After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World - 94
Chapter 94: What About Sister?
“You still don’t get it even after all that? The last one is more troublesome than Gretel.”
“So, who is it then?”
“…It’s Liese, obviously.”
“Huh?”
“Lutz, you really are dense. It’s a serious problem though… the way Liese looks at you is like that of a girl in love.”
Facing Sieg’s expression of exasperation, I was left speechless. Indeed, lately, I’ve been aware of being pampered and doted on excessively, receiving passionate looks… but…
“No, that’s just because I happened to give some advice on her water magic, and she’s grateful for that… you know, it’s like the respect a disciple shows to their master, or the devotion of followers to a cult leader, something like that.”
“It’s common for a master and disciple to have a relationship that transcends gender, and it’s not unusual for a cult leader to build a harem of followers, you know?”
Ugh. Today, Sieg was bluntly poking at sensitive spots I’d rather not have touched upon.
“But, Liese and I are siblings. In this world, is such a thing permitted?”
“Of course, the church wouldn’t approve. But they say forbidden love burns the hottest, don’t they?”
Though his tone was light-hearted, Sieg’s expression was serious. At least in his eyes, it seemed that the relationship between Liese and me appeared that way.
Truth be told, I had also felt the danger in Liese’s gaze. It was just that my deeply ingrained ethics from my previous world had refused to acknowledge it. But now, having it pointed out by Sieg, I found myself in a situation where I had to face the truth.
Once I became conscious of it, Liese seemed like an incredibly attractive woman. Her fair skin, long pink hair, and the soft alto that emanated from her similarly-colored lips… the contrast between her usual gentle and graceful demeanor and her gallant figure commanding troops in battle was irresistible. If we weren’t siblings, I would undoubtedly be drawn to her… no, even now, despite knowing we’re siblings, I found myself aware of her as a woman.
“What should I do?”
“Well, since you’re siblings, marriage isn’t allowed. So, it would be difficult for Liese to become one of the three permitted concubines for Lutz. Well, having a mistress is an option…”
“No, that’s…”
Sieg’s response only deepened my dilemma.
—
In the end, my confession came about two weeks later. The meetings regarding various matters concerning the Baden territory had settled down, but Beatrice was occupied with the negotiations for peace with the other offending nation, the Principality of Liège.
There were 8,000 prisoners of war, among whom was the heir to the principality, the first princess. The elite magical units and sturdy heavy infantry units of the principality had been annihilated by Liese and Gretel. Skirmishes with the principality had been ongoing for decades, but never had our position been so strong. We could now ensure that they would never again threaten Belsembourg.
And once again, it was Beatrice who led the negotiations. Her “Eyes of the Spirits” methodically exposed the malicious intentions hidden in the lengthy and intricate clauses inserted by the experienced nobles of the principality into the treaty. Ultimately, the underhanded efforts of the principality bore no fruit, and the negotiations with them ended on terms overwhelmingly favorable to our kingdom.
Firstly, like the prisoners of the empire, the 8,000 captives would work as slaves for the development of the Baden territory. Though the quality of manpower was lower than that of the imperial prisoners, given that Liese had decimated most of the magical users, differential treatment could compensate for that.
However, the reparation payments were much heavier than those imposed on the empire. The sum of 500 million gold coins over the next ten years was the same as that imposed on the empire, but the national budget of the principality was half that of the empire… around 1.5 billion gold coins. Losing a third of that in reparations would undoubtedly impede not only war efforts but also domestic governance for quite some time. This severe treatment was the result of the invasion acts that had kindled the wrath of Her Majesty the Queen and Beatrice. And with the principality prioritizing the return of the first princess, they had no choice but to accept unfavorable conditions, unlike the empire, which had abandoned the first prince without hesitation.
Well, negotiations have come to an end.
And today, in the villa where Beatrice resides, enjoying tea poured by herself, are Gretel, Ayaka-san, and me. And after much deliberation and following Sieg’s advice, I’ve also invited Liese to the table. I was worried that my fiancées might find it odd, but all three of them have expressions like “Ah, I see” upon seeing Liese.
“So, Lutz, what interesting story have you gathered us here to hear?”
Hey, Beatrice, let’s not raise the bar so suddenly, okay?