Chapter 402: The King’s Interrogation and Announcement
Siana and I, now standing before His Majesty the King, dropped to one knee and lowered our heads at the same time.
Then I immediately spoke.
“I am Lux Rodwell of the count’s family, summoned here today by His Majesty the King.”
“Mm, good. Raise your head.”
At his stern command, I lifted my face,
And saw, just as expected, the King’s severe expression.
As I was thinking that, the King turned his gaze to Siana, who was still kneeling beside me with her head lowered, and said,
“Who is the one beside you?”
“She is my maid. She insisted on accompanying me no matter what… if it is a nuisance, she can wait outside the throne room.”
“Hmm. A maid, you say…”
The King looked at Siana, and for a brief moment, it seemed like the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
But it quickly returned to his usual stern expression as he spoke.
“No, it is fine. I permit the maid to remain as well.”
“Thank you very much.”
After I expressed my gratitude, the King paused briefly before continuing.
“You must be wondering why you were summoned here today… in truth, there are several things I wish to confirm with you, and that is why I called you here.”
“Things you wish to confirm… with me?”
“Indeed. Depending on the results of those confirmations, we will proceed to the main matter, but that will be discussed later.”
After saying that, the King continued.
“Now then, it seems you are quite capable… you placed second in the academic examination at the noble academy, said to be quite difficult, and also took second place in our kingdom’s swordsmanship tournament, known for its many strong competitors… however, why did you obtain those rankings?”
“…Huh?”
Why did I obtain those rankings…?
For a moment, I couldn’t even grasp the meaning of the question, but I managed to respond.
“Why, you ask… I simply gave it my all at the time, and those rankings were the result.”
“I see… is that so.”
I didn’t understand the intent behind the question, but the King didn’t pursue it any further.
Then, changing the subject,
“Next, I ask, is it true that you participated in the event held by Elizalina?”
“Yes. I was invited, so I attended.”
There was no room for doubt, so I simply told the truth.
Though quite some time had passed since that day,
It was the day when everyone was stirred by the appearance of the man Elizalina-sama wished to be engaged to, the emergence of a king of the era, and in the end, when I received a proposal from Elizalina-sama herself, so I remembered it as clearly as if it were yesterday.
“While it would be one thing if you were the head of a count’s house, it is quite rare for a mere son of such a house, not yet its head, to be invited to an event by Elizalina, the Second Princess of this kingdom… do you have any idea why she invited you?”
“That would be…”
Naturally, I could think of the fact that Elizalina-sama had been kind to me, and that she wanted to speak of an engagement with me at that event,
But regarding the latter, there was a possibility she had not yet told anyone else,
So I chose to mention the former.
“I believe it is because Elizalina-sama is a kind person and has treated me well.”
“I see… very well, I have confirmed what I needed to confirm.”
With a slight curl of his lips, the King continued in a somewhat heavier tone than before.
“Now then, we will proceed to the main matter… but before that, let me return briefly to an earlier point… why did you achieve second place in the academic examination and the swordsmanship tournament?”
“…Huh? As I mentioned earlier, it was simply the result of giving my all at the time…”
“Do you truly believe it is permissible for a member of a count’s family to achieve such results?”
“…What?”
Even knowing it was disrespectful to think such a thing about His Majesty the King,
I couldn’t understand what the person before me was saying, and confusion filled me…
“…!?”
From beside me, I felt an overwhelming killing intent from Siana.