After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World - 32
Chapter 32: Another One Already?
“Hehe, even I wouldn’t think of overturning the royal family just for the sake of finding a man. Our mission as high-ranking nobles is not to harm the people… But if it weren’t Princess Beatrice, I might have considered it a bit.”
Look at that, she’s still saying frightening things. I brace myself for whatever bombshell statement comes next, and Gretel wipes her tears with the sleeves of her white knight’s uniform. I can’t help but think she could use a handkerchief, but I find myself captivated by her actions.
She then places her left hand on her slender chest and takes a deep breath. Without a doubt, she is about to say something decisive. I straighten my back in tension, but the anticipated attack never comes. She exhales mysteriously like Darth Vader, and her gaze wanders around, not even looking at me.
“Gretel?”
Finally suspicious, I call out to her, and she startles, looking at me with an expression resembling fear. Since I have no idea how to respond in situations like these, I just smile, not averting my gaze. After about five minutes, she seems to have gathered herself. Gretel, now looking calmer, directs her gaze towards me.
Has about five minutes passed? Finally, she seems to have gathered her courage, and her crimson lips move.
“L-Lutz!”
“Yes?”
“I have a favor to ask. I heard that there are only three women allowed to be close to you along with Princess Beatrice. Please, give one of those slots to me, the future Marchioness Margarete of Hanover.”
Unexpected words make me forget to breathe. Is this some kind of reverse proposal? Well, considering the power dynamics in this world, maybe this is a normal situation.
“As one of your companions close to Princess Beatrice, I swear to protect you. While I may not be good at gently soothing a tired heart or eliminating invisible malice, I will become a superior sword and shield, useful to you more than anyone else. Of course, I plan to further polish and train both my magic and sword skills so as not to lose to anyone else. So please, make me one of your wi-wi… one of your wives!”
While she speaks, her face turns pale with sweat on her forehead. After finishing her rapid speech, she turns as red as a boiled octopus. A somewhat inappropriate thought about traffic lights crosses my mind, but now is the time to respond seriously.
What should I do? There’s no room for hesitation. Despite being fierce and rough, Gretel sincerely cares about me. More than half of her feelings are probably directed towards the personality of the old Lutz from last year, whom I’ve now taken over. Now, it’s unclear where the real me and the old Lutz start and end. And for some reason, I’m quite attracted to this clumsy expression of affection. The answer is already clear.
“If it’s okay with someone like me, I’d be delighted. I want you to protect me for the rest of my life.”
It might sound like an inverted expression from the perspective of my former world, but considering the difference in abilities, it can’t be helped. Let’s humbly accept her protection as the “return of the hero.”
“Lutz, I’m so happy! I love you!”
Gretel raises her voice in excitement and tightly hugs me. I feel bliss in the figure of my cute childhood friend who earnestly seeks me… However, this blissful time lasts only for a short while. In her excitement, Gretel’s embrace, which forgets to hold back, squeezes my lungs like a professional wrestler’s bear hug… embarrassingly, I lose consciousness again.
—
The next day, my mother, Gretel, Gretel’s mother (the current Marchioness of Hanover), and I went to the royal palace. The purpose, of course, is to have Gretel recognized as a concubine? in addition to being announced as Beatrice’s fiancé.
“Haa… Rather than announcing as Beat’s fiancé, you’re already looking for a concubine? Hilda, your son is quite a big shot.”
“I deeply apologize. It was I who advised Miss Margarete forcefully to recommend marriage to my son. If there are any criticisms, please direct them at me.”
Kneeling in her pants-style knight’s uniform, my mother deeply bows her head. His Majesty seems slightly astonished, but there’s no tone of anger in his voice.
“Well, if it’s a marriage with the ‘Hero’s reincarnation,’ there’s no reason to object. Beat and Gretel are already close friends… If they become allies in supporting Lutz, can we expect them to devote themselves to the royal family?”
“Yes! Undutiful Margarete pledges to eliminate anyone who would harm His Majesty, the Crown Prince, and Princess Beatrice, with all her might!”
With determination, Gretel declares. Her strawberry blonde hair is tied into twin tails, and she looks impeccably sharp in matching knight attire with my mother. Her appearance is so gallant that it’s mesmerizing.
“However, I must express my deep apologies to Princess Beatrice for this impertinence…”
“That’s right. Regarding this matter, we must hear Beat’s opinion. Well then, Beat, what do you think of the proposal from the House of Hanover?”
The doll-like beautiful girl slowly opens her cherry-colored lips.