Chapter 54 – Coronation
To be frank, I don’t remember much about that day.
Or, to be more precise, after I entered the royal castle.
Anyway, there were private rooms scattered throughout the royal castle that the princess used, and I searched meticulously. Finally, I felt a strong magical power and ran desperately. When I realized it, there was Touko-san, who was on the verge of death, in my arms. I only remember being completely absorbed in treating her.
Also I remember that I held Touko-san in my arms and treated her while I was covered in sewage…
In order to silence Touko-san, who was about to say something, I also covered her mouth with a kiss—
“…Nii-san, you actually remember a lot, don’t you? Are you sure you don’t remember much?”
“Y-Y-You’re wrong! It was an emergency, it had to be done! It wasn’t my fault!”
I am at the cathedral within the Royal Castle.
For some reason, I was taken by Suzuha and Yuzuriha-san into the sanctuary, which was originally only supposed to be open to royalty and the most powerful members of the church.
It was three days ago that I heard that Touko-san had regained consciousness.
What I have done has already spread.
So this is it for me?
Will I be sentenced to death for the crime of insulting the princess through lewd conduct? Huu…
“Surely it will be a swift trial. In a military tribunal, I won’t even be able to call a lawyer…”
“…Hey you, I’m tired. Can you please stop mumbling stupid things I don’t understand?”
A man is about to be executed and Yuzuriha-san speaks so coldly. How terrible.
However, there is no doubt that Yuzuriha-san is exhausted.
After all, ever since the coup d’etat ended in failure, a storm of purges has been raging in the royal capital.
“…By the way, Yuzuriha-san, how many people have you purged so far?”
“Not a thousand. I’ve drowned about 80% of the aristocrats of this country in the fires of h**l.”
“You’re so scary…”
“Why are you suddenly speaking in a feminine tone…?”
It’s because I’m so confused. That’s right…
“Anyway, in my defense, at that time I was…”
“Shh—It’s starting.”
Just as I was about to make my final defense, a solemn bell rang and Yuzuriha-san silenced me…
The door opened and a girl in a pure white dress walked in.
She looked like a bride-to-be to me.
Compared to the familiar black robes, she gave off a completely different impression.
Even so, there’s no mistaking it.
Incredibly good-looking, and more relaxed than Suzuha and Yuzuriha-san.
A tremendously developed bosom that belies a face that has yet to fully develop.
Moreover, each and every sophisticated display of cunning magic and refined movement strongly emphasizes her origin.
Touko-san, who looked like she was wearing a wedding dress, slowly walked up to us and stopped.
“—Suzuha’s older brother. Once again, thank you so much for saving me.”
“No, I’m terribly sorry about that. Still, I’m glad to see you’re all right, Touko-sa…No, Your Royal Highness.”
“That’s not right, Suzuha’s older brother.”
“Yes?”
“I’m sad that Suzuha’s older brother, who saved my life, doesn’t call me by my name. Then it’s like you saved me because I’m a princess, not because I’m me, right?”
“No, no, no, that’s not true!”
“Then you must call me Touko from now on. No ‘Your Highness’ and ‘Lady’ allowed. It’s absolute.”
“But that doesn’t mean—”
“It’s absolute.”
“…Yes, Touko-san.”
“Is it too much for Suzuha’s older brother’s character to call me out of the blue? Well, good.”
I would never go against royalty, so I bow down to her.
Touko-san smiled when I agreed,
“Well, Suzuha’s older brother. Of course you know why I called you here today, don’t you?”
“Of course. I’m sure that a military tribunal will rule immediately that I am now in contempt of the princess and that I will be put to death—”
“What are you talking about!? It’s a coronation, a coronation!”
“…Yes…?”
I gave a stupid reply to the princess.
After all, it was an impossible answer.
At least for me.
Touko-san explained to me with a look of “I knew you didn’t understand”.
“The two princes were executed for their involvement in the coup, and the former king retired due to being implicated with the princes. That’s why there is no one left in the royal family except me to become the next king.”
“It was the second prince who started the coup, wasn’t it? Why the first prince too?”
“Actually, both of those idiot brothers of mine were planning the coup. It’s just that the faction led by the second prince made the first move. But if you investigate the first prince, you’ll uncover one dark secret after another. He’s just as guilty.”
“Wow.”
In fact, Touko-san was also planning a coup. So, in the end, all the siblings were plotting the coup. It’s a terrifying revelation that they were all involved in such a scheme.
They are siblings, indeed.
Or perhaps it was due to their parents’ bad education?
