Young Master, Please Put Some Pants On! - Chapter 111

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 111

Kermanomon had not been without such thoughts himself. If the countless pressures and threats currently directed at him were to turn toward Mellis, his lover? He would absolutely never be able to tolerate that.

He knew better than anyone how much effort Persiana had put in to protect his lover Lilia, who had been a commoner and herbivore beastkin.

Could he really protect Mellis as completely as he did now with the power he currently possessed? Kermanomon could not be certain.

“….”

He fell into deep contemplation, thinking of Mellis.

Though it was an answer he had decided upon after countless conflicts and agonizing for a long time, it took much more time to voice it aloud. Soon, having made a deep resolution, he slowly raised his head.

“Alright, I’ll accept it.”

At the answer that came after long deliberation, a bitter smile spread across Persiana’s lips.

“I’m sorry. If I had been a slightly more capable Emperor, I wouldn’t have had to pass such a burden onto you.”

“It’s fine. You’ve done enough, brother. I was somewhat prepared for this anyway.”

“Thank you for saying that. The official announcement should be made at this exchange meeting, right? The Ministers are also expecting some kind of decision to be made this time. We can discuss the coronation ceremony later….”

At that moment, Persiana trailed off when he noticed Kermanomon’s expression darkening. Though he had obediently agreed to inherit the throne, his mind still seemed troubled. He slowly opened his mouth to comfort his younger brother.

Just because I’m passing the throne to you doesn’t mean I’ll retire overnight, so don’t worry too much. I don’t know how long I can hold out, but I’ll do what I can for as long as possible.”

“…That’s not what I’m worried about. I’m just wondering how to tell Mellis about this. She’s already shown so much courage, but if I suddenly tell her she might become Empress, she’ll be shocked, won’t she?”

At Kermanomon’s more serious attitude than ever, Persiana briefly wore a dumbfounded expression.

“Pfft.”

“…Why are you laughing.”

“No, it’s just. I had the exact same worry as you. I had no idea how to bring up such a topic to someone who was already worried about me doing the imprinting.”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. Ah, why was I even born as a purebred? It would have been fine if I had just been born as an ordinary beastman.”

“Then wouldn’t Mellis have not met with you?”

At his playful tone, Kermanomon’s eyes narrowed.

“What are you talking about? Mellis likes my face the most, not my background.”

“Well, you do take after me and have a handsome face.”

Kermanomon let out a small snort at Persiana’s jest. After that, the brothers continued talking about various things for quite a while.

Belatedly realizing it had gotten late, Kermanomon prepared to get up from his seat.

“I should get going. Mellis will be waiting, and I don’t have time to be chattering here like this.”

“How utterly rude in front of the Emperor.”

Persiana, who had been clicking his tongue briefly while picking up his teacup, soon remembered something and gently curved up the corners of his mouth.

“Ah, come to think of it, Kerman, I don’t know if you’re aware, but imprinting is….”

At Persiana’s following words, Kermanomon, who had been moving to leave, stopped dead in his tracks. Raising one eyebrow, he asked back as if he couldn’t believe it.

“Are you serious?”

“Of course. That’s probably why you haven’t been able to imprint. And you know, right? That imprinting begins the moment you become aware of that fact. So think about it seriously.”

“…Damn it.”

Persiana, who had been watching Kermanomon roughly leave his seat, finally burst into quiet laughter.

“He’s so cute, really.”

His younger brother, who had always recoiled in disgust at any talk of marriage and imprinting throughout his life, was now coming to him for advice about such concerns. This situation was simply amazing.

Persiana slowly got up and approached the nightstand placed at the head of the bed. On it was placed a portrait of Lilia, still wearing a bright smile.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he carefully lifted the portrait as if handling something precious.

“As much as I was happy because of you, I hope Kerman will be happy too…”

The Lilia in the portrait gave no response, but with gentle eyes, he briefly kissed her.

* * *

“Hmm… What should I do about this.”

Mellis, clutching a book tightly to her chest, looked around with a troubled expression. Having entered the Imperial Palace as Kermanomon’s dinner party partner, she was now wandering the palace alone without direction.

A few hours ago, Kermanomon had left Mellis alone in his quarters, saying he would go have an audience with the Emperor. After briefly passing time exploring the spacious room, when Kermanomon didn’t return even after a long while, Mellis began to feel bored.

The only people who had come to the Imperial Palace this time were Kermanomon and Mellis. Garulus, who hadn’t finished his vacation homework, remained at the Ducal Residence, and the others stayed by his side as well. Of course, several servants from the Ducal House had entered the palace together, but none of them were particularly close to her.

Since Kermanomon hadn’t particularly forbidden her from going out, and this wasn’t her first visit to the Imperial Palace, Mellis boldly left her room.

It had been fine when she toured the beautiful Imperial Palace Garden and even borrowed a book from the Imperial Library she had visited before…

“Where on earth am I!”

No matter how much she wandered, she couldn’t find her way back to Kermanomon’s quarters. Moreover, seeing that the atmosphere of the building felt strangely unfamiliar, she seemed to have wandered into the Empress Palace area.

Why wasn’t there a single person around when she needed one? It was simply frustrating. Just as Mellis was walking with quick steps, half on the verge of tears, she spotted a familiar figure in the distance.

“Oh, why is that person here…”

Mellis tilted her head slightly at this puzzling encounter.

The person Mellis had discovered was none other than Rachel Karen, the Empire’s famous actress. Though they had only briefly conversed at the Santania Theater several months ago, her striking appearance was instantly recognizable even from afar. But what was she doing here?

“Rach…”

Mellis, who had been about to call Rachel’s name in delight, quietly trailed off. Rachel had passed by without a word, turning away from her. However, that wasn’t what shocked Mellis.

Rachel was clearly crying, her eyes red and tears streaming down like chicken droppings. At the sight of her looking so distressed, Mellis silently bit her lip.

“Mellis.”

Just as Mellis was hesitating and about to move on, Rachel called her name in a rough, cracked voice. Rachel remained with her head turned away, as if she didn’t want to show her appearance.

“…Have you ever thought deeply about imprinting?”

“Pardon?”

Imprinting? How did Rachel know about that? But before Mellis could ask anything more, Rachel continued in a deeply subdued tone.

“Of course it would be scary, but don’t be too afraid of it. Any situation… is better than the pain of not being able to be with the one you love. I hope you won’t make a foolish choice like I did.”

In the corridor bathed in moonlight, Rachel, who had been quietly sniffling, slowly turned around to meet Mellis’s eyes. Despite her face being completely soaked and disheveled, she managed a bright smile.

“I’m regretting it to death, you see.”

Rachel left with those meaningful words. Mellis, left alone, couldn’t take her eyes off her retreating figure.

“…”

Rachel’s last words lingered in her ears for a long time. As Mellis silently looked down, an unknown blue flower petal came into her view. It had been left where Rachel had been standing just moments before.

As if entranced, Mellis picked up the flower petal and for some unknown reason couldn’t leave that spot for a long while.

* * *

“Where have you been? You should have at least told me you were going out. I was worried.”

When Mellis arrived at their quarters, Kermanomon had already returned. He gently stroked her hair with a face full of concern.

“I was bored, so I went to the library for a bit.”

Mellis smiled softly and nestled into his embrace. There was no point in telling him about getting lost since it would only make him worry.

“Actually, just a moment ago….”

Mellis, who was about to bring up Rachel’s story, suddenly swallowed her words. Throughout the entire journey back here, Mellis had been mulling over the words she had said to her.

Why did Rachel say such things? Asking if she was afraid of imprinting—could it be that she too had experienced a situation similar to her own? However, no matter how long she thought about it, no conclusion came. All she could guess was that Rachel was regretting something and had given her advice for her sake.

Though her mind was extremely chaotic from the encounter with Rachel, she didn’t want to unnecessarily worry Kermanomon by bringing up a story she wasn’t even certain about.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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