Natsuki Subaru's Journey to Strategically Capture Reinhild

R4. The Three Guests

"You really…"

"Well, there's no helping it. Food is life, after all. Ferris hasn't eaten anything since yesterday, and I also wanted to check on that boy's mental state. A lot of people tend to lose it after a near-death experience, you know."

"Speaking of which, Reinhild, aren't you going to say hello to Sir Wilhelm?"

Watching Reinhild hesitate for a moment before shaking her head, Ferris, now dressed and finished with breakfast, sighed.

"It's only at times like this that I can really feel the blood relation between you two, nya."

???

Wilhelm had paced behind the door with tea in hand yesterday, and today Reinhild had broken protocol by waking Ferris up herself.

Because Ferris served the Crusch household, as did Wilhelm, and she was also Reinhild's close friend, she could sense the awkward yet undeniably real bond between them.

Precisely because they meant so much to each other, those two normally upright and straightforward people had become cowardly.

But all of that would soon be over—once the White Whale was defeated.

"Lady Reinhild, there's an issue on the third floor that requires your attention."

"Nya!"

"I understand."

Winston suddenly appeared behind them, startling Ferris.

Reinhild simply nodded.

Ferris shot Winston a disgruntled glance and opened Subaru's room door.

As soon as she did, she instinctively raised her right hand to wave in front of her nose.

"Reinhild, let me confirm this—has the witch's scent on him gotten much stronger?"

"It's fine. Back at the apple stand, the scent around him had also suddenly increased—about three times as much—but by last night, it had gradually faded."

"Alright then. You go handle your business. I'll stay here for a bit. He should wake up in about an hour."

With that, Ferris sat down on the chair beside the bed.

"Got it. Winston, stay with Ferris for now. If Subaru wakes up and seems fine, bring him to the dining room on the second floor of the main house."

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Reinhild knocked on the door, and despite the stream of foul language from inside, she entered.

Rom and Felt glared at her with furious expressions, though they did not attempt to attack—likely because they now understood the difference in strength.

"—Bastard! You dragged us here without a word of explanation. What the hell is your plan!?"

Felt directed a look of disgust at Reinhild.

"I'll explain now. Please, hold out your hand."

Reinhild pulled out the Dragon Insignia from her pocket and placed it in Felt's hand.

The jewel in the insignia immediately glowed red.

"What the...? I had a strange feeling about this stone when I stole it. Why is it glowing?"

"That's because you have been recognized by the Divine Dragon as one with the qualifications to become king…

But because one candidate was missing, the royal selection could not begin. Lady Felt, you are the final candidate for the 42nd monarch of this nation."

Reinhild knelt on one knee before Felt and laid out the entire situation of the royal family. The two fell into silence after hearing her explanation.

"I have no interest in this royal selection stuff. Can we leave now?"

"This is for the prosperity of the kingdom."

Reinhild stood in front of the door, blocking her way, and said with sincere eyes.

"Kid, we're from the slums.

Felt might have the qualifications of the Dragon's Maiden, but that doesn't make her suited to be king.

You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig.

Lacking character, lacking education—can someone like that truly be supported as king? Even if by luck she did become king, it's doubtful the kingdom would truly prosper."

"Destiny."

???

"Lady Felt is the final candidate. As the Sword Saint, meeting her cannot be chalked up to coincidence. I believe this is destiny.

I trust you understand what I mean. That's why I will fully support Lady Felt."

Reinhild spoke to the confused pair.

The current situation, born from countless coincidences—she was sincerely grateful for it.

"Then let me put it another way. I've heard of your good name for many years now.

You're responsible for at least half of the kingdom's current stability.

So I ask you, Reinhild—do you really intend to push this child into a bottomless whirlpool?"

"…I…"

"Don't make promises you can't keep. If this were before yesterday, we might've believed you could protect us.

But yesterday proved just how dangerous the royal selection is.

There's no such thing as a thief who lasts a thousand days, but there are guards who must be vigilant every day. That's why I'm asking you—let this child go."

"Old man Rom, what are you doing? Get up! Didn't you always say that no matter how low people looked down on us, we should never abandon our self-respect?

That we must never bow down like this? If it comes to it, we'll just find a way to escape!"

Reinhild backed step by step into the corner of the room.

She looked at Rom, who had offered up his dignity for Felt's safety, and at Felt, who was now risking her future for Rom's pride.

In her heart, a faint sense of envy grew.

Guilt from yesterday. Envy from today. The voice in her mind that kept repeating began to fade.

'Offer your loyalty to the kingdom for the sake of your family.'

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.

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"I've already investigated Lady Felt's dream. So let's make a bet."

"A bet?" ×2

"The announcement of your candidacy should happen in two months.

During that time, you'll study everything necessary to be king—etiquette, governance, history, literacy, etc. I'll arrange a proper daily schedule.

If you finish your studies early each day, you can use the remaining time however you like.

If you manage to secretly escape the mansion during this period, we'll treat it as if the royal selection started with your candidacy, and I'll help you escape to Kararagi in the west.

I'll also make sure no one pursues you.

This is the property deed to a home in Kararagi—I'll give this to you.

But if the royal selection is announced before you escape, then please become the king of this nation."

"How do I know you're not going to force me into this?"

"Then I swear upon my family, and upon my sword, that if—"

Reinhild slowly recited her oath, then looked at Felt.

"You hold onto the insignia for now. Can we have some time to think about your proposal?"

"Of course. Once you've decided, just have Bernie outside the door come call me."

Reinhild said this, received the insignia from Felt, and slowly exited the room.