Married couples inevitably had special anniversaries.
One such occasion was a wedding anniversary, celebrated each year on the date of a couple’s marriage.
Liliana and Liber, who were approaching their first year of marriage, were no exception.
"...So, have you decided on a gift?"
"Why? Are you going to copy it?"
"Don’t talk nonsense. We need to prepare so that the gifts don’t overlap."
The unique aspect of this couple was that they were a trio rather than a duo.
Just as Altus, the first husband, had welcomed Liber at the wedding with flowers and wine, it was customary for even those not directly involved in the anniversary to prepare small gifts to celebrate the couple's special day.
"Well, I've prepared a necklace and a bookmark."
"What colours?"
"Wow, you're really suspicious. Are you really trying to make sure they don’t overlap?”
“Baseless suspicion is like a mirror that reflects yourself. Don’t project the wicked thoughts you harbour onto others; cleanse your heart.”
Familiar with the nagging, Liber pressed his lips together tightly.
But Altus did not stop talking.
“And Liber, you are no longer a prince but the Saintess’s husband. It’s been almost a year since you came here, so even if you don’t need to use formal speech with me, make sure you speak respectfully to the Saintess.”
“No, the Saintess said it’s fine. Bro, are you trying to keep me in check? Because the Saintess dotes on me.”
“Who would try to keep a rookie in check?”
"What......"
Liber, about to raise his voice in anger, suddenly stopped in his tracks.
It was because he noticed the two people sitting in the garden, chatting quietly.
"It's the Saintess and His Holiness. Should we greet them?"
"It seems like they are having an important conversation, so it's best not to interrupt."
Without a hint of hesitation, Altus pulled Liber away.
Just as they were about to start walking again—
"...Then, I suppose it’s about time to start preparing for the wedding."
The elderly High Priest’s voice caught both of them by the ankles.
As if on cue, they stopped right there and looked at each other.
Meanwhile, Liliana quietly set down her teacup.
"Alright. Oh, by the way, how old did you say the Grand Duke’s heir is?"
"He is twenty years old."
"...He is rather young."
The High Priest chuckled as he watched the Saintess tap the table, looking troubled.
“Yes. He’s two years younger than Liber. But being young means he’s full of vigour, isn’t that right?”
"That may be true, but..."
After saying that, Liliana fell silent for a moment, fiddling with her teacup as if deep in thought.
“I’ll gradually ease into the topic with Altus and Liber. Although it’s good news… it’s sure to trouble them somehow.”
"I understand. But since the two of them will also need to help with the wedding preparations, don’t delay it for too long...”
The conversation about the wedding ended there.
The topic shifted to support for flood victims and the blessing ceremony, but the two remained rooted to their spots.
"...Did you hear that, bro?"
Liber was the first to speak.
He gazed at the Saintess’s back in disbelief, then looked back at Altus as if urging him on.
"Huh? Bro..."
"Shh, be quiet."
Altus cut him off with a low, subdued voice.
Though he appeared very calm, his gaze remained fixed on the Saintess.
After staring at her for a long time, he finally turned his head toward Liber.
"Let's talk for a moment."
・・・・・
"No, why are there talks of another marriage?"
Liber raised his voice, clearly very angry.
Altus, who had first requested the conversation, remained silent.
“Bro, do you know anything? It hasn’t even been a year since we got married, so why are there already talks about some other guy?”
“Lower your voice. Getting worked up won’t change anything.”
The two of them were in a pavilion tucked away in a corner of the garden.
Since they couldn’t enter each other’s rooms, they had chosen a secluded spot.
However, because it was an open space, speaking too loudly risked being overheard by those nearby.
“It’s most likely because… she hasn’t become pregnant yet.”
“No, does that even make sense? Seriously, if she’s not pregnant by next year, are you saying there’ll be a fourth husband coming in?”
“That’s possible. There was even a saintess who took seven husbands that way.”
“...”
Liber’s face immediately twisted as if he hadn’t expected it to be true.
He muttered a soft curse while Altus, usually stern, just stared blankly ahead as if pretending not to hear.
“…Do you happen to know who it is? From what I heard earlier, he’s the Grand Duke’s heir and apparently twenty years old.”
“Emilio Ragarta. He’s exactly twenty. Even before graduating from the academy, there were widespread rumours that he was the top groom candidate. He looks sharp, and his personality… wasn’t bad.”
"What about his relationships with women?"
“There were some, but nothing scandalous. I heard he was seeing someone, but that was last year…”
“He has no principles at all. It’s been less than a year since the breakup, and he’s already talking about marriage. If he’s from the Grand Duke’s family… could there be some wrongdoing? Tax evasion, or exploiting their employees, perhaps?”
Altus asked as if hoping for a fatal flaw in the Grand Duke of Ragarta’s family.
Liber sighed and shook his head.
“He’s probably even been praised by His Majesty for paying taxes properly. The treatment of his employees is also generous, so everyone wants to join; however, there is dissatisfaction because no one leaves. It’s just that he doesn’t come to the capital often, but I’ve heard he does a lot of charity and public welfare work in his territory.”
"Hmm..."
The more he heard, the more the man seemed flawless.
Handsome appearance, decent personality, and a noble family renowned for their charitable deeds.
Altus pressed his forehead and swallowed a sigh.
"Is there anything else?"
“I’m not that close to him either, so… Ah, he does have a bit of rhinitis. I heard he lost a sparring match at the academy in spring because of sneezing and a runny nose.”
“...”
“And also… I think the previous Grand Duke had hair loss. But he was an old man, so…”
"My grandfather has a full head of hair."
At the firm remark, Liber raised his head.
Altus was looking at him with a rather determined expression.
“The royal family seems to be the same way, too.”
"...That's true."
“Rhinitis is a serious issue as well. If he lost a sparring match because of sneezing and a runny nose, how could he possibly serve the Saintess comfortably?”
“Exactly. And both are hereditary, too.”
At Liber’s remark, Altus slowly nodded, as if he had uncovered a fatal flaw that would make the marriage impossible.
“We can’t entrust someone like that to the Saintess.”
"I agree."
Liber answered firmly, then looked back at Altus.
"...Let's say we oppose it."
“That’s not allowed.”
“We’re bringing in a new family member. Doesn’t that mean our opinion matters too?”
“Don’t be presumptuous. If our opinion were needed, they would have asked us already. We mustn't say unnecessary things and upset the Saintess."
“…I hate everything about you, bro, but this is the thing I hate the most.”
Liber muttered discontentedly, but even he now understood Altus’s words.
At the temple, if the Saintess couldn’t conceive, it was the husband’s fault.
If, because of that, she decided to take a new husband, the existing husbands had to gladly welcome the new family member.
No matter how gracious the Saintess was, they must not forget that.
“If by any chance they ask for our opinion, we can tell them then.”
“But isn’t it already decided? What if they make all the decisions and just notify us afterwards?”
"Then..."
Altus fell silent as if struck dumb.
He had never dared to oppose the Saintess’s decisions before, just like when he accepted Liber by her side.
"In my opinion, bro."
Liber, who had been waiting for Altus to continue speaking, spoke first.
“I think it’s best to show that the two of us are enough.”
"How...?"
“So that there’s no room for a third to come between us, we’ll make sure she feels that just us two husbands are more than enough — even overwhelming.”
Altus turned his head and looked at the family member he despised.
In Liber’s red eyes, there was a kind of resolve that hadn’t been there before.
“…Tell me in detail.”
Though it sounded like he was trying to dissuade him, they both knew Altus would join Liber’s plan.
It was the first time since their marriage that the two formed an alliance.
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