Chương 394: Chapter 367. Parents Of Friends

" Interesting..." King Leonard looked over the carvings on the walls around the castle. After finishing our conversation about the worst-case scenario, we all walked inside the castle, it's a pretty ornate design. And from the looks of it, I think it's retelling the history of all 4 groups that'll be here today. King Leonard was currently looking over what I believe to be the Elves' history." What's the matter, are you missing your wives already, Matthew?"

Queen Aria had walked up behind me with a smile on her face. I guess she thought I was lost in my own thoughts." No. Not particularly, I prefer them not having to be near here... For now at least. You can understand that, can't you?"" I suppose you're right? It's just that I struggle to really find a time in my mind where I didn't see them next to you? Only when we asked you to take us around Paradise would be the outlier, I think? Even then, they walked you to us and were waiting at the door for you."

I thought for a moment before answering her question." Well, yes, around other people, they're quite protective of me, but I'd argue it's because we spend more time away from each other than together during the day."" Oh? How so? If you don't mind me asking?" Queen Aria seemed to be somewhat interested in my personal life for some reason? Well, this all started based on the fact that along with the Princesses that each Royal Family brought, I had Sarah and Anna stay back at the mansion. Mostly out of concern.

I still don't know the exact way those Elves made things explode. I'd rather they'd be safe. Far, far away from the Elves than have them here. Granted, it's only a 3-hour ride by carriage, but I think it's the thought that counts on this one." Well, when it comes to our normal days, I really only spend around 4 hours with them before we head to bed at night. I do fulfill my Duties as a Town Lord, along with running my Business during the mornings and early afternoon.

After lunch, which we sometimes miss each other, I'll join them for a bit of sparring and other such training, then I leave to the garden to Temper my Mana and Meditate. Once I finish, it's around dinner time, that's when we really relax with each other."" What about other people?"" Huh?" Queen Aria brought up other people... I couldn't figure out why? I mean, do other people really matter when it comes to a Martial Relationship?" Are you thinking I'm referring to other people being involved in your relationship?

That's not what I meant, what I meant is, what about your Friends?"" Friends? I mean, Emily and Ruby are probably my Closest Friends? Also, Prince Delcan is also my Friend... Granted, I haven't spoken to him since he returned to Darkheim, but he counts... Right?" Queen Aria's curious expression changed to one of someone teasing a fun subject. She still looked stunning, but I'd rather not ever know about the way she looks right now, since I know it means I'm her target."

I'm sure he does count and Prince Delcan would be more than happy to hear you think of him that way, but out of the 3 examples you've listed out, do you realize something strange about them?" I was confused by her question again... Maybe I'm not that good at dealing with Queen Aria?" 2 of them work directly under you and the other is someone you don't see very often. Don't you find that somewhat strange, Matthew?"" Are you trying to say that "Friends" are people around me that I view as equals?

If so, then I don't think I'll ever truly be able to have Friends here in Gaia."" What?" This time I was able to confuse Queen Aria. The look of surprise on her face... It looks almost like she thinks she messed up... I wonder why? I should finish my thoughts." It's because, Prince Delcan is a Prince, while I'm a lowly Marquess. As for Emily and Ruby, my opinion on them as "people" is quite high, I view them as way more capable than myself.

You might think, as a Marquess, I wouldn't think that way about people who would be perceived as "Commoners" or the like. But I place them quite high in my mind. To the point where I can't believe they wish to be my Friends." If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Queen Aria seemed to have calmed down somewhat from my explanation... But it looks like she wants to say something else. I wonder what more she could add?

Maybe about Sarah and Anna's Friends? I think they're closer to Emily and Ruby than I am, though? Actually, I think they might be closer to pretty much everyone in the mansion? I end up butting heads with everyone because of my ideas about their work schedules. That time they rebelled for a few hours was the worse one, but I've had to deal with similar arguments about shifts, pay, bonus pay and the list goes on from there.

They even argued with me about letting their younger relatives into my Academy free of charge, they insisted on paying a tuition. I eventually got them to back down when I brought up thei-" What about Charlotte?"

"!"

"!" Queen Aria and I were both surprised by the suddenness of Queen Crystal nearly shouting in our ears. What had gotten her so amped up? I mean... I don't think Charlotte is that close to me yet... I mean, we're definitely closer than and a Boss and an Employee usually are, but I wouldn't say we're "Friends" yet... No, maybe that's wrong? I mean, she basically has dinner with us every night since her job is so hectic.

She's basically been working from scratch since she got to Paradise since there wasn't much of a Military Division outside of whatever Flameskins felt like guarding the town's walls that day. Even with my arrival in Paradise, all I did was give them a basic work schedule and had Ruby act as the Head of it until I found Charlotte. And thank the Gods I did. She started her work by going around fixing up old forts around the area of Paradise.

From there, she's also training the Guardsmen that'll be manning those fixed forts and also training up people to act as the High-Ranking Military Personnel going forward. So far, she's found 5 people who fit the bill, she found them by meticulously going through 1500 applicants. That's basically half of the City's current population. Which, after doing a quick status check, we've actually increased our population by 200 new lives these last 8 months, not including the orphans.

Thankfully, no mothers lost their lives through delivery as well. For the most part, Demons have much stronger constitutions than Humans, but childbirth will always take almost everything from a mother. Thankfully, there were only 15 worst-case scenarios, and I was able to quickly attend to them and heal them before it was too late. With no lives lost, that means the current population for the city is 4200 Demons now with the Orphans I've been able to bring to Paradise.

Though, this figure is not including Sarah and Anna. If so... then 4202 Demons and still 100 Humans. Though 15 were pregnant with fully Human babies, so that's something to look forward to. And finally, 1 Dark Elf. Speaking of whom..." What do you mean, Queen Crystal?" I asked the question trying to figure out what exactly Queen Crystal wanted to know. I mean, she's Charlotte's mother after all...

More than that, she's a Queen and Charlotte is a Princess, I don't want her to think I would be disrespectful to Charlotte." What do you think about Charlotte, Matthew? Do you think of her as a Friend? I noticed that you didn't include her in your list of Friends?."" Well... I..." I'm kind of in a rough spot here..." Matthew, it's fine to answer honestly, we were fine with you being a Friend to Del, weren't we? Why would we have any issue with you being friendly with Char? Unless... you don't think much of her?

If so, that might sting a little..."" No... It's not like that! I just... I'm not sure how to label it really."

"!"

"!"" Label it? What do you mean?" Queen Crystal seemed confused... And is it just me, or did all the Kings and Queens in this room suddenly turn their ears to me? Regardless of the interlopers, I should still answer Queen Crystal." What I mean is that, Charlotte and I have a somewhat "unique" relationship at this point. For instance, she's my Subordinate, but she usually has dinner with us at our house.

In fact, I usually wait for her to show up before having dinner since she's a face I expect to see at the table before eating now. But at the same time, we're both so busy that we don't particularly speak with each other often. And when we do.... She kind of shells up and it makes it somewhat hard to speak to her, if I'm being honest."" I see... perhaps I need to boot her in the butt like I did Del... That should be effective... It shouldn't have taken this long with their help....

Unless he really is just that dense...." After I answered her question, Queen Crystal got real quiet and began to mumble a few things, I couldn't really hear what she was saying.... I wonder what she's thinking about? I mean... we can't do anything about Charlotte and me being busy after all." What about Alice, Matthew?"" We're Friends."" Really!?" Queen Aria was surprised at my answer to her question. I guess Alice never explained it to her?" Yes...

Ever since I helped saved her during the incident in Zana, she wanted us to be Friends. Once Sarah and Anna said it was okay, I agreed to be her Friend... Though I must not have done a great job if she didn't feel the need to inform you and King Alan..."" No! No! Not at all! We've all just been super busy is all!" Queen Aria tried to explain how I was wrong, but the fact still remains that she didn't know...

I mean, it's not like I'm that important of a person in her life, I'm just Married to Sarah, so I'm something like a Brother-In-Law to her, I Guess.... Time began to pass as Queen Aria and even King Alan joined in to explain their schedules... All I could really think was that I'm glad I'm a Marquess and not a Royal.