Chapter 16

Arriving at the dining room.

I was thinking about the dinner menu, so I was slow to notice the different atmosphere.

When I was carried into the dining room by Arshain, I realized that the members were different, or rather, there were two extra people in addition to the usual members.

Cavendish was sitting at a table with the two-timing saint.

Anneliese and the twin princes watched the two, who were affectionate without any regard for others, with great interest, but the other members had slightly strained expressions.

Even after the meal started, the atmosphere remained awkward, and the two-timing saint's manners were terrible.

Ignoring the neatly arranged cutlery, she used only a fork and a spoon, making clattering sounds and talking to Cavendish with food still in her mouth.

At first, Anneliese, who had been watching the two with great interest, frowned at the poor manners.

I couldn't bear to be seen as having the worst manners of the otherworldly people, so I was extra careful during the meal.

After the meal, it was usually a time to relax and enjoy conversation, but because of the two extras, no one said anything.

The two extras, oblivious to the atmosphere, sat close together on a sofa, large as it was, with the two-timing saint sitting on top of Cavendish, creating their own little world.

Unable to bear it any longer, Anneliese spoke up,

"Cavendish, why are you here today? I heard you usually have dinner alone with the saint."

"Ah, Anneliese, you've heard well! I thought I'd let them enjoy their last supper, but I couldn't let them escape, so I came to keep watch myself!"

"Keep watch? On whom?"

"On that insolent and failed child! Father, please listen! That failed and insolent child there has harmed the saint! Please capture them immediately and give them a severe punishment!!"

At this sudden accusation, the king, queen, Ingrid, and Anneliese all blinked in surprise.

As befitting royalty, they did not show any further shock,

"What's this sudden outburst? First, explain the details."

"Yes! I apologize! This afternoon, the saint and I were practicing magic in the garden when that insolent and failed child suddenly intruded and fired a fire spell at the saint! Fortunately, the saint was not seriously injured, but it could have been a matter of life and death! Please punish them severely!!"

Upon hearing about the magic practice in the garden, the king's face turned stern for a moment, but he listened to the end,

"You say they intruded suddenly and fired a fire spell without reason?"

"That's right! To harm the saint! No reason can justify such an act!!"

Cavendish, drunk on his own words, became more and more agitated.

In contrast, the king remained very calm,

"Arshain, Lord Keta, is what Cavendish says true?"

"No, it's completely baseless. After our magic training with Chief Tailsmyth, Keta and I happened to pass by the garden where the saint and Cavendish were practicing magic. As we were about to pass by, a fireball from the saint flew towards us and was deflected by Keta's barrier, hitting the saint. The knights and Cavendish were just flustered and did nothing to put out the fire, so Keta, unable to bear it, used a water spell to extinguish the fire."

"Lies! You were the ones who suddenly fired a spell! Your excuses are shameful!!"

Cavendish became even more agitated when the truth was spoken.

"Excuse me, may I speak?"

An unexpected person, the butler Durand, interjected. The king, surprised, nodded and gestured for Durand to continue.

"Today, the gardener Lazelle, who was in charge of the garden, reported that the garden was significantly damaged during the magic training by the saint and Prince Cavendish, and he wanted to close the corridor for a while to repair it. According to Lazelle, he was in the garden for regular maintenance when he was ordered by Prince Cavendish to clear the area for magic training. He left the area but quickly returned to check the damage caused by the training. He observed the two from a distance..."

"How despicable! You were spying!"

"Cavendish, be quiet. You do not have permission to speak."

"S-Sorry."

"Durand, continue."

"Yes, the garden was completely destroyed by the magic training. Afterward, Prince Arshain and Lord Keta, along with Shelly, happened to pass by. Prince Cavendish started making accusations, but they ignored him and tried to leave. The saint then fired a fire spell from behind, but it was deflected before it hit them. The deflected fire spell hit the saint, and in the confusion, Lord Keta used a water spell to extinguish the fire. However, Prince Cavendish, even more agitated, drew his sword and attacked Prince Arshain and Lord Keta, but was stopped by Prince Arshain and left the scene in anger."

Silence fell over the room.

The two-timing saint and Cavendish looked awkward, while the others looked exasperated.

"From what I've heard, it seems that the saint tried to harm Lord Keta and that Lord Keta saved the saint. Cavendish, your story is completely the opposite. What do you have to say for yourself? Did you make false accusations to me, the king, to have your brother Arshain and our guest Lord Keta imprisoned? Not only that, did you destroy our prized garden for a mere magic training session? Cavendish, as a prince, you should know the consequences of your actions."

Cavendish, visibly sweating, was speechless under the king's glare.

"P-Please don't be so angry! Dish was just trying his best for me! I only aimed the spell at them because I was inexperienced and my aim was off, not on purpose! Dish was just worried that I might get hurt, and he had no ill intentions! Fortunately, I'm fine, and if they apologize, I'll forgive them, so please don't be angry at Dish anymore!"

The two-timing saint, oblivious to the atmosphere, pleaded with the king.

Everyone looked at her in disbelief, but Cavendish was moved by her defense.

"From what I've heard, it doesn't seem that Lord Keta was at fault?"

"But I could have died from his spell! Normally, that wouldn't be forgiven!"

"You were the one who fired the spell at Lord Keta first."

"But it's unfair to counter with a spell I haven't learned!"

"......This is getting nowhere. In any case, all the fault lies with Cavendish. Therefore, Cavendish, your right to the throne is suspended for one year! During this year, you must show the kind of achievements that befit a prince. If you fail, consider your right to the throne permanently lost. Additionally, you will no longer be the guardian of the saint, and we will immediately arrange for a suitable teacher for her."

"Father! That's too harsh! No one else can be the saint's guardian!"

"That's right! I don't want anyone else! It's too much for even the king to tear us apart!"

No one paid attention to their protests.

Everyone was thoroughly fed up with their constant noise.

"Silence! This is my decision as the king! If you have any objections, leave the country!"

"Father! That's too cruel! If the saint leaves, who will defeat the demon king? Are you trying to destroy this country?"

"Cavendish, I told you to be silent. And this is my decision. Are you misunderstanding something? The saint will not defeat the demon king; we will. A demon king that a single saint can defeat is nothing to fear. The saint is merely a guide to the existence of the demon king. Even if the saint has special powers, she cannot defeat the demon king alone. It was a mistake to entrust the saint's guardian role to someone as weak as you, who relies on the saint's unproven powers!"

Cavendish, visibly angry, was speechless.

Even the two-timing saint fell silent,

"For the remaining 10 days before the academy starts, all contact between Cavendish and the saint is forbidden! During this time, we will assign teachers to both. If they do not meet the required standards, they will not be allowed to attend the academy! That's all! Take them to their rooms! You know that they will be watched. If either of them disobeys, both will be punished! Be careful!"

As the king finished speaking, several knights entered the room and tried to take the two to their rooms. The two, like tragic protagonists being forcibly separated, called out each other's names and cried and struggled.

However, they were taken away by the knights without any further discussion.

Finally, the room returned to its usual calm, and everyone sighed.

In a cold voice, Anneliese said,

"What a farce."

Shelly, standing in the corner of the room, burst out laughing at her expression. Inspired by Shelly's laughter, everyone else started laughing as well.

The moment those two were gone, the room returned to its usual peaceful atmosphere.

With the tension eased, it was time to disperse!