Chapter 457 The Sly Princess of Eastshire [Part 1]
Anyone would jump at the opportunity to dine with the Queen of the Kingdom.
But for Ethan, such a big deal was something he just wanted to get over with.
“I’ve only been in the palace for a day and a half, and I’m already feeling exhausted,” Ethan said as Mary combed his hair.
“If any of the Nobles here were to hear you say this, Sir Ethan, I’m afraid that they would start a riot,” Mary commented. “Everyone wants to form connections with the Royal Family. They would even go as far as to do them big favors.
“But you, on the other hand, just want to go back to Brynhildr Academy and continue your studies. Perhaps, this is the reason why the Queen wants to get close to you, Sir Ethan. Everyone around her does nothing but flatter her to the point of being superficial, but you don’t. That is why she is comfortable in your company.”
Ethan sighed in his heart after hearing Mary’s comment.
He didn’t dislike Queen Evane.
In fact, he was even happy that someone like her was the Queen of Eastshire. However, this didn’t change the fact that Ethan didn’t want to be in the limelight.
But, since he had an agreement with Chloe’s Father, Soren, he decided to endure and wait until the end of the event.
In order for him to marry Chloe, Soren stated that he must at least reach the nobility rank of a Marquess. Only this way could Chloe's father approve of Ethan having many lovers.
Nobles were known to have more than one wife if they wished, so this was the compromise that the two of them had agreed upon.
He had given Ethan five years to accomplish this monumental task, and truth be told, he was certain that the boy wouldn’t be able to reach that rank of Nobility even if he had been given ten years to do so.
An Honorary Knight was the lowest rank of Nobility. They did not even have lands of their own.
But Ethan knew that he had to start somewhere, so he’d just take what was given to him.
Also, he was curious about his background. He had four Protector Clans protecting him, so he was certain that his identity wasn't simple. While, he was deep in his thoughts, his personal maid, Mary, had finished combing his hair, and tied it using the wolf hairpin that Ethan always used.
“I’m done, Sir Ethan.”
“Thank you, Mary.”
Ethan then stood up to look for Nicole so that the two of them could go to dinner together.
When he opened the door, he found the young lady already waiting for him.
“You look beautiful in that dress, Nicole,” Ethan said with a smile.
“I know,” Nicole replied. “You’re not too shabby yourself.”
“Well then, shall we go?” Ethan raised his arm, allowing Nicole to hold onto it.
“Let’s.” Nicole nodded as she placed her hand on Ethan’s arm, allowing the latter to escort her like the gentleman that he was.
Sue walked in front of them, while Mary stayed in the back.
They would be dining in the Queen’s Room, where she usually entertained her guests.
When they arrived at their destination, Sue knocked on the door twice before making her announcement.
“Lady Asta and Sir Ethan have arrived, Your Majesty,” Sue announced.
“Enter.”
Mary and Sue opened the doors before moving to the side and bowing their heads.
When Ethan and Nicole entered the room together, they immediately saw Queen Evane sitting on the couch. Beside her was a beautiful young lady in her late teens.
“This is the first time you’re meeting her, Ethan, so allow me to introduce my daughter,” Queen Evane said. “This is Princess Evangeline, and she will be joining us tonight. Eva, this is Sir Ethan Gremory.
“He will be the one who will receive the title of Honorary Knight, alongside Nicole, tomorrow. Of course, you already know Nicole, so there’s no need for introductions.”
Nicole made a curtsey, which Princess Evangeline returned.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you again, Your Highness,” Nicole greeted.
“The pleasure is mine, Nicole,” Princess Evan replied. “Greetings to you and Sir Ethan.”
Ethan politely bowed to the Princess of the Kingdom.
Just like her mother, Princess Evangeline was a beauty. However, there was something about her that made Ethan raise his guard.
“It seems that my charms don’t work on Sir Ethan,” Princess Eva said with a smile. “Is this the confidence of a man who has many beautiful ladies beside him? Well, I can understand because Nicole is much more beautiful than I am.”
“Surely you jest, Your Highness,” Nicole replied. “How can I be more beautiful than you?”
“Then why is Sir Ethan not fawning over me?” Princess Eva asked in a teasing tone. “Do you know the reason why, Nicole?”
“Maybe you should ask him yourself, Your Highness.”
“Mmm. Perhaps I’ll ask him later after we finish dining.”
The two girls chatted casually, making Queen Evane giggle.
“Alright, let’s leave the small talk for later,” Queen Evane said before standing up. “Let’s all go into the dining room to eat.”
Ethan and Nicole followed their host and sat in their designated seats.
A minute later, the servants of the palace started to place the dishes on top of the table.
“I hope you enjoy the food,” Queen Evane said as she made a gesture for everyone to start eating. “The chefs did their best to prepare these for the two of you.”
Ethan and Nicole thanked Queen Evane for her hospitality and began to eat.
Just like all the food in the palace, the various dishes served were all very delicious.
Queen Evane and Princess Eva took turns asking Ethan and Nicole questions during their meal to liven things up.
The mother and daughter pair were very eloquent, and they never asked questions that would make their two guests uncomfortable.
When they finished eating, they returned to the living room, where they were given refreshments.
“Sir Ethan, I’ve heard that you had been forced to enter a Nexus when you and another student of the academy were being chased by Rogue Wizards who were part of a bandit group. What was it like to travel in the past?” Princess Eva asked.
“Very scary,” Ethan replied. “Back then, I thought that I would not be able to return to the present, so at first, I was anxious every day.”
“If I were in your position, I would have felt the same,” Princess Eva said as she placed her hand over Ethan’s, making the young man’s body stiffen. “It must have been hard on you.”
“Not as hard as the situation I am currently in, Your Highness,” Ethan replied as he looked at the soft, delicate hand that was touching his own.
He was very tempted to ask the Princess to remove her hand, but knowing that this was a rude thing to say, he decided to just endure for now.
However, he wasn’t able to hide the displeasure on his face, making Queen Evane and Princess Eva giggle at the same time.
“I told you, Mother,” Princess Eva said. “My charm is not working on Sir Ethan. My confidence has taken a hit.”
“Don’t worry, Eva. You’re fine the way you are,” Queen Evane replied. “But I have to say that I find this quite amusing. Ethan, do you not find my daughter attractive?”
“Princess Evangeline is a very beautiful lady, Your Majesty,” Ethan replied. “It’s just that I already have too many ladies in my life, and I have learned that having more isn’t always a good thing.”
“Well said,” Queen Evane nodded her head in understanding. “Aside from me, my husband only has one more wife. He doesn’t dare to add more because he is afraid that I might accidentally stab him in his sleep. Ohohoho~”
Ethan tried to smile, but he couldn’t.
Although Queen Evane had said it in a teasing tone, he was certain that she wasn’t joking at all.
“Well then, let’s talk about something else, Sir Ethan,” Princess Eva said with a smile. “I did some research on the place where you and your friend appeared when you were sent to the past. The lands of Alastor is a very interesting place, but I found something more interesting as I conducted my research.”
Princess Eva then held Ethan’s hand with both of her hands and held it firmly.
“Tell me, Sir Ethan, have you heard about the Tide Bringer?” Princess Eva’s smile turned mischievous as she stared right into Ethan’s eyes. “He was the Deity worshipped in the Lands of Alastor during the time period that you were there.”
Ethan had a bad feeling as he held the gaze of the beautiful Princess, whose eyes were reflecting his image.
“Sir Ethan, did you perhaps acquire the Tide Bringer’s Legacy?”
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