After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World - 158
### Chapter 158: The Parade
In the end, we couldn’t get close to the terrorists’ backers by the main festival three days later. Well, since Kanako, the Dark Clan leader, was furious and determined to expose the mastermind, I have to leave that to the professionals. Essentially, there’s nothing much I can do except increase the security around Beatrix during the festival.
And now, I am enduring the ordeal of riding in a luxurious open carriage drawn by eight horses, smiling and waving at the spectators who crowd the streets.
Next to me, of course, is the future queen, Beatrix. Although I am uncomfortable with this public display, Beatrix, whether accustomed to it or understanding it, dismisses my complaints with a simple, “This is part of your duty as the future consort, Lutz. You need to accept it,” and continues to smile gracefully and elegantly, slightly relaxing her porcelain-like face.
This festival, where Beatrix is stepping outside the palace for the first time in a while, presents a perfect opportunity for those targeting her life. Especially during this city parade, where Beatrix is exposed and defenseless in front of an unspecified number of people, the danger is extremely high.
Of course, even our queen, who isn’t great at crisis management, must be aware of this. And Clara, who should be a rival, is secretly allied with Beatrix. So, after discussions, we decided to arrange the security such that Beatrix and Clara are in the first row of the luxurious carriage, and I am with Beatrix in the second row to prevent any potential threats.
While the familiar attack spells like fire, explosion, and stone-throwing are the most feared, attacking Beatrix in such a densely packed arrangement would inevitably involve Clara and the queen as well. The only remaining option would be sniping with magically enhanced arrows, but that is easily countered. By using magic to create wind on either side of the carriage and varying its direction and speed unpredictably, it becomes difficult for anyone to accurately shoot Beatrix. As of now, it should be possible to prevent long-range assassination attempts.
At the head of the royal carriage’s guard is Gretel, riding a white horse and wearing a ceremonial white knight’s uniform, keeping a vigilant eye on all directions. As long as she is near the carriage, the likelihood of an attack on Beatrix through close combat should be almost zero.
Despite these thorough precautions, my inexperience in facing life-threatening situations makes me constantly scan the crowd for suspicious individuals.
“Don’t make such a scary face. Always remember to smile in front of the people. That is the duty of royalty… Lutz, you are now part of the royalty,” Beatrix says.
“S-sorry.”
“Don’t worry, I understand. You are desperately trying to protect me and the child in my womb.”
Beatrix briefly gives me a genuinely youthful smile, different from the pasted-on smile she gives to the public. Just that moment made me feel that my efforts were worth it, and I’m sure to her, I must seem like an easy man to please.
“By the way, I hear you have a woman you want to make your wife.”
“Eh… No, it’s just that Gretel said that, I haven’t—”
Beatrix, who had been maintaining a faint smile, suddenly shifts from her previously gentle demeanor to a stern, cutting tone, pressing the blade of words against my throat. Caught off guard by this unexpected attack, I can only stammer and offer excuses.
“It seems so. But you are attracted to her, aren’t you?”
“Well, I…”
“You are attracted to her, aren’t you?”
“Yes…”
This interrogation feels like a pattern I’ve seen with Gretel. Beatrix has the royal skill “Spirit’s Eye,” which sees through lies, so I have no choice but to be honest.
“Well, if it’s that girl, it should be fine. Until now, the women you have been with have all been older, so it’s about time to have a younger one.”
“Eh, you know Michaela?”
“Yesterday, Gretel brought her. It seems she has already arranged for Michaela to be adopted by the Baron of Lüneburg, a vassal of the Hanovarian family. She seems quite fond of her. Since Michaela is originally from the Empire, making her a concubine would be difficult, so treating her as a lover should be fine.”
With her smile fixed in place, Beatrix continues in a business-like tone. Although she has been so affectionate towards me, hearing her recommend infidelity in such a cool manner feels quite intimidating.
“Beatrix, doesn’t it bother you that I’m increasing my lovers? It’s not just a one-night affair, you know?”
Clara, sitting just in front of me, stiffens. Yes, Clara is more than a one-night partner; she has been a long-term partner working towards various shared goals. The relationship is not one that can be publicly disclosed, and she might indeed be more suited to the “lover” role.
“Of course, if I could have you all to myself, I would prefer that. But as Gretel said, you are too extraordinary and there are too many dangers. To protect you, we need to increase the number of strong women who care for you.”
The moment she finishes speaking, her formal smile momentarily falters into a pained expression. But in the next moment, she returns to her doll-like smile… Beatrix must have been through a lot of anguish over this.
“I guarantee that the girl has no ill intentions. However… for now, she doesn’t seem to have any special feelings for you.”
As expected of Beatrix. Even if Gretel and Beatrix allow it, Michaela doesn’t seem to desire being my lover.