By Zephyria 
You said you’d beg for a room in a barn, but he proposed properly, more than I expected.
After hearing it all, I found it amusing, delightful, and pleasant, and I wanted to see Benjamin’s face immediately. I’d tease him, congratulate him, and pat him on the back for doing well. The thought of him getting flustered and embarrassed with that stoic expression of his was truly enjoyable.
However, thinking about it again felt strange.
“Then you accepted, didn’t you? Why aren’t you wearing the ring?”
“He said he couldn’t accept it right now, and asked me to come back when I was clean.”
“What?”
What?
Benjamin?
No, that guy was known for cutting off any proposals that came his way like a sharp blade. How could the man who went to propose to his childhood sweetheart, the one he’d longed for since he was a child, be told he was dirty?
Seeing my startled reaction, Marianne burst into laughter and waved her hand dismissively.
“It’s not like that. Look, Benjamin is the third son of a Marquess’s family and has a lot to inherit, right? But it’s not just wealth; there are several titles attached to his name. As far as I know, he has four, and one of them is Count.”
“…And?”
“Until I become an 8th Circle mage, I’m only a Viscount. So, his Count title is higher. If we get married, I’d just become a Countess. But I absolutely have to be ‘Countess Philodendor’.” I want to make my parents Counts too.”
“…Huh.”
Marianne smiled primly, fanning her cheek with her hand to cool the heat. Heh heh, heh, her constant giggles made her look truly happy, which was astounding.
“I want to live as myself. I don’t know how, but I told him to sort that out without cutting ties with his family. Then I’d immediately accept his proposal. I asked if he was confident he could live solely as the husband of Count Philodendor after sorting it all out.”
“Hmm, that… you did well.”
“Right?”
“Didn’t Benjamin seem disappointed?”
“Not at all. Because…”
Marianne subtly rolled her eyes, avoiding my gaze.
“After I said that, he kissed me right away. It was my first kiss. I bet it was his too?”
“…!”
“He liked it.”
Of course, he did.
Seeing Marianne stamping her feet shyly but with eyes sparkling full of happiness made me laugh again. It was astounding, amusing, delightful, and delightful once more. The news about Benjamin trying to change some law must have been about the succession system for titles.
Well, I suppose so. If it doesn’t happen this month, it will happen someday. I wasn’t worried at all.
“Sigh, he was so cute. I really wish Mikael could have seen Benjamin that day.”
“I don’t wish that at all.”
“Really? No, he was truly cute. You should wish you had seen him!”
“Hmm.”
“Really, really, really. Of the past three months, that was the cutest face he had.”
What’s the point of forcing Benjamin’s cuteness onto me? Truly, I’ve heard all sorts of things in my life.
I just chuckled and then asked abruptly, “What was so cute about it?”
“His neck.”
“…What? Neck? Why his neck?”
“His neck is really thick, you know.”
“Yes. It is…?”
“And his Adam’s apple is big.”
“…Well, I haven’t measured it, but let’s assume so. Isn’t that manly? How can it be cute?”
Marianne covered her face with both hands. She peeked at me through her fingers and smiled sweetly. I was quite puzzled, wondering what she was thinking to smile so naughtily, when she opened her mouth as if singing or whispering.
“When we’re alone. If there’s a slight pause in conversation, he suddenly swallows loudly, like this, and it ripples.”
“… ”
“It’s distracting… and I like it. I want to bite it.”
“Hahaha! What?”
“Ah, don’t laugh! Why would you ask something like that? You’re making me embarrassed!”
“Hah, ha, huck, no, wasn’t that what you wanted me to do? Wow, really. I never imagined…”
Marianne rubbed her face a couple of times with her hands, then lowered them. Her face was bright red, but she chattered with a prim expression. Even sitting demurely, her words from just moments ago couldn’t be erased.
“Anyway, the person who has to take the Imperial Knights entrance exam in June is currently making a fuss about adding his voice to the succession law during the June Imperial Conference. Since I’m on vacation from commuting to the Magic Tower, I’m here, so it’s fine if I don’t see him for a few days.”
“Hah, huck, huhuhu… Hahaha!”
“Lately, I’ve been sharing a bed with Vivian. Whether it’s day or night, if I feel the presence of a Spirit moving, I have to jump up immediately… Oh, stop laughing! I’m a woman who knows shame too.”
“Yes, huck, cough, cough. Alright, let’s do that. Ha…”
It took me a while to regain my breath.
During that time, I sensed Ivan’s presence approaching from the side and checked the time. Had time passed this quickly already? If I hurried now, I could make it in time for Ruben’s meal.
As I tidied up and stood, Marianne, still with a red face, asked with a broad attitude, “Are you leaving now?”
“Yes. I’ve seen your face and heard interesting stories, so I should be going back. Can I tell Rubel about this too?”
“Of course. I was boasting. Please spread the word that my boyfriend is this cute.”
“Hahaha!”
“Except for the neck part.”
“But that’s the most important part?”
“If you tell them, I’ll tell Emperor Your Majesty embarrassing stories about Mikael too.”
“Do I have any of those?”
“Do you think I don’t?”
I couldn’t think of anything.
However, I’m not the type to stir up trouble. If I asked now, I’d be greatly embarrassed and flustered, and I wouldn’t be able to return on time, so I pretended not to hear.
“I’ll be going for now. Please have a delicious dinner, and convey my regards to Lady Vivian Grimbswein.”
“Yes. It was fun today. Come visit sometimes.”
“Yes.”
Marianne scurried to see me off and then, together with Old Man Marcus, took the packed food he had brought. Her affectionate teasing as she took care of things made her seem like a beloved granddaughter.
It didn’t bother me at all that Sam Marcus and Vivian Grimbswein were nowhere to be seen, as they were likely holed up in the underground workshop. I just hoped they would craft a beautiful wedding ring for Ruben and me.
❖ ❖ ❖
From the next day, I started going to Ruben’s office with him and helping with his work.
We sat at desks of the same design, filled with authority, side-by-side with Ruben. Our main task was listening to the aides who stood or sat opposite us, presenting their prepared matters, and responding to them. In truth, rather than helping, I was mostly just listening.
“Have you been well, Your Majesty.”
“To the point.”
“Yes. Today, regarding agenda item 3-0215-011…”
“Speak using the agenda title, not the document number.”
“Yes! I will speak about the proposal to collect tolls regarding the expansion of imperial citizens’ freedom of movement. The document I am showing you now is a summarized list of those who support this agenda, along with their proposed amounts and payment methods, categorized by percentage. Those who oppose it…”
The detailed explanations, accompanied by charts, made it easy to understand.
Occasionally, I would add a word or two.
“You’re saying that the number of people who agree with Lord Claudian’s opinion is less than thirty?”
“Yes? Yes. That is correct, Imperial Consort.”
“Can I have my name added here as well?”
“Of course. Give it to me with your name written at the bottom of page 3, Mika. What is your reason for approval?”
“…Don’t imperial citizens have the right to be free, as long as they don’t harm others? Also, also… it looks bad, like forcing a higher-ranking person’s surname onto someone of lower rank.”
“Hmm. Let’s include my name as well. However, to prevent misuse, it would be better to allow it conditionally, only if a discerning adult over 20 years old voluntarily wishes it. Did you hear that, Theodore?”
“Yes… I will handle this matter with care.”
Yes, it was more manageable than I had expected.
Ruben meticulously considered and passed most of the agendas related to the advancement of commoner rights. Even when his aides expressed surprise that the child’s policy direction seemed to have shifted slightly, he didn’t offer much of an answer.
However, during a brief lull between one aide leaving on an errand and another entering, Ruben quietly confided in me.
“You and I have a higher probability of being born as commoners than as nobles later on. Nobles make up just over 2% of the current population.”
“…Hmm. That might be so.”
“I realized I needed to raise the overall human rights during my reign to prepare for the future.”
“Ah.”
Treating people like people is a good thing. I just nodded.
At first, Ruben would constantly check if I understood properly or if I was bored. But as the days went by, he gradually regained his composure. The child often sighed, sometimes ran a restless hand over his stern face, and occasionally pressed down on the corner of his desk with great force, expressing his irritation.
“Sigh… You really didn’t think to verify that? Isn’t it basic to check if the proposer of a legislative bill has any loopholes around them? How much administrative power have we wasted already with item 0127? It’s the 15th week today. The 15th week.”
“…I apologize.”
“You should apologize. Look how many people are tied up here.”
“… ”
“Immediately pull people from Stuart and divert them to Dias, and report the situation. You have three hours.”
“Yes, Your Majesty! Thank you!”
“Leave. Next.”
The figures who scrambled out of the room looked quite dejected, so I cautiously expanded my Qi sense. Soon, voices filled with elation, unlike those who had just been scolded, reached my Qi sense.
‘His Majesty really took it easy today… Wow, I was so furious earlier.’
‘I wish the Imperial Consort would come to the office every day. If every day were like today, I think I could consider the Crystal Palace my twenty-third home.’
‘Twenty-third? Why?’
‘Because I don’t want to get any closer than that…’
Hmm.
I didn’t eavesdrop any further.