The location was a waiting room in the depths of the royal castle Grandios that was surrounded by the seven ramparts of the royal capital, Sevenwall.
It was a room where people in line for an audience with the king would wait.
Since it was a location that even the king of a foreign country would use, as if to exemplify the Lifelia Kingdom’s authority, the furniture was exceedingly luxurious and gorgeous.
Gold vases and crystal tables. The floor and pillars were made of marble, the walls were covered in embroidered silk, and a gigantic depiction of the figures of the gods was on the ceiling.
It was greatly decorated with goods related to heroes throughout history that had fought many times with the Demon King and repelled it.
In that room──
The State Knight Alicia Christela was quietly standing stock still.
She herself was reflected in an enormous full-length mirror.
If it were someone having a normal audience, all of their weapons would be confiscated, but seeing as how Alicia was a State Knight, she was approved to be armed with a sword.
She was trusted to be on the side of protecting the king should there be a time where something happened.
Though, since there was the possibility that the person herself might be in possession of magic-like goods without herself noticing, an inspection of her things at hand was done with scrupulous care.
On her way back from Faltra, because she had been stopped on route by bad weather and the Knight troupe’s attacks, she was later than she had planned.
From here on, she was going to have an audience with the Lifelia King. She was waiting for her turn.
In the room, there were two visitors.
They were a Human man and woman in their mid 40s.
Having a clean personal appearance, it could be understood that they had a high social position with one glance.
Alicia had left the royal capital for the sake of the mission, and immediately after she came back, she came to the royal palace. It was half a month since she came to meet with him for that reason.
A father wearing a prominent beard placed a hand on Alicia’s shoulder.
「You have truly done well in fulfilling your lengthy duty.」
Alicia slightly raised the ends of her mouth and formed an elegant smile.
「Thank you very much, Father. As long as I think of working for the sake of the country as an honor, there is no pain or fatigue from it.」
「I see. I don’t think there would be anything to worry about if it were before, but do do your best so as not to be impolite to his Majesty.」
「I have thorough knowledge about that. I will not perform anything that would sully the duke house’s name.」
「Umu……You really have been raised splendidly. There aren’t many that are allowed to have an audience his Majesty as a woman. Everything is all due to the excellence that you have. You are our pride. Be sure to be elegant and excellent for the sake of the nation after this as well.」
「Yes.」
Her mother pointed at her eyes.
「……About those, wouldn’t it be better if you take them off?」
「Ah, this is……」
「To have metal fittings on a woman’s face.」
It seemed that she wasn’t pleased with the fact that her daughter was wearing glasses.
In the past, there wasn’t any problem with her eyesight, but this was the result of studying extra hard every day and night.
「……I shall take them off.」
Without them, she wouldn’t be able to tell the addressee’s face. She would be able to distinguish the place that his Majesty would be standing at, but when it came to the cabinet ministers that lined up beside him, it was doubtful.
However, Alicia took off her glasses, and placed them in the pouch on the back of her waist.
Her mother went and said “Oh, that’s right”.
「About that unpleasant book that was in your room……」
「……Eh?」
Her mother, as if confirming it, turned her eyes towards her father.
Her father nodded, and affectionately smiled.
「There was a book that seemed like it wasn’t good for your education. Although it’s a good thing to have an interest in all things no matter what it is……Things like radical ideologies or folklore concerning Demonic Beings……Even without really knowing about such things, you should be able to work for the sake of his Majesty, right?」
「Thinking that, we disposed of it.」
「…………The book.」
「It was for your sake, you know?」
「It was for your sake, you know that, right?」
Alicia expressed a whole faced smile, and lowered her head.
「Thank you very much, for your concern. I apologize for giving you such worries.」
Her mother nodded looking delighted.
Her father spilled a sigh of relief.
「Umu, you truly are a perfect State Knight, and child of a duke house. Though, if you had a man, I would have even less to say but……No, let us choose a suitable and appropriate partner in the near future. Then our duke house will be secure.」
*Kon kon* The room’s door was knocked on. It seemed that it had become her turn.
Alicia bowed her head to her parents once more.
「Father, mother, until next time……」
They expressed proud-looking smiles, and showed their daughter out.
Liked it? Take a second to support Novels on Patreon!