Chapter 65: Audience with the King
The next day, in the royal palace’s study, Frederick brought Luna, Cleo, Aria, Sheila, and Mei before King Theobald. René was also inside, accompanying Frederick as a royal knight commander serving under him. A heavy silence filled the room. King Theobald looked dead serious as he read through the documents Luna had handed him, his face growing darker page by page. Once finished, he turned his gaze toward Frederick.
"Why are you only bringing this to my attention now?" Theobald asked Frederick, his voice calm yet piercing.
"My apologies, Your Majesty. I had to verify the information first, as rumors were circulating that Princess Luna, the youngest daughter of the late King Victor, was the ringleader of the rebellion," Frederick replied with a deep bow.
"Ugh... I told you last night that I’m not leading any rebellion, you useless fool," Luna said sharply.
"Shh... Luna!" Cleo scolded softly.
"Sorry," Luna whispered back.
Theobald remained silent. He understood completely why Frederick had detained Luna and the others overnight to interrogate them instead of bringing them directly to him. Frederick had executed his duties properly. Turning his attention back to his commander, Theobald spoke again.
"Investigate every noble named in those files immediately. Once their guilt is confirmed, take decisive action against them," Theobald ordered.
"Understood, Your Majesty," Frederick replied.
"Stay here. I am not finished yet," Theobald added.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Frederick bowed respectfully.
Theobald stood up, stepped out from behind his desk, and approached Luna, Cleo, Aria, Sheila, and Mei, who were standing frozen before him. He stopped directly in front of Luna and observed her closely. Naturally, Luna and the others stayed on guard, especially as all five girls caught the calculating look in Theobald’s eyes. After examining her face, Theobald suddenly smiled. He stepped forward and wrapped Luna in a tight hug, leaving her utterly stunned. Releasing her from the embrace, he spoke softly.
"You truly look just like your mother. Sadly, your father passed away from illness. If he hadn’t, he would be the one sitting on this throne, not me," Theobald said.
"Huh... is... is that so? Didn’t you kill my father?" Luna asked directly.
"Shh... Luna!" Cleo panicked, terrified by Luna cutting straight to the point.
"Everyone assumed as much. I intentionally kept your father’s illness a secret because it was no ordinary ailment. Under his rule while he was stricken with sickness, the kingdom fell into chaos, which is precisely why so many nobles began acting as they pleased," Theobald explained.
Seeing that Theobald took no offense at the question, Cleo instantly breathed a sigh of relief. Meanwhile, Aria, Sheila, and Mei simply nodded along with faint smiles, though they continued to study Theobald’s calculating face while keeping a protective watch over Luna. Luna paused to think, staring at Theobald before her.
"I see... so that means you’re... my uncle?" Luna asked.
"That is correct. I am your uncle. I was also the one who secretly smuggled you out of the kingdom back then so you wouldn’t be murdered by the nobles vying for your father’s throne," Theobald answered.
"Hmm... I never knew any of this. I always thought my parents were runaway slaves who settled in a small village. Then, when my village was destroyed by a monster attack, I was taken in by Baron Arthera from the Thetor Kingdom," Luna said.
"I had no idea you were taken in by a noble from Thetor, but the two people you considered your parents were actually my servants, and they were indeed husband and wife," Theobald replied.
"Oh... so that’s how it was. I never actually got to meet them since I was just a baby back then," Luna remarked blithely.
"Hahaha... I see. But at the very least, you have finally returned," Theobald smiled.
"Hold on, Uncle. I didn’t come here because I wanted to return to this kingdom. I need you to halt the launch of the attack into the heart of the Dark Forest. It would be much better if you focused on resolving your own internal affairs first," Luna urged.
"Hey! Luna, do not speak so impudently to His Majesty! Besides, as a princess, how can you defend that Demon Lord over your own kingdom?" René suddenly shouted, pointing a finger at Luna.
"René, silence," Frederick commanded.
René snapped his mouth shut instantly, though he clearly struggled to contain his rage as his jaw clenched tight and his eyes turned bloodshot. Theobald then turned his gaze toward Cleo, Aria, Sheila, and Mei standing behind Luna.
"Greetings, Princess Aria, Princess Sheila," Theobald addressed them politely.
"Greetings, Your Majesty," Aria bowed respectfully.
"Yeah... greetings to you too, Your Majesty," Sheila said, raising a hand in greeting.
Theobald then turned his eyes toward Cleo, who flinched slightly as their gaze met. Cleo bowed her head in respect.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Greetings. You are an imperial mage from the Lutherias Kingdom, correct?" Theobald asked.
"That is correct, Your Majesty, though I no longer hold that title," Cleo clarified.
"Very well, I understand," Theobald acknowledged.
Finally, Theobald looked toward Mei standing at the very back. He narrowed his eyes and studied her face with intense scrutiny, making Mei feel terribly awkward and uncomfortable. Theobald then addressed her directly.
"What is your relation to King Araki of Eredor? For some reason, your face bears a striking resemblance to his," Theobald noted.
"Huh... um... he is my king, Your Majesty," Mei stammered nervously.
"Hmmm... I see. Well, I have no intention of prying into the private affairs of another royal family. Now then, you came here asking me to call off the planned attack on the heart of the Dark Forest?" Theobald asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Cleo confirmed.
"I have already heard about what transpired where the seal is located. Can you explain to me who this man you refer to as the Demon Lord actually is?" Theobald asked, glancing over at René, who flinched the moment his eyes met the king’s.
"Of course, Your Majesty. We will tell you everything," Cleo offered.
Theobald invited the five girls to sit on the sofa while Frederick and René stood quietly behind him. Once seated, the girls began recounting what had truly taken place and who Dion really was, passionately insisting that Dion was definitely not a Demon Lord. As René listened to the conversation between the king and the girls, his face turned deathly pale before flushing with pure wrath.
Standing beside him, Frederick quietly observed René’s increasingly emotional demeanor without saying a word. Once everything was explained, Theobald sank into deep, calculating thought. He asked for clarification regarding Dion’s overwhelming power, as previously described by Gred during their meeting and the girls confirmed every detail. After finishing their Q&A,
"I understand. However, the upcoming summit with the other kings will take place two weeks from now in the Mirror Room. Therefore, for the time being, I must ask you all to remain inside the palace until the summit is held. I need to guarantee your safety as representatives of your respective kingdoms, and given your royal affiliations, I ask for your understanding," Theobald stated firmly.
Hearing Theobald’s decision, the faces of Luna, Cleo, Aria, Sheila, and Mei drained of all color. They would have to stay in the palace for two whole weeks, even though they had promised Dion they would return in two days, which meant tomorrow. Naturally, all five tried to discern the motive behind Theobald’s seemingly warm offer.
"But we have to head back to Northkeep tomorrow, Uncle," Luna protested.
"I am sorry, but I cannot permit that this time. Besides, your place is here, Luna, not in the Thetor Kingdom."
"But Uncle..."
Before Luna could finish her sentence, thud—René suddenly dropped to his knees right beside King Theobald, causing the king to turn his head in surprise.
"Your Majesty! I beg of you, grant me permission to march forth and eradicate that Demon Lord, and allow me to take Princess Luna as my wife!" René pleaded desperately.
Listening to his outburst, Frederick simply shook his head in disgust. Theobald stared down at René with a deadpan, disgusted expression, looking at him as if he were a shameless fool completely ignorant of the real situation. Meanwhile, Luna, Cleo, Aria, Sheila, and Mei looked as if they wanted nothing more than to murder René on the spot.
"Stand up," Theobald ordered coolly.
René scrambled back to his feet and stood at attention. Theobald turned around to face René directly.
"We will deal with the Demon Lord matter later. Right now, your priority is to conduct a thorough investigation into the nobles named in these documents. We will purge the capital first before dealing with those two traitorous lords plotting to throw this kingdom into chaos," Theobald instructed.
"Understood, Your Majesty," Frederick bowed, throwing a sharp glare at René.
"Uh... understood... Your Majesty," René bowed and answered respectfully, though his voice trembled slightly.
"You are dismissed. Get to work," Theobald commanded.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Frederick replied.
With that, Frederick dragged René out of the king’s study, as René seemed reluctant to leave. Once both knights had exited the room,
"My apologies. I was the one who appointed René as a royal knight commander. Does he have history with you, and is he your lover, Luna?" Theobald asked curiously.
"Ugh... no, Uncle! I’ve told him repeatedly that I don’t love him... I don’t even like him! But he’s been stubbornly persistent ever since we were kids," Luna answered hastily.
"I see. Very well then, for the next two weeks, I must insist that you all stay here in the palace until the summit arrives," Theobald reiterated.
The five girls exchanged helpless glances with one another. Realizing they had no other choice, they ultimately yielded.
"Understood, Your Majesty," all five replied in unison, though their eyes remained fixed on Theobald with deep suspicion.