I Married Because I Wanted To Live A Normal Life

 

It was Miller Firenze. He didn’t hide his displeasure as he spoke up.

“The current situation in the north is dire. We’ve even dispatched mercenaries to defend the country, but there’s little support or compensation coming back. If the royal army is bolstered, can we finally expect proper assistance for the north?”

“Your words seem a bit harsh, Young Marquis Firenze.”

Despite Callen’s stern reproach, Miller let out a snort and continued speaking.

“Isn’t that the truth? The lords of the north are standing united, defending their ancestral territories, the livelihoods of their people. Yet, the main forces of the royal family, including the Royal Knights, remain stationed in the capital.”

“…..”

“In such a situation, when you speak of bolstering the royal army, we believe we have every right to ask about the use of the increased soldiers.”

“Strictly speaking, while you are the prince, you are only acting on behalf of the king. You do not have the authority to make large-scale troop deployment…”

As Count Valencia, who carefully chose his words in the presence of the influential noble representing the North was about to intercede to mediate, a dignified voice rang out amidst the chaos.

“Though it may be unrefined, I, too, agree with Marquis Firenze’s words.”

Duke Levitea, who hadn’t uttered a single word since the start of the conference, turned his head towards the prince and spoke.

For decades, the veteran of countless battles, a stalwart figure who had stood in the front lines of danger, had wrinkles etched on his face, but it remained strong and resilient.

“Your Highness, amidst the urgent state of affairs, such actions could send the wrong signal to the nobility, implying that the royal family is only looking out for itself.”

The tone of his words, as if reproaching a young person, caused Lewis to clench his jaw.

While his loyalty to the royal family was unwavering, he found himself unable to immediately intervene as the prince, who he desired to support, revealed a plan involving the use of a person of Catlan.

“I believe that at this moment, it is more appropriate to tighten even the less crucial budgets and allocate support to the North.”

In response to his forthright statement, the prince lowered his gaze and fell silent.

As a member of the royal family, he wouldn’t want to lose his authority either. He probably didn’t want to become just a powerless figurehead who merely supports the nobles, swaying according to their opinions.

However, it wasn’t as if the royal family could take a prominent stance at the moment. His Highness’s authority was limited until the king’s health improved.

In such circumstances, the royal family needed a pretext, even momentarily, to divert the attention of the nobles.

And now he’s talking about using Hisch for that.

“… Everyone is jumping to conclusions too quickly. We’re merely discussing a potential example of its application after researching his ability, and not declaring an immediate increase in the royal army.”

The prince, steering the conversation away, turned to Hisch with a composed expression.

“I’m more interested in hearing from you, Hisch Ensis.”

“…..”

“We may have grown weaker, but for over a thousand years, the ability in question has always flowed within our bloodline. This ability has protected us from many external threats.”

The man looked at the prince with calm eyes. His thoughts were inscrutable, hidden behind those dark irises.

“If you were to cooperate just a little, this blessing could become accessible to others as well.”

“… I…”

Hisch slowly began to speak.

“I have never considered this ability a blessing, so it is strange to even refer to it as such. However, I am unsure of how to respond to Your Highness’ words.”

I clenched my teeth. Wasn’t this tantamount to publicly exposing his past wounds? What was the difference between this and tearing open his scars for all to see?

If he had seen that ability as a blessing, would the man have trembled that much? Would he have looked at me with tears in his eyes? Would he have endured so much pain, fearing he might be hated by me?

I wished I could pull Hisch out of this place and leave immediately. However, I knew that as long as the boy’s purple eyes lingered on him, it wouldn’t be possible.

“… Your Highness, if I may speak frankly… This is a rather sudden proposition.”

Lewis spoke in a calm tone.

“Furthermore, as I understand it, this conference is simply meant to ask and answer questions about my brother-in-law’s manifested abilities. More detailed discussions… could perhaps be arranged at a later time.”

In the face of persistent opposition from the resolute Lewis, and the prince taking a step back, Callen, as if waiting for this, declared the end of the hearing, suggesting a brief recess before continuing the conference.

As the prince also left his seat for a moment of respite, I turned my gaze towards Lewis.

The man with beige hair and vibrant blue eyes was massaging his temples as if he had a headache.

Sensing my gaze, he paused and slowly turned his head.

“… We can’t have everything.”

“Brother.”

“Liddell.”

He opened his mouth as if to console me.

“Think rationally. I understand your concern for your husband, but there are limits to refusing when the royal family presents such a proposition. It might be more reasonable to calmly consider what can be given and what can be gained.”

“Then are you suggesting that we simply send Hisch to the Magic Tower as the royal family demands? Hisch is now a member of our family, a person of Catlan. The vassals would surely oppose such a decision.”

“…..”

“Of course, my husband is not exactly a welcomed presence among the nobles, but well… As we saw in the recent conference, the royal family’s demands have gone beyond the limits, causing the vassals to be greatly angered. In such a situation, who would welcome the idea of giving up someone, even a relative?”

As I pointed out the objective position of Hisch before he was my beloved and husband, Lewis frowned again and closed his eyes.

“But when the royal family makes a formal demand, what reason do we have to refuse? Won’t they return him without even touching a hair on your husband? It’s not a simple research.”

“Brother.”

“Recently, the position of the royal family has become quite precarious. Ophius and we are doing our best to assist His Highness, but that alone isn’t enough to suppress the influential nobles and easily fill the void left by the king.”

Considering that even the difficult nobles are among those influential nobles, it’s not an easy task.

Today’s meeting made it evident. Those favorably inclined towards the royal family are only Marquis Ophius, who is moving as their right hand, and us.

Valencia maintained a neutral stance, while Firenze, who was weighing the gains and losses, seemed intent on seizing any opportunity. Amidst all this, Levitea did not appear to be favorably inclined.

“Given these circumstances and the prince’s request for assistance, it won’t be easy for Catlan to refuse.”

This darned caste society. It’s absurd to thrust the role of leading through this crisis onto a mere sixteen-year-old.

“I didn’t realize my husband had such great use.”

“…….”

“And if the royal family continues to make unreasonable demands and we are forced to accept them, it might actually exacerbate the division among the nobles. Don’t you think so?”

If it came to that, except for Count Valencia, who remains neutral, the rest of the noble factions might split into two camps, each adopting a different attitude towards the royal family.

Furthermore, considering that Valencia recently formed a marital bond with Levitea, it was evident as daylight which direction their influence might lean towards.

Lewis looked at me quietly for a moment before closing his eyes, seeming tired.

“You’re saying something very realistic, Liddell. However, let’s be honest. You don’t hold such thoughts about our family, do you?”

“…….”

“Ultimately, isn’t your desire to protect your husband the driving force behind all this?”

My pent-up emotions burst out unexpectedly when he said that I was only concerned about my husband’s well-being.

“Is wanting to protect my partner such a condemnable thing?”

“Liddell.”

“Hisch is now a part of our family too. If it were me that the royal family demanded, would Brother have willingly accepted?”

“…….”

“Brother, really. Could it be that you’re downplaying the royal family’s demands as insignificant just because Hisch is still considered an outsider?”

Lewis seemed a bit surprised, as if he hadn’t expected me to be this angry.

“I…”

Lewis began to speak as if he were about to offer an excuse, but he soon closed his eyes tightly and lowered his head.

“… Yes. I see what you mean. But it seems like we need to clear our head a bit.”

“Brother.”

“I said both you and me.”

Lewis turned away decisively, as if suggesting we take a moment before the conversation became even more emotional.

As he turned, my eyes met with Callen’s, who had been staring in this direction blankly over Lewis’s shoulder.

Had he been watching from the beginning? Feeling embarrassed to be seen in the middle of a family argument, I averted my eyes first.

After a while, Lewis, who had turned away from me, approached Callen and engaged in a conversation with him.

And there I stood, rooted to the spot for a moment, feeling utterly exhausted by the entire situation.

Lewis’s perspective was understandable as well. Perhaps his words might even be right.

Though it sounded somewhat ingenuous to me, I wasn’t sure if I should trust Lewis’s judgment, given his long experience with the royal family.

Furthermore, it was a clear fact that our family was standing behind Hisch, and the royal family wouldn’t disregard that…

… No.

No, no.

I didn’t want to think this way. Not logically, not rationally, not for the sake of being prudent or calculating gains.

I didn’t want to simply dismiss a single word of criticism directed towards Hisch, or even a single breath he took.

I didn’t want to take a single step back. I didn’t want to yield. I didn’t mind appearing stubborn. It would have been fine even if people said that the woman truly loved her husband with fervor.

And why shouldn’t I? If even I were to step back, then who else, who on earth, would raise their voice without regard for the consequences for Hisch’s sake?

“…….”

Hisch.

I need to find Hisch and go back for now.

With my thoughts barely pieced together through the haze of exhaustion, I slowly moved forward, taking one step at a time.

  Hello, everyone! It's Eica here~ Thank you for taking the time to read my translations.I apologize for being absent for a rea~lly long time and for the future sporadic updates. My classes and busy schedule have made it difficult for me to translate at a faster pace.Despite my shortcomings in translating, I hope each and every one of you will have a great time reading this.If you come across any mistakes, feel free to comment below or reach out to me on Discord.You can support me on Ko-fi, and I would appreciate it if you could rate this on NU. I value your feedback, and even though I may not respond, please know that I read and eagerly anticipate each and every comment.Once again, thank you, everyone! Happy reading!