After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World - 26
Chapter 26: Caught in a Trap?
After dinner, my mother was summoned to the Queen’s private quarters, along with several bottles of wine, for some “woman-to-woman talk.”
Princess Beatrice enjoyed the dinner calmly and seemed to have lively conversations with my mother. However, she was currently being led by a maid to take a bath and planned to rest early for the night. Well, the princess must be tired too… suddenly being told to marry a man she just met. Although she appeared composed on the surface, I wondered if a storm was raging within her.
“Ludwig-sama, what would you like to do after this? For those who have come of age, it is common to have a change of location and enjoy some alcohol, but…”
Left alone, the elderly chamberlain spoke to me in a subdued tone.
“I’m tired today, so I feel like going to bed early. Can you guide me to a guest room?”
“Well, those are not yet prepared…”
No guest room in the palace? It seemed a bit strange, but I didn’t want to trouble someone much older than me—older than my age in the former world. In the end, I was invited to a charming lounge by the chamberlain, where I was treated to tea, and we chatted for a while.
“In regards to this engagement talk, how does it look from the chamberlain’s perspective?”
“That’s true, considering the Prince of Poznan from the Kingdom of Poznan is closer in age and would be welcomed as a candidate for the royal consort. I also found it surprising… but hearing that Ludwig-sama achieved an unprecedented ‘baptism’ result, I thought it might be a good choice to ensure the peace of the kingdom.”
“When you say that, it makes sense, but… it’s still hard to believe that all my children are excellent.”
“Ludwig-sama comes from a highly prestigious lineage. With the renowned Hero of Flame as his mother and a brother who shares the same father, he is a highly promising candidate for a seed fee of one hundred gold coins. This ‘baptism’ today was no accident. It will be fine; you will surely produce a special daughter with Lady Beatrice.”
The chamberlain addressed Princess Beatrice affectionately. Surely, he had been watching over her like family since her birth.
“How does Lady Beatrice… think about this matter?”
“I wonder… I have been in the service of Lady Beatrice since her birth, and she is a person who does not reveal her own emotions to others.”
“Emotions…”
“Since childhood, she understood the magnitude of her own power. If Lady Beatrice were to get angry with a servant, that person would lose their job. If the other party were a noble, it could affect the survival of their family… Therefore, always prioritizing reason, suppressing personal likes and dislikes, she has lived. However, Lady Beatrice is still a young girl, and despite her intense emotions, they cannot be nonexistent.”
I see. Being born into a family at the pinnacle of power must be tough. I thought that those born with such power would become arrogant, but Princess Beatrice seemed different. Despite her seemingly emotionless conversations, she was a kind-hearted woman.
“So, Ludwig-sama, I hope you can become a man who can hear Lady Beatrice’s true feelings. Royalty faces pressure from various directions… Lady Beatrice will eventually inherit the throne, and the stress is unimaginably enormous. If she continues to keep it within herself, she will eventually fall ill. Therefore…”
“I understand. Although I became engaged in a single leap, I will do my best to open up her heart, starting as friends. But how can I gain her trust to the point where she can vent her complaints?”
“It will be alright. Even if an old man like me says so, Ludwig-sama, despite your appearance, feels much older inside. As an adult, you will be able to envelop Lady Beatrice.”
Ah, this old chamberlain is not to be underestimated. I wanted to have a more in-depth conversation with him, but when I leaned forward, a young chamberlain entered without a sound and whispered something to the old chamberlain.
“The bedroom is ready. Although it’s regrettable, let’s end here for tonight. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future.”
Yes, it’s a shame, but let’s call it a night. The intense events had taken a toll on this young body, after all.
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The detached palace, led by the young chamberlain, had a calm design, avoiding extravagant decorations that suited my taste. While glistening furnishings might be necessary to showcase the royal family’s power, if such things cluttered the living space, I, a commoner from the former world, wouldn’t be able to sleep peacefully.
“Your sleeping quarters are here.”
As the doors with a composed design opened, the warm and faint light of oil lamps gently illuminated the room, creating a soothing atmosphere.
Nodding in acknowledgment to the chamberlain’s deep bow, I entered the room. There was a slightly sweet fragrance in the air. This familiar sensation… come to think of it, it resembled the feeling when I entered her room for the first time back in my high school days.
As I pondered this, a heavy sound of the lock falling on the large doors behind me reached my ears. Wait, seriously? Is the palace doing something like trapping visitors?
“W-Wait a moment!”
Despite my shout, there was silence on the other side of the door. Come on, what am I supposed to do… At that moment, I heard the sound of fabric rustling behind me. Turning around, I was astonished by the sight of Princess Beatrice in her night attire.