Chapter 27

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I was summoned to an audience with His Majesty, King Siegfried Elscheid of the Elscheid Kingdom.

This is the first time I have had the honor of seeing His Majesty’s face since coming to this palace.

After all, it’s not easy to talk casually with members of the royal family.

The fact that I see Eric, the crown prince, almost every day and occasionally meet Dale, the second prince, is strange in itself...

What could His Majesty want with me?

Perhaps it’s because Eric is no longer being targeted by assassins, and they’re going to dismiss me as his bodyguard...?

It’s a possibility. After all, it’s unprecedented for a holy maiden like me to serve as the crown prince’s bodyguard.

"---Hmm. Dismiss my bodyguard? No way. Linsa hasn’t been dismissed either."

"Hey, Eric! What do you mean by that! Linsa is doing her best!"

Eric cited Linsa as an example to assert that His Majesty does not interfere with bodyguard assignments.

Linsa is indeed strong, and with her high crisis awareness, having fled through many battles to seek asylum in this country, she is an excellent bodyguard...

"We are told to entrust our lives to those we trust. Johan, Linsa, and Reia are all chosen by me. Even if it’s my father, I won’t allow complaints about personnel."

"I was worrying unnecessarily. I apologize for asking such a strange question."

"There’s no need to apologize. Well, I was worried that Reia might want to quit as a bodyguard... You are a necessary person, and I want you by my side."

"Thank you for your kind words."

Eric, who has chosen as bodyguards those he trusts, said that he needs me.

Is it because of my power as a holy maiden...? Or...

In any case, it’s a pleasant thing to hear.

While we were talking, the time for the audience drew near, and Eric and I moved to the audience chamber where His Majesty was waiting.

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"Father, I have brought the holy maiden Reia Westeria."

Eric and I knelt before His Majesty.

I was more nervous than I thought, my heart pounding so fast I felt like I couldn’t breathe.

His Majesty, who remained silent even when Eric was targeted by assassins, must be a very strict person.

"Ah, there’s no need to be so formal. Raise your head and look at me."

"......"

I did as I was told and raised my head to look at His Majesty.

Unlike Eric, who has silver hair, His Majesty had black hair, but he had a handsome face and was sitting on the throne.

He looked much younger than his actual age...

"Reia, your efforts this time were great! The evil deeds of Belkline were uncovered because you risked your life to be a decoy and obtained irrefutable evidence! Knowing that your own sister was targeting your life... you were prepared for criticism to fall on your own family...! Your spirit is commendable, and I highly praise it!"

"No, I merely did what was expected of me as Eric’s bodyguard. I only fulfilled my duty."

His Majesty praised me.

Especially in a matter that directly affected the credibility of the Westeria family, he acknowledged my efforts in accepting that my sister, Jill, was targeting my life and in gathering evidence.

For me, my top priority was to fulfill my duty as a bodyguard, so I couldn’t think of any other choice...

"Hmm. Reia, you seem to be as serious as Eric. Well, that’s fine... We can have a heart-to-heart talk here. Follow me."

"F-Father, surely not... The secret room...?"

His Majesty stood up and touched the side of the throne, and to my surprise, the throne moved back, revealing a staircase leading down.

Is this a hidden passage for emergencies...? Eric seems to know what it is...

We followed His Majesty down the stairs...

"This is my secret private room. This is only the second time I’ve brought Eric here."

"T-This room...!"

When His Majesty lit the room, the interior became visible.

The small room at the end of the hidden staircase under the throne had only a round table and three chairs.

For a private room of the king, it was quite simple.

"Let’s have a heart-to-heart talk again. ...Reia, thank you for protecting my son! I, I couldn’t support him because I feared the country would be thrown into chaos by his principles!"

"Y-Your Majesty..."

"Reia, please continue to take good care of my son! I can only bow my head, but I want you to support Eric so he can uphold his principles!"

Holding my hand and shedding tears, His Majesty revealed his true feelings to me.

Eric called it the "silent proposition," but it’s not silent at all.

His Majesty’s tears were filled with kindness that words alone couldn’t express.

The person who recognizes Eric the most is probably...

I was confident in this answer.