After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World - 37
Chapter 37: The Protagonist Appears
“What, what? What did you just say?”
Narcissus is in a state of confusion, turning red and then blue. Well, I can understand his confusion. It’s not every day that a man engaged to the princess makes plans to marry someone else.
“Because it’s an important matter, I’ll say it twice. I am Ludovic von Frohdenstadt, and I am engaged to him. Therefore, I have the right to pick a fight for my beloved!”
Gretel’s aristocratic words, which don’t suit her at all, are clearly provoking Narcissus. Her eyes shine brightly as she enjoys tormenting her prey.
Narcissus, despite his trembling teeth, seems to have suddenly thought of something and attacks me with widened eyes.
“What a scandalous outrage! To engage with the princess while making promises of marriage and then engage with another woman, it is a blatant disregard for the royal family! It is the utmost disrespect, and you, as a noble of the kingdom, must be prepared to be condemned!”
To this one-sided rant, even Gretel is left wide-mouthed in surprise. It should be easy to deduce that there might be some circumstances if one just thinks a bit. However, this guy’s voice is unnecessarily loud. Slowly but steadily, the surrounding nobles are directing accusatory glances at us. Well, these people have been trying to bring me down if they see any chance, so it’s not surprising.
“Exactly, as Lord Gregorius says. What you’ve done, trying to belittle the princess, is an act of great disrespect.”
“To think that the fourth son of the Count’s family would try to have multiple wives, it’s beyond knowing one’s place.”
“If you’re already involved with another woman, shouldn’t you decline the engagement with the princess?”
“Rather than disrespect, it’s more like a crime! We should harshly judge and punish it!”
Ah, it’s so noisy. I’ve tried to maintain a mature attitude to not tarnish Beato’s reputation, but considering the baseless accusations we’ve been enduring, it’s about time to fight back. Standing next to me, Gretel, with magical power gathering in her fist, is ready for retribution. Taking a deep breath, preparing to unleash the sarcasm I’ve been holding back, I was about to speak when a particularly loud announcement made me pause.
“Presenting the radiant sun of Belzenbruck, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, and the shining star of the kingdom, Princess Beatrice!”
—
In front of the main characters, it’s not appropriate to cause a commotion. Both Gretel and I bow respectfully. However, the disgruntled nobles around me are still restless. Queen Elizabeth, being astute, seems to have quickly grasped what happened. Rather, I wonder if she intentionally orchestrated this situation. With a short, knowing smile directed at me, she slowly begins to address the discontented nobles.
“Hmm? What has happened, gentlemen? Tonight is the joyous day celebrating my daughter Beatrice’s sixteenth birthday. With such a gloomy atmosphere, it won’t be enjoyable.”
The nobles exchanging glances seem to get noticed by Queen Elizabeth. She then turns her gaze towards me, a hint of a sly smile on her lips.
“Oh, have you all encountered some trouble? Tonight is not the time for such foolishness. Perhaps, it was I, Elizabeth herself, who gave the order for this foolishness.”
At that moment, the temperature in the hall dropped a few degrees, at least that’s how it felt to me. Narcissus, who had been energetically ranting about the foolishness of our engagement, had his face frozen, like he was caught in ice.
“Oh, is it foolish? Perhaps it is. However, it was I, the foolish Queen Elizabeth herself, who gave that foolish order.”
“I-I didn’t mean to speak such disrespectful words…”
“Hmm, I did hear the words ‘foolish beyond measure’ from you indeed…”
While the queen continues to smile lightly, her presence seems to me like a snake toying with a sacrificial frog before delivering the final blow.
“No, that was just a turn of phrase! I never meant it that way!”
“Still spouting nonsense. ‘Turn of phrase,’ you say? The words you used to call me foolish can’t be erased. Is your mother not here? Prime Minister!”
“Yes!”
“Tell Count Stendhal that his promotion to the Deputy Minister of Agriculture is revoked. It’s good to be devoted to work, but spend more time on your son’s education.”
“This, Your Majesty!”
Narcissus, clinging to the hem of the queen’s dress, pleads desperately, but it’s already too late. In a normal autocracy, this could cost him his life. He should be grateful that it’s just a postponed promotion, considering the circumstances.
“Your Majesty, have mercy!”
“Take him away.”
And so, Narcissus was dragged away by the queen’s guards. Well, survive as best you can.