As the half-son of Queen Mirellia, Naofumi knew what this was. He wasn't a contender for the throne due to his half-sibling status…so now that (Trash) King Aultcray sent him off to Shroud to get rid of him.
However…did he have to send him as a suitor?! Didn't he promise to send Malty earlier?!
'Oh well…' Naofumi sighs, 'I can at least take this as a vacation from my family.'
It was raining the day he arrived in Shroud. Naofumi simply wore his riding gear as he took only his filolial, and had sent a small wagon ahead with his stuff and his servant, Raphtalia.
When the guards ask what he's here for, Naofumi answers, "I wish to meet the King," before being escorted to the castle.
Once inside, he sees a redhead wearing a blue kimono, who offers him a towel.
Thanking him, the redhead sees the remnants of rainwater on Naofumi's skin, his emerald-like eyes, and a genuine smile instantly charms him. A weird charm about this man that he can't help but like.
Naofumi, after rubbing himself dry, then introduces himself as the half-Prince of Melromarc.
The redhead smiles, "Welcome. I'm L'Arc Berg, the Prince of Shroud, and future King."
Naofumi freezes for a moment, 'This handsome guy is the Prince?!'
After settling in, Naofumi had to face some of the other suitors, who didn't believe that Naofumi's a Prince at first just because of how he arrives, how he looks, and the fact that he's not as talked about as his sisters.
Despite that, he always somehow gets King L'Arc's attention!
Unknowingly, L'Arc's parents and caretakers test Naofumi's abilities as a Prince with secret trials. Etiquette, talks about literature, etc. He passes all of them with flying colors. Eventually, they all back off since it seems he's legit, leaving him be.
Meanwhile, L'Arc starts hanging out with him more and more as they get to know each other, liking him better than the other suitors.
One time, L'Arc took Naofumi to a bar at some point for a date and found that Naofumi had a high tolerance when it came to alcohol. When Naofumi got into a drinking contest with local drunks, he outdrank all of them without getting the slightest bit tipsy.
L'Arc's surprised and impressed.
It's a good thing L'Arc's a Prince. He can pay for it… while Naofumi is just innocently drinking like it's juice.
They would run off and do stuff by the lake or in the forests since Naofumi likes being outside, enjoying each other's company, slowly getting closer and closer.
Eventually, Naofumi feels flutters in his heart and realizes he's in love with L'Arc. But he doesn't think he'll be picked because L'Arc probably wants someone that's an actual heir to a throne and not a half-child like him.
When L'Arc finally came to decision, it surprised everyone when he chose him.
Naofumi nervously asks him, "Do you love me?"
"Of course," L'Arc holds his hands, "Of course I do. I love you, Naofumi."
Naofumi's heart throbs, "I love you too."
"Marry me Nao?" L'Arc asks, staring into his eyes.
"Yes," Naofumi smiles, blushing as L'Arc kisses him.
A few weeks later…
Malty complains, "Father! You promised you'd send ME to seduce Prince L'Arc and be his Queen!"
The King stutters, "I-I know dear but think! Naofumi has a sour attitude and no charisma befitting of royalty! When you appear with all your elegance and beauty, you'll look twice as good next to him! The Prince will be head over heels in no time!"
Malty smirks, "Aha! Of course!"
It was only when she arrived at Shroud's castle that she saw the truth.
"Prince L'Arc! I have come to offer myself as your bride~!" Malty flirtatiously yells.
Only to see Prince L'Arc with his head in Naofumi's lap, gazing adoringly at him. He yawns, "Y'all hear something?"
Naofumi looks at Malty and smiles, "Oh…it's nothing."
L'Arc closes his eyes, and gets back to his nap, "Mm…OK. If you say so Nao."
Naofumi smirks as he shoos her away, Malty running away crying.
Melty is his favorite sibling. She was kind to him, helped him clean up after Malty/Myne, and go filolial riding when she was stressed from her lessons. When she visited, only to found out that Naofumi was sent off to Shroud, she cried.
After finding out that her father was the one who sent him away, she refused to talk to him, having a maid delivering messages between them.
Aultcray realizes he screwed up, feeling so bad that he gives her a bigger carriage and stuff so she can visit her brother.
After getting permission, she immediately cheers up. Guilt trip always works.
Queen Mirellia was out of the country doing peace talks when Naofumi was sent to L'Arc as either a potential spouse or even consort. After ripping her husband and oldest daughter a new one, she takes an army to rescue her son only to find him happier, healthier, and more successful than he ever was in Melromarc.
Then, as Naofumi's mother, Queen Mirellia wanted to talk with Prince L'Arc. Privately. Naofumi could only wish him luck and give him a quick kiss…just in case it's his last.
Gulping, L'Arc sat down and faced the greatest obstacle in his life.
Mirellia starts her lecture, "Prince L'Arc of Shroud, I know that I likely don't need to say this but for my own sake, I will. Over the years, my son has experienced much hardship from the people of my country and even my own blood due to his lineage. Though I have tried to take care of him, I cannot be there all the time to protect him from those who would wish him harm, especially my husband and Malty, as such he has never been truly 'happy' within the walls of my country.
Despite all of this, he's become strong, wise and talented on his own, but at the cost of his trust in most people. But Aultcray's attempt to humiliate him and make him even more miserable by offering him to you as a concubine has allowed him to leave behind a toxic atmosphere and allow him to grow and meet new people, people who are kind and have no preconceptions of him. It allowed him to meet you, young prince.
The skills he has learned on his travels would greatly benefit any kingdom, he would make a good king. He trusts you, which means more than you know, and it is clear that you care for him greatly. And so, I give you my blessing to wed him, but on one condition: Take care of him, love him and stand by him where I could not, even when he insists that he can handle his burdens alone, for that is when he will need you most. I'll miss him but he is happy here, that's what matters."
L'Arc nods, "I understand. I'll do my best to take care of him."
She smiles, "I'm glad to hear it, after all, he's been through he deserves his happily ever after."
L'Arc smiles too, "I agree."
Thus, Mirellia blesses the relationship her son has and goes back home. She is happy that her son is happy, but that doesn't her heart from hurting and missing her son.
One day, Naofumi said, "Sweetheart, word of advice; don't let Malty into the kingdom. If you do, you'll find big ass holes in the road, the crops have gained sentience and have started killing people, or your local Church has decided that they're the real god and are murdering anyone they deem 'sinful'. Which is everyone."
Speechless for a minute, L'Arc then asks, "Are there stories to those?"
Naofumi explains, "The story is my sister is a dumb and petty bitch, and so is the dumbass she travels with."
L'Arc nods, wrapping an arm around his fiancé, "Then we'll deal with whatever comes our way."
Naofumi sighs, "I hope so…" He later explains that he spent a lot of time cleaning up Malty's mess. Because every time Malty causes trouble, Aultcray would always pin it on Naofumi if Mirellia isn't there. And even as an adventurer, he still has to clean up Malty/ Myne's mess, mostly because people get hurt when adventurer Myne causes trouble.
As for their wedding, Naofumi invited Motoyasu, a tailor in Luke town who's famous for making filolial feathers, and Ren, the very underpaid apprentice of Erhard (who's also Naofumi's friend) the blacksmith. Even if Ren believes that it's his way of getting back at him for an incident that's to never be spoken of again. He knows that Ren gets seasick and the trip to get there is a week-long on boat…
"It's not like it's on purpose…maybe," Naofumi innocently answers.
The wedding itself was pretty wild.
Naofumi made a 50 layer wedding cake all by himself, and Therese prepared magic fireworks to set off everywhere the moment Naofumi and L'Arc kiss. With the room charmed to look like the forest, and Filo as the flower bird/girl, she wore the largest bow while carrying a gold flower basket.
However, mid-ceremony, some assassins dropped in and chaos ensues. By the time L'Arc resumes his vows, everyone's had at least thrown one punch.
With a bunch of knocked out or killed assassins at their feet, everyone just wanted for them to kiss so they can, especially Filo, eat cake.
"I object!" Raphtalia yells before putting on Naofumi's necklace, "OK you guys can continue."
Then, Takt Faubrey crashes the wedding, attempting to kidnap Naofumi.
"Who invited this asshole?!" Malty yells.
Naofumi remembered him… They met only once. Takt had fallen in love with him at first sight, "Hey you're pretty~."
"Yeah, pretty annoyed by you," he clearly rejected him.
L'Arc and Takt then fight for Naofumi. Obviously, Naofumi would help beat Takt up before they officially get married, kissing.
When Naofumi threw the bouquet, Filo caught it.
Let's just say that the party after that…at least it wasn't boring.
After that…they've yet to have their honeymoon.
Thanks to Naofumi listening in on Melty's lessons on being a good monarch, some time spent as a merchant learning trade tricks, and helping multiple villages with all kinds of issues, when they're crowned, Naofumi quickly settles into his new position as Queen and cements a rep of being so efficient a leader, that L'Arc often is left with little to do while Naofumi handles 90% of actual kingdom-running.
While L'Arc is very proud of his proactive Queen, Naofumi's still a workaholic. So, he plans on making him take a few days off.
Since Naofumi is an important person but not that important, he usually has more freedom than Malty and Melty to sneak out and travel. He was mostly known as the Shield Hero, who's team consist of two sword woman (his bodyguard Éclair and Raphtalia) and a giant Filolial.
Of course, L'Arc didn't recognize this until Itsuki and Rishia, wandering adventurers who're trying to save up money for school, let it slip that they wish their fellow adventurer a happy marriage.
After hearing more about Naofumi's adventures as the Shield Hero, he now wants to travel with them.
Naofumi shakes his head, "No L'Arc. We can't just leave right now. There are laws need to be pass, and the tax system can't reform themselves not to me-"
L'Arc argues, "Therese and Glass can handle that. We still haven't had our honeymoon, and I think that slaying a rampaging dragon would make a memorable honeymoon."
"I don't know," Naofumi says with hesitance.
"Look it'll be fun and beneficial for the country," L'Arc persuades.
Naofumi sighs, giving in, "Alright"
L'Arc kisses his cheek, "Thanks, honey!"
After slaying a dragon and taking their well-earned loot, L'Arc and Naofumi get a private room to celebrate their honeymoon.
After a bath, L'Arc walks into the bedroom, wearing nothing but a robe, "I hope you're ready for me-WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
Naofumi looks up from some papers he's reading, "You took a while so I'm just going over a couple of law reforms..."
"Oh no... No more work! You promised!" L'Arc yells.
"L'Arc…" Naofumi sighs.
L'Arc grabs him before throwing him on the bed and kissing him.
Naofumi's surprised, but quickly gives in. The paperwork is quickly forgotten for the night.
"Hey Raphtalia," Naofumi calls, "Since Glass had been bugging us about the heir issue, we've decided to adopt a child."
Raphtalia smiles, "Oh congratulations!"
L'Arc shoves the adoption paper at her, "That child is you, sign here please." It makes sense because, despite the rushed puberty, she's technically ten.
Raphtalia yells, "Seriously?!"
Naofumi smiles, "Seriously."
She signs the paper, happily becoming their adopted heir.
Queen Naofumi is almost a good a diplomat as his mother Mirellia. He got rid of the corrupt nobility of Siltvelt, Q'ten Lo, and Faubley before taking in the land for his husband's kingdom since the nobility were pretty much wiped out and all the people pledge allegiance to him. He got trade agreements L'Arc's kingdom would only dream of getting before. Naofumi's research yields better crops and medicine as well.
Frankly…Melromarc ended up making a kingdom stronger instead of growing their own.
But when Naofumi gets home, L'Arc treats him like a queen, his precious wife. He'd get him to relax...any way he can.
Omake:
Malty finds out just how much Naofumi actually owned when he finally moves out. She asks, "Where are all our royal Filolials?"
Mirellia answers, "Your brother raised them and had every right to take them as part of his dowry."
"Where is my dragon egg?"
"Your brother was taking care of it, so I let him keep it."
"Where are my demi-human servants, my accessories, and my grimoires?
"Naofumi took care of and used them more, so I let him take them to Shroud."
Malty could practically hear her brother laughing at her at that point.