I Already Know My Magic Power Is Ridiculously High! Now I Just Need a Cute Wife... - Episode 80

After leaving the queen’s bedroom, Luna found three Stella-ranked individuals waiting for her in the hallway.

One of them was her older brother, Nicholas.

The other two were acquaintances of Luna, though not people she particularly wanted to see. However, it seemed they had been waiting for her.

“It’s been a while, Lady Luna.”

“Yes, Lord Claudio.”

“I must apologize for my father’s behavior earlier. He should not have spoken to you in such a disrespectful manner. I apologize on his behalf.”

The young man with green hair bowed his head as he spoke.

He was Claudio de Hoshiros, the second son of the Marquis of Hoshiros.

He was two years older than Luna and had once been her fiancé.

However, after the Barbato’s incident, their engagement had been annulled, and they had hardly seen each other since.

“No, I understand the Marquis of Hoshiros’ concerns. But… is there any chance he would agree to a ceasefire?”

“That depends entirely on the approach of House Ortenos. My father is focused on territorial concessions. If Ortenos’ demands are not met, he will not agree to a ceasefire.”

Claudio’s gaze toward Luna held a deep affection.

Meanwhile, another person— a young lady with blonde ringlet curls— glared at Luna, but Luna decided to ignore her for now.

“I will do my best to negotiate. Could you, Lord Claudio, also try persuading the Marquis of Hoshiros?”

“…Unfortunately, given my father’s personality, a ceasefire seems hopeless. My father and older brother will be the ones leading the negotiations. Besides, we suffered severe losses in the last skirmish…”

Claudio hesitated slightly as he spoke.

“Even so, I must ask you to try.”

Luna looked up at him with pleading eyes.

It was the gesture of someone who was aware of their own charm as a woman.

Even now, despite bearing the Seal of Chastity, many men still found themselves captivated by her beauty and mannerisms.

Claudio was no exception.

Pierced by Luna’s moist, bewitching eyes, he was instantly enthralled.

“Understood! If it is your request, Lady Luna, I cannot refuse. I will speak to my father.”

As he spoke, Claudio took Luna’s hand.

A shiver of discomfort ran down Luna’s spine at this unexpected move.

The blonde ringlet-haired lady watching them scowled.

“Uh, um… Could you let go of my hand?”

“Lady Luna, do you still have ‘distrust’?”

“…Yes.”

Luna’s distrust of men.

It was not a topic she wanted to discuss, but since it could greatly affect the kingdom’s future, many people were invested in it.

Luna herself had to undergo daily inspections by multiple attendants to confirm her state.

“I see…”

Claudio looked disappointed, yet also somewhat relieved.

If, by any chance, the Seal of Chastity had been lifted, it would mean that Luna had found new love.

If that love had been with another man, Claudio wasn’t sure how he would handle it.

“Lady Luna, please allow me to help you overcome your ‘distrust’—”

Before Claudio could finish, his hand was abruptly pushed away.

“Do not touch Luna, you lowly fool.”

“Guh…!”

Nicholas had stepped between them.

Claudio stepped back, clutching his hand.

“Someone like you is unnecessary for Luna’s happiness. Leave at once.”

Nicholas stood protectively in front of Luna, his voice ice-cold.

“Lord Claudio! Are you all right?!”

The blonde ringlet-haired lady rushed to Claudio’s side.

However, instead of directing her anger at Nicholas, she sharply glared at Luna.

“Luna, you’re so cruel! Lord Claudio was only worried about you, yet you pushed him away!”

“Please stop making baseless accusations, Julia.”

The blonde ringlet-haired lady’s name was Julia la Padoan.

She was the eldest daughter of the Duke of Padoan and the daughter of Chancellor Gianluca.

As a branch family of the Naia royal house, she was second in line to the throne, right after Luna.

She was one year older than Luna.

“Luna, I heard you are trying to push through the ceasefire negotiations by force.”

“It’s not forceful. I used legitimate methods to gain support from the central nobles.”

Although she had occasionally played the role of a delicate maiden, she had earned the nobles’ backing through her own efforts.

“Stop throwing Naia into further chaos. You should step down from your position as Crown Princess. Don’t you realize that you’re endangering our kingdom?”

“…I am doing this for Naia’s sake. If this ceasefire succeeds, the situation will change dramatically.”

“That’s doubtful. People’s opinion of you won’t change. After all, you’re defective as a woman. You still have it, don’t you? The crystal of male distrust— the ‘Shame Crystal.’”

“…!”

The ‘Shame Crystal.’

It was named as such because, for noblewomen, it was the ultimate disgrace.

Luna’s face turned bright red from humiliation.

“Hmph.”

However, Nicholas let out a smug chuckle.

“…Do you have something to say, Nicholas?”

“Julia, you don’t understand anything. What’s wrong with having the Shame Crystal?”

“Huh?”

Julia was baffled.

“Luna is even more beautiful with it. No, one could say it enhances her brilliance. A true gentleman would love her, crystal and all.”

“You’re disgusting…”

Julia grimaced in horror.

There were many nobles with peculiar tastes, but Nicholas’ was especially bizarre.

Despite his handsome appearance and popularity among women, he had never been engaged.

Now, Julia understood why.

“Nicholas, please, just stop…”

“? If you insist, Luna.”

Luna, her voice barely above a whisper, pleaded with her brother.

Nicholas was obsessed with Luna.

As long as she remained distrustful of men, she would not leave his side, which suited him.

Yet, he also genuinely wished for her happiness, hoping she would one day overcome her distrust.

“Luna, how does it feel to be covered by the Shame Crystal?”

“…”

Ignoring Nicholas, Julia directed the question at Luna.

“They say those with distrust suffer from unfulfilled desires. Given noble love, that must be terribly inconvenient.”

“…It’s not inconvenient.”

Avoiding persistent noble suitors had its advantages.

Yet, her heart felt empty.

Julia continued taunting her, but Luna, determined, decided to put an end to the conversation and walked away, satisfied with a small victory over her rival.