Chapter 47

"Father, what is this about?"

"Hmm... It's about that matter."

The king summoned the princess and, with a bitter expression, explained the recent exchange with the pope.

"An engagement, you say... Me? With Prince Terence?"

"Yes, I heard about it for the first time there... Is it true?"

"No, I have no idea at all. Why would such a thing...?"

"I see, that's good to know."

The king was somewhat relieved by the princess's response.

Indeed, what that woman said seemed baseless. However, there was something unsettling about the pope pushing the matter so aggressively.

He must have some ulterior motive, something he wants to push through at all costs. But if he’s willing to lie so obviously and risk damaging our relationship, it must be something significant and not peaceful.

"…Ah, no, by the way."

"Could it be that you have some idea?"

"Yes. I remember something like that. I recall that the rumor of us being ‘engaged’ was a nasty rumor that Prince Terence had been spreading."

"…A rumor?"

The king, who hadn’t expected this, tilted his head.

"Yes. During my time abroad, despite having many girls around him, Prince Terence was quite persistent with me... He always talked about ‘engagement,’ so I think that’s what it was about."

"I see."

This was news to the king as well.

"Of course, I never took him seriously... When I graduated from the Misra seminary, I told the prince clearly that engagements are arrangements between families, that our country doesn’t have such customs, and that I have no romantic interest in him. I thought he had given up."

"Is that so?"

Even as his daughter, she had quite decisively rejected the proposal of a prince from a major country. Based on what he heard, her judgment was not wrong, but it wouldn’t be surprising if he held a grudge.

Considering that her time abroad in Misra was less than a year and she was only about 11 years old at the time, it was something that could be laughed off, he thought.

"Well, I had a feeling it might be something like that – but what do you think about this invitation?

If you don’t want to go, you don’t have to.

You are still in the middle of the [Crown Succession Trial].

You could use that as an excuse to decline.

We can handle the political and diplomatic aspects, so don’t worry."

However, the Misra seminary is not just a place to learn the ‘Barrier Technology’ owned by Misra; it is also a place to gather and train the next generation of leaders in social and diplomatic skills.

If the celebration is held on the prince’s birthday and graduates from various countries are invited, it will likely be a large-scale social event with dignitaries from various countries.

Missing it could indeed harm the princess’s future.

– That woman.

She really hit a nerve, he thought.

"The celebration and ball for the prince’s coming of age, you say."

"It’s said to be about three months from now. In any case, we need to give an early response."

The princess listened to the king’s words, thought for a moment, and then quickly gave her answer.

"– I understand. Let’s go. We don’t have much time, so it’s best to start preparing immediately."

The king was a bit taken aback by her decisive response.

"I see, but this time... I have many concerns."

"– Could it be that you suspect some plot from the Misra side?"

The princess, who had somehow gotten close to the king, was now looking at his troubled face.

"I wouldn’t go that far... but it’s not impossible."

He thought his daughter had good intuition.

After all, she was the one who was suddenly bound by a powerful ‘barrier’ and nearly killed by the abyssal creature, the Minotaur.

It was only natural that she understood the situation.

– She was the target of the assassination attempt in the recent incident.

Recalling this fact, the king felt even more uneasy.

"To be honest, I don’t want you to go near that country now. The situation has changed since we allowed you to seek asylum after the royal attack. This invitation smells fishy. Going there could put your life in danger."

The king clearly told her that her life could be in danger.

However, the princess remained calm, as if it were a given.

"I see. But my feelings haven’t changed. My life is always at risk, and it’s our duty as royals to handle important social events. Besides, I don’t want to let that person say whatever he wants without showing up."

"I see, but..."

The king hesitated.

This time, it was really different.

He had a bad feeling, and his intuition, honed by dodging numerous threats, was telling him that this time it was really dangerous.

– It would be easy to order her not to go.

But, given that he always told her to make her own judgments and not be swayed by others, he was hesitant to disregard her will.

"Don’t worry. I’m sure everything will be fine. I’m a bit anxious about going alone, but it’s not like I can’t bring anyone with me, right?"

" Escorts? Yes, of course, that’s fine."

The pope had said that she could bring as many people as she wanted, and that accommodation and meals would be provided.

"Then there’s no problem."

"– No, there’s one more issue."

"One more?"

"The pope said he would ‘invite’ that young demon – Roro to the party, as your ‘friend.’”

Upon hearing this, the princess looked surprised and then smiled slightly.

"That shouldn’t be a problem, right? Roro and I are friends, and although it might be difficult for him... I think he would be happy."

"– Just to be sure, do you understand what it means for the Misra theocracy to ‘invite’ a demon?"

"Yes, of course – but I think it’s a good opportunity to show everyone that demons are not dangerous. Besides, it might be easier for young people who are less prejudiced to understand each other."

The king, who still looked uneasy, smiled wryly at his daughter’s words.

"After all, once you decided to accept him, such friction was inevitable, wasn’t it? It’s too late now. My brother and I have already made up our minds."

The king recalled his recent decision as he looked at his daughter, who shrugged and smiled wryly.

– That’s right.

This was something he had started.

He had decided to accept that young demon.

He had decided to treat him as an equal citizen at the request of that strange man.

Moreover, the boy was a true benefactor of the country.

He needed to repay that kindness and had no intention of betraying it.

But he still had doubts.

Probably, his decision was a clear mistake from the perspective of a ruler.

To sacrifice one to save ten – that was the duty and responsibility of someone in his position.

Yet, to create so much friction to protect just one person.

It was the act of a fool.

Abandoning a young demon with no allies in the world.

That would probably be the correct decision as a ruler.

He had the obligation to protect such peace, no matter who hated him for it.

But he had been influenced by that strange man who could accomplish anything, and thought this:

– If I can’t protect even one person, what kind of king am I?

It was a result of being driven by a childlike voice that ignored the cost-benefit analysis.

Now, he was imposing his whims on the children.

Still, they accepted it.

Until now, he had treated his daughter like a child... but he realized that he was the one who was truly childish.

"I’m sorry for burdening you with this. I’ll assign Ines as your guard."

"Yes, and – I would like one more guard to come with us."

"…Is it that man?"

"Yes, of course! I’ll go and talk to him right away!"

Without even saying where she was going, the princess left the room, clearly heading to see that man, Noal.

"Well, if he’s going with you, I can be somewhat relieved."

That man is strong.

He could probably overcome any crisis.

But – I still have a bad feeling.

That woman said that if you’re worried, you can bring as many people as you want.

"‘Let a child travel’ – but this time, I’m really worried."