Engagement?

Later, the maids informed us that everything was ready. They led Fee and me away, though for some reason, we ended up in what looked like a waiting room.

"Please wait here," one of them said. "We will call for you when it is your turn."

Why the delay? I wondered. Despite my confusion, I decided to do as I was told and sat tight.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"I-I’m fine."

Fee was uncharacteristically tense. Her movements were jagged and awkward, but that was to be expected. She wasn't in her usual gear; she was wearing formal clothes provided by the castle. She had been restless ever since she changed, clearly finding the outfit both restrictive and embarrassing.

"If you're that nervous, you didn't have to stay with me. You could have joined the others."

"Master Yuri, if Fee leaves your side, there's no telling what you’ll do."

"I’m not going to cause trouble in a foreign country, surely."

I mean, I am considering testing whether I can craft a Magic Tool that mimics a Beastman’s ears and tail, but I haven't actually made anything yet.

"Don't look at me with such suspicious eyes. I don't have anything on me," I insisted. "My pockets only have the Empty Magic Stone I'm planning to fill with Magic Power later."

"You really were planning something." Fee’s shoulders slumped in overt disappointment. "As I thought, Fee has to stay with you!"

She psyched herself up, her resolve hardening. Thanks to that trivial exchange, the edge seemed to come off her nerves.

"Master Yuri, would you mind coming this way now?" a maid asked, reappearing at the door.

"Right. We’re coming."

◇　◇　◇

Finally summoned, we were guided through the corridors to a set of heavy doors leading into the Grand Hall.

"So, it’s not the Audience Chamber?"

"It seems not," Fee whispered.

I moved to open the door, but just then, Elu arrived. Like us, she was dressed in a pure white gown. No matter how I looked at it, she was wearing a wedding dress.

"Lady Elu, you look beautiful," Fee said.

Fee didn't seem surprised at all; she was simply moved by the sight. Is my sense of reality skewed again? Or is this just common sense for the Beastman Race? Judging by Fee’s reaction, this appeared perfectly normal. Just to be sure, I decided to ask Elu.

"That outfit..."

"Ah, Master Yuri. Um... it suits you very well..." Elu stammered, turning bright red and looking down at her feet.

"A-Ah..."

As I let out a breath, Fee shot me a sharp glare. However, she remained silent, her gaze shifting toward Elu’s dress. I see. I think I understood what Fee was trying to tell me.

"Elu, those clothes suit you very well, too."

"Hawah!? T-t-t-thank you very mush!"

She bowed, her face crimson with joy. Then, for some reason, she held her hand out to me.

"Hmm? What's this for?"

"Um..."

"Ah, right. Then, would it be alright if I escorted you?"

In a setting like this, a gentleman was supposed to escort a lady. That seemed to be the correct answer, as she didn't say anything more. When I gently took her hand, Elu gave a small, happy nod.

"Yes. I look forward to it."

◇　◇　◇

I escorted Elu into the Grand Hall, but the interior was decorated in a way that could only be described as a wedding venue.

"Hey!"

I whirled toward Elu. Realizing her prank had been discovered, she cutely stuck out her tongue.

"Ehehe."

"Don't think you can laugh this off. You’re going to tell me what’s going on, right?"

"I shall be the one to explain," a voice boomed.

The Beast King stepped forward. His massive, sturdy frame was poured into a tight-fitting suit.

"I heard my beloved Elu had found a groom, so I thought I would solidify the status quo."

"By doing... this? It looks more like you're trying to force a marriage on me."

"Just a bit of a mischievous spirit. Rest easy, son-in-law."

"I can't rest easy at all. In your mind, I've already become your son-in-law."

"Is that not so?"

The Beast King balled his hands into fists, radiating a heavy, suffocating aura. He clearly doted on Elu; he wouldn't show mercy to anyone who brought her grief. But this whole situation was a massive misunderstanding. It would be easily resolved if Elu cleared it up.

"It's not any different, Father!" Elu cried.

"No, no, it's completely different!" I corrected her immediately.

"Is it?" The Beast King glared at me with terrifying intensity.

I hesitated. In this situation, pushing too hard might put Elu in unnecessary danger due to my involvement. I couldn't simply back down, but I had to be careful.

"It is. In the first place, I’m planning on indepe—"

I stopped myself. A thought had flashed through my mind: perhaps it would be better to accept this farce for now. If I did, I could secure asylum in the Beast Kingdom.

"Gahahaha! You're exactly the man I heard you were. That's why you're worthy of being entrusted with Elu! If you're going to be that stubborn, I'll settle for an engagement until my son-in-law achieves his independence! Does that satisfy you?"

Between the man’s overwhelming pressure and the fact that he was willing to wait—which meant I’d gained a powerful backer—I had no choice but to nod.

"Good, good. Elu might have been a bit premature, but this works. Once you are independent, we will hold a grand ceremony on a national scale! It will be easier for my son-in-law to move if we restrain other countries by showing that the Beast Kingdom and your nation have a close relationship."

He had a point. If word got out that I had a close tie to a foreign princess, my status in the Kingdom of Inraku would rise, and my life would stabilize. I had thought a Knighthood was enough, but I might end up with an even higher title now.

"I understand. I'm a little dissatisfied, but I'll bear with it for now," Elu said, her cheeks flushed with happiness. "Besides, Master Yuri complimented me. He said I looked good."

The Beast King looked satisfied just seeing her happy. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Emilina. She was wearing a faint, satisfied smile.

It hit me then—she’d orchestrated this.

What exactly is she playing at?

"Is something the matter?" Elu asked, noticing my localized mumble.

"No, it's nothing."

I might have trusted Emilina too much lately. As a Saint, she had the potential to be a dangerous enemy, one who could lead me toward ruin. I needed to re-examine the people around her.

"Fee, can I count on you for something?"

"Understood," she replied instantly.

It pained me to entrust such a grim task to Fee, but she was the only one I could be sure hadn't fallen under the influence of Emilina and her schemes.

"If there’s any danger, withdraw immediately. I won't allow you to get hurt."

"Of course. I’ll be careful."

I emphasized the warning. With her high Agility, Fee should be able to escape even the worst-case scenario. Plus, with Fee away from my side for a while, I’d finally be able to make some progress on my Magic Tools. It was a perfect "two birds with one stone" plan.

"Master Yuri, if you're making a Magic Tool when I get back, I'm confiscating it."

...My "perfect plan" was apparently transparent from the start.