
...—Heine Border Town, Lethiel— Kingdom...
...—15 August 1238—...
"Welcome, Your Majesty."
The King of Lethiel Kingdom, Sieg vi Lethiel, bowed deeply followed by many nobles as well as knights behind him.
The short black hair that seemed very neat, red robes and the king's great clothes were white, very characteristic that he was a national ruler, although his face was still very memorable like a teenager his age, 20 year.
Under the light of the morning sun, with the air of a small town that felt very cool due to being on a plateau, Ares frowned after both of his feet had stepped on the ground, and he was still on the ground, feeling that something Sieg did was too much, "Why do you welcome me to this place, Sieg?"
"We feel that we should welcome Your Majesty with all our best efforts" Sieg replied, after re-establishing his body.
Ares let out a light sigh, his gaze diverted to a long dark red-haired girl who was standing right beside Sieg, his adult face very much indicating that he was a reliable person.
"For a long time no see, Princess Charlotte.. shall I say 'congratulations' for being the betrothed of King Sieg?" Ares slightly raised one corner of his lips, trying to say something joking to Princess Mana Kingdom who managed to be chosen as the young king's future wife.
Recalling the position of Sieg who once did not have a single engagement proposal intended for him because at that time the Kingdom of Lethiel was certainly going to be destroyed, Ares is a little funny after learning that hundreds of marriage proposals were directed at Sieg due to the influence of the Lethiel Royal Family which increased sharply.
Not only because as one of the pillar families that support the Aubert Family, but also because of the many new industries developed in the Lethiel Region such as timber and agriculture to gold mining.
"Thank you very much, Your Majesty. In addition to the closeness of the blood of our two families, I also feel lucky to have got a gentle man like him." Charlotte slightly lowered her head, glancing at Sieg who involuntarily scratched the back of his head.
"Aahaha..." Sieg laughed forcefully, feeling awkward about the topic they were discussing.
Sieg was unable to reject the proposal put forward by Charlotte. In addition to the reason of the girl who has not been touched by the engagement, Charlotte is the daughter of a neighboring family, that would also be one of the important points of distribution of goods from the Lethiel Region in the future, as well, aside from the Mana Royal Family who are eager to have influence over gold mining with their efforts to marry off his daughter to Sieg.
Hearing Kristin's conversation with some nobles sounding louder, indicating they were getting closer, Ares looked at Sieg closely, from the tip of his foot to examine the tip of his black hair.
"A—ada... Your Honor?" Getting Ares' attention, Sieg was very nervous. Even for her, being stared at by Charlotte was embarrassing. Sieg's feelings are mixed with a sense of weirdness if a man like Ares stares in judgment at him.
"Hey, when are you getting married?" ask Ares.
"Pulse... About the next 2 months, Your Honor." Charlotte replied politely.
"Ares! When are you going back to the capital?!" Kristin's question interrupts Ares' conversation with Sieg and Charlotte.
In contrast to Ares who was just acting ordinary, Sieg and Charlotte's forehead immediately wrinkled. The two stared intently at Kristin who said something that to them was very out of place, very visibly disrespectful.
Of course, this was due to the two living far away from the Capital of Excelia, causing them to be unfamiliar with the attitude that Kristin had shown Ares.
"Margrave, shouldn't you speak more courteously to His Majesty?" Sieg reveals his objections.
Aside from the enormous debt of gratitude to Ares in the past, Sieg also idolized him, which Ares's persuasion technique was very effective for him.
"Hm? Ah." Kristin seemed to be aware of her negligence, subconsciously immediately covering her mouth with one of her palms.
He did not expect that he would meet and be welcomed directly by King Lethiel.
"It's okay, I've been lazy to serve it." Ares said lazily, "From that..."
Ares glanced at Little Charlotte. Judging that the girl would not dispute her words further as it was a marriage based on politics, Ares decided to reveal something that had stuck in her heart, "Will you accept one or two more wives in the future?"
"Mr..." Sieg glanced at Charlotte, finding the girl smiling meaningfully.
Having lived and lived together for more than half a year, Sieg knows what a smile means. Charlotte will not be in trouble if Sieg has a wife if it is necessary for the future interests of his home and country.
Even so, Charlotte would never agree if the reason was just to play around, causing the noble house of origin of the woman whom Sieg married to behave like a "leech" to the Lethiel Royal Family, causing the noble house of origin of the woman whom Sieg married to behave like a "leech" to the Lethiel Royal Family, sieg and Charlotte in the future.
Understanding Charlotte's smile, Ares went one step further, entering the main topic, "Marry this woman."
Ares pointed with the thumb of his right hand directly at Kristin, who had now stood a few steps away from where she stood.
"Eh?!" Not only Kristin, even Sieg, Charlotte, to some nobles were quite surprised by those words.
"One, I hear, you always reject all proposals that go to you." Ares raised his index finger, describing the number one to Kristin so he could see it clearly.
"Ta—tapi—" Kristin tried to dodge, but Ares continued his words by lifting his middle finger.
"Two, don't you want to marry a man better than me?" Ares.
"Gee!" Kristin felt defeated.
"Eh?!"
"Imust be!"
"It's incredible..."
Voices of awe, surprise, and disbelief were immediately heard from the nobles.
"Margrave, is that true?!" Not only them, even Charlotte questions Kristin's sanity.
Kristin could only look down embarrassed with a red face, speechless unable to answer.
Ares raised his ring finger, a wry smile was engraved on his face, "Three, your age is almost two pulu—"
"Stop! Stopit! Ak—aku surrender! Please don't say that, Your Highness!" Kristin was so embarrassed. Hearing Ares' words, Kristin immediately interrupted and looked at the Emperor with a face about to cry.
In response, Ares paints a wry smile, wondering what would happen if the nickname "old maiden" was uttered from her mouth.
"I'll definitely think about it well, so please don't push me anymore!" Kristin bowed deeply to Ares as well as Sieg and Charlotte who stared in surprise at him, "I apologize! Excuse me!"
Running in panic, Kristin re-entered her private carriage and closed the door tightly, not allowing anyone to interact with her out of embarrassment.
Looking at Kristin who had just closed the carriage door of her carriage tightly, Ares again paid attention to Sieg, "What do you think?"
"Mr..." Sieg has trouble answering.
"My deepest apology, Your Honor. Allow me to give a little consideration to something I'm worried about" Charlotte said, slightly disagreeing that Kristin was Sieg's second wife.
"Yes, please." Ares.
"Given his influence, if Margrave becomes the second wife of my future husband, there may be a very undesirable seizure of the throne in the future" Charlotte said.
"Oh, right..." Ares pretended to be reminded of the threat. Immediately, a meaningful smile was etched on his face, "But... it is possible.... Something unwanted can also happen in Ernee City and Ugwien, you know?"
"Eh?!" Realized, for a moment Charlotte's expression showed emptiness.
Ernee City and Ugwien City, two cities on the coast of the Kingdom of Mana in which the construction of a large port is taking place.
Given its strategic location, Ares provided funds for the improvement of the Mana Kingdom's economy to build infrastructure and expand agricultural land in the country.
Of course, the injection of funds came from the Ares pocket which was sourced from the funds of traders. It's likely that Ares will withdraw the funds if Charlotte says something that could stop her.
"Um. good... Please forgive... Your Majesty." Charlotte's downcast. Sieg could only glance worriedly at him as he could not possibly defend his fiancee and fight the Emperor.
For a moment, Ares giggled, continuing his words to calm Charlotte down, "No need to worry. If you know, Kristin's house, the House of Ginnes, has only one person left. Hence, at least I want him to have four heirs for the safety of his house."
"Pulse... Please forgive... Your Majesty." Guilt enveloped Sieg and Charlotte's mind, causing the two to once again bow down, expressing his regret.
Ares only nodded small, a gentle smile engraved as a sign he forgave the two. Once again, Ares's face turned back to Kristin's carriage, which was still tightly locked with several female knights who had been standing around, knocking full of worry at him.
Turning into lethargy, Ares hopes at least Kristin can soon find her life partner so that Arestia's security can be guaranteed for decades to come.
Get married, you troublesome girl.
...----------------...