[BL]The Hero and his Party Won't Let Me Go-Chapter 197: Ch : Happy Times

It was a happy moment inside Emperor Kaiden’s office. One of the knots that had been tangled up started to unravel, and people looked happily at the two people who had been engaged for years at this point, taking their final step.

But of course, not everyone was as happy to hear the news.

In his office, Duke Inferno’s hand tightened around his glass as soon as he heard the ’happy’ news from his servant.

His eyes glared at the servant, and he spoke up in a controlled voice.

"Tell me again...who is getting married?"

His servant knew his temper well. That was why, even when he saw the Duke being calm, he was not convinced that everything was alright. But since he had been asked a question, he had to answer the Duke.

"P-Princess Danielle and Prince Yunn have confirmed their engagement and are to be married next month-I am sorry! I will try to bring better news next time."

The servant trembled as he kept his head lowered. He knew that picking his head up would cause his current master to kill him...or do something even worse.

Duke Inferno saw red at the news. He was well aware that all his plans were being disrupted because of this single decision. And he also knew that the one behind all this was Emperor Kaiden.

’Tsk, that annoying person has been getting in my way since the start. He won’t fall under my control, and he also won’t allow me to put a puppet on the throne. If things are going to be like this, then I have no choice but to take matters into my own hands and distract him.’

Not everything was lost yet. There were a lot of tricks Duke Inferno still had up his sleeve.

It was fine if Prince Yunn had slipped out of his hand. He would just use his own son and put him on the throne.

Alfred was a people pleaser and also extremely weak when it came to women. He was sure to fall for the poor ’innocent’ lady chosen by the goddess and then abandoned.

"I should write a letter to Princess Danielle’s father, King Lorutz. He must know that his daughter has thrown a wrench in our plans...after that, I will convince him to put my son on the throne."

__________

The atmosphere around the imperial palace had changed with the sudden news of Princess Danielle’s and Prince Yunn’s marriage. It was a happy time where even the servants were enjoying themselves and leaving Shuu alone.

It finally allowed him to have some peace and quiet of his own, and he closed his eyes to relax.

But his inner world was far from calm.

In fact, the voice that tormented him came back as soon as he closed his eyes.

’Such happy times. But do we deserve it all? We ignored the goddess’s will, so who knows how long it will all last. It will all be destroyed sooner or later. And when it does, it will be our fault.’

Shuu’s brows furrowed at the accusation, but he blocked it out the best he could.

He did not want to hear such words or think about things going wrong. But it was his own subconsciousness that seemed intent on torturing him.

’We can try to deny this all as much as we want. But when have things ever gone right with us around? We are the cause of all the tragedy that is about to happen.’

The voice was becoming clearer over time and more powerful as well. Those words were echoing inside Shuu’s mind even more intensely compared to before.

’Shut up-! Nothing will go wrong. Kaiden will make sure-!’

’Ah, so we are trusting that hero to take care of things? Are you sure about it? There is only so much he can manage. After all, he might be a hero, but he’s a human as well. And they have their limits, unlike the goddess. You should consider your options more clearly...’

The voice finally faded. It was done with its daily dose of convincing. And as much as Shuu wanted to deny that it had any effect on him, he was not sure he was in a position to say that.

He closed his eyes again and rubbed his forehead. Before he could open them again, he felt someone putting their small hands on his face and right over his eyes.

Shuu’s smile instantly lit up his face as soon as he recognized those familiar but small hands.

"Caelis, what are you doing?"

Shuu asked, his eyes filled with relief once he was no longer alone.

"Not Caelis...Rin."

The voice protested, but it sounded nothing like Rin’s. The only kid who would pull a prank like this was Caelis, and Shuu decided to grab him and pull him into his arms.

Caelis yelped as he was suddenly pulled into Shuu’s lap, and he pouted while looking up.

"Not fair-! I was not ready...Do it again..."

Caelis pouted, and Shuu quickly noticed Rin and signaled for him to come closer as well before he wrapped his arms around both kids.

His mind felt clearer and much more focused once he had both kids in his arms.

"I think it’s enough playtime for today. Should we head back inside now? It’s getting a little late..."

A sudden shadow blocked the remaining sunlight, and Shuu looked up to see who it was.

Princess Danielle’s face appeared in front of him, and she had a small flush on her face as she extended her hand toward Shuu to grab.

Her sudden presence surprised Shuu. He did not usually see her these days, so the fact that she was here and helping him out was news to him.

He did consider not taking that extended hand for a minute, but ultimately decided that there was no point in beefing with her.

Before he could grab her hand, Caelis decided to grab one of his, and Rin grabbed the other, leaving Shuu no free hand to take Danielle’s extended one.