I’m an Ordinary Returning Student at the Academy

[Translator - Angel Dust]

[Proofreader - Prototype]

Side Stories 28

"Hoo! Hoo!"

"...Lefia."

"Hoo! Hoo!"

"Lefia?"

"Ah, yes! Lav! Did you call me?"

Lavrenti blinked a few times and slowly shook her head.

"That breathing you were doing just now... anyone would think you were about to snipe someone."

"I'm just so nervous! Hoo! Ha!"

"Don't be too tense. You might mess up."

The day of Karl's final wedding had finally arrived.

Today's protagonist was Lefia.

She was currently in the bride's waiting room, conversing with Lavrenti.

Normally, Selena and Eloise should have been here too.

However, Selena had stepped out for a moment because of Luen, and Eloise because of Marien.

With people coming and going, the babies had become fussy, so they had left the room.

"But, but... how can I not be nervous? There are all sorts of people outside..."

"Hmm... you're right about that."

The previous three weddings had also been quite grand.

Not only did the Imperial Family send representatives, but the highest-ranking nobles of the Empire and prominent figures had also gathered.

But it was rare for there to be so many foreign dignitaries, as there were today.

"I thought Lasker wouldn't care so much."

"Of course not. Even though Lefia gave up her title and right to the throne, her noble blood doesn't disappear."

Officially, they deny it, but everyone knows what this marriage signifies.

It means the Empire and Lasker are joining hands, reconciling, and moving forward together.

In fact, during the war two years ago, the two were clearly on the same side.

Therefore, it was only natural for Lasker to send their dignitaries to Lefia and Karl's wedding.

"Lady Lefia."

A moment later, the person who entered was someone Lefia had seen a few times in Lasker.

To be precise, he was one of the nobles who, while supporting the current Queen, maintained a relatively good relationship with Lefia.

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"I am here today as a representative of Her Majesty the Queen."

"I see. Is Her Majesty well?"

"She is in good health. She is ruling Lasker very wisely."

"That's good to hear. I knew she would."

They talked about their homeland, which Lefia must have been curious about, and then about each other's well-being.

"Congratulations on your marriage, Lady Lefia. Your partner is a great hero, so you must only have happiness ahead of you."

"Thank you. I will also work hard to be happy!"

"I hope you will. Ah, and also. Her Majesty asked me to deliver this letter."

Lefia carefully receives the letter he hands her and fiddles with it.

She wants to open it right away, but she's a little worried about whether it's okay to open a letter from the Queen like this.

"There's no need to worry. It's a letter from Her Majesty, but she said, 'Let her receive it as a letter from an older sister to a younger sister.'"

"Ah...!"

Lefia nods and quickly opens the letter.

Judging by the elegant handwriting, it's definitely from the Queen, her older sister.

She's sure of it. Every character, every word is filled with her sister's emotions.

"...Lady Lefia?"

"Lefia? Oh no! Don't cry! Your makeup will get ruined!"

The person from Lasker, as well as Lavrenti, who was next to her, are surprised and try to comfort Lefia.

The wedding is about to start, and if she cries like this, her make-up will be ruined!

"Oh, I'm sorry. It's just, the tears just came out."

Lefia hurriedly waves her hand, saying it's nothing.

Yes, it really is nothing. Surely her sister wouldn't have written anything strange.

But still, she's someone who couldn't be here today.

Even so, she reminisced about their past memories and sent her blessings as a family member.

[ Be happy. May you receive even greater love there than the love you didn't receive in your homeland. ]

* * *

"...Lefia? What's wrong? Did something happen?"

As the ceremony progressed, Karl noticed something was off with Lefia.

She was smiling as usual, but her smile seemed somewhat different.

"It's nothing, Oppa."

"Hmm."

He turned his head from the Lasker royal representative, who was reciting the congratulatory speech, and glanced at the guests.

There were twice as many guests this time compared to the previous weddings.

Even though many people had come from Lasker to celebrate this occasion,

And even though the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had granted special entry permits, there was still a considerable difference.

If that were all, it would be fine. But Lefia's parents' seats were also empty.

Even though she had given up her title as princess, her royal lineage remained.

So, the Lasker royal family had sent a representative, but that was all.

"What should we do about our youngest daughter-in-law, Karl? Her parents' seats will be completely empty."

"I'm worried about that too, Father."

His parents, who had never worried about his weddings before, were concerned this time.

They had considered not having separate seats for the parents, but Lefia was strongly against it.

In the end, Karl’s father sat on his side, and his mother on Lefia’s side.

Could this be the reason? Was she trying to act like it was okay, but feeling hurt inside?

He kept worrying and fidgeting with Lefia's hand.

"I'm really fine. It's just that I received some kind words, that's all."

"Kind words?"

"My sister sent me a handwritten letter for the first time in a while. Congratulating me on my marriage, you know."

Lefia's sister... that would be the Queen of Lasker? She even sent a handwritten letter?

"It would have been nice to have my family here, but I have a new family now. Look over there."

Karl turned his head and saw Selena, Eloise, and Lav smiling.

Luen and Marien, held in their arms, were also peeking through.

"After today, I'm no longer a citizen of the Lasker kingdom, but of the Empire. The Empire, Friedrich County, the Adelheit family. Your fourth wife?"

"...You don't have to emphasize the 'fourth' part."

"Hehehe! Why not? Are you afraid you'll look like a womanizer?!"

"Hey, Lefia! Your voice is too loud! Everyone will hear you!"

You can't keep doing this in the middle of a wedding ceremony!

"I still remember the moment I first met you, Oppa."

"...I remember it vividly too, but I don't really want to think about it right now."

"Why not! You saved me like a prince from an old fairytale! And after that, whenever I was in trouble, you always appeared so gallantly!"

It wasn't exactly voluntary... more like involuntary, you could say.

Anyway, it wasn't intentional, Lefia. I was quite flustered too.

It's a good thing it worked out in the end, otherwise, things could have gotten messy.

"...Especially, there are guests who have come from very far away to celebrate this day. On behalf of the bride and groom, I would like to express my gratitude."

Right. They must have had a hard time coming all the way from Lasker.

They didn't have to come, but I'm grateful they did.

As a token of our appreciation, I heard our Empire is preparing something for them.

Except for Avileshti, who couldn't manage their own country and gave magic to the Kanfras.

It's something that would make Lasker think twice. The Imperial Railway and Railroad Construction Act.

"Now, lastly. To wish the bride and groom a happy married life. And for the bride and groom to promise the guests here that they will be happy..."

Tatatatat!—

"..."

"Ah! Ceremonial swords! I've always wanted to try this!"

"Lefia, I'm the one who has to do this every day."

How many times do we have to do this ceremonial sword thing? ...Ah, that's right. This is the last time.

Then I should just bear with it. Sigh. Let's just get through this. This is the end.

"Sir Karl Adelheit! Marrying four times all by himself!"

"This is an outrage that we, as reservists of the Empire, cannot tolerate!"

"This is unfair!"

"If you think it's unfair, are you saying you'll let the new bride do the sword ritual?!"

That's not what I meant. Of course, I can't let my wife go through the sword ritual!

"Alright, then let's start with 50 push-ups."

"Wasn't it 20 before? Why is it increasing?!"

"That's because you're so good at it, sir! Come on, let's go! Time's ticking!"

"Gaaah!"

I'm a legend, doing push-ups in a suit.

Meanwhile, our eldest daughter, Luen, is tearing up, feeling sorry for her dad.

Oh dear. Don't cry, my daughter! Daddy does this all the time, it's okay!

And our second daughter, Mary, please don't cry like your sister...

"Hmm."

She's not crying. In fact, she's nestled in Eloise's arms, smiling brightly as if she's enjoying herself.

My second daughter? You don't find Daddy doing push-ups funny, do you...?

If you do, Daddy might cry too!!

* * *

Some time after Lefia and Karl's wedding.

"Welcome back."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The person who attended as the Queen's representative kneels before the Queen of Lasker.

"How did she look?"

"She looked well."

"And?"

"She looked happy."

"That's good. That's all that matters."

The Queen smiled.

The older sister of the new bride smiled brightly.

As long as you're happy, that's all that matters. If you're happy, I'm happy. Don't get sick there.

[Translator - Angel Dust]

[Proofreader - Prototype]