Chương 186: Chapter 169. Good Graces

" To explain the reason why I was Summoned here... Well."" It's okay, My Love." Sarah gave the okay. The Royal Family looked at our exchange and seemed to guess what had brought Aqua to Summon me." Sarah had become Cursed around 2 years ago. King Warrick and Queen Aqua exhausted every option and found that their last hope, was a Paladin. With the determination to save their Daughter, they began to look for a way to Summon a Paladin from another world.

With some lucky information they stumbled into, they were able to hatch a plan to grab a Paladin off of the Summoning Magic Ceremony of Promethia. Long story short, it worked. 1 moment I was arguing with the Hero and his Party, I blinked, and King Warrick and Queen Aqua were staring at me."" So, your big secret doesn't even really protect yourself, it's to protect Queen Aqua?" I nodded to Charlotte's words. I made sure not to mention that they used Warrick's blood as a conduit to make the Spell a success.

Also, I made sure not to specify what the "information" was that they stumbled into. With that, there should be enough camouflage for Warrick and Aqua if they need it. Better not say anything about Warrick's role in any of this so they don't know that they could use King's blood as a conduit for anything. If they don't ask any questions, that means I did a good job. I think at least? However, Charlotte's words seemed to have some kind of an effect on the rest of her family."

So, you arrived and then you saved Princess Sarah. Then, as a reward, you were given her hand in marriage?"" Hahaha..." I lightly chuckled at Charlotte's optimistic question. pain..." Ow!" Sarah elbowed me in the ribs for that one." Cough!" I coughed to break up the atmosphere before speaking." Among other things, yes, I was given Sarah's Hand In Marriage for saving her. I'd like to point out however, that the only reason the Marriage happened in the first place is that Sarah truly wanted to Marry me.

If she didn't want to Marry me, I would've found a way to cancel the Engagement. Thankfully however, I found 1 of the women of my dreams. The other was by my side since the 2nd day I arrived in Gaia." I smiled at Sarah and then Anna as I spoke." You found both of your wives, within 2 days of being here?" Delcan asked, seemingly out of disbelief." Maybe it was something in the water?" I jokingly answered his question as I shrugged my shoulders."

Having said all of that, to summarize the main point of all of this explaining. From knowing my name and how I got here, you'd be able to make a target out of me as well as Queen Aqua. If either of us tells one of our secrets, then..."" The other would do the same and it would paint a target on all of our backs." The King finished my statement. I nodded to his words." I understand, this will do." The King spoke again, and it seems that he's satisfied with my explanation and my reasoning.

As I watched him, the King seemed to be feeling a little awkward. Ah, the Queen. She's using her privilege as his wife to jab him in the ribs with her elbow." Crystal... I was getting to it."" Oh, my name?"" H-Honey, I was getting to it."" That's better, Sweetie." The King finally seemed to have cooled off." Please don't mind my Parents, They're always like this in private." Charlotte sighed as she spoke. Seems that the King and Queen don't feel the need to act so formal anymore after listening to my story?

Seems Charlotte had calmed down as well, so that was good. She seemed to stop viewing me as an enemy as well. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it." Possibly..." Anna whispered something that I couldn't make out completely. I looked at her and she seemed to realize I heard her. Before I could ask her what she said, The King started to speak." I'm sorry for blowing your words out of proportion, John Ericsson.

Also, we'll keep this all to ourselves from now on."" Thank you." I thanked the King and then waited to see what would happen next. As I was waiting, the setting sun had gotten into my eyes and caused me to squint. The Queen, noticing my squint, along with everyone else, had an idea that she decided to make happen. It didn't take long for her to try and enact a quickly made plan."

Since it's gotten so late already, we've already delayed the discussion for the original reason you came here, and you've just arrived from a trip to get here, why don't we call it a day and you can tell us about those Elves you ended up fighting recently tomorrow?" As she spoke, I noticed that my eyes were a little heavy." We wouldn't mind that, Queen Crystal." Sarah spoke for Anna and me." That's wonderful!"" But wouldn't this cause a problem for an innkeeper?

I assume they're working towards getting dinner done for their guests at this point."" Oh, don't worry about that. You'll stay here in the Guest Wing of the Royal Palace!"" Aren't the only people allowed to share a Guest Wing in a Royal Palace other Royals from different countries?"" Only if the Royal Family wants to enforce it." The Queen didn't seem to want to take no for an answer. This is somewhat difficult for me, since I would've preferred being away from the Royal Family.

But with Sarah's agreement and the Queen's insistence, I can't turn her down without seeming rude to the Queen." Well, if it's fine with the King and Queen, I have no reason to turn down your offer. The only thing I ask, is can our Guards receive similar treatment? I'm sure they haven't been able to get a proper rest during the 6-week travel, I'd like them to receive the same treatment or something similar to us, if possible?"" Of course, We'll have them as Guests in our finest inn."

So, she'll let them stay at an inn? Ah, I give up. Again, if a problem shows up, I can just get us to safety and then regroup with the Guards and warp us out. We can grab the carriages and get away. I'd assume that won't be something that's exactly bound to happen. From the looks on the faces of the Royal Family, it looks like this offer is really filled with their good will." Well, with that. I guess all I can say is please lead the way." With that, the Royal Family stood up and we followed suit.

They began to walk back out to the Throne Room and so, we did too. Once the King and Queen returned to their Thrones, they proceeded to speak to their guards." Call back in the People... Or well... Whoever stayed, since it took so long."" Yes, Your Majesty!" With the guard affirming the command, he left to gather the people who were left in the other room. To my surprise, most of the people seemed to have stayed. I guess they wanted to know if there would be an international incident or not?

Once the people had all gathered in the Throne Room, after the shock that my Wives and I were also still here had settled, the King started to speak." After having such a long discussion, I've decided to apologize for my actions to Marquess Drake. I misread this man's words and for that, I would like to formally apologize to Marquess Drake in front of you all. Having said that."

The King turned to me, I wonder how well an apology could come through from a guy having to look down a set of stairs to apologize to a guy at the bottom of them? But I guess I'll just need to accept it no matter how it comes across, won't I?" Marquess Drake, I'm truly sorry for my actions."" I accept your apology, Your Majesty."" Your Majesty! Why must you apologize to a human!?" A Dark Elf spoke from the crowd, it seems that a "Human" being apologized to, is something they never thought would happen...

This brings up a question to me though, why did Delcan and the Queen not seem to have any discrimination towards me? Or Sarah and Anna now that I think about it?" Because Kings for too long, from Country to Country and Generation to Generation are more than happy to shirk accountability. I've stated more times than I care to admit that I chose, when I became King, to be a Role Model to My People, to be your shield when you need protection! To be your sword when we must fight! Part of being a Role Model... No.

Part of being a Man, is admitting when you were wrong and asking for forgiveness. My temper has been an asset at times. In others, it's been a detriment, this is one of those times." The King began to give a speech to his people. My honest impressions were that he was a pretty decent public speaker. If only his temper was... Well, more tempered." But he's a human, Your Majesty!"" SO, WHAT!?"

"?" Charlotte roared in anger. That was surprising. She continued to yell at the crowd." Human this! Human that! All of that anger or fear your feeling did absolutely nothing for you when mana and killing intent went flying! And now that My Parents have been able to work through it all, you all dare to continue to complain!? Our Ancestors would be ashamed of how spoiled you've all become!" Princess Charlotte let loose on the complainers. I almost felt bad for the crowd. But wait... this crowd...?

They're looking at Charlotte with resentment, why? They're looking at her with similar eyes to me. They didn't look at me like that though. They looked at me with distrust in their eyes. For Charlotte, it's something else... Why is it familiar to me? I can't remember where I saw it? Why would they look at their Princess like that anyways? It can't be because she's defending me, they haven't looked at the King or Delcan like that, so why?"

Char, I get the annoyance from everything, but you shouldn't be screaming at Our People that much." Delcan tried to calm down Charlotte to mixed results. Call me crazy but I don't think she did that because the crowd were discriminating against me. I think this is something more personal. Regardless, the Queen, just like before, smoothed the situation out and had the crowd leave feeling better about everything.

Honestly, if not for the fact I need to make sure none of us will fall for any traps, I'd want to take a lesson on politicking from her. The Royal Family led us out of the Throne Room to head to the more private wings of the Royal Palace. Sarah, Anna and I were enjoying the detailed carvings and strange colors in the walls of this antient tree that was converted into a Royal Palace the entire time.