I Am Being Mistaken for a Genius Strategist

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When the topic of marriage came up in my past life, the first thing that worried me was the meeting between the families.

Leaving out the financial side, the next issue was certainly regarding the family aspect, and a meeting between both parents could only be more burdensome and delicate.

But that was in the past, and here it doesn’t really apply.

My father had already met alone with the Emperor.

No political intent whatsoever—just a father with sons and daughters.

Seeing my father return with a sigh of relief and a smile, everything must have gone well.

After all, both Bel and I were engaged not through a political arrangement but through sincere feelings from the heart.

Neither of us disliked each other, which was extremely positive.

On top of that, we were receiving support from external sources, making it even better.

So I thought there wouldn’t be any problems. I just presumed I’d go about my business and prepare for the wedding.

“…”

But there was still one person left. And not just any outsider, but family.

They might call her the “Demoness” outside, but at home, she was just the adorable youngest.

“Kaya. Don’t be too upset.”

Kaya was well aware that Bel and I were quite close.

However, knowing something and hearing the news of the marriage without prior notice were definitely different things.

It was a mistake. It would have been better if I had informed Kaya directly instead of letting our parents do it.

Given our warm relationship as siblings, I should have told her about a happy event like this in advance.

“You could’ve told me beforehand, Brother Kael.”

“I’m really sorry, Kaya. I was so overwhelmed myself. Duties as Chief of Staff and the Emperor suddenly announcing it at the Return Ceremony. Then just a few days ago, there was the DeGale affair. I considered telling you earlier, but hesitated without knowing when I could do so.”

Kaya had always been there for me, venturing onto the battlefield even before officially reaching adulthood.

Had it not been for her during the conflict against the three Eastern Kingdoms, our Imperial Legion would have faced considerable difficulty.

Even after that, Kaya always became my spear and sword, fighting fiercely in places where I couldn’t be.

While I used diplomacy to showcase our family’s superiority to the Empire, Kaya made it clear with strength that the Clausewitz family was far from weak.

Her contributions as part of the Imperial Army and as a family member were certainly not to be overlooked.

Still, it was understandable that she would feel hurt hearing the marriage news from our parents instead of me.

Even if the atmosphere hinted at a wedding, or if it felt transmitted that way, it would still be painful to her.

“If little brother is at fault, then it is undoubtedly my mistake. I should have confirmed at the very least to Kaya that I would be getting married.”

One small fortunate thing was that Kaya had matured a bit, so she didn’t sulk as much as she used to.

Though she said she was upset, she didn’t storm out of the room like in her younger days.

She simply fidgeted with my hand quietly, basking in silence.

“…When we were younger, I always thought you would be my brother forever.”

“Of course, back then, now, and even when we are all old, you’ll always be my Kaya.”

“But once you get married, you’ll have to take care of the Princess more.”

That’s not true! …I couldn’t even respond. Kaya was right.

No matter how much a brother dotes on his younger sister, treating a partner equally makes a difference.

As I hesitated for an answer, Kaya sighed deeply.

“I don’t dislike the Princess, Brother.”

“That’s a relief.”

“But the thought that I might not be able to treat you the same way I did before because of her makes me a bit resentful.”

“Even if you act like before, the Princess would understand.”

“I don’t think so.”

Kaya muttered in a small voice and gazed out the window.

“When we were kids, we used to play tag over there.”

“I was always the one chasing, wasn’t I?”

“At first, I ran like crazy to avoid being caught, but later that changed.”

“That’s because I was always the first to get tired.”

As old memories surfaced, I chuckled, and Kaya slightly smiled too.

Like nearly everyone, reminiscing about the past was undeniably delightful.

The one thing we both felt a sense of regret for was knowing we could never go back.

Now all that lay ahead of us was to move into an uncertain future.

That made us feel quite wistful, leading to our little laments.

“Kael. Can I come in?”

“Oh, come in, Bel.”

The door opened, and Bel peeked in, waving her hand.

Just as Kaya was about to bow her head in greeting—

“It’s been a while, Lady Kaya. The sight of you walking confidently at the forefront during the Return Ceremony was truly impressive! Oh, should I start calling you Lady now?”

“Y-You can call me however you wish, Your Highness.”

“Why are you being so formal? You call Kael ‘Brother’ without any issue. Don’t do that; call me ‘Sister’ instead. Come on!”

Thinking back, I recalled that one of Bel’s wishes was to have a younger sibling.

With an older sister and an older brother, she wanted someone to call her ‘sister.’

“Uh, that’s….”

Kaya looked at me instead of Bel. Probably gauging my reaction.

In response to her unspoken question of whether she could be that casual, I nodded.

After all, Bel and I were already close enough to be considered family someday.

So, by extension, my younger sister Kaya would also be joining that family, so it wasn’t too much to become comfortable with that.

“Uh, Sister.”

“Great! When you call Kael ‘Brother’, you have to call me ‘Sister’ too. It’s a promise, okay?”

Ah, I see! Now I understand why Bel suddenly brought this up.

Kaya currently felt like my marriage would distance her from our existing family ties.

Though ties weren’t completely severed, once I had my own household, naturally, I would become a bit neglectful of the old family.

Kaya seemed a little forlorn at the thought of her brother now becoming someone’s husband and potentially a father.

And Bel noticed that and was turning it around to Kaya.

Telling her that she wasn’t losing a brother but instead gaining a new sister.

“You’re gaining a new little sister! It feels wonderful to be called that!”

“That’s nice, Kaya. Have you ever thought about how it would feel to have a sister besides just having a brother?”

“Hmm… honestly, I’ve only ever needed you, so I’ve never thought about that.”

Oh. I see. So this approach might not work after all?!

When I displayed a panicked expression, Bel winked as if to say not to worry.

What was that? Was there perhaps another strategy at play?

“I’ve heard from Kael that our Lady was indeed a wonderful younger sister. Of course, a fantastic knight on the battlefield, but at home, she was someone who took care of family more than anyone else.”

To be precise, she was the one who cared for me, but let’s skip that part.

Kaya, just like me, was dutiful to our parents.

“So I’m genuinely relieved. You will love the children who will be born in the future, right?”

“Children, huh?”

“Yes. Those who will be born from Kael and me. You will become their aunt, and they will be your nephews and nieces.”

“…”

“Imagine it. A little boy who looks exactly like Kael. Doesn’t it feel just like a trip back into your childhood? Ah, of course, if he looks a bit like me too, as an aunt, that love still applies.”

A boy who looks like me. Nephew. That word sparked a glimmer in Kaya’s eyes.

It became clearer as she thought, ‘If it’s a child that resembles my brother, he would indeed be adorable.’

“Right? That’s how a new family is formed. I gain a younger sister in you, Kaya; you gain an older sister in me. And someday you will become an aunt, and there will be nephews and nieces. Instead of our family falling apart, it will only grow larger.”

What do you think? Isn’t it exciting just to think about it? Like waiting for good news?

When Bel asked Kaya, she replied with a smile that it did indeed seem that way.

Bel didn’t stop there and immediately brought up a topic only Kaya could discuss.

“By the way, I’m really curious about Kael’s childhood stories. The ones that only Kaya would know, little Kael’s past. You must be the one who knows the most about him in the world, right?”

“Yes! Your Highness… I mean, Sister! I know more about Brother than anyone else!”

“Then please share some stories from those times. I beg you.”

Truly, Bel had the spirit of royalty. While she might not be a Crown Princess, she had already surpassed the average person long ago.

Seeing Kaya completely captivated by Bel’s charm made me smile.

*

The grand victory of the Empire was announced, and a proud Return Ceremony took place.

At that event, the Emperor declared he would take Kael Clausewitz, the Chief of Staff of the Empire, as his son-in-law.

Thus, everyone in the Empire—from the grand nobles to ordinary citizens—naturally assumed Kael and Isabelle would hurry to prepare for their wedding.

Given the significance of such an important union, they were certain that everything else would take a backseat.

“Ugh! C-Ch- Chief of Staff!”

“Your Highness the Second Princess!”

“Ah, please don’t get up. It’s an order.”

“You heard the Chief of Staff. Just lie down. Why are patients moving around willy-nilly?”

But the couple in question wasn’t heading to places for their wedding.

Instead, the two of them visited the Wounded Soldiers’ Ward where the soldiers of the Imperial Army were being treated.

That the Chief of Staff of the Empire and a Princess would exhibit such behavior—

Even though they were both busy preparing for their wedding, it made one wonder just how much they loved and cared for the Empire’s citizens!

It was only natural that news of their actions would quickly spread across the Empire.