Chapter 333
–Aegir POV–
Capital – Goldonia .
Nonna accompanies me in the capital .
Since then, we followed the instructions of the Royal Army who intervened and withdrew our troops from Baron Wejini’s territory .
We returned to Rafen immediately and demobilized the army .
Not too long later, I received notice from the capital telling me to come and explain the situation .
Nonna understandably got stressed and even started to pack her bags, but Erich sent a letter guaranteeing we don’t have to worry excessively and telling us there won’t be any concern for assassinations .
Leopolt and Tristan also said it should be fine, yet Nonna is still trembling beside me .
「If you’re that scared, you could have stayed in the territory, you know?」
If something happened by chance, it would be easier to run if she was back in my territory .
「I think it’s better if I, as your legal wife, am with you when you’re apologizing…… besides, our house would be finished if anything were to happen to Aegir-sama . I would rather go to the other world together with Aegir-sama than lose everything and be thrown out again . 」
Don’t jinx it .
「I will go with you too!」
Celia pops up and declares with a determined face .
Like I’m saying, don’t jinx things . We’ve been told not to worry .
「Lord Hardlett, this way please . 」
After we arrive at the royal palace, the knights waiting there guide us in another direction to the location of the audience .
「「……」」
Nonna and Celia are openly acting cautious, except there’s really nothing to be worried about .
After all, they haven’t picked up their swords yet .
As long as I have my Dual Crater, I can hold out against ten or twenty of these knights .
To ease their tension, I grab both of their asses .
「Hya!?」「Wakyaa!?」
They shriek in surprise together .
「? Is something the matter?」
The knight leading the way turns around curiously .
I continue rubbing Nonna and Celia’s asses out of the knight’s view .
「N-no, it’s nothing…… at all . 」
「Y-yes! No problems here . 」
「Right……」
When the knight faces forward, Celia stares at me with tears in her eyes and Nonna pinches my arm .
No matter how much muscle I have, the pain from getting pinched doesn’t change .
The room we were guided to is a gloomy cellar…… no, it’s actually Erich’s office .
Oh yeah, I think I remember seeing this knight’s face before . I didn’t realize right away because I was looking at Nonna’s tits .
「Your wife and your follower can come this way . 」
The knight takes the girls to another room and the door closes .
「You big idiot!!」
Erich yells angrily .
He also hits me on the head . I wonder how long it’s been since I’ve gotten hit in the head by a man .
It was a decent strike on the top of my forehead . It’ll probably swell up .
「Talks of you and Zilgray going at it have been the hot topic here in the royal palace! I’ve already told you of His Majesty’s transformation and you still do all these unnecessary things! Do you know how much trouble I had to go through to defend your hasty behavior!?」
As expected, the nobles in the royal palace knew who was behind Baron Wejini .
The lecture began after that .
Nonna and Celia were led to another room probably so they can’t see me get scolded .
Erich is being considerate and trying not to embarrass me .
In that case, I’ll sit here obediently while he reprimands me .
Erich initially shouts loudly at me, though it eventually changes from a heavy lecture to a rant complaining about how hard he had to work to keep the incident from spiralling out of control .
「……that guy did all sorts of meddling . He even got Myla injured so I couldn’t stay quiet . 」
「Lady Hyuutia? ……well, I understand where you’re coming from . I would also likely have counterattacked if I were in your position」
So he does understand me .
「Still, there are limits . No matter how you look at it, leading several thousand cavalry and going wild is too much!」
Erich slaps my hand right when I was about to toss a teacake into my mouth .
I guess he’s not going to let me eat anything today . I notice he hasn’t offered any alcohol either .
「What kind of idiot gets drunk and goes before the King? You’ll really be hanged . 」
Erich sighs and then brings down the tone of his voice .
「On the surface, it was an excessive act for a dispute over water rights, and even though the situation behind the scenes is pretty much common knowledge, most people see that Lord Zilgray was the one who attacked first . ……the minister of commerce has been blindly supporting Lord Zilgray all this time and only recently did he suddenly become indifferent . 」
I know nothing about the situation within the royal court but things should work out if I get Leopolt to think about some solutions .
「I do not think the King will exclude you…… that’s why you should be prepared to be shamed and pay a fine . Since you have the luxury to mobilize three or four thousand soldiers, a fine should be nothing to you right?」
Not really . I have to give an excuse to Adolph again . I’ll let Celia do it and run away .
Erich laughs as if saying I reap what I sow .
「You were scolded here by me for nearly an hour and even got hit on the head . That’s what you get . 」
What does he mean by that?
Audience with the King .
「Hardlett . I am disappointed with you for what happened . I did not give you such territory and soldiers for you to use on internal disputes about rights . 」
「I seriously repent from the heart for troubling you needlessly . In order for no such incident to happen again――」
「For not stopping my husband’s foolish undertaking――」
Nonna and I bow our heads deeply .
I don’t even really understand what I’m saying, I’m just going by how I was told to apologize .
I practiced it countless times with Nonna in the waiting room a while ago .
「About that . I know you acted hastily because one of your women got involved . But as long as you’ve been entrusted with important land on the national border, a deed done to a commander which can end in a funny story can also bring about ruin . Be very careful about what you do in the future . 」
The King warns me strictly and then takes a scroll from a minister waiting beside him .
My punishment is probably written on there .
I’d be at a loss if he tells me something like “give up Nonna” . I would have to revolt on the spot .
「For committing such rash actions, Margrave Hardlett will be fined a sum of 20,000 gold . In addition, someone will be staying in your residence to keep watch for a suitable amount of time . Got it?」
「Yes Sire!」
20,000 hurts .
The unnecessary meddling of that stupid Zilgray cost me a huge chunk of money .
If it means no danger will befall my women, I have to bear with it .
Once it was read, the document with my punishment on it is neatly wrapped back up .
Then the King nods slightly and his expression relaxes .
「The ministers pleaded for a harsher punishment . The reason I did not do so was because I don’t doubt your loyalty…… and it looks like the Military Commissioner has already punished you . 」
The King’s gaze is on the top of my forehead . I reach up to touch it and feel a bump from Erich’s earlier strike .
Erich turns to the King and nods rigidly .
It causes a little commotion among the ministers and chief vassals .
「The Military Commissioner hit Lord Hardlett on the head, huh……」
Yeah, and it hurt quite a bit .
「For someone like the Margrave to be hit and for that knowledge to be made public, that should certainly be an unbearable humiliation…… it’s not unheard of for nobles who greatly value pride to inflict harm on themselves because of the disgrace…… it should be more punishing than a fine . 」
Not really . I’d rather get hit once or twice instead of having to pay more money .
Having to explain myself to Adolph is annoying and the girls have less money to spend on luxuries .
With that said, I’d cave in his skull if I got hit for no reason .
「Regardless, it looks like Lord Hardlett who is famed to be brave and ruthless in battle doesn’t raise his head before the Military Commissioner . 」
「So this really means the Military Commissioner is more……」
Erich nods contently .
So him hitting me is deliberately aimed at the King .
He knows that I can’t stand getting hit by Erich who similarly rose in status from being a mercenary .
It’s also his goal to show off his prestige…… but that part is a give and take .
「Fuu……」
Nonna looks like she’s about to fall over after letting out a big sigh of relief, and as I support her, my hands happen to grab her breasts .
There are people here who’re looking at these huge things . Come on guys, this is an audience before the King so control yourselves .
Nonna and I step backward and then it was time for Zilgray to step forward .
Did he always have that kind of face? I don’t remember .
「Now Lord Zilgray, your circumstances are a bit different . 」
「Well……」
The King appears to be more displeased with him than with me .
Well you’re the aggressor here . Your face deserves to be beaten and bruised .
「I warned you not to disrupt the peace in my Kingdom any further, did I not?」
「Yes…… I am properly ashamed――」
The King speaks over Zilgray’s apology .
「You falsely accused someone of a crime with no evidence after being deceived by a forged letter! You were behind the attack which resulted in the loss of the sons and brothers of multiple nobles! Following that, the sudden occurrence of a fire! You’ve caused those around you a series of problems!」
「B-but that was Lord Hardlett……」
The King and those beside him focus their eyes on me .
「Sorry, I do not know what he is referring to . 」
I don’t say anything more .
Leopolt told me not to confess anything about the attack no matter what .
They might completely suspect me, but they have no proof .
Finally the King stands up and hurls the glass in his hand at Zilgray .
「Did you think I would not read the report you sent!? The fire in Patena was caused accidentally by an open-flame, the attack which was done by remnants of the rebellion has already been suppressed, didn’t you yourself report that the fire in your private residence was due to a servant who went mad!? Yet you are still laying the blame on others…… is it not that attitude of yours to blame for what happened!?」
Zilgray isn’t saying anything .
He’s the one who attacked . It’s not my problem .
「……I’ve had enough . It looks like I was foolish for expecting anything from you . 」
Those in the vicinity become restless .
「Is this…… a dismissal of the Governor General?」
「No, with all that reprimanding, that might not be it……」
Kenneth steps in front of the whitening Zilgray .
「Your Majesty, there is no defense to his repeated incompetencies, however……」
Everyone, including the King, looks at Kenneth .
「Governor General Zilgray’s rule over the former Magrado region is stable though imperfect, and he has not been overdue on sending tax revenue to the Kingdom . Regardless of the cause of the earlier attack and the reason for the fire to his residence――」
Kenneth glances at me . I look away and focus on Nonna’s boobs instead .
「Changing the Governor General in this situation would allow the rebellion to grow stronger and further increase the unease in the citizens . 」
「I have not said anything yet . 」
Kenneth bows his head fearfully after the King speaks .
「I apologize for overstepping my boundaries……」
The King once again glares back at Zilgray . He doesn’t read off a punishment document this time .
「Margrave Zilgray will be fined 100,000 gold . I will appoint a deputy Governor General for the Magrado General Governorate to whom a part of the Governor General’s authority will be given and future ruling will be done after proper deliberation with that deputy Governor General . You will hear the rest of the details from the Commissioner of Government Affairs . 」
「……guh…… y-yes Sire . Under……stood, your…… Majesty . 」
He’s clearly shaken .
「100,000 gold…… this may be Lord Zilgray we’re talking about, but how long will it take to pay that off?」
「No, the appointing of the deputy Governor General is the harsher punishment . The transfer of authority takes away the charm of being Governor General . 」
「The minister of commerce is silent today . I thought he publicly declared himself to be like a brother to Lord Zilgray . 」
「According to rumors, I hear he stopped paying the sum of money he sends every month because of that fire――」
That minister of commerce seems to be feigning innocence while Zilgray glares at him .
On the other hand, Kenneth closes his eyes without letting his emotions show and makes Erich sulk .
I don’t know what’s going on over there .
「Good . Now the two of you, promise me that you will not cause anymore trouble . Any future incidents, regardless of how small, will not only be met with a detailed investigation but a severe punishment . It goes without saying the same applies if you attempt to set up the other person . 」
「「Yes, Your Majesty!」」
Zilgray and I show proof of reconciliation by exchanging a handshake in front of everyone .
It honestly irks me to no end, but I can’t refuse to do so especially when Nonna is also present .
「Let us treat everything that happened in the past as water under the bridge . 」
「I declare in front of His Majesty that we have made peace . 」
The both of us say what is not in our hearts and clasp hands .
At that moment, Zilgray’s face twists and he squeezes my hand as hard as he can .
Despite his large frame, he’s really an underhanded guy through and through . His dick must be small too .
Returning the favor, I also grip firmly, which then produces dry cracking sounds .
「Ngguh……」
Zilgray does his best to withstand with a strained face and hide his soft groan of pain .
He’s proud of his heroic tales too so he won’t say that he broke a finger from shaking another man’s hand .
「That’s a big relief . 」
「Oh Governor General Zilgray, you’re sweating so much, is something the matter?」
Well, that’s that .
「F-farewell then……」
「Yes, take care . 」
He turns red after we say our goodbyes .
Isn’t Zilred a more fitting name for him? It sounds stronger too .
When I thought it was all over, a different person caught me .
「Unhappy?」
「Not at all . 」
I truly mean it . How could I be unhappy when I get to see Rebecca’s tight little ass after so long?
「……just to let you know, there’s absolutely no chance you’ll get to ride me, got it?」
「Oh come now, don’t say that . 」
She pretends to say it like it means nothing to her, except I can see even she knows her own face is a little disappointed .
Rebecca sighs and then breaks the ice on that subject .
「Gosh…… you do know how much I did for your sake, right? I’m no Military Commissioner but I’d like to hit you once myself too . 」
「Then would you like to try? If it’s you, I’m sure I can take it . 」
Might as well try to get her to step on my dick instead of hit my head .
I had Myla step on me before and it was rather nice . It hurt when Irijina did it so I’m not letting her do it again .
「Let’s set aside Lord Hardlett’s sexual fantasies . 」
She ignored me .
「As His Majesty commands, I will station one information officer in your residence for surveillance purposes . 」
「Ooh!」
I unintentionally grab Rebecca’s hand .
It would be wonderful to have her come to my mansion . It’s just a matter of time that our relationship becomes intimate when we live under the same roof .
The time has finally come to put my meat rod in her pussy .
「It’s not me! I have a management position so there’s no way I can stay with you…… I don’t get why you’re so happy to have someone monitor you in the first place . 」
Oh, sh she’s not coming . I drink my tea with my shoulders slumped dejectedly .
「With that, the secrets of the Hardlett household will be leaked…… and that’s problematic, isn’t it . There’s value only when I’m the sole person who knows about the information, plus I would lose the joy of being the direct line to His Majesty . 」
What a clear declaration .
「Then you better send someone who you can put up with to stay in the mansion . 」
With that said, it would be unpleasant to have an idiot around .
「It would be preferable to have someone cheerful, not too enthusiastic about work, not too caring about everything, not too bright and also who can’t read . Might as well get someone who enjoys drinking too . 」
「Like you will ever find an information officer as stupid as you! What do you think our work is!?」
In the end, Rebecca also hit me on the head .
「I will conduct the selection of personnel . I have someone in mind so please treat them as usual . 」
Rebecca gets up from her seat to signal the end of our conversation .
Mmm, I thought there was a chance I could sleep with her .
「Anyways, make sure you treat that person like you treat everyone else . 」
「Understood . 」
Rebecca kept repeating that .
「Remember, treat them normally, got it?」
「Of course I will, relax . 」
Aah, I can finally go home .
When I leave the palace, I see two carriages waiting outside .
I’m familiar with one of them, the small carriage which I left in the capital, and then there’s another .
「Guh!」
「……」
To my surprise, it’s Zilgray .
All this time he must have been getting briefed on the details regarding the deputy Governor General .
There’s a bandage wrapped around his hand too .
「……what a coincidence . 」
Don’t talk to me .
「I’ve got to say that carriage is pretty plain . It’s wonderful that you’re living in honorable poverty as a person who originated in the military . However it is a bit concerning when the both of us have to offer money to the royal family . 」
Zilgray smiles maliciously .
Well I don’t get why I have to come to the palace in a large carriage when it doesn’t even take ten minutes to travel from my mansion .
「I’m more worried about your right hand . Is it injured?」
His face distorts with anger .
Fufufu, I can do what you’re doing too .
「Sorry master? Are we not departing?」
Seeing how it was strange that I wasn’t getting on, she pops her head out of the carriage .
She―― Adela accompanied me today for my summons to the capital .
We ended on an unsatisfying note the other day so she wanted to finish her service this time .
I told her that I would make it up to her when I get back, but her pride as a lover wouldn’t let her yield and so I decided to bring her .
「Ah . 」
「Ah?」
Adela and Zilgray make eye contact .
「A-Adela! Shouldn’t you be dead!? W-what are you doing here, and with Hardlett of all people!」
「A-au…… err, I……」
I stand in front of Zilgray, using my body to hide Adela .
「Are you acquainted with Adela? I met her for the first time in my territory though . 」
She doesn’t say anything and simply hides behind me .
「Know her? She was my mistress! This is the proof that you were the one behind the attack on my knights!」
「I don’t know what you’re talking about . Adela has been living in Rafen for many years . 」
Adela nods earnestly .
「Eeii, nonsense! She has the same name and face, don’t think you can hide it!」
How noisy . I would like to sit him down with a punch, but it would be bad to get into a brawl right outside the palace after declaring our reconciliation . I can understand that much .
「Adela is not a rare name . Maybe you have gotten her mixed up with somebody else?」
「I’m not mistaken! I clearly remember her face!」
I look at Adela .
She frantically shakes her head .
「She’s saying no though . 」
「This lying woman! There’s no way you can forget after I showed you so much affection! So you switched to Hardlett’s side…… and all that happened was because of your influence!」
Zilgray grabs at Adela .
The large man over 180 cm in height and is directing blood lust at her forces Adela to close her eyes in fear .
「Give it a rest . 」
I push my face up close to Zilgray’s face . The royal guards of the palace are watching so I can’t put my hands on him, but glaring at him shouldn’t be a problem .
「She is and has always been my woman . Proof that I attacked your knights, you say? Then why don’t you go back in front of His Majesty and explain it to him . Tell him “my mistress was kidnapped so he’s the culprit” or something . 」
He won’t do that .
It would be different for a wife or a family member, but the king wouldn’t take a mistress seriously, besides she’s denying the claim to begin with .
If he tries, it’s obvious that he’s looking to pick a fight and it will result in more punishment for him .
「Ugggh……」
「We’re going . I want to end this strange bond we have right here . 」
I suppress my true feelings and speak to him respectfully, then give him a polite bow .
I leave him gritting his teeth and get on the carriage with Adela .
「That guy, how dare he say he showed me affection! He only put me through pain and suffering!」
She also had her own rough times with him .
She grins when she sees my face .
「Right, how about I continue your service now?」
「Here?」
Although the door of the carriage is closed, it isn’t airtight, so voices can still leak out to the outside .
Zilgray hasn’t departed yet and the palace guards will hear everything too .
「I want that man to listen!」
Well, I guess it doesn’t matter if that’s what she wants . It should be fine since we’re technically outside the palace .
「So I just have to fuck you hard?」
「No, he might just think I’m getting forcibly raped……」
Adela clears her throat and then snuggles up against me .
「Oh, I was so scared master…… please comfort Adela . 」
Her sugary sweet voice stimulates deep in my ear .
「Is it fine if I just pat your head?」
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