When I Infiltrated the Enemy Nation as a Slave, the Yandere Beauties There Started a Civil War Over Me - Chapter 19: The Purpose

Chapter 19: The Purpose

Even though she asked me to reconsider… to be honest, I’m still trying to fully grasp everything Celestine just said.

In any case, she plans to pay me the agreed sum. 

She also genuinely wants me to become her real fiancé, with emotional feelings involved. On top of that, she’s willing to protect me from Cecifelia, and to prove she’s serious, she even offered to give herself to me.

While her reasoning makes sense, there are some emotional leaps in her logic.

“For now, I understand that you’re not joking, Miss Celestine, so there’s no need to prove it by offering your body.”

“I understand… I apologize, it seems I let my emotions get the better of me.”

Celestine, now calmer, slowly removed her hand from mine.

“However, what I said earlier is still true… I’m not forcing you to become my fiancé. Even if you simply agree to be listed as a fiancé candidate, that alone would allow me to protect you.”

“…Even if I accept that, how would you explain making a slave a fiancé candidate to the Celestine household or the other nobles?”

“I can handle what people around us say, so you don’t need to worry too much about that. As for my family, I won’t allow them to complain… though my father might object. If that happens…”

Celestine smiled gently as she looked me in the eye.

“I would like you to sleep with me, Sir Luke.”

S-Sleep with her…!?

That means she’s suggesting we engage in… that kind of relationship? 

As if to confirm my thoughts, Celestine continued.

“If I introduce you as the man I gave my first time to and express my love, no one will be able to oppose us… So, Sir Luke, when that time comes, I ask that you be as gentle as possible.”

“W-Wait a minute! I can’t do something like that!”

“I fully understand that I may lack the qualities of an attractive woman. But… this is only if my father opposes the arrangement, and the chances of that happening are fifty-fifty.”

Becoming a fiancé candidate, which has fewer restrictions than being a full fiancé, could offer some advantages if it means gaining the support of the Celestine family. However, if her father does object, as I’ve already been told, I wouldn’t be able to refuse… her suggestion.

Even though she says the chance of opposition is fifty-fifty, that still means there’s a one-in-two chance that my chastity could be at risk. No matter how many benefits I might gain from being a fiancé candidate, when I consider that…

“It’s definitely impossible!”

That’s the only answer I can give.

“Sir Luke, why are you so flustered? Could it be…?”

Celestine seemed to realize something, her eyes widening as she spoke.

“Sir Luke, do you also have no experience with women?”

“……”

First with Cecifelia, and now this… Why do I keep getting questioned about this?

That said, it would be even more embarrassing to lie about it and pretend otherwise…

“…Yes.”

“Oh! I asked just out of curiosity, but to think that someone as handsome, intelligent, and skilled in combat as Sir Luke has no experience with women… Surely you’ve had offers before, haven’t you? Is there a reason you didn’t accept them?”

Honestly, yes, I’ve had many such offers. 

Being a member of the royal family, along with my dedication to studying and sword training from a young age, naturally made me stand out. So it’s not surprising, looking back.

But by the time I reached the age where I started getting such offers, Sandrotheim was already at war with the Elenorde Empire. There was no way I could entertain such invitations under those circumstances.

Right now, all I can focus on is saving Sandrotheim from the grip of the Elenorde Empire. That’s the only reason I’ve turned down any offers.

As I was thinking about this, Celestine looked at me and spoke again.

“…Even without words, I can sense your strong resolve, Sir Luke. It’s clear from your eyes and the air around you… You’re carrying a great burden, aren’t you?”

As she said this, Celestine stood up, walked over to me, and knelt before me, looking up as I sat on the sofa.

“Sir Luke… If you would allow me, could I help carry that burden with you?”

“…What?”

“I know that someone like me may not be capable of sharing such a heavy load… But even so, I would like to lend you my strength, no matter how small, to help you achieve what you seek and bring you happiness.”

Her support… Celestine doesn’t seem to be lying, and although we haven’t known each other long, she’s proven to be someone trustworthy.

However, there’s no way I can tell her that my goal is to destroy the Elenorde Empire and save the Sandrotheim Kingdom—especially since she’s part of the Elenorde duchy.

“I’m just a slave. I’m not carrying anything so important.”

“…I see.”

When I responded, Celestine closed her eyes for a moment before replying.

Then, she opened them again, placing her hand gently over mine with a soft expression.

“For now, that’s fine… but please don’t forget that if you ever wish it, I will give you my all to support you.”

“…Thank you.”

I offered my gratitude, and Celestine, seemingly satisfied, let go of my hand and stood up. She glanced at the clock and said:

“It’s already 5:30 PM. If you’d like, you’re welcome to stay for dinner before heading back. What do you think?”

“I appreciate the offer, but Miss Cecifelia has asked me to return by 7 PM, so I’ll have to decline.”

“Oh…! I see. Well then, I’ll have the carriage take you back to the city.”

“Thank you.”

Though she looked a bit disappointed, she kindly made the offer. Accepting her hospitality, I left the Celestine estate, and the two of us rode in the carriage back toward the city. During the ride, Celestine sat beside me, looking unusually serious, but by the time we arrived, her expression had shifted to one of quiet resolve.

As I stepped out of the carriage, Celestine spoke.

“That will be all for today… There’s still a large amount of money you haven’t collected yet, so please feel free to come and receive it whenever it suits you.”

“I understand.”

“Then, I’ll take my leave… I look forward to seeing you again.”

With those polite words, Celestine returned to her estate in the carriage.

It was around 5:30 PM when we were at the mansion, so it must be close to 6:00 PM now.

Since it would only take about 20 minutes to return to the Cecifelia estate by carriage, I figured I could spend about 10 minutes getting some fresh air and clearing the scent… But just as I let my guard down, a large man suddenly bumped into me.

“Oops, sorry about that, nobleman.”

Judging by my clothes, he must have mistaken me for a noble… Well, it’s not uncommon for people to bump into each other in a crowded street. 

No need to get upset over something like this—

“…Huh?”

Just as I was thinking that, I suddenly noticed that something felt lighter. 

For a moment, I couldn’t figure out why… but when I checked my pockets, the reason became clear.

“Out of the 100,000 gold, the 50,000 gold I had in my right pocket is gone…?”

I muttered to myself and quickly turned around—sure enough, the man who bumped into me was now sprinting away at full speed… So, this is what they call pickpocketing.

In Sandrotheim, things like this don’t happen, so I let my guard down… but still.

For someone to have the audacity to steal from me, Alex Sandrotheim, prince of the Sandrotheim Kingdom, they must have quite the nerve.

As the prince of Sandrotheim, I can’t just let a common thief get away with my money…! For the sake of my dignity, I will definitely get it back!

With that thought burning in my mind, I immediately took off after the man. At this point, my focus was solely on retrieving my stolen money and upholding my pride as the prince of Sandrotheim—everything else, including the time limit, had completely slipped from my mind.