What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 130

#130 And They Lived Happily Ever After?

And so, we all managed to attend the Crown Prince’s investiture ceremony without incident!

-Squeak!

“Easy there, let’s be calm.”

I gently pulled Demi and Perry off the cardinal’s hat as they tried to climb it.

Leah curled up on Eva’s lap.

Tough-guy, perched on Kristel’s shoulder, was dozing off.

Perhaps because I’d pushed him too hard by bringing him to the eve party, the wren had been fussy since dawn.

For reference, Chestnut was being cared for in Aitz Village!

The weather on August 13th was clear and bright without a single cloud.

I smiled, looking up at the sky beyond the white tent.

Clair Square, connected directly to the Imperial Palace via the main street, was abuzz with a restrained excitement, unlike the night before.

Imperial flags fluttered from every old pillar and tall roadside tree.

Thousands of nobles packed the square’s seating area, and the alleys were filled with commoners who had stayed up all night to secure their spots.

In the center of the massive circular square, a gold-embroidered canopy provided shade.

On the platform there were three thrones decorated with dark crimson velvet and gold, but only two were occupied.

“……”

I peeked around and made eye contact with Empress Frederica. I quickly bowed.

Cardinal Boutier, standing beside her, smiled at me.

Unlike her lavishly dressed companion, the Empress was in her usual attire.

“Prince, Prince Aurelian is coming out.”

Kristel, sitting next to me, gestured.

I looked up at the back of the Empress’s canopy.

The large crystal panel, prominently positioned in the center of the square, was projecting the Cardinal’s benevolent expression and purple hair.

The crowd’s murmur grew louder.

Even I, who knew about screens from my previous life, found it amazing to see in this world, so I could only imagine how the natives felt.

The Marquis of Dhiem, sitting across from us, winked flamboyantly. He really was something.

“Wowwww!”

Just then, a tremendous cheer erupted from the main street.

Kristel and I reflexively craned our necks to see what was happening.

Being in the closest position to the Imperial Family, we couldn’t see outside the square very well.

The nobles fanned themselves, expressing their anticipation.

The faint sound of hooves and a coachman’s voice could be heard. Then,

-♪♬♩!

The drums and trumpets, adorned with the Imperial crest, began to play music.

From the outskirts of the square, commoners sang along to the melody, their voices ringing out.

It was a song I’d never heard before, and with so many people, the rhythm was a mess, but I could clearly feel their affection and joy.

“Descended upon the earth, establishing the Empire……”

-Whistle!

As I was pondering the lyrics, someone blew an excited whistle.

The nobles in the square all rose to their feet and applauded. Quite a few were even taking off their gloves and waving them.

I stood up and looked at the focal point of attention. Eva, standing next to me, was gaping in admiration.

“Wow……”

Guarded by the Imperial Knights led by Elizabeth, Prince Cedric descended from the carriage and entered the square.

Half the audience had their mouths agape.

He was wearing an even more splendid uniform than usual.

The white fur-trimmed cloak brushed the red carpet on the stone floor, and the brooch was the red diamond Kristel had chosen.

His sunlit black hair and flame-filled eyes boasted an intensely vivid presence.

Thick eyebrows, a prominent nose, and a sharp jawline anchored his striking face.

Combined with his straight neck, broad shoulders, and tall stature, it was the completion of an undeniable ‘main character’ visual.

Even the shoes he wore looked handsome.

“Good heavens, the gods must be watching over His Highness’s soul and body.”

“Don’t even mention it. There are several families secretly dreaming of a political marriage.”

The nobles sitting behind us whispered, catching their breath.

The Prince managed to reach the Emperor without tripping over his long legs.

I quickly turned to Kristel.

I didn’t think it would happen, but it would be problematic if the Prince married a young lady from another family.

If she wasn’t smitten by now, there was something wrong with the protagonist’s eyesight.

“He probably didn’t get much sleep, but his makeup looks great. He was born with good skin.”

Huh? I felt my throat burning at her blunt remark.

Kristel, who had arrived in the capital on an early morning carriage, was now even looking sleepy.

No, the great romance fantasy writer is setting the stage like this…….

“He doesn’t drink or smoke, so he must be easy to manage. Right?”

“Yes? Yes.”

I barely managed to affirm Kristel’s nonchalant question.

Could it be that she was already smitten but hadn’t realized it herself? It was a plausible scenario.

‘Toegye Gong’ [a historical figure known for his strict moral principles] was about the two protagonists developing from enemies to lovers.

It had been about five months since Kristel and I had transmigrated, so it might be lacking in plausibility for them to suddenly become close and feel romantic feelings…….

“Still.”

I blurted out.

To be indifferent to that face?

“Gasp, he looks so big. Your Highness. The Prince looks as big as a mountain!”

Eva shook my arm. At some point, the music had stopped.

I stopped my mechanically moving hands and looked up at the crystal panel.

The two mages who had been dragging around the heavy magic stone crystal ball while ‘filming’ had finally captured the Prince’s face.

Whether it was at the Marquis of Dhiem’s direction, they quickly found an excellent angle.

“Ooh……”

The crowd sighed. I alternated between looking at the screen and the real thing.

The Prince reflected on the crystal panel was kneeling before the Emperor, his head bowed.

Some of the archbishops I had seen at the annual prayer meeting approached, holding the crown on a plush cushion.

It was such a solemn and wonderful scene that I wished Hyung and Eunseo were here with me.

The Emperor, standing before his son, raised the Crown Prince’s crown high with both hands, then slowly placed it on his head.

I swallowed hard.

-Clap!

“Not yet.”

As soon as I clapped my hands loudly, Eva grabbed me and stopped me.

The Prince’s gaze momentarily turned this way. Huh?

“……”

Then, the Emperor placed a ring on his son’s finger.

Everyone except me was quietly watching the ceremony of the mother and son.

My cheeks flushed in an instant.

I wanted to mentally justify it by saying it was my first time and I didn’t know because I hadn’t rehearsed, but even Kristel was quiet.

I roughly covered my mouth with my sleeve and looked anywhere. And,

“Oh my.”

I made eye contact with the man on the opposite side, who was cloaked in a robe as dark as the night sky.

He looked young, about nineteen or twenty, but his spirit was as sharp as could be.

I wondered if he was looking at another guest, so I checked behind me, but it seemed that I was the target of his dissatisfaction.

Come on, can’t I be a little off with the clapping timing? How prickly.

“It looks like it’s almost over.”

I turned my gaze to Kristel’s words.

The Prince, who had already finished all the ceremonies, or rather, the Crown Prince, was standing in the center of the platform with the Emperor.

The mother extended a hand to her son, and the son placed his hand on his mother’s palm.

The Emperor began to walk on the carpet, escorting the Crown Prince.

Master was standing firmly behind them, protecting them.

-♩♬♪!

The trumpets rang out again with the sound of drums.

The nobles rejoiced, throwing beautiful bouquets and silk handkerchiefs, and we also applauded with sincere congratulations.

The Crown Prince’s orange eyes were brighter than usual.

I wonder if that guy is also excited and nervous inside.

“Happy birthday, Your Highness! Treat us later!”

Kristel was the first of us to shout. I smiled brightly and looked at her.

Well, we’ve gotten a lot closer.

“Congratulations on your birthday! Congratulations on your investiture!”

Eva put her hands together and shouted into her mouth. Flower petals were scattering from somewhere.

Strangely, I was moved.

The Marquis of Dhiem standing on the opposite side, Elizabeth who followed the Imperial Family, and Sir Johann and Sant, who were far away diagonally from us, also had smiling faces.

We probably won’t see each other often in the future, even if we live next door. The Crown Prince will be busy.

“Congratulations, Crown Prince!”

I also shouted loudly. Just then, the Crown Prince looked this way.

It didn’t seem like he could hear me because it was so noisy around. It was then.

“Prince, we’re on!”

Kristel said in an excited voice. I turned my head in surprise.

She was smiling as brightly as a star, and my dumbfounded expression was plastered on the crystal panel.

Demi, sticking out her tongue, was also there.

As Kristel waved her hand towards the crystal ball that was coming straight at her, the crowd filling the streets shouted ‘Wow!’

Indeed, she was the hero of the Demon Beast subjugation, a natural-born protagonist.

“This. Please do this with your other hand.”

“Yes?”

She made a half-heart with her left hand and held it out to me. My body froze for a moment.

I wondered if it was okay to do this, but I thought it wouldn’t be a problem since we were friends and it wasn’t like we were kissing like in the original story.

I smiled awkwardly and held out my right hand.

Demi quickly got off my shoulder and got out of the frame.

“Like this……”

“Ta-da! Long live Liester!”

Kristel folded her eyes and rejoiced as I fumbled to fill half of the heart.

It was truly insane showmanship.

The crowd watching the crystal panel cheered and rejoiced.

The mages who were infusing mana into the crystal ball were also beaming.

I stared intently at Kristel’s profile.

What is she? Is she from an idol group instead of an office worker?

-Whoosh!

-Crack!

At that moment, a dagger flew from somewhere and split the crystal ball in two.

‘Gasp!’ The mages screamed and tumbled to the ground. ‘Ah!’ Some of the VIPs fainted.

The crystal panel immediately turned black, and even the face of the Marquis of Dhiem, who had been so proud on the other side, cracked.

The nobles in the square fell silent as if cold water had been poured on them.

“Long live! Long live! Long live!”

“Long live the Crown Prince!”

However, the commoners outside were still shouting with thunderous cheers.

Thanks to that, the atmosphere quickly recovered.

Serious great nobles such as the Sarnese and Blanquer ducal couples, and the Mute Border Marquis couple, clapped their hands with dignity again.

I awkwardly lowered my arm and looked at the Imperial Family.

Even though a sword had flown into the investiture ceremony, the Emperor and the Cardinal casually got into the carriage with the escort of the Dhiem Guard Commander.

The carriage decorated with flowers and jewels was open on all sides.

It seemed that the people who filled the streets could also greet the three people returning to the palace.

The Crown Prince, who was the last to get into the carriage, stared straight at us.

This time, his gaze and mine were accurately intertwined.

“……Is he angry?”

Only then did I realize that it was the Crown Prince who had broken the crystal ball.

He didn’t seem to like the fact that we had attracted attention with strange behavior at an event where he was the main character.

Kristel laughed as if she was having fun, but I waved slightly with an apologetic expression.

-Squeak.

Demi, who had already climbed onto my shoulder, wagged her tail and added a word.

The Crown Prince furrowed his brow slightly and left.

Soon, the audience and the crowd gradually dispersed. Servants appeared here and there to find their masters.