Chapter 55 – I Want You to Put the Tiara on Me With Your Own Hands
“…What is it, Suzuha’s older brother? You’ve got something to say, don’t you?”
“I-It’s not like that! Besides, today’s dress is amazing. It looks like a wedding dress!”
My brilliant change of subject was successful, and Touko-san did not pursue me any further, but just smiled and said “Ehehe.”
“In the country, we think of the coronation as a marriage between the king-to-be and the country. That’s why I’m dressed like this. Of course, the real marriage—”
“Ahem.”
“Hey, Touko. It’s all well and good to chat, but don’t you think we should go ahead with the coronation first?”
“Tsk.”
As Suzuha cleared his throat, interrupting the conversation, Yuzuriha-san chimed in with a retort. For some reason, Touko-san let out a small sigh and then…
“…Well, okay. Now we are going to start the coronation!”
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The coronation proceeded solemnly.
Yuzuriha-san sang a congratulatory song in praise of Touko-san, the next queen, in a rousing rendition.
The Pope is usually responsible for this, but since he was found to be one of the ringleaders of the coup d’etat and was executed, Yuzuriha-san, the duke’s direct eldest daughter and a qualified high priestess(!), has been deputizing for him.
Next came Touko-san’s vows, after which she kissed the statue of the goddess who is believed to be the protector of the kingdom.
I think I’ll be killed if I say this, but that was definitely a form of indirect kissing with all the previous kings, right?
Finally, the coronation, as it is called, is the stage where the crown is put on.
After briefly stepping back, Yuzuriha-san returned, and in their hands, there was a stunning tiara shining so brightly that it was dazzling to the eyes.
“Come on, you, put it on Touko.”
“Ehhh, me!?”
“That’s right. Normally, the person crowning at our country’s coronation ceremony is the former king, or the Pope, or the father, or the spouse if married—”
“I’m not married yet, and the Pope, well, forget that. My father, the former king, is under house arrest for the responsibility of my brothers’ coup. So, I was thinking, since Suzuha’s older brother is the greatest contributor to the birth of the next queen, maybe I should have him put it on me.”
“No, no, no, I’m a commoner! I don’t deserve to do that!”
“It doesn’t matter. You were there for me when I was on the verge of being killed, and you saved my life. Moreover, you infiltrated the heavily guarded royal castle through the sewers, risking your own life to rescue me. If Suzuha’s older brother is not qualified, then who in this world is? That’s why…I want no one else but you to place the tiara on my head.”
As Touko-san approached insistently, I exchanged glances alternately with Yuzuriha-san and Suzuha to seek help, but…
“Touko is right. A new king who isn’t celebrated by you, the brave hero of the country, wouldn’t be much good anyway, so what if I wear it instead? Of course, in that case, you’d be responsible for putting the tiara on. And you would have to support me to the fullest in both public and private matters for the rest of your life…”
“Or rather, why don’t you wear it instead, Nii-san? If Nii-san becomes the first king from a commoner’s background, he will be very popular with the people. But in that case, the queen can’t be someone from an aristocratic background because those who expect a commoner king will be disappointed, so I think it would be wise to take a commoner like me as your wife…”
“This just proves that it’s completely useless!”
The three of them came at me.
Everyone is extremely high-spirited, and it’s an atmosphere where I have to pick just one person.
And if two of those options are complete minefields…
I only have one choice left.
“Touko-san.”
“…Yes…”
I received the tiara in Yuzuriha-san’s hand and put it on Touko-san.
Touko-san, with a face that seemed on the verge of tears, smiled softly.
