9 — 9. 'Greeting' With The King And The Princess's Confession

“I apologize for the rush, but would you accompany me to the court?”

Princess Iris said this and had Reet board her carriage.

“The investiture ceremony will take place later, but before that, I’d like to introduce you to some people.”

“Ah, th-thank you very much.”

Reet came from a ducal family by birth, but he had lived a life almost entirely separate from what might be called aristocratic society.

His father’s teaching was simple: if you have time to socialize with spoiled nobles, use it to practice swordplay instead.

As a result, entering the royal palace was a completely new experience for him.

Iris guided Reet into the palace.

The palace was far more magnificent than Reet had imagined.

The walls soared exceptionally high, and the floors gleamed with marble.

The atmosphere was overwhelming.

Reet quietly followed behind Iris.

“Now, first we must greet the most important person,” she said.

“The most important person?”

Hearing this, Reet pictured the commander of the knight order.

But his imagination was wrong.

When they arrived, it was clearly a room unlike any other.

On both sides of the room’s grand entrance stood statues of eagles—the symbol of the royal family.

“Could it be…”

The gatekeeper opened the gates.

Beyond stood—

A figure wearing a crown.

There was no doubt about it.

King Richard III of the Lorence Kingdom.

“Father. I have brought the newly appointed palace guard knight.”

“Ah, I see.”

Hearing his daughter’s words, the King turned his gentle gaze toward Reet.

Reet knelt down and lowered his head.

“Raise your face and stand.”

Reet obeyed the King’s words and stood.

Of course, he didn’t start speaking on his own. He waited for the King’s instruction.

“What is your name, young one?”

“Reet, Your Majesty.”

“I see. Reet, is it. I haven’t heard that name before—so you must be entirely new, then.”

“He was appointed to the palace guard during today’s exam,” Iris said.

The King’s face broke into a smile at her words.

“So you immediately made him Seventh Rank? Haha, it seems my daughter has taken quite a liking to you.”

“I am deeply honored…”

Reet barely managed to squeeze out the words.

Just when Reet was already overwhelmed by meeting the King directly, Iris suddenly said something that made his heart feel like it would leap from his chest.

“Father. Reet is a candidate to be my husband. I came today to introduce him.”

“M-my husband!?”

Reet couldn’t help but cry out.

Husband—did she mean that husband!?

As in… getting married!?

“W-what do you mean!?”

Reet reflexively asked for clarification.

“I fell for your swordplay. It was love at first sight, as they say.”

Wait, wait. This is way too sudden.

Reet’s mind had reached the limits of confusion.

“Of course, I won’t force you. But I will make an effort to have you come to like me. That’s what I’m saying.”

Reet, unable to comprehend the situation, timidly glanced at the King’s face.

“I see, I see. I care nothing for bloodlines! As long as you have skill with a blade, that’s enough for me.”

No, no, that’s too bold, isn’t it? Doesn’t the royal family usually do political marriages or something!?

“Well then, Father. If you’ll excuse us.”

And before Reet could even process what was happening, Iris announced the end of the “greeting” time.

Reet exited the throne room with Iris.

“Um, Your Highness. That thing about being a husband was a joke, right?”

Reet asked before he could stop himself. But the princess shook her head.

“Of course it wasn’t a joke.”

…She’s serious about this.

“Of course. Your feelings are my top priority. So this is just my one-sided crush on you. I’m simply asking that you consider me as an option.”

Iris said this matter-of-factly.

W-wait, that’s not what I thought “one-sided crush” meant…!!

Reet could only waver at the princess’s boldness.

I mean, not that I dislike being hit on by such a beautiful woman—especially a princess—but this is just too far removed from reality to handle.

“Well then, shall we head to the palace guard commander next?”

Completely ignoring Reet’s bewilderment, the princess walked on.