Chương 52: The Visitor
I... did not imagine he would look like this.
Now I'm just say it, I imagined him to be a man that looked around his 40s or older, but seeing him in person caught me off guard.
He was handsome! Like, he literally looks like he's only in his twenties. He had shoulder-like hair that was at shoulder length which was almost golden, black eyes, and fair skin. He almost looks like a prince... but he's a KING!
I was beginning to get nervous and I didn't realize that I was biting my nails. This event came a little earlier than I thought it was going to. I knew this was eventually gonna happen but... this is earlier than I expected.
Abigail walked over to our table and began pouring tea for us. I looked over at her and surprisingly she wasn't nervous one bit. That was until I saw that her hands were shaking. Guess everyone would be nervous when they have a king in their shop.
"There is no need to be shy. I'm just here to talk with you." The king said softly but I was still nervous.
Aurelia, who I am dating... her father is right in front of me...
I nervously reached over at the tea and began drinking. I was sipping so loudly that everyone turned their attention towards me.
Christ, keep your composure Seiya. He just came here to talk.
I guess I should start with greetings.
"M-my name is-"
"I know who you are, no need to tell me," The king interrupted and I gulped.
"So..." I tried to start a conversation but I didn't know what to talk about.
Why am I so nervous? He only came to talk, nothing else. I've had conversations with other people before, people with bodyguards and private armies, so why am I acting so afraid to a man with only two soldiers behind him?
"I've heard you are dating my daughter. Is that true?"
I yelped and almost dropped my cup of tea.
"Y-yes!" I said as I put my cup on the table. My hands were still trembling under the table.
"So it's true... what do you think?"
"Huh?"
"What do you think about my daughter? Why did you decide to date her?"
"...well... first, she's pretty..."
"Is that all?"
I felt an ominous aura emit from the kings back when I said that. Crap, was I not suppose to say that? But it's true though. Unless... he wants me to state a more meaningful reason.
"No... the reason why I fell in love with her is..."
Crap this is embarrassing. What am I suppose to say to him?
Seeing me struggle to answer, the king chuckled.
"I guess I should rephrase my question. What is my daughter to you?" He asked as he glared at me, his eyes glinted a hint of red.
What is she to me...?
"Aurelia... is the most precious thing in my life. She's kind, strong, and beautiful. She is the only thing that can keep me sane whenever I'm in a deep situation, and I owe everything to her. I value her life over mine and I will do anything to protect her. Even if I'm up against the world."
...wait, what did I just blurt out? I did not mean to say something so cheesy! No, this is not what my first impression to the king was supposed to look like! Ahh Christ, I should've just said something more generic or-
"I see..."
The king gave me a smile and snapped his fingers. That's when I heard the sound of a door open and I turned. Coming out from the back door was- Aurelia!?
I was totally shocked at her appearance. She was here... the whole time?!
Then I recalled to what I just said a moment ago. Immediately, I felt my face heat up and my heart went pounding.
"Au-Aurelia-"
"D-do you really mean it?"
Aurelia asked me and I gulped. Damn it, she definitely heard everything.
But everything I said was the truth.
"Yes. Yes, I did."
When I said that, she looked at me with a warm smile.
"Funny, she said similar things about you as well."
The king said as he sipped his cup of tea.
"Father, you didn't have to tell him that!" Aurelia shouted at the king with a flushed face.
I watched as Aurelia whinged at her father. It's been weeks since I've seen her... and she still looks as if I just met her for the first time. She was also wearing that same dress when I met up with her at the plaza.
"Now that I've heard it from you, I can approve of your relationship with her. I hope you'll take good care of her," He said as he stood up and held a hand out for a handshake. The aura that he had emitted quickly died down and I didn't feel so pressurized anymore.
"Th-thanks," I replied as I shook his hand. Now that I see it, he's taller than I imagined. 180 cm maybe?
"So, is that all you came here for? Just to see whether or not I was a perfect match for Aurelia?"
"No, of course not. I heard you make some delicious food so I came to try. That alright?"
"...oh..."
I turned to Aurelia and she gave me an embarrassed smile.
"S-sure."
"Alright then, you two go sit down, you can take a rest," He ordered the two soldiers behind him. The two looked at each other and they bowed to the king. When they walked away they gave each other a high-five.
"So, I guess I should get preparing."
I got up and offered Aurelia my seat which she took. But before I walked over to the kitchen, Aurelia pulled me in and kissed me on the cheek.
I pulled away and touched the spot she just kissed. Everyone around me snickered as they saw my reaction.
"Y-you're embarrassing me, Aurelia."
"Hehe, I can't help it."
I turned away and quickly walked to the kitchen while my face was completely red. Damn it, of course, she has to tease me now.
***
"Ahh, I'm full."
"Me too."
"I can say the same."
After I served everyone, they all had satisfied looks on their faces. I looked over at the king and surprisingly he was still eating, along with Aurelia.
Jeez, how much can these two eat? Ten minutes ago was when everyone else was satisfied but these two are still going.
"You guys want more?"
"Hmm, if I knew you were going to make more, I would've brought my wife and my other daughters as well."
Ahh jeez, I would never be able to keep up with that. Wait, Aurelia has siblings?
"Say Seiya, your talent for cooking is extraordinary I must say. Guess the rumors about you were true."
"Well, that's not really a big deal."
I just hope that a crowd appears at the door and start pressurizing me to make them some. I never really intended to... become recognized.
I would begin walking back towards the kitchen-
"Seiya, since you know how make such good food, how does working at the royal palace sound?"
The king spoke and I stopped.
If I work at the royal palace, then that means I can probably live there. And that means... I can see Aurelia...
But... as much as I want to-
"I don't think a commoner like me has a position in the royal palace, don't you think? Though I do appreciate the generous offer," was what I replied. As much as I want to, I don't think living in a palace is alright for me. Though... I really do want to live under the same roof as Aurelia...
"I see, then how about I grant you aristocracy?"
...
Wait... what?
I turned and looked at the king who gave me a smile. I looked over at Aurelia and she was... out cold? But wait-
"You... want to what?"
"I'm offering nobility to you. I think I said that clearly."
"B-but I haven't done anything honorable or worthy to receive a title for-"
"Are you sure? Fighting a Lulator seemed worthy enough for me."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Did you know that after a week a Lulator awakens, a massive tsunami will appear and consume the country? Actually, multiple countries depending on the size. Just think about the destruction a Kraken can cause if it was able to walk on land, now multiple that by tenfold, and that is what a Lulator would've caused if you hadn't defeated it, alongside Marth."
Really? Is that what it would've done if we left it alone? But wait-
"How come I wasn't told any of this by my friend?"
"That is because we don't release that information to the public. If we did, everyone would've immediately started panicking. Only those that have accessed the libraries in the royal palace and the people I have talked with knows."
"So... does that mean-?"
"Yes, even Aurelia, my daughter knows. Why do you think she was so concerned when you wanted to go and subjugate the Lulator?"
"Wait, you know about that?"
"I made the exam and I made those familiars. They are my eyes alongside the ones that I allow to access them. I also know everything that goes on in the mammoth forest. Many centuries ago, the mammoth forest started as a little tiny garden that my ancestor took care of. But after she performed a little magic trick, it became what is known as the mammoth forest. I knew about that Lulator ever since I was born and I was ready to take it on until you yourself showed up."
"Why is it called that? The mammoth forest."
"Because that was her spirito. That is why it is called the mammoth forest."
I see... damn, I kind of feel bad for destroying a garden that Aurelia's ancestor had worked on. At least it's being refixed.
"So, is that what I will be rewarded for?"
"Pff, of course not, I can't reveal a secret to the public. What you will actually be offered a noble title for is offering your life to my daughter. After you accidentally destroyed her bracelet, you offered her yours even though your life was in danger. A brave act in my eyes and those that witnessed it."
"Ehh, you don't have to keep complimenting me like that."
The king got up and took my hands.
"I truly thank you for what you did during that time. A Lulator can only be destroyed by the inside, and it is nearly impossible to kill it. But you managed to exterminate it despite the limitations. However, I do want to ask, how did you manage to resist its memory stealing powers?"
I thought for a second and then I looked down.
"...it was Aurelia. This amulet of hers... I managed to retain my memories after looking at it. She gave me hope and I took it. It was thanks to her that I was able to kill it."
"I see... so she gave you that huh?"
"Uhh, yes. I wanted to return it but she insisted I keep it."
The king stared at me and crossed his arms.
"Well then, if she wants you to keep it, then keep it. Though I expect you will gift her something back."
"Uhh... yes. I just don't know what to."
Seeing me fret, the king patted my shoulder.
"What about a ring?"
"Huh?"
"I mean, aren't you thinking about marrying my daughter?"
...
...
...
"Ehh?!"
"Ahahaha! I'm just joking. I like you, Seiya. For now, you two are just dating. But just think about it. I approve of your relationship after all. I still don't know what my wife would say but Aurelia has already gotten the approval from your uncle. My condolences by the way for the passing of your parents."
"My uncle? Did he tell you about me?"
"Exactly. Believe it or not, your uncle and I are good friends."
Of course, he's going to be "Good friends" with the king. He's literally friends with almost every rich person on earth! Of course, while under his alternate ego "Professor Toshiro," which is his name by the way, Toshiro Gekiryu.
"I understand... wait, why are you telling me here? Everyone is going to-"
But when I looked around, everyone was out cold, even Aurelia.
"Don't worry, I intoxicated them with my mana, they are just asleep right now. Though they'll awaken in one more minute. I'm telling you because you are good at secrets, right? That is what Toshiro told me."
"Ah, yes."
"Good. Now your ceremony will be held next week by me. I recommend you go to a tailor and pick your clothes out. It can be any color, just don't do a mix of red, blue, green, etc. Maybe monochrome would be best. I remember when my father was king, someone wore too much fancy clothing when they were getting a title, and that kind of hurt my eyes. Please don't wear clothes like them. You can invite a few friends if you want to as well."
"Uhh, al-alright."
"Ok then, that's all I have to say. I will see you at the ceremony."
.
.
.
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