Vol 1 Chapter 30 – King Rei’s Tantrum【Vol 1 – Spoiled Princess Arc】

In the end, we weren’t able to have an audience with King Rei on the day we returned to the royal capital.

Thus, a full day passed by.

Well, during that time, I was able to partake of the poison concocted by Princess Debora, so this idle period hardly became a source of suffering.

Princess Debora… I will follow you for life.

Besides, having rested for a day, my stamina recovered, though I couldn’t say I was in peak condition.

Just because I don’t die doesn’t mean my stamina doesn’t decrease, you see.

That said, my stamina recovery speed is also quite something, all so I can savor agony at any moment.

“ERIK—!!”

As I was pondering such things, the door to the room assigned to me was pounded on furiously.

BANG, BANG!

From the voice, I immediately knew it was Princess Debora.

When I opened the door…

“You’re slow!!”

There stood Princess Debora, her cheeks puffed out.

I’m quite sure I hadn’t kept her waiting at all… Hmph. What delightful injustice.

“My apologies. Is something the matter?”

Is she perhaps about to make some unreasonable demand of me?

“What do you mean, ‘is something the matter?’ The audience with Papa has been set, so you’re coming too.”

“Huh? Me too?”

I was taken aback.

The attempted assassination of Princess Debora is an incident that should be discussed by people at the very top echelons of the nation to formulate countermeasures.

I may be a Hero, but my origins are far from certain. Is it truly acceptable for someone like me to be present in such a place?

“You’re my knight now, you know? If anything, it’s only natural you’d come, and no one will complain.”

Princess Debora declared with utter confidence.

If she, my master, says so, then I shall not refuse, but…

Hmm… I can think of one person who seems very likely to complain, and very capable of doing so…

◆

Perhaps it was to be expected, but the place Princess Debora led me to was filled with a truly distinguished assembly.

The Prime Minister, who bears the responsibility of state affairs, was present, as was Princess Debora’s older brother, Prince Orace, and his knight of fealty, Walter-san.

He must have coincidentally been in the Royal Castle.

Unfortunately, Miriyam was not here.

She is my partner, but she herself is not one of Princess Debora’s knights of fealty.

Also, having consumed the poison created by the princess, she had not yet returned to her best condition.

…It’s quite potent, isn’t it?

And the one at the head of this gathering…

“An undesirable element has infiltrated. Execution.”

King Rei glared at me and promptly handed down a death sentence.

I’m delighted, of course, but isn’t this a tad too sudden?

“Um…”

“Who said you could speak? Execution.”

There was no reasoning with him.

My presence must be exceptionally distasteful to him.

Hmm… Just as I predicted.

“Sigh… Father, please calm yourself. At this rate, we won’t know why we’ve gathered here, will we?”

Prince Orace advised, holding his head.

He truly is the only one said to be sensible among the royalty of the Kingdom of Vilemse.

However, it’s classic King Rei to not even heed his son’s counsel.

“Orace. I have no recollection of summoning such a disposable tool. What we are about to discuss is of extremely high confidentiality. Therefore, we must exterminate the insect that has crept in.”

D-disposable… an i-insect…

King Rei really knows how to hit my sweet spots. I was inwardly ecstatic.

This is why I can’t stop being a Hero…

“He is no longer your disposable tool, Father. He is Debora’s knight.”

Prince Orace continued to shield me.

I’d be thrilled if they all ganged up to condemn me, but…

“That is what I cannot permit!!”

As I was thinking such thoughts, King Rei exploded.

His face flushed crimson, he glared daggers at me.

“My precious Debora’s knight of fealty is this cur!? As if I could ever acknowledge such a thing!!”

Just like the doting parent he is; a predictable reaction, indeed.

Certainly, one would naturally worry if their precious, beloved daughter’s closest knight was an extreme masochist…

“No, no, no! I won’t have it! Kill this cur immediately!!”

Is he a child?

That figure, throwing a tantrum on his stately throne, was hardly recognizable as the tyrant rather feared by his people.

At this rate, the conversation would go nowhere.

At times like these, the only one who could stop King Rei was, as expected, her.

“Honestly! Papa! I chose Erik, so you have to accept him!”

“D-Debora…”

King Rei, who had been squawking up a storm, abruptly fell silent.

Squawk, squawk!

He seemed almost afraid of Princess Debora, who was fuming with indignation.

“Papa and Onii-chan both have their knights of fealty, don’t they!? I should be allowed to have one too, right!?”

“W-Well, I don’t mind that, but… However, Debora. There must be a knight more suitable for you. I’ll even help you find one…”

“No way! It’s fun to play with Erik, that’s why!!”

“Debora…!!”

I, too, adore being toyed with, Princess Debora.

However, she’s being rather stubborn in rejecting King Rei’s proposal. It’s a little surprising.

Her father, King Rei, seemed even more surprised, and indeed shocked, his face a mask of utter dismay.

“D-Debora won’t listen to what I say!”

“Your Majesty, women of that age tend to become difficult with their parents.”

“Oh, Prime Minister. Is this what they call a rebellious phase…!!”

King Rei and the Prime Minister put their heads together, shedding tears.

Is the Prime Minister also disliked by his daughter, I wonder?

Is he perhaps being told things like, “I don’t want to use the same towel as you, Dad”?

…If I ever have a child, I’d definitely want them to say that to me.

“Sigh… Let’s get back on topic. We didn’t gather today to discuss Debora’s rebellious phase, surely.”

Prince Orace said, looking like his head was aching.

His mental burden must be immense.

I would very much like to take it off his shoulders.

“Princess Debora’s attempted assassination—our purpose is to expose the mastermind behind it.”