Chapter 45 – Why don’t you just refuse?

“Celes-oneechan? What’s wrong? You do not look well?” (Layla)

That day, Layla noticed something was wrong with Celestia.

“No, it’s nothing, Layla-san.” (Celes)
“Lie! You’re definitely not looking well at all!” (Layla)

Celestia shook her head to deceive her, but it didn’t do for Layla.
Layla might not understand people’s feelings, but even so, she could see that today’s Celestia had a heavy atmosphere.

Of course, the others were aware of this.
But the one they were dealing with was a princess.
So they couldn’t pursue the situation too deeply.

“What’s the problem? Layla might be able to give you some advice!” (Layla)

It was precise because Layla was such an airhead that couldn’t read the situation so she was able to step in.

“… Y, you might be right.” (Celes)

In fact, Celestia might have wanted someone to listen to her.
She nodded at her cute junior’s offer and began to talk about what had happened yesterday.

“Actually… I’m, getting married…” (Celes)
“Fuee? Getting married? Ceres-oneechan is?” (Layla)
“Yes. I’ve been engaged to someone for some time now…….” (Celes)

The Hambarada Empire, a neighboring country of the Kingdom of Edelheid.
The talk of marrying the crown prince began before Celestial had even received her blessing, at the behest of that country.

However, Celestia was less than ten years old, while the crown prince is already in his late twenties.
His Majesty, The King politely declined, taking into consideration the relationship with the neighboring country.

Incidentally, the Crown Prince and Celestia had only met once, so, Celestia did not remember the other person at all.

The situation changed because of the crisis four years ago.

Although the Hambarada Empire bordered on Edelheid, it was fortunate that it was off the path of the Demon King’s army, so it did not suffer much damage.

To begin with, Hambarada Empire’s national power was almost twice as powerful as Edelheid’s.
On top of that, the fact that Edelheid was the only one to suffer significant damage caused a further gap in the power relationship between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the number of aristocrats in the Hambarada Empire who make radical claims that Edelhide should be blamed now is increasing.
For the Kingdom of Edelhide, the only way to maintain good relations with the Hambalada Empire was to marry the crown prince and the princess.

In the midst of this, an increasing number of nobles in the Hambarada Empire were making the radical claim that Edelhide should be blamed.
For the Kingdom of Edelheid, the only way to maintain good relations with the Hambarada Empire was now a political marriage between their princess to the crown prince.

“Nn, so… in other words, Ceres-oneechan have to marry someone she doesn’t like?” (Layla)
“Yes.” (Celes)
“Eee! Why don’t you just refuse it!” (Layla)
“… I can’t do that. I’m a royal family. I have to prioritize this country over myself.” (Celes)

If she broke the engagement, it could lead to war.
A full-scale war would cost a lot of lives, and in today’s declining national power, Edelheid would be no match for the empire.

When weighing her future and the fate of her country, Celestia could not choose herself.

“Boo.” (Layla)

Layla’s lips pouted in dissatisfaction.
She couldn’t understand the circumstances of the royal family.

“It’s just that…… I was originally told that it would be after I graduated from the academy, but ……. It seems that the other party wants to hurry up.”

The marriage itself was depressing, of course, but it was okay because she was ready for it.

However, it was almost a year away, and I thought I could spend her school life to the end.
The biggest shock was that even that might not come true.

But it was still almost a year away, and she wished she would be able to spend the rest of her academy life to her fullest.
The fact that even that wish might not come true was the biggest shock for her.

“Eee? then, Ceres-oneechan, how long can we stay together…..?” (Layla)
“A few months……at the most …… or maybe sooner.” (Celes)
“Eeeeeeee!” (Layla)

Layla immediately jumped on Celestia as she shouted loudly.

“No, I do not want to! Why!? I don’t want to lose Ceres-oneechan!” (Layla)
“I’m so sorry…..” (Celes)
“Then just stay until Layla graduates!” (Layla)
“…That’s impossible to begin with.” (Celes)

Celestia is in her fourth year.
No matter how hard she tried, it is impossible for her to graduate with Layla.

“Uuu~” (Layla)
“……Sorry.” (Celes)

Even though she apologized, Celestia was pleased that this cute little sister was so fond of her and was sorry to be separated from her.

The engagement announcement came five days later.
On this day, Layla and the other students of the Royal Academy were attending the King’s speech, which was held periodically.

The speeches were held in the square in front of the royal palace, and usually, ordinary citizens were allowed to attend.
However, on this particular day, only a select group of people were allowed to attend.

After all, it was the engagement of Princess Celestia, who is beautiful and popular in the kingdom, to the Crown Prince of a neighboring country, who was twenty years older and whose appearance could be said unsightly.
There was a risk that the participants might object and cause a riot.
In order to prevent this, the participants were carefully selected.

That was why the students of the Royal Academy were hurriedly mobilized.
Although the matter of the engagement announcement was kept under wraps, the teachers had warned the students beforehand that “No matter what the content was, they should listen to it until the end in a manner befitting a student of the Royal Academy.”.

They were also strictly ordered to cooperate with the Knight Order in case of an unlikely event.

Because of this, most of the students were nervously waiting for His Majesty the King to appear, wondering what kind of speech he would give.