Arc 2
Chapter 23: She and Her Fiance 2

Translator"s Note:

Welp. This will be my last post.
I know its been a long long SUPER wait but as I have said things where pretty hectic for the past couple of months and I knew that all of you have been waiting. Especially for this chapter. FROM THE VERY START. LOL

I truly wished to continue as translating serves me as a practice (no one in the family can speak j.a.panese or read j.a.panese for me to practice with) and an enjoyment when I am stressed. I am not going to ask forgiveness (I am full of guilt as it is) as I don’t deserve it because I keep saying sorry but I don’t put it into action by delivering the translation as fast as other people do. Rather I would like to give appreciation/grat.i.tude for having such eternal G.o.dly patience ; u ; and not spamming me for “Are you dropping this?” “WHERE IS THE NEXT ONE!?” “You dead?”

Hopefully when I get out of my current project I can pick another novel and translate it on my free time. I’m open to suggestions!

Guess this is it…. Thank you so much for being with me this year ^^;
Translated by: Ichiiya

A/N: I apologize for making you wait. It"s the [King"s Flower] Explanation Time

My mouth dropped open as a word I couldn"t understand suddenly came up now.
No, [King"s Flower] is that " [King"s Flower]" right?

Although, I naturally knew that word can be said as common sense  to the society, but I don"t understand why he brought it up now.
Despite his neck tilted, Freed"s face looked serious.
Apparently, though it doesn"t seem I had any connection to it, I reluctantly answered.

[……That is the engraving of the royal tattoo on all of the crowned princess" left chest, right?]

That is what I remembered it correctly.
All the crowned princess" left chest has an engraving of a flower tattoo, exactly below the collarbone.
That is what the  [King"s Flower] is.

Each royal male has a matching flower tattoo and on their wedding event, the corresponding flower tattoo is engraved.

For example, the symbol of His Majesty is [Sayuri].
There was an engraving of [Sayuri] on the crown princess" chest. (T/N: I"m going to a.s.sume it is the current queen)

No matter what kind of work has been applied, one cannot erase the [King"s Flower]. In other words, it meant that crown princess is not allowed to divorce.
It is the reason why society allows polygamy however as far as complicated circ.u.mstances, I still do not understand. (?)
If it is was my Father, perhaps he had detail knowledge about the tattoo, but for a woman like me who was not Father"s heir, then I only have the general concept of the tattoo.
By the way, redundant as it was, with the exception for royal women to marry outside had no problems at all (??)
For me who has been tied to these circ.u.mstances became constricted, it made one truly jealous.

I strayed far from the topic.
For the time being, I spoke my thoughts to Freed and he approved with a [ Un ] while groaning.

[As expected, even the Prime Minister"s daughter also does not know. Well, to an extend THAT  is the fact that people who are close to the royal family knows. However in reality, the [King"s Flower] is not a "tattoo". Its a magical seal. Only men of royalty can do it once in a lifetime, somewhat like a secret art]

I think it was probably serious enough for Freed to blurt out a royal secret very easily.

[It is a ritual for every royal male to select one"s partner. Once it is done, a magical seal corresponding to the individual will appear. That is the true [King"s Flower]]

My eyes flickered at the unexpected reality.
Did you say that the "tattoo is not a "tattoo" but a magical seal?
What magical seal…… "as if it was a curse" is what I thought at the corner of my mind as I listened on.

The [King"s Flower] can be only given once in a lifetime. Whether if it failed or the other party died, it was impossible to redo it. Therefore in this country, obviously the one who bears the [King"s Flower] is the only recognized as the crown princess.
As he looked this way it was as if he said I had some relation to that , I cannot help but have an unpleasant premonition.

[There are conditions in order to do the [King"s Flower]"s ritual. That is the virginity because the only time they are able to invoke the secret art is when they penetrate the hymen. Afterwards as the secret art develops, they complete it by releasing the s.e.m.e.n inside. No pregnancy needed. The ritual itself is easy, right?]
[Yea, you"re right….]

As Freed revealed the royal secret one by one, because there was no need for detailed explanation, there was a feeling of no turning back.
Is what I thought as I returned my consent, Freed laughed sarcastically.

[But in the situation that the other party is not a virgin, it"s just tragic. The secret art is just once in a lifetime only. If the [King"s Flower] does not appear then she will never again be welcomed as the crown princess.  While the other who failed the ritual will be driven out.]
「eh」
[It actually happens, you know.]

With that said, I truly saw the pained look somewhere on Freed"s face.

[However, since it is not publicly known, not many understand. That after doing the ritual for the [King"s flower] only then will they be truly recognized. The [King"s Flower] is the royalty"s duty. If he fails then he will not be recognized as part of the royal family]

My eyes became completely wide open.

[But yeah, going back to the topic. In other words, the evidence is not the loss of one"s virginity but rather it is the engraving of the [King"s flower]. The proof of one"s virginity is not important. The whole thing relies on whether the [King"s Flower] appeared or not.] (?)
Freed"s face was so serious, it was scary.

A crown princess without the [King"s Flower] will not be recognized. The [King"s flower] also carries a part however granted only the crown princess has a lot to do for this country. So she cannot be disregarded.]

…… Therefore, she also is not able to break the marriage?
If changing does not work, then it is impossible to allow a divorce.
And then because one cannot change, even if he loved his concubine, the position of the crown princess is absolutely unshakable.

Normally, if he loved the concubine, the crown princess will lose her position, at the end a divorce will follow.

And yet, in this country no matter how much the he loved his concubine, the crown princess" position will not be revoked. Just like the current King and Queen.

[In addition other than the royal family,  there are lot of unknown facts and obligations about the [king"s flower]. I will explain it to you little by little however for now, does it  answer your question?]

Now that you mentioned it, I nodded.

I seriously do not need any more explanations.

[…Yes, I came to understand the [King"s Flower] however, as I thought I cannot be your crown princess because I am unable to do its ritual]

In other words, it was what I said.
If one is unable to do the ritual, then one cannot be the crown princess.
Since I cannot be the crown princess, there was no meaning for Freed to marry me.
I have no intention in becoming a concubine, and my father will never forgive such thing.

…. Un. The decision that I took wasn"t a mistake, after all.
Even though I believe it as such, Freed"s facial expression didn"t waver at all.

A smile appeared on his face as he shook his head.

[…. if you weren"t the one I held last night, you"re totally right.]
[ eh?]

[Or maybe, if I didn"t love you. And therefore, you believed  that your plan was carried out perfectly that was what you wanted right? ]

It was disappointing right?

As he spoke, Freed slowly pointed at my left side of my chest (breast).
The throbbing  jumped once *dokun*. (T/N: I imagine it"s her heart but there was no "heart" in the sentence.. But i think you all can imagine it)

[At that time at first glance, I absolutely wanted Lidi….. This feeling  was the first time ever since I was born even I was surprised. Nevertheless, for this reason I swore I"ll do anything to have you in my hands.]

Freed"s lips became a smirk as he spoke. (T/N: the sentence translated " that freed"s became slanted/distorted")

My senses told me it was as if to say my reply meaningless pierced through my ears.

[….. That is why last night, when i heard about you being a virgin it was such a pleasant surprise. Because of that I can take you as my own. At that moment, for the first time in my life I am glad to be part of the royal family.]
「……]

Chills quickly ran along my spine. The unpleasant feeling some time ago turned and became real.
Freed stared at the spot where he pointed before, and he released a sigh of relief.

[ Ahh, it has finally formed…… Did you not notice before that the magic from inside your body is leaking out? When the [King"s Flower] blooms, it releases the magic of your partner. Or course, that will immediately settle down however, do you know who"s magic is leaking from inside of you now?]
[!?!?]

I lost the words to form a reply.
I don"t understand magic very well. Even though I was reborn into a world of magic, but my relations.h.i.+p (understanding?) with magic is fresh.
However, even if until here I don"t understand about magic, I completely understood what Freed had just said.

Basically…….
I was astonished at the unbelievable ending, I stood up as if I was played.

It flash before my eyes as I remembered yesterday"s events.
Freed took my virginity. While he said that he"d take responsibility, he came inside me numerous times.
Then what did I do all those for……?

Watching me as I was dumbfounded at the truth shoved at me, he charmingly laughed.

[ What Lidi is imagining is correct. Last night, I myself used that once in a lifetime privilege. In short, that was what I meant ]
Who did I had s.e.x with?

In response to those words, it quickly spread out so suddenly and forcely across my chest.
I couldn"t say that it was improper. Without checking it immediately. (?)
*dukun* *dokun* My heart beat echoed loudly. I couldn"t stop the cold sweats.
Relaxing , I peeked into my chest.

Below the collarbone, I saw something like a faint blue birthmark-like on top.
I"m certainly sure that there was nothing like that this morning……
If I looked closely well with my eyes, that color little by little becomes deeper and was certainly  forming a shape.
And when it finally materialized as my eyes opened wide…… Is this a rose?

Instinctively a scream rose up but as soon as it did, I covered my mouth.
Before I knew it, Freed came over to my side as he nodded in satisfaction upon seeing the seal.

[I somewhat knew what my flower symbol is. Un, truly it is a [Blue Rose]….. It bloomed beautifully.]

As he confirmed, he stroked the blooming rose on my chest using his index finger. (?)
When Freed stroked it, the blue rose furthermore s.h.i.+ned brightly and as his confidence bloomed in full glory.
As if it was a very detailed painting that firmly emerged on my chest, it certainly it cannot be seen as any other thing than a rose.

[ Since I have a duty, I will report to my Father (his Majesty) first. However, this makes  it you are my crown princess. Furthermore not even G.o.d can change this fact. ]
[ !! ]

[ All privileges that the royalties have to use will be given to the [King"s Flower] . Even if one thinks of an appropriate partner in marriage, a prior engagement has to be given (?). A good example is my uncle and my father…. In our case, we just shorten it quite a bit. In any case, we are going to get married as planned. ]

Freed pa.s.sionately gazed at the blooming blue rose on my chest with his eyes,  as he laughed happily.
And then unable to bear it, he covered his mouth and mumbled.

[…… It"s beyond my imagination. I mean you have my flower engraved, unexpectedly it feels great.] (T/N: I may have mistranslated this. Basically Freed is just too happy and started to mumble)

He said with extreme satisfaction knowing fully who Lidi belongs to, as he with both hands covered my cheeks and softly dropped a kiss.

[ I"m sorry for the forceful means, okay? But there was no any other way because I definitely do not want to hand you over to some other man.]

His words was merely apologetic but I don"t see apologetic at all.
Rather he was openly grinning with laughter.
I once again glance on my chest with eyes.
Never disappearing flower. Proof of the royalty"s crown princess.

…… I simply knew that I can not longer escape it.
There is no other way but stay  married. (?)
However, I can"t keep up the rapid development.

[…. Please go back for today.]
I want time to sort out my emotions.
Squeezing out a reply, Freed understood and obediently pulled back.
Above all feeling relieved, in that moment once again our lips met.
Unlike the previous time, our tongues stickily entangled. Without any resistance, he devoured greedily the gap until he was satisfied.

[… Un.]

After forcibly swallowed the saliva that was poured in,  lips separated leaving behind a feeling of regret.

[ Only my beloved  Lidi, I love you ]

Thus he spoke, I narrowed my eyes fervently. (?) .
I had no words to reply.

[ Because we will be meeting together in the near future, I will withdraw for today. Also, Lidi seems to be confused, right? Still. By the way we will have to talk about our future together because after all, we will become husband and wife. ]

He quickly turned around, I hurriedly followed to see him off.
I cannot let the Crown Prince go along, no matter the circ.u.mstances are. That would be impolite.
Yet, that as he looked back, he gently stopped.

[ Today is good enough. You"re tired right? Take a good rest.]

And then softly stroked my head.
That  feeling of regret that it was comfortable as he gently stroked, I wanted to cry.
Why is it like that? Even I can clearly reject him more if I could feel only  disgust.
It was same as  before. Because thinking it was pleasant, in the end I couldn"t refuse.
Right after, I unintentionally closed my eyes due to the mess inside my head,  and above my head Freed was bewildered at my reaction.

[ ……with such great pains I thought of being obedient today, because I don"t want to be provoked with such a cute face.]

If I opened my eyes, I could see the appearance of Freed"s complicated face.

[…. Freed.]
[ Definitely next time let"s love each other okay? As quick as possible….. Without Lidi, I couldn"t keep calm]

…… See you later.
Once again, he dropped a kiss and this time it was on the forehead and he went downstairs.
Seeing him off like that, I slowly sat on the floor dumbfounded. (T/N: ずるずる is like an SFX of dragging. I described it as I have imagined it would be animated.)

[ …. What was that about..?]

Even if I said it, there was no one to answer me.
From below, I hear my Father"s and Freed"s voice talking to each other.
I don"t know what they are saying but, it seems that they will both go back to the palace.
I heard the sound of the entrance door opening, and after a while there came silence.
It seems like that they"re gone.

After confirming that, I unsteadily got up on my feet. I went back to the sofa, leaned against its back, collapsing.

Before I knew it, my right hand was pressing down on where the [King"s Flower] is firmly.
Just the blooming [King"s flower], even so it pulsed to show off its existence.
Even if I tried to forget it, the flower is in full bloom as if it will not allow me to do so.

——-As though, it was insisting who I belonged to.

Thank you very much.
Give your applause, the short story has been renewed.  『The whimsical witch 3』 is now out in the public.