Then I dont want it. All I want are things given without strings attached. (Renya)

Without even listening to the details of the condition mentioned by the emperor, Renya instantly replied without even showing any interest.

Having been given that answer, the emperor opens his eyes in slight surprise.

I havent talked about my condition yet though? (Royce)

Its fine without you talking about it. No matter what condition it might be, the answer will be no. (Renya)

Renya clearly brushes off the emperors statement.

As if he didnt want to hear these words of denial, the emperor continued as before.

If you enter the imperial family by marrying my daughter Kurowaal, is what I intended to say though? (Royce)

I refuse. Youre fucking kidding me. (Renya)

Renya refused without delay, but once he sees Kurowaals expression with a glance, there are tears dripping down from her eyes and she is gazing in Renyas direction.

Why is she crying!? Renya was flustered, but once he tried to ponder about it carefully, he suddenly realized that his answer towards the question whether he wants to marry this girl might also be interpreted as him completely denying this girls charm completely depending on how its heard. He hurries to follow up in panic.

I-Its not particularly like I want to say something like Kurowaal has no charm or that there is no worth in marrying her since thats not how it is, dont cry, Kurowaal. Doesnt it look like Im somehow a villain here? (Renya)

Even if you readily gave an answer due to being troubled to some degree it somewhat feels like you completely denied me as woman. (Kurowaal)

Due to Kurowaal saying that while sniffling consecutively, Renya feels strangely guilty even though I shouldnt have done anything particular bad.

I told you, thats not what I mean. Even without a chest, your points as woman are high, right? (Renya)

Delivering the final blow, you are cruel, Renya (Kurowaal)

Kurowaal stopped crying more or less, but her expression didnt clear up.

If her points as woman are high, may I inquire about the reason for your refusal? (Royce)

Watching the situation cheerfully, the emperor opens his mouth.

Snorting a little, Renya looked at the emperors face again.

First off, becoming a member of the imperial family or such is impossible, isnt it? On that occasion, I heard that Kurowaal is currently 70 years old. No matter how long I may live, I wont get older than 100 years, but even if I have her keep me company until then, the age of 170 years means for an elf that she is still a minor, right? (Renya)

Regarding the imperial family, seeing that Im currently the highest authority it will work out one way or another though? Im capable of using the power of the state even if theres someone voicing objections. Besides, setting her mental age aside, her body is that of an adult, therefore her age wont turn into a problem, I think? (Royce)

Kurowaal toppled over towards the back together with her chair due to the words of the emperor he stated nonchalantly.

The discerning eyes of Shion and Rona, who are observing the situation, aimed at the elven emperor reached a profound level of chilliness. Renya gently lowers Frau from his lap on the ground and stands up after drawing back his chair.

Hey, Kurowaal. (Renya)

Ooouuuch yes? (Kurowaal)

Having her name abruptly called, Kurowaal replies while standing up and rubbing her head which hit the ground strongly.

While looking at such Kurowaal, Renya hit the katana, which is hoisted at his waist, with a *pon* without changing his expression.

Do you have the intention to cause a coup dtat or similar? (Renya)

What!? (Kurowaal)

Kurowaal, who heard a somewhat preposterous and dangerous word, unintentionally returns a question with a question.

The expressions of the soldiers, who tried to help up Kurowaal, froze as one could expect.

You know, I have a feeling that it would be best to have you sit on the imperial throne after killing His Majesty, the Emperor here. (Renya)

Ha ha ha. Just those words deserve to be judged as high treason, but lets ignore them since this isnt an official venue either. (Royce)

The emperor showed a bright smile, but Shion and Rona didnt miss him leaking a bit of sweat on his face.

As result of Renyas attention focussing on the emperor, there wasnt any effect on Shion and Rona, however it looked like there was a fragment of seriousness mixed into the voice and expression of Renya.

In that case, I shall change the direction of the talks a bit. Let me give you your reward. I feel regretful that its not a territory, but I cant hand it over to someone who has no peerage, therefore theres nothing left but for you to give up on that. (Royce)

So? (Renya)

Moreover wont you look after my daughter, Kurowaal, as a request from me, the emperor? Of course our side will take care of all the various expenses. (Royce)

How is that any different from me taking her as wife? (Renya)

Renyas look is as if he is watching something shady, but the emperor doesnt seem to mind at all.

I havent told you to marry her. Neither am I telling you to not marry her. Though Id like you to take responsibility if you have an affair with her. (Royce)

So? (Renya)

Its fine with you keeping her at your side. How about that if its just this much? (Royce)

Renya ponders about the emperors words for a while.

However, there are also circumstances that Renya cant decline upfront.

In other words, he will likely use all usable means, is a feasible prediction.

Even if Im still fine with that, it will cause huge effects to my surroundings.

If its the emperor of the elves, he can probably use the transfer gate as much as he likes.

If I consider this, it might be best to say that its not an overly excellent plan to freely turn him down here.

Renya-san, Im requesting it as well. Please allow me to travel with you. (Kurowaal)

Seeing Renya staying silent and thinking it over, Kurowaal interjects.

My base of operations is located in a human city on the human continent. The matter of her accompanying me, is it really fine for me to take Kurowaal along to the human continent? (Renya)

Renya tried to turn it down wondering whether he cant turn the talks in a direction where the other side will give up after all, but parent and child readily end up accepting it.

Even that I dont mind. You dont mind either, right, Kurowaal? (Royce)

No, I dont, father-sama. (Kurowaal)

While watching Kurowaal who displays a distinct nod, Renya breathes out quietly.

The first reason is doubtlessly because I assisted in the battle against the monsters.

What Renya didnt comprehend were the intentions of the emperor.

For this reason I was probably given an usually unthinkable treatment of obtaining territory, being given patronage by the imperial family and taking Kurowaal as wife.

If he wanted to attach a collar to Renyas neck, Kurowaal would be inadequate.

All the more once he returns to the human continent.

The emperor himself should understand that too, but based on that Renya cant understand the aim of him wanting her to travel with Renya at all.

What are you planning? Renya glares at the face of the emperor, but the emperor in question wards off Renyas stare as something that doesnt concern him at all while not having a single change on his expression.

Renya continued like that for a while, however he slowly opens his mouth after quite a bit of time has passed.

Since you will be living on the human continent, you will of course learn the common language, right? (Renya)

Renya, who heard that the elves with their high pride dont use something like the human language, but he tried to broach that topic as last struggle.

However, Kurowaal immediately answered Renya.

I will do my best to learn it! (Kurowaal)

Where did the setting of elves having a high pride came from? Renya is at his withs end in his mind.

Rather, arent they far more honest than that bunch of human nobles? He assesses.

To say nothing of living expenses and such, your side will take care of that, right? (Renya)

Of course. I wont act as shamelessly as asking you to provide for the costs while entrusting my daughter to you. I promise you that everything from, daily necessities to money will be covered by us. However, Id like you to provide a room for my daughter to live in. (Royce)

Will he decline if theres no room? Renya thought about that for an instant, but stopped that thought right away.

Since it has reached this point, I feel like there wont be any issue whatsoever to accept her living in a place close to me.

Frau, can you prepare a room? (Renya)

Theres a place which was originally a childs room ~no. It will be possible if I clear it out ~no. (Frau)

How about your burden if we increase the load by one more person, Frau? (Renya)

No problem ~no. But (Frau)

At this point Frau looks fixedly at the eyes of Kurowaal for the first time.

Kurowaal looks back without getting overpowered by that look thats similar to an appraisal.

Id like you to abide to what Frau says in the mansion ~no. You have no problem with that, do you? (Frau)

I dont mind. Pleased to meet you. (Kurowaal)

Kurowaal bows to Frau.

Seeing that, Frau removes her sight from Kurowaal looking somewhat satisfied and said while returning her attention to the cup with tea in it again,

Master, Frau has no objection ~no. (Frau)

Im against it, Renya. (Rona)

Rona, who up till then devoted herself to translating the elven language for Shion, voiced out her opinion.

Kurowaal-san is an imperial princess directly descending from His Majesty, the Emperor. If something happened to her, it might create an international issue between the Trident Principality and the Elven nation. (Rona)

I see. That worry is justified. (Royce)

Nodding once towards Ronas statement, the emperor faces Renya.

In that case, regarding the safety of my daughter, lets make it that its fine even if you dont guarantee it. As this is a condition I agreed upon by myself, we will write it down. So, how about it? Of course, as someone who will live right next to her, Im talking about it from a standpoint of expecting you to be accordingly mindful of that. (Royce)

There has to be a limit to lavish hospitality as well. In other words, you are saying if Kurowaal experiences something dangerous, you wont accuse me of any crimes even if she happens to die due to me not dealing with it? (Renya)

As youve said. You have no objection to that either, right, Kurowaal? (Royce)

No, father-sama. (Kurowaal)

Hey, as somehow just about everything is weird about this, wont you honestly confess what you are scheming, Your Majesty, Emperor-sama? (Renya)

Renya asks while glaring at the emperor due to the suggestion of absolutely impossible conditions if once considers it sensibly.

Even if he say that theres nothing behind it, who will believe that?

Its scandalous to frame me of scheming. (Royce)

Making a sad expression which is expressing that such accusation is really unthinkable, the emperor says,

If you are telling me that you want to listen to the truth, I will tell you though. Theres not a single thing like schemes or pretence. (Royce)

Tell me since I want to hear it? (Renya)

If thats the case, lets talk honestly. (Royce)

*cough* with a single clearing of his throat, the emperor begins to speak with a serious expression.

Although you might say that Kurowaal is directly descending from me, she likely wont have any chance to even get anywhere close to the talks about the imperial succession as her position is low since shes my 35th daughter. In other words, she has no important position and thus her existence wont be taken into serious consideration. (Royce)

Oy? (Renya)

Father-sama? (Kurowaal)

Both, Kurowaal and Renya, retort at that, but the emperor continues as if he didnt hear anything.

And so, even if she passed away in some situation, the impact will be small. (Royce)

(Renya & Kurowaal)

Renya and Kurowaal are speechless.

They are simply staring at the face of the emperor talking fluently with half-opened eyes.

Moreover, if she is within the country, she will only cause pointless expenses. Concretely, we have to pretty much provide appropriate things for a daughter of the emperor going as far as a housing and everything from food to clothes. (Royce)

Pointless it is, father-sama? (Kurowaal)

Since the official stance is that theres no reason for her being allowed to have the same level of livelihood over there on the human continent, if she accompanies you, it can be expected to become a large cost reduction. (Royce)

Although thats likely the truth, its cruel, oy. (Renya)

Moreover, this chain of talks isnt something ordered by the emperor but something coming from what the person herself wishes for, thus its possible for me to put it into effect without any feelings of guilt. (Royce)

As if saying hows that?, the emperor shows a satisfied smile.

Kurowaal, who had a somewhat blank expression, tells Renya in a mutter while facing him,

Renya-san Im considering whether I should seriously consider a coup dtat, but (Kurowaal)

I see call me once you put it into practise since I will help you. For the time being, come with us. It has become somewhat pathetic. (Renya)

Sorry, Renya-san. Sorry for the troubles. (Kurowaal)

Did they regard Kurowaals appearance of lowering her head as very pitiable? Shion, who was against it before, held her tongue and Shion stayed silent as she completely missed the timing to cut into the conversation.

Kurowaal ended up being quite downhearted, but the reason for that, the emperor, laughs radiantly.

The talks seem to have been settled. How splendid, how splendid. (Royce)

Strangely everyone, who happened to be present in the room except the emperor himself, doubted whether this emperor will really continue to reign for 300 more years.