Act six - Prepared for the future

> Ellie PoV

A royal guard is escorting our group.

This is the hallway that leads to the throne room, apparently.

“We’re going to meet the king! This is so cool! I wonder if mom will get knighted!” (Lara)

“Mommy look! The paintings are so pretty!” (Sophie)

“They are, aren’t they?” (Ellie)

They’re definitely more pleasing than the stuff Nano thought up.

This hallway is full of them.

There are a few fancy-looking statues too.

“Now Ellie, when we get to the king, let me do all the talking okay?” (Kira)

“Okay!” (Ellie)

We reach the end of the hallway and stop at a set of heavy-looking double doors.

Looks like we’ll be entering shortly.

“The rest of you as well! Remember to be on your best behavior!” (Kira)

“Yes ma’am!” (Lara)

“Ma’am!” (Sophie)

They both take a pose with serious faces.

It’s a two-finger salute with the palm facing down.

Wait, isn’t that the stance I take when I have to wake up Nano?

I wonder why he taught them that?

“I’m not in any shape to meet with no king! I’m too sober!” (Kelly)

“You just… be quiet. And don’t put the king in a headlock.” (Kira)

“... I’ll try.” (Kelly)

Kelly shrugged her shoulders and rolled her eyes as if saying ‘no promises’.

*Knock knock*

Someone knocked quietly from the other side of the double doors

The guards either side of the door open it for us and we walk inside.

I’m feeling a bit tense since I’ve never met an actual king before.

“Introducing Lady K-” (Herald)

“Enough about that, I know who they are! Come in, come in!” (King)

A jolly-sounding gramps with expensive clothing and a golden gem-encrusted crown is waving us in.

He’s got a black full beard with some white streaks in it, with matching hair and black eyes.

We were supposed to follow Kira's lead, but she hesitated when she saw that casual attitude.

“I said come in! Don’t be nervous! You’re adventurers, something like this is nothing, right?!” (King)

Kira snaps out of it at his continued invitations and starts walking rather stiffly.

I can tell all sorts of crazy ideas are running through her head.

But this king fellow doesn't seem like a bad guy.

We follow along the soft red carpet that’s only in the middle of the hall.

There are columns and statues spaced out evenly on the left and right, next to the walls.

Guards stand at attention next to the columns, there’s 12 of them in total.

The throne itself is on a raised podium with 4 steps to it.

Rather than sitting, the king stood up to greet us.

There are 2 more people next to the king, one on either side.

“Your Majesty, this is highly irregular!” (Strict-looking old man)

“Your Majesty, what of your safety?” (Burly-looking Knight)

I see, they must be his retainers.

One is fully armored with a cape and the other is wearing a long black robe.

“Ha! Safety? These people took down an Elder Dragon while you lot sat back and watched! Don't dare to lecture me about safety! Besides, if they seriously wanted a go at me, neither of you would be much help.” (King)

The king does have a point.

We've no reason to do that sort of thing though.

...

Let's hope it stays that way.

“Besides, interesting things happen around them all the time! The report from Grimm was almost like a novel!” (King)

The Director person from the Ministry of Information?

I guess as a king he has a say in things like who gets a Flight Badge.

That reminds me, I still haven’t thanked Lilly for the breakfast on the beach.

It was delicious!

Kira stops us right at the foot of the steps.

“I say, the girl with the cat ears - Ellie right? Care to remove your mask?” (King)

The king cuts off Kira just as she opened her mouth to speak.

It was a bit rude, but since it wasn't on purpose I won't be angry.

I pull down the mask that normally covers my lower face.

“Hah! Hahahahaha! So it really is like that! This is great!” (King)

He seems awfully amused.

Is there something on my face?

“Hey! Someone go fetch Shalia and bring her here at once! She has to see these two!” (King)

“At once, Your Majesty!” (Royal Guard)

The king gives an order with a wide grin and one of the guards promptly leaves the room.

Ah I see, Shalia is the princess, this guy’s daughter.

Unfortunately that's all the useful information I could get.

This is fun! This is so much fun! Just look at them both! Shalia is going to lose her mind! I can’t wait! It’s been too damn boring lately so something like this is the greatest! (King)

He’s way too excited inside his head.

Oh, right, we have the same face!

I almost forgot since I just stare at Kira’s all day.

Is it really that unusual though?

“I must say, I have always wanted to meet you Lady Quasse!” (King)

Which one, though?

“M-Me?” (Kira)

Well, I guess he is looking in her direction rather than mine.

“That’s right! Ever since a few years ago when you kept making a ruckus almost daily at the Magic Academy! Seeing that old fossil of an Archmage lose sleep over your shenanigans was the best!” (King)

An Archmage?

Must be like a principal or something.

Come to think of it, this place doesn't even have any public schools.

I wonder if that's okay.

“Is that… so?” (Kira)

“Of course! You know I had wanted to invite your little family here the instant you arrived, but these no good retainers of mine wouldn’t hear it! There had to be a blasted dragon attack for them to agree to it!” (King)

“Your Majesty, please! You’re undermining the dignity of the crown!” (Strict-looking retainer)

“Bah, dignity! You lot are just way too stiff! Nothing ever happens around here! I’m almost glad that dragon showed up!” (King)

I’ve been getting this feeling for a while now, but maybe this king is just really bored?

“Now! Let’s have a nice feast and get to know one another!” (Bored King)

“Your Majesty, surely-” (Kira)

“I order you by Royal Decree! Come on, you wouldn’t want to be hanged for treason, right?” (Bored King)

“Ugh! Understood, Your Majesty.” (Kira)

“And enough with that ‘Your Majesty’ stuff! I hear it day in and day out around here, just call me Fred! That’s also a Royal Decree!” (Bored King)

Wow, are Royal Decrees really this easy to make?

No, he’s just bluffing, right?

...

Okay, he's not bluffing.

I think I'm starting to understand the pain of his retainers.

We’re escorted once again to a different room with a long dining table and entirely too many chairs.

It was already loaded with a bunch of dishes and plates.

* * *

“So was it really a thousand broken bones?” (King Fred)

“Uhm...” (Ellie)

{1,302 if you count only the major ones.}

“1,302.” (Ellie)

“Hey now! You actually counted them? Aren’t you impressive!” (King Fred)

“I told you, didn't I? Both my Moms are amazing! I still think Scrappy is cooler though.” (Lara)

“Scrappy? Is that the armored dwarf I heard about? The one that got stepped on by a dragon and took it like it was nothing?” (King Fred)

“Scrappy is Kelly’s armor! It’s really strong and it goes clack-clack and-” (Lara)

“Aye! It’s my own design! It’s a golem made with a lot of care and expensive materials!” (Kelly)

“A golem? As armor?! How does that even work!?” (King Fred)

“Well, see here Freddie, golems are pretty strong, right?” (Kelly)

Great, now Kelly is talking about her work.

She’ll be at it for hours unless someone stops her…

At least it looks like we’ve avoided the headlock.

Looking around the table, you wouldn’t think we’re in the Royal Castle right now.

Kira is eating her soup calmly with a satisfied expression.

She relaxed herself pretty quickly once the feast started.

I guess she’s relieved King Fred didn’t have any weird demands or requests.

He’s honestly just bored and glad to have some company.

Lara and Sophie are casually enjoying the meal.

They’re treating the King like he’s just a regular guy who stopped by for dinner.

I can’t agree with them, even while smiling and laughing he has some dangerous thoughts.

Well, not for us specifically, but dangerous in general.

Especially when listening to Kelly’s bragging.

I guess a king has to be on the lookout at all times to protect his people.

Still, I’m impressed the kids could get used to this so quickly.

Kira is right, they would make great adventurers!

If they want to, of course.

Hmm?

Wait, what do the girls actually want to do when they get older?

*SLAM*

“Father! What is going on!?” (Shalia)

This person must be the princess.

It’s a girl about Lara’s age, with black hair and eyes like the king’s.

Her hair is tied in long twin tails and adorned with a silver tiara.

She’s wearing an elegant blue dress.

Her face looks like she’ll become really pretty when she grows up.

She’s quite late isn’t she?

I think the guards went to find her over 30 minutes ago.

“Oh Shalia! Finally! Come, introduce yourself to our guests! They’re the heroes who defeated that dragon earlier!” (King Fred)

“I see.” (Shalia)

Her panicked faces instantly turns into a neutral mask.

She walks over to us calmly and greets us with a cute curtsy.

“I am princess Shalia Ferseit. Please forgive my father’s behavior.” (Shalia)

How cold!

Now I understand the king's troubles a lot better!

I don't think I can be happy if Lara or Sophie had this sort of cold atmosphere all the time!

“Ahh come on, what sort of reaction is that?! Look! Same face! And they’re married!” (King Fred)

I honestly wish he wouldn’t show us off like some freak show, though.

“Father, please take your position seriously. Mother will be most displeased when she learns of this.” (Shalia)

She says that with the same emotionless monotone as her greeting.

“C-Come now Shalia… There’s no reason to be such a spoilsport… I’ll apologize later so please don’t tell your mother about this, okay?!” (King Fred)

The king’s face is cramping up and he’s getting more and more desperate.

I guess even kings have someone they cannot go against.

* * *

Eventually the king crumbled under his daughter’s gaze and had to stop the feast.

That princess was terrifying in her own right.

We promised to visit again once the Court Wizard’s trial is over.

Apparently the king had something actually serious he wanted to talk about at that time.

For now, all of us are taking a relaxing walk back to the house.

Well, me and Kira are.

Sophie is sitting on my shoulders while Lara is sitting on Kira’s.

They were both tired, so we are giving them a lift.

Kelly on the other hand is doing something that’s technically a walk, but doesn’t look relaxing.

She had vigorously assaulted the ale and wine at the feast while she could.

So right now she’s swaying mightily with every step.

I guess her experience with the Drowned Mariner didn’t teach her a thing.

I hope she doesn’t cause trouble on the street, we’ve had too many incidents to deal with today.

I'm glad she managed to drop Scrappy off on the way to the castle, but I wasn't so lucky.

We've been so busy that I haven’t even had a chance to clean the blood off my armor!

…

Wait, is that why all the guards were eyeing me like I was a suspicious person?

Nah, surely it’s just my imagination.

I hope Kelly’s cousin will let me borrow a bath.

Come to think of it, I never even learned his name.

He’s always gone on some errand whenever we’re at the house.

Well, once we’re back there I’ll find a good moment to ask.

* * *

I called a family meeting in the sitting room.

It’s the same room Kelly wrecked, so it’s still a bit messy.

“Lara, Sophie, I have something serious to talk about.” (Ellie)

“Huh? Did Mom eat something bad?” (Lara)

“Maybe she hurt her head in the fight?” (Sophie)

What's with that expression of utter disbelief!

I'm plenty serious normally, aren't I?

“Girls, don’t tease your mother!” (Kira)

““Sorry Mommy.”” (Lara and Sophie)

Good, they apologized so I won’t be mad.

Not that I can actually be mad at these two.

But that’s a secret, otherwise discipline might suffer.

“What do you two want to do when you grow up?” (Ellie)

It’s a big question.

I never had the option of choosing a future, but I want my daughters to be different.

Finding their own path is important.

“I… don’t know. I'd be happy with anything that makes enough money so we’ll never grow hungry again. Mom and Aunt Kelly are cool, but I want to avoid dangerous work like that…” (Lara)

Lara is more down to earth than I expected.

I was sure she would want to follow after Kelly and become a mercenary.

Maybe living with one made her realize it’s not the dream job she wanted.

Still, it’s no good to have a passionless job like that!

“Oh sweetie! I’m so proud of you!” (Kira)

Kira picks her up and rubs Lara’s face against her own.

I wonder why she’s so happy?

No, actually I can understand.

I don’t think I could relax knowing Lara was going off to fight things, especially after the kidnapping!

We should think about some sort of solution so that never happens again.

“C-Cut it out Mom! That hurts!” (Lara)

“Ah sorry sweetie. Anyway, I'm glad you want a safe job, but let's find something that you'd like okay? We'll tour some shops when we get back to Runetap and see if something catches your interest.” (Kira)

“Really? Isn't it a little early to think so deeply about this stuff?” (Lara)

“Of course not! It’s never too early to consider your future career!” (Kira)

“That’s right! Preparations are important.” (Ellie)

“What about Sophie?” (Kira)

“I want to learn to cook and sew and be a perfect wife!” (Sophie)

I see, she just wants to be happy with her special person.

Hmm?

Does she already have someone like that?

No, that can’t be, right?

She’s still 6, maybe she’s just talking about it in general?

Let’s ask to be sure!

“Does Sophie have someone she wants to marry already?” (Ellie)

“Yes! I want to marry big sis Lara!” (Sophie)

“...” (Kira and Ellie)

“Sophie! Don’t say things that will cause misunderstandings!” (Lara)

“But, big sis, you said we’d be together always! Just like our mommies!” (Sophie)

“Oh thank goodness... “ (Kira)

Kira is instantly relieved.

I almost forgot to breathe myself.

Looks like Sophie is just misunderstanding something.

“Sweetie, you don’t have to be married to be together with Lara.” (Kira)

“You don’t? Then why did and mommy get married?” (Sophie)

“Because we wanted to be a family. You girls are part of it too, right? You’re already a family so there’s no point in getting married to your sister!” (Kira)

Not to mention it’s wrong on many levels.

“Ohhh! I see!” (Sophie)

Normally Sophie’s a bright girl, so we thought she was being serious.

I’m glad that’s all cleared up.

“Then it’s like I’m already married with Big Sis! I’m so glad!” (Sophie)

Ah, this might be a tougher opponent than the dragon...

Just so you guys know, I'll be commissioning some character art!

D-don't misunderstand okay? It's entirely for my own benefit, I just thought I'd share some of it, that's all! It's not like I'm doing it for you, b-baka!