My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 266

In the vast garden of the Imperial Palace, Seri and I were aimlessly walking hand in hand.

“Praus, the moon is really bright tonight.”

Seri’s voice trembled. Already, she seemed to be worried about how to propose, which made me involuntarily tense as well.

“Seri.”

“Yes, yes!”

“You’re way too nervous.”

“C-Could you tell?!”

“I can hear your heartbeat!”

“Oh, oh no, this can’t be happening!”

She hurriedly covered her chest but didn’t let go of my hand. I could feel the sweat on her palm, as if she had no time to spare.

“I could handle this if you want.”

“Oh no! It’s you who’s proposing to me!”

Proposing?

I was still feeling dazed, but the reality of getting engaged struck me when she mentioned it.

The thought of getting married unexpectedly made me curious about how the heroes would react if they found out.

Just today, they had prevented me from going to the palace several times, insisting they didn’t want to send Seri away. They complained about why I was showing affection to “that woman” repeatedly.

But in the end, they let me go.

Despite raising their voices to express their stubbornness, they reluctantly surrendered to my persuasion.

Instead, they promised to love her even more.

The heroes had always been my top priority. I never wanted to make them lonely.

Of course, I didn’t mention the marriage talk yet.

If they found out, it was obvious they would go crazy. I’d have to calm them down again. After all, Seri and the heroes would be living in the same place from now on.

“If the people know that the Emperor is this nervous, they’ll laugh, won’t they?”

“I-I don’t know what to do! It’s my first time, too!”

It was natural to be going through this for the first time. I mean, it’s a proposal, after all.

This world didn’t tend to place much importance on proposals.

If they liked each other, they’d just go to the church and listen to the priest’s appropriate blessings, that’s all.

Noble families generally had arranged marriages, so it was a bit different, but the culture was rather outdated.

“But still… saying I’ll dedicate my whole life to you before marriage…! That sounds so romantic!”

“Pfft.”

Seeing her eyes shine as she clenched her fists made me burst out laughing. This was truly a lively scene for someone who was just nervous a moment ago.

So cute.

It seemed I had really fallen for Seri.

“Why are you laughing?!”

“Because you’re cute. I didn’t expect the Emperor to be this pure.”

“What are you talking about?!”

Seri playfully hit my arm, perhaps feeling flustered. But looking at her expression, she didn’t seem upset at all. Instead, it appeared that her tension had finally eased, and she wore a much more natural smile.

“Seri. Just be yourself. No need to be nervous. After all… no matter what mistake you make, just like always, I’ll embrace you.”

Seri was silent. She turned her head, which was facing forward, towards me. She looked up at me and smiled gently as if she were truly happy.

“…I really love your kindness, Praus. Every time I faltered, you lifted me up and pushed me forward, and that support means everything to me.”

With each word carefully poured out, she spoke leisurely.

“When no one in this world understood my feelings, you were the only one who did. That memory will surely stay in my heart until the day I die.”

She spoke softly as she clenched her fist in front of her heart, as if it was her own treasured memory.

“If you hadn’t saved me that day, I’d still be living a hellish life right now. A life where I couldn’t even die if I wanted to…”

She briefly reminisced about that painful memory, closing her eyes before shaking it off completely.

“But that’s not the case anymore. It really doesn’t mean anything now. Because you helped me overcome it.”

Her voice was filled with strong resolve. It seemed like the Seri who would fuss over every little mistake had vanished.

Yet, the tightly clenched fist gradually lost strength and loosened.

“Sometimes I think… now that everything you wished for has been fulfilled, maybe you don’t need me anymore.”

To say I might not be needed could be somewhat true.

There were times I thought of her merely as a connection of use for the Emperor.

Yet that didn’t mean I wanted Seri any less.

“But I… still need you, Praus. Won’t you still need me?”

Need me?

What a heartbreaking question.

Since I had pursued only relationships based on needs until now, it was understandable that her expression of needs felt rigid.

“…There’s no reason to define a relationship by needs.”

However, human relationships didn’t have to be transactional.

Especially in relationships where love was shared, there was no need to be calculative.

“I’m not here because I need you. I’m here because I like you.”

“Praus…”

As we continued talking and walking, we soon reached the center of the garden. The moonlight shone directly down on the circular center of the garden.

“Praus.”

Seri released the hand she had been holding for so long upon entering the garden. I answered with a look as we faced each other.

“I will only kneel before you, Praus. If others knew, they would be shocked. For the Emperor who rules the Empire to kneel before someone means ‘submission.’”

She was the Emperor of this world.

Even kneeling on one knee was a significant act that could carry serious repercussions.

“If it bothers you, you don’t have to.”

To my words, she shook her head.

“The only person I care about is you, Praus. I don’t care what others think. Besides… I’m not entirely wrong. I can’t defeat you.”

As she spoke, Seri knelt down on one knee.

“After all… if I even go a single day without thinking of you, I’d be in agony. I’m already captivated by you.”

Saying so, she slowly took out a little box adorned with jewels from her inner pocket. As she opened it carefully, showing me the wooden box’s entrance, a beautiful white gemstone ring lay inside.

“Praus, will you marry me!”

With her shout, a voice somewhere said, “Now!”

And then—

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Fireworks erupted with her exclamation.

Realizing once again that fireworks had become part of this world’s culture, I felt a wave of nostalgia.

The colorful flashes overshadowed the presence of the moon illuminating the dark sky, drawing all eyes to them.

Eventually, the chaotic bursts of fireworks shifted to form a heart shape. It was clear that Seri had directed the people below to prepare this event.

“I wanted to make this one-time proposal spectacular!”

As I stared blankly, Seri said proudly. For me, it was a scene that just made me smile wryly.

A proposal isn’t supposed to be a festival or fireworks…

“Seri, wouldn’t it have been better to propose in a quiet atmosphere?”

“Eep! Is that so? But everyone said it would be better to do something flashy…”

“Uhh… I don’t mind, but…”

Usually, proposals were made in nearly empty places. And even if there were people around, receiving applause was the ideal scenario.

If it’s too extravagant, it feels burdensome.

“…So, does that mean… you’ll accept?”

If I accepted this, would it feel like I betrayed the heroes?

They’d obviously feel betrayed. They were extremely averse to me accepting any other woman aside from themselves.

But this time, I decided to take the selfish route.

Having determined to stay in this world, I planned to live happily, enjoying everything I wanted to experience.

“Yeah.”

I took the ring from the box. Then, she quickly grabbed the ring like she was snatching it.

“I-I’ll put it on you!”

With a big breath, she slid the ring onto my left hand’s ring finger. It fit perfectly. How did she manage to find my finger size…?

Looking at the ring securely fitted on my finger, she smiled happily and extended her hand to me.

“Will you do the same for me, Praus?”

“Sure.”

I slowly slipped the ring onto her slender finger. As Seri gazed at the sparkling ring in the moonlight, tears welled up in her eyes.

“Finally. It’s finally happening…!”

“Are you really that happy?”

“Yes!”

Holding the ring with both hands tightly, she seemed to cherish it dearly.

“…Praus.”

“Yeah?”

“Let’s live happily together forever. Together for a lifetime.”

“Alright.”

As I answered, the fireworks came to an end. And from all sides came applause and cheers. I felt dizzy in a situation where so many people’s eyes were drawn.

“Um… Praus.”

“Yeah?”

“Can I call you… S-Son-in-law now? I’ve always dreamed of calling my husband ‘son-in-law’. Is that okay? Since we’re getting married now.”

“Go ahead.”

“Hehe… then! From today, nice to meet you, Son-in-law!”

“I’ll do my best.”

As our conversation ended, we leaned closer together, step by step.

Slowly touching faces, we naturally shared a kiss.

Even though it was a light kiss, somehow, it felt more profound than when we shared deep kisses.

“Oh no! We’re late!!”

“Stop watching so much! Let’s hurry back!”

“But if we just go in, brother will definitely get angry.”

The Three Heroes appeared before us.

The late-arriving heroes glared at Seri with discontent, but there was nothing they could do. After all, I had accepted the ring.

“Did the heroes arrive?”

“Seri, you…!”

“Don’t worry, heroes. I’ll give you a chance to join my son-in-law too. Of course, I’ll be the ‘main wife,’ though.”

“Guh…!”

Watching the standoff between the heroes and the princess, it felt like I was witnessing another ending unfold, and I couldn’t help but laugh absentmindedly.

It probably wouldn’t change much for me even if I married Seri. It would be just like usual, living a noisy life with them. Peaceful and laid back.

“Die! Right here!”

…Ah, maybe not that peaceful?