The Person I Loved Asked Me to Die in My Younger Sister’s Place

Wisteria was taken aback by how straightforwardly he gave his reason.

(Court-ship?)

The image of a judicial court on a ship popped into her mind.1

But after some delay, she realized that he was referring to the act of seeking a wife.

“I see…?”

“What’s with that ‘I see,’ you idiot!! It’s outrageous that you’re seeking me for such a shallow reason!! I’m on a completely different level from common dowry gifts!!”

“…That is precisely the reason. The rarer the gift is, the more talent and sincerity it conveys.”

It was Lloyd who replied to the angry Salutis. He had a cool expression on his face with no hesitation at all.

Wisteria finally began to caught on.

“So, you’re proposing to someone who needs you to prove that much of your ardor and ability? If you don’t mind my asking, who is it?”

“The third princess, Her Highness Princess Aileen Marcialle.”

Lloyd said with the same ease with which he would reveal the name of an ordinary young lady.

Wisteria, however, was again astonished.

The only people who were allowed to use “Marcialle” as a family name were the royal family and their direct line.

“…I’ve been away from the Kingdom of Marcialle for more than twenty years now, and I’m afraid I’ve never heard of that name. Is Princess Aileen a young princess?”

Yes, Lloyd affirmed shortly.

Wisteria let out a long breath inside her head.

(Well…that isn’t a surprise.)

Lloyd was in his early twenties or so and should have a wife.

As a son of the Reunings, it was no surprise that he was chosen to be the husband of a princess. That meant the marriage should have been realized without any need for a token.

Wisteria observed Lloyd in a way that wasn’t too blatant.

He was like a fine art figure, much like a “living gem.” He was tall, with long arms and legs, and even his toned body was similar to Bright’s, or perhaps even more so. Bright also had excellent athletic ability, but Lloyd’s skill in martial arts makes him look even more virile.

Compared to Bright, who drew people to him, Lloyd’s eyes and mouth had a sharpness and ruggedness. She supposed one could say that they were opposites. Even so, she had a favorable impression of cleverness and hardiness, which was why his good facial features are so frightening.

——Moreover.

(…This young man can use magic.)

It seemed that a lack of magic, which was said to be Bright’s only flaw, was not inherited by Lloyd.

To that extent, he would have no trouble finding a marriage partner, and even having a princess as his partner wouldn’t be such a big problem.

But even so, the fact was that he chose to go out of his way to get the holy sword Salutis from the <Grey Lands>, an extremely reckless move.

“Is your marriage to the princess opposed?”

“No. But there are too many who desire Her Highness. To truly obtain her, neither lukewarm words nor lukewarm measures would suffice. I need something to prove my passion and devotion to Her Highness.”

Lloyd’s words resembled those of a knight who existed only in ideals or dreams. However, they were neither driven by temporary enthusiasm nor by vanity.

His tone was rather calm, and conversely, his will seemed that much more firm and determined.

An unwavering will that desired the princess. That was why he had come this far.

Feeling that radiance, Wisteria narrowed her eyes faintly.

(——I wonder if Bright was like this back then.)

Like Bright, who chose and acted for Rosalie’s sake, Lloyd might also be thinking and acting for Princess Aileen.

Wisteria shook her head and dismissed the feelings that rose up in her chest like bubbles rising from the deepest depths.

“…Well, I understand your reasons. Even if you give up on Salutis, now that you’ve come this far, you’re not going to be satisfied until you challenge me as much as you can.”

Lloyd knitted together his eyebrows and tried to argue. Wisteria stopped him with a hand and continued.

“I will allow you to stay here for a while, to learn magic from me and to do mock battles, but only for a set period of time.”

Footnotes

The original Japanese is a pun on kyuukon (engagement) and kyuukon (plant bulb).