Chapter 11

Clearly, the grand door was different from any she had seen before, and Rina felt a chill run down her spine.

The guards standing on either side of the door were also completely different from the people in the palace, both in atmosphere and demeanor. If she were to make a joke, she might be killed on the spot.

*Knock knock.*

...She thought they would knock, but it was completely different.

"Your Majesty, Felix! Chancellor Schuzel and Miss Rina Nohara have arrived!"

The guard on the right thrust the butt of his spear into the floor with a *clank* and loudly announced to the king inside.

...What is that, it’s so cool...

Rina couldn’t help but be captivated.

No, she mustn’t lose her composure...

"......Let them in."

A deep, resonant voice came from inside. At that moment, Rina felt a tension she had never experienced before.

Not even during exams or karate matches had she been this nervous.

If it were possible, she would turn around and leave...

But turning around was out of the question... The guards on either side opened the door with a deep, resonant sound.

*Wow!*

At the far end of the room, which was nearly 100 meters long, there was a throne, and the king was seated there.

"Excuse the intrusion. I have brought Rina Nohara."

Prince Schuzel placed his right hand on his left chest and bowed deeply.

Rina, unsure of what to do, also bowed deeply.

She felt that prostrating herself would be inappropriate.

"......Greetings are unnecessary. Come closer quickly."

King Felix, resting his elbow on the armrest, said with a bored tone.

His crossed legs were incredibly long, like a model. He was incredibly handsome.

What kind of beauty is this? How is it even possible to be born like this?

...But he’s scary.

What’s scary? The atmosphere? The aura? The oppressive and high-pressure attitude? The appearance? The face?

...Yeah, everything.

My legs are trembling. I’ve learned something today.

"It’s okay, Rina."

Prince Schuzel, noticing Rina’s trembling legs, placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled, encouraging her to move forward.

But, he’s really scary...

King Felix, sitting firmly on the throne, is just terrifying!

And he’s so dark... literally pitch black!

His clothes, hair, eyes, and aura are all black. He suits the darkness so well.

If his youngest brother, Prince Egiedilus, is the "Sun,"

and his second brother, Prince Schuzel, is the "Moon,"

then King Felix is... the "Night."

Even though it’s strange to call a king the "Night,"

...he suits the night well.

...Does he look like a demon king?

...I don’t know what a demon king looks like, though.

"Your Majesty, please don’t glare at her so intensely... She’s scared."

Prince Schuzel, concerned about Rina who was frozen in front of the king, said with a wry smile.

"...Tch... This is just my usual face."

King Felix, who clicked his tongue, seemed even more displeased.

...What? The king clicked his tongue?

"Nice to meet you... My name is Rina Nohara."

She wondered if she should have said "Rina Nohara" instead... Rina, slightly flustered, bent her knees.

She vaguely remembered from a book that this was the highest form of greeting for someone of high status... and hoped it was correct.

Prince Schuzel, watching her from the side, smiled slightly.

He seemed to think she wasn’t a rude person... or he was smiling for a different reason. Rina, looking down, couldn’t tell.

"Raise your head. ...In private, there’s no need to force yourself to bow. First, you were only brought here by force by a group of fools. There’s no reason for you to bow to me, the head of those fools."

"...Your Majesty..."

Prince Schuzel whispered, reprimanding the king.

No matter what the king says, it’s problematic.

If he takes it seriously and she skips the formalities, it would be a matter of honor.

"...If I may, I would like to say..."

When Rina spoke, the two of them looked at her.

"...That’s one thing, and this is another."

Rina continued.

"Even if the king’s brother is the main culprit who kidnapped me, it’s no excuse to be disrespectful to the king. ...However, I am a newcomer from a completely different place and world. ...Therefore, I might unintentionally be disrespectful, but I hope the king and the chancellor will kindly overlook it."

Rina isn’t that stupid.

She understands that even if King Felix says it’s okay to skip formalities, she shouldn’t take it seriously.

...Damn, this is really troublesome...

Rina grumbled inwardly.

...Huh?

While her heart was pounding, a strange sensation ran through Rina’s head.

...Huh?

She suddenly looked up, wondering where the sensation was coming from.

...Huh? What’s going on?

Prince Schuzel, with a gentle smile that seemed to say "Well done," was gently stroking Rina’s head.

...Yeah, this is scary too.

Rina, who never expected to have her head stroked at her age and in this situation, felt a chill run down her back.