How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending

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The sky was completely clear, without a single cloud.

The sunlight at Port of Belforte shone brightly, almost blinding. On the shipyard grounds a little away from the harbor, activity had been bustling since morning. The sounds of hammering, sawing, and the workers’ shouts carried continuously on the sea breeze.

I hurried along, my mood soaring with excitement.

When I arrived at the dock in front of the shipyard, work was in full swing. A massive wooden framework already revealed the heavy outline of the ship.

It was still the early stage of building the hull’s skeleton. However, judging by the size of the framework and the space the ship occupied, I could imagine what it would look like when completed.

It would be easily three or four times, perhaps even five or six times, the size of our current ships. My eyes widened without realizing it.

“This is amazing, really…”

After arriving at the Port of Belforte and securing the loan, we went to the most reputable shipyard to contract the new ships, choosing the type of vessels and the materials. We had even gone a little overboard to equip the ships with a generous number of new cannons.

Even with all the preparations, I suppose a slight worry had remained. I kept thinking about how Tristan must feel, which made it hard to relax.

But seeing the construction of the new ship underway made it real. At last, we could leave behind the rickety, pirate-like ships that had us trembling in naval battles, with leaking decks, the stench of mold from rotting wood, and bottoms covered in barnacles.

We would be able to carry far more goods in one trip, and most importantly, sail safely to distant seas.

“Is this really our ship?”

I asked as if to confirm, overwhelmed with emotion. The shipyard manager laughed heartily.

“Of course, Grand Consort. The one on the right is the second ship, and we will soon start construction on the third vessel in the empty space at the far end.”

The manager’s face, smudged with sawdust and sweat, was confident as he adjusted his apron.

Tristan stood in front of the massive framework, gazing up at the hull. A faint look of satisfaction crossed his firm lips.

“Wow…! It is really huge…!”

From behind, Constantine exclaimed in awe, wiggling his short legs while pointing at the hull repeatedly.

“Grandp, Grandp! Are we going to live there now? Will I have a room there?”

“Of course, Your Highness. Your cabin will be much larger than before.”

“Wow! I get a cabin too? Can I come visit every day?”

“Certainly, you may visit every day…”

Constantine suddenly fell silent mid-sentence. He suddenly remembered he had not seen my personal cabin on the blueprints. That was odd.

“Your Highness? Did you not approve the final design yourself?”

“…Yes.”

“I am not very familiar with ship structures, so I did not examine it closely. Do you happen to remember where my cabin is?”

“….”

For some reason, Tristan avoided my gaze. Then, he suddenly lifted Constantine into his arms and pointed at the hull with one hand.

“Look, Constantine. Only the framework is up for now, but soon we will finish the hull with waterproof birch and reinforced oak. The masts will be triple-reinforced, so even the harshest north winds will not trouble us.”

“Uh?”

Constantine looked back and forth between Tristan and the hull with a confused expression. Then he furrowed his brows seriously and asked again.

“Birch… reinf… triple… triple… what is that, uncle?”

The child understood none of it. I had no idea what Tristan was trying to explain to a five-year-old.

I sighed deeply and tapped Tristan lightly on the shoulder.

“Your Highness, Your Highness.”

“…Yes?”

“What do you mean, Your Highness? My cabin. Where did you put my cabin? I hope it is close to Constantine.”

It would be better for Constantine to stay near me than near Tristan, who was always busy with his admiral duties, or near the knights. I would not have much to do out at sea anyway.