CHAPTER 4 - II -

 

The meeting with the crown prince was put on hold so that we could eat our dinner.  Since Maddie was their guest, the royal family prepared the best food they could get.  She was given the most prominent seat at the table; the crown prince and Jessica occupied her flanks as the lesser dignitaries and ministers were assigned various seating positions regarding their importance.

 

As Lily was Maddie’s personal maid, she took the responsibility of making sure the Saint’s food was as safe as possible.  Well, with Maddie’s powers, I don’t think having a cupbearer was necessary.  But who knows?  What’s important to me was that I’m not at that table full of VIPs.

 

Yep, I’m simply not up to it.  I’m just a commoner.

 

“Ah!  Why is the good gentleman eating at the side table?” I heard the prince say, “Please, it would be honorable for us if you join partaking our feast!”

 

Well, I hope it goes well for that person who got the wrong seat.

 

“Kuro…” I noticed Lily was already standing behind me.

 

“Hm?  Anything wrong?”

 

“His Highness, the Crown Prince, is calling for you.  Can’t you hear him?”

 

“Ha?  I thought it’s someone else.”

 

“Nope.  It’s you.”

 

And so, without delay, I quickly changed seats.  Now, all eyes were looking at me, and it did not feel great.  I could feel daggers being thrown in my direction, and maybe, some nobles had already murdered me for a million times in their heads.

 

Once again, I turned to Maddie, who was proudly smiling, and even winked playfully at me.  I didn’t know what she’s thinking, but I didn’t want to embarrass her.  I’ll just sit here and eat my food as fast as possible.

 

“Even his table manners are admirable!  It’s as if he’s a person of nobility!  Is Her Holiness sure that he is a commoner?” I heard the crown prince praised me one more time, “I think a man of grace and wisdom like him would be a boon for my court.”

 

Good lord, just let me eat in peace dude.

 

“I told you, his mind is exceptional,” Maddie added.

 

Your Holiness, please don’t fan the fire.  

 

While I proposed those ideas, those only came from my world and were technically the brainchild of other people.  I felt bad for taking those and making it my own; I’d rather give it freely.

 

“Your Holiness’ eyes are indeed admirable to see such a talented person.  If it’s not asking for too much, I’d like to grant Sir Kuro at least a title of baron.”

 

KOF!  KOF!  KOF!

 

I think it’s not only me who choked on his food.  Everyone else in the dining room had the same reaction, and murmurs and whispers flew around.  I knew that the rank of ‘baron’ was one of the lowest peerage titles, even so, all that I did was to give suggestions.  It’s not like the situation in Amaranth already improved drastically when I offered what I had in mind.  We’ve about to see the efficacy of my recommendations just yet.

 

Isn’t that too much?  I mean, not to embarrass Maddie, but I don’t think I’ll accept such honor right away.

 

“Your Highness, I implore you not to be reckless with your decisions.” the Saint finally spoke, “If you think you could entice Kuro to your court, then you’re gravely mistaken.  I won’t hand him to you, nor the Iron Princess would.”

 

The smiles on Maddie and Lily’s faces belie the fact that they’re getting agitated.  If I’m the crown prince, I’d better back off now, before the entire kingdom was obliterated.

 

And heck, why are they fighting over me, anyway?  Is this sort of a terrible harem story?

 

“Oh…haha!” there’s an awkward laugh coming from the crown prince as he quickly retreated, “I sincerely apologize for my brash actions, Your Holiness.”

 

“Well, if you understand, Your Highness, then it’s accepted.”

 

“However, as the regent to Our Majesty the King, I think it would be improper for us to receive Sir Kuro’s wisdom without giving him compensation.”

 

“P-Please, Your Highness…” I decided it was now the right time to intervene; this was about me anyway, “I’m only content with helping Her Holiness bring peace to this kingdom.”

 

“So he says, Prince David.” Maddie’s voice and manner of speech were now oozing with annoyance, “Kuro already stated that his reward would be mine to determine; let’s leave it at that.”

 

“Well, our royal house would insist!” the crown prince, however, went on the offensive once again, “If a noble title wouldn’t be accepted by Sir Kuro, I’d offer the hand of my fair sister, Princess Jessica, to be his wife, or concubine, or whatever he desires of her!”

 

“What?” Jessica blurted out, standing in protest.

 

The entire dining hall was in an uproar.  It was the royal princess who was just offered in marriage to a commoner—totally unprecedented in Earth and Chersea’s history.

 

The nobles and ministers were clearly upset, and they kept on whispering and murmuring.  The guards had their swords at the ready in case of a riot broke out.  Realizing the situation was about to go haywire, the crown prince then stood up and gave the thunderous order…

 

“Silence!”

 

At once, the noise immediately died down.

 

“My dear subjects, I know you’re clearly in disagreement with what I just did.  And it’s also way too sudden!  But, allow me to tell you I carefully weighed in my options.  While it is indeed unthinkable for anyone of royal upbringing to be wed to a commoner, it is worth the risk!  You have heard how the admirable Sir Kuro offered sound suggestions using his wisdom to our long-time problems now, and he will be a benefit to our kingdom in the coming seasons.”

 

Everyone in the room never dared say anything.  The passionate speech of the prince had them all hooked.

 

“My dear subjects!  My children!  Think not of our kingdom’s venerable traditions for a while and look at the long-term good for having such a formidable mind to guide us through these trying moments!”

 

I think you’re overestimating me, Your Highness.  My brain is just normal.  Back in my work, my co-teachers even see me as a fool.

 

Anyway, the murmurs went on for a while.  But in the end, someone shouted, “Anyone who loves our king and land supports our prince!  Hurrah for the von Albert House!  Hurrah for the Saint!  Hurrah for Sir Kuro!”

 

“Glory to the king!  Glory to Amaranth!  Long live Her Holiness!”

 

The deafening cheers went on three more times.  The nobles even pounded on their tables and made noises by hitting their glasses with forks or spoons.  It only stopped when the prince sat down.

 

I was bewildered by the flow of events.  My eyes were plastered on Maddie; I bet that, in her mind, she already cursed the crown prince the cruelest death…