Book 4: Volume 9 Chapter 6, Father, Mother, Son, and Daughter

Translator: Kazumi

Editor: Silavin

 

The oath of succession ceremony’s conclusion doesn’t mark the end of Towa’s responsibilities for the day. In truth, this is where the real work begins.

 

Meetings with dignitaries from various countries await, followed by the formal party. For foreign representatives, the oath ceremony itself is important, but speaking directly with Towa matters even more.

 

Both friendly nations and those with more tenuous relationships share the same objective: to directly observe and assess what kind of person now leads Razequa Amamiya.

 

Time constraints limit the meetings to representatives from major countries only. Representatives from nations left off the scheduled attempt to make contact with Towa at the party, hoping for even a brief exchange.

 

Those surrounding Towa naturally don’t make this easy. Managing even a word or two of conversation is considered a significant success.

 

This dynamic proves that Towa, newly ascended to Razequa Amamiya’s throne, has captured widespread attention.

 

Kousuke, naturally, withdraws to the administrative level after the ceremony ends. His attendance at the party would undoubtedly cause a commotion.

 

Because of this, those close to Towa and Floria cautiously probe for information about him, prefacing questions with careful uncertainty. However, neither Towa nor Floria sees any need for secrecy regarding Kousuke, so they answer honestly when asked.

 

The fact that Kousuke’s appearance at the ceremony differed completely from his usual form, however, remains secret. Both Towa and Floria wish to preserve Kousuke’s freedom of movement.

 

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It was late at night. A time when everyone in the administrative quarters would normally be fast asleep.

 

But tonight, lights still glow in the dining hall.

 

They’ve been holding a celebratory party for Towa’s coronation, though he wasn’t present initially. He burst in quite late, and perhaps out of consideration for him, only Kousuke and Floria remain to keep him company.

 

Towa was now completely drunk.

 

“So why did you do something like that? I had a terrible time answering all those questions afterward!”

 

“I’ve told you many times, I didn’t know about those blessings either.”

 

Kousuke replies with an audible sigh.

 

This exchange has already repeated itself numerous times. Towa apparently has an unfortunate habit of looping the same conversation when intoxicated.

 

Floria watches Towa with obvious amusement, as if observing something rare. It was the first time she had seen Towa so drunk. She had always emphasized that Royalty should not lose control from drinking.

 

During her time as Princess and then later as Queen, Floria never drank to the point of losing composure.

 

When Towa first arrived at the Administration Floor, he seemed completely normal. He only began acting obviously intoxicated after the other members had left.

 

Seeing this side of her Son for the first time, Floria studies him with fascination. She had witnessed many people whose personalities transform with alcohol, but never imagined her own Son would be among them.

 

Floria finds the experience quite entertaining and deliberately observes her Son’s behavior closely. Fortunately, Kousuke bears the brunt of Towa’s attention, so she refrains from intervening, content to enjoy this rare spectacle.

 

Kousuke has already abandoned hope of receiving help from Floria. Her demeanor made it obvious she was deliberately staying out of this.

 

Despite this, he feels a certain happiness seeing this unfamiliar side of Towa. It was a slightly doting parental feeling after witnessing aspects of his Son he has never seen before.

 

He was not entirely accustomed to handling drunk people though, but this was not his first time either. He manages the situation casually while continuing to drink himself.

 

There’s another reason Kousuke watches Towa with such composure.

 

“That’s why…”

 

Mid-sentence, Towa suddenly collapses onto the table.

 

Floria looks startled and hurries to check on him, but Kousuke raises his right hand to stop her.

 

“Ah, it’s alright. He probably just passed out from drinking.”

 

“…Is that so?”

 

Kousuke knows amateur diagnoses are unreliable, but it doesn’t appear to be acute alcohol poisoning.

 

Following Kousuke’s gaze, Kouhi checks on Towa and confirms his assessment.

 

“As you said, Master, He’s just passed out from drinking. Shall we put him to bed?”

 

“Yes, please.”

 

At Kousuke’s answer, Kouhi summons a maid golem to carry Towa to his room. Kouhi, as usual, has no intention of leaving Kousuke’s side.

 

Floria silently observes the entire sequence. Once Towa is carried away, she looks at Kousuke and asks:

 

“You seem quite accustomed to this kind of situation, don’t you?”

 

Kousuke shakes his head with a wry smile.

 

“No, I wouldn’t say accustomed. I simply happened to know how to handle it.”

 

His expression turns reminiscent, and Floria simply replies, “I see.”

 

She already knows that Kousuke’s fundamental nature was shaped by experiences in another world. However, no one, even his Wives, knows whether it was appropriate to probe for those memories.

 

An unspoken rule has formed among Floria and the others to avoid the topic when possible. Kousuke, aware of this consideration, deliberately avoids bringing it up himself. It was a mutual understanding between all of them..

 

The atmosphere grows somewhat awkward, but then an intruder appears to break the tension.

 

“What happened to my Brother? …Huh? Did something happen?”

 

Mia enters the dining room, having seen Towa being carried away.

 

“No, nothing concerning. Towa got drunk, so we had him taken to his room.”

 

“Drunk… my Brother?”

 

Mia’s eyes widen in surprise at Kousuke’s words. Even she has never witnessed Towa in such a state.

 

“Well, today was stressful for Towa in many ways. He probably just let himself relax here.”

 

“Wow, even my Brother?”

 

Mia nods at Floria’s explanation and turns to Kousuke.

 

“So, are Father and the others still continuing?”

 

“Hmm? Well, there’s still some left. Since we’ve already opened it, we’ll continue until it’s gone.”

 

“Ah. Schmidt always brings such excellent liquor.”

 

Floria nods, glancing at the bottle Kousuke holds.

 

Mia nods once and says, “Then I’ll join you this time.”

 

“Is that so? That sounds enjoyable.”

 

As Kousuke nods happily, Kouhi, having somehow prepared a glass for Mia, approaches. Mia accepts the glass gratefully, allows Kousuke to pour, and takes an appreciative sip.

 

For Kousuke and Floria, this marks the beginning of the second act.