation of superhumans and Anastasia’s rejection of the idea lead to Anastasia snatching the wine bottle from Astarte and pouring herself a glass. She savors the wine as if tasting it for the first time.

“Bloodline. A bloodline that, to anyone’s eyes, would be seen as rewarding Faust. That’s the condition.”

“Then it really must be Valiere.”

“No. I’ll convince Valiere to yield Faust’s virginity to me.”

Anastasia held a steadfast desire for Faust’s virginity, an aspect she could not relinquish to anyone. To her, the notion of Faust, with his chastity, innocence, and endearing earnestness, unfolding himself to her like a flower plucked by her own hands was her foremost personal desire. Her second desire was to whisper words of love into Faust’s ear, and her third was to bear his child. Princess Anastasia was utterly smitten with Faust von Polydoro.

“Would Valiere agree to this?”

“She will be persuaded. After all, Valiere herself still believes she is destined for the convent. Becoming anything other than a minor regional lord and avoiding the convent is a much better prospect.”

Indeed, unlike the convent, she would be free. Anastasia desired Faust von Polydoro. Despite this, she also held affection for her sister Valiere.

“But what about Faust?”

Astarte, concerned about the remaining wine in the bottle Anastasia had taken, started the conversation. Sensing the moment, Alexandra moved to fetch another bottle.

“…He will agree. Faust does not wish to continue bearing the disgrace of his mother, Marianna. If he can incorporate the royal blood into the Polydoro lineage, it’s as good as done.”

“The logic is sound,” Astarte admitted.

With an eight-year age difference—Faust at 22 and Valiere at 14—it wasn’t unusual among nobility. Faust was slightly overdue for marriage. Considering his status, it’s unlikely he would refuse. Normally.

“Still, I feel that Faust might not be satisfied,” Astarte speculated.

“Why? Because his heart has been captivated by Queen Katarina of Virendorf?”

“It’s something different,” Astarte pondered, touching her lip thoughtfully. Something felt off. Astarte, known for her intuition, could sense it. She had saved many lives, including her own, by trusting this gut feeling during the Virendorf campaign.

“I mean, maybe Valiere isn’t Faust’s type? That’s the feeling I get.”

“Not his type?”

“Yes, exactly.”

A feeling of potential failure nagged at her, not out of wishful thinking but intuition. Astarte shared her concern, which Anastasia met with skepticism.

“So, what do we do?”

“We have no choice but to persuade him. And while we’re at it, suggest he becomes our lover.”

“Won’t he feel cornered, as if we’re trying to claim him after Virendorf almost did?”

They were a step behind Queen Ina-Katarina Maria Virendorf. If the heroic poems spreading through Anhalt were to be believed, Faust had even lost his first kiss to her. Anastasia grimaced with a pained smile.

“I never thought Faust would charm Queen Katarina to this extent. She lacks the aesthetic appreciation of Virendorf, after all. I didn’t think she would fall for Faust’s looks.”

“A woman who understands will understand. That’s just it. Any woman who sees the beauty in Faust’s heart will be drawn to him,” Astarte argued.

Like us two, but regardless of the royal family of Anhalt, we two were at a crossroads.

“It all comes down to persuasion. Faust’s legitimate wife will be Valiere. Once the legitimate wife is decided and the heir to the Polydoro lands is settled, he won’t oppose becoming our lover.”

“The chaste, innocent, and endearing Faust. Aside from Queen Katarina’s matter, wouldn’t he pledge himself to his legitimate wife alone?”

“Anastasia, you understand nothing,” Astarte shook her head, asserting that Anastasia lacked comprehension of Faust’s true nature.

“Faust is chaste, innocent, and blushes at the slightest whisper of love. But, trust me, he’s utterly depraved in bed.”

“What are you even saying? What would an 18-year-old virgin know about such things?” Anastasia retorted, visibly annoyed.

But Astarte was undeterred, convinced of her intuition about Faust’s desires, despite Anastasia’s disbelief.

As they debated Faust’s potential reactions, a knock at the door interrupted their conversation. It was Alexandra, accompanied by Martina, informing them that Faust wished to speak with them.

Upon allowing Faust entry, he greeted them with a seriousness that differed from his usual earnest demeanor, indicating the gravity of the discussion he intended to have before his formal report to Queen Liesenlotte.