Tea Party With Royalty

Inside were knights, royal knights if I had to guess, servants and maids lined up. When they spotted me they bowed. I looked over at this man on the throne. The king. That's what went through my mind as soon as I saw him. Also, he was sitting on the gaudiest throne. Sitting next to him was probably the queen.

Hmm, where's the princess? There is supposed to be a princess, right? I don't see her anywhere.

"I present to you, Noctem."

The knight said as he knelt in front of the king. Then everyone else knelt. I also knelt. I mean it's necessary, right?

The king got up from his seat and approached me. His eyes were glowing green, and he was giving off an immense yet calm aura. He's strong, I can just sense it with a glance. He has an aura fit for a king.

"Rise."

He spoke, and everyone did. I stood up and tried not to look the king in the eyes. The king inspected me curiously, then nodded.

"Grisha Castil!"

He shouted and walking in was a man in shiny golden armor with the imperial crest on his helmet. If it wasn't for the gigantic sword on his back, I would've doubted it was him. If I recall, that's called a claymore. Grisha walked past me and knelt in front of the king while taking his helmet off.

"Your highness."

"Grisha, is this the man you mentioned?"

Grisha looked at me, then back at the king, and nodded.

"Indeed, he was the one that handed me the antidote."

Not really handed, more like I sold it to you. Not like that's important, just pointing out.

"I see. Noctem."

"Yes?"

"Thank you, I express my deepest gratitude."

That's when the king bowed to me. Everyone gasped as they saw their king bowing to some random stranger that just walked in a minute ago.

"Your majesty!"

Grisha got up but the king shook his head.

"Noctem, if it wasn't for you, my daughter would've succumbed to the poison. Thank you..."

A tear went down the king's cheek and he had to turn around to wipe it. Ok, so I saved the princess, glad to hear she's ok. The king got up and then reached for my hand for a handshake.

"Forgive for being rude, for I haven't introduced myself yet. I am Fritz Von Regium, king of the Regium empire."

"Ahh ok, and I-"

"No need to introduce yourself, though I am interested. What is your family name?"

Oh, I never got one. Should I make one for myself? Let's see...

'Mind I suggest one?'

Ichigo spoke.

Sure, as long as it sounds cool. I don't want my last name sounding like a girl's.

'Does Takeshi sound alright?'

What does that mean? It sounds cool, but I'm interested in what it means.

'It means Warrior.'

Warrior? That sounds alright, guess I can stick with that.

"Takeshi."

"Takeshi? Could you be born from Koei?"

Koei? Is that another country?

Ding!

[Info has been updated]

---

Name: Noctem Takeshi

Level: 65

Grade: C-rank Demon

Health: 11000

Mana: 8000

---

"Let's us sit down and have a chat, shall we?"

***

We were now sitting on a balcony on the third floor. Sitting in front of me was Fritz, Grisha who was standing behind the king, and the queen whose name I haven't learned yet. The knight who had brought me in had left to do business. Must be busy to be a messenger knight.

"I believe I haven't introduced myself to you yet. I am Floura Von Regium."

The queen was wearing a really fancy dress. So many colors... Ignoring the dress, she had long blonde hair... well actually, I think all the queens I've ever heard and seen in anime have long blonde hair so this is not a surprise. Her eyes were blue, and she looked around her thirties. Though you can probably mistake her for being in her twenties. Like the king, she was also giving out a calm aura, not intense like the king though.

"Thank you for saving my daughter, if it wasn't for you, well..."

"Ah, let's not continue with that. I don't like talking about what would've happened."

"Your right, I apologize."

This is a bit embarrassing. I never drunk tea with a king and a queen before. But it is an honor. That's one thing off my bucket list.

"So your father... he made that antidote?"

"Yep."

Man, who knew this lie actually worked?

"Fascinating, to think someone could make an antidote that could cleanse the poison of a Chronos Cobra."

"Mhm."

"I wish I could've met your father. He must've been an expert alchemist to make that kind of antidote. Now I'm curious to ask, did you take over your father's spot when he died?"

"Ehh no, I decided to go adventuring. Alchemy isn't really my thing."

So is chemistry. I've never had good science grades, always getting C's all the time. It's a surprise that I even got to graduate high school with crappy science grades.

"It also seems that Noctem is also a summoner."

"A summoner? I see, so you have the skills to perform summoning. Tell me, how many summons are you able to evoke?"

"Let's see... maybe over 30."

""What?!""

Fritz and Floura said in surprise. Jeez, that startled me. Is it that much of a surprise?

"I can confirm that he is telling the truth."

Grisha said as he fixed his posture. Even he was surprised. He had stumbled a bit when I said thirty. True, I didn't really summon over thirty, but I can if I had enough. And besides, he was probably there when I came out of the dungeon. I think. I'm still not sure.

"You must be really talented. I'm impressed. To think a summoner like you could summon so much, you must've been famous in the magic academy."

"Magic academy?"

"You've never gone to the Magic academy before?"

"N-no, I've been traveling around, honing my... summoning skills."

Damn, it's getting harder to lie now. A magic academy? Though I'm interested, I don't feel like going to school again. I've had enough of books and writing.

"To think a summoner that's never gone to the magic academy before can summon so many without proper guidance. Though I'm sure you've met someone to train you."

"Nah, I did it all on my own."

"I see."

I hope that's the end of this conversation, I can't keep on lying forever.

"Dear, your tea is getting cold."

Floura said as she sipped on her cup of tea. Fritz nodded and apologized to her. Finally, no more questions, now I can drink my tea... which is now cold. First-class tea tastes good, even when it's cold. I personally like hot tea.

"Mother!"

"Ojou-sama! Please come back here, you still need to rest!"

"Whoa, who is this beauty?!" That was the thought that flew past my mind when I spotted her. A young lady came barging in or out in this case. She was followed by a black-haired female knight with... cat ears??? The lady ran past Grisha and hugged Floura from behind. She was wearing a dress, probably royal attire. Could she be the princess?

"Emilia, you're supposed to be in bed. The doctor said that you should rest a bit more since you've just recovered lately."

"But mother, it's boring sitting in my room all day, not doing anything. I want to hang out with you two."

"Anastasia?"

"I'm sorry your highness, I couldn't stop her."

The knight said as she caught her breath.

"Dear."

Floura looked at Fritz.

"It wouldn't hurt for her to be here. But you'll go back to your bed after this, ok?"

"Alright."

"So then. Oh right, Noctem, I'd like you to meet my daughter... Noctem?"

Such a beautiful girl... I've never seen anyone this beautiful... Golden hair... smooth skin... pink eyes... Pink eyes? That's so... interesting...

"It seems that he is unable to resist the beauty of our daughter."

"Indeed."

Fritz and Floura said as they chuckled under their breath. Emilia's face became red, and she looked away.

"Uhh... n-nice to meet you! I'm Takeshi Noct- I mean Noctem Takeshi!"

"Nice to meet you Noctem, I am Emilia Von Regium."

She smiled brightly. Wow... such a beautiful smile... She is definitely a princess. A lovely aura too, just like her mother's.

"Ara ara, he's gone all red."

Floura said as she smirked. Did she just say the two sacred words?!

"Uhh... umm... ugh."

I'd shift around uncomfortably. Man, my heart is pounding. Calm down, she's a princess, of course, she's going to be pretty. But this is on another level.

"S-so we've met now, isn't she supposed to go back to her room?"

"She is, but after seeing your reaction, she might as well join us. You wouldn't mind, would you?"

I wanted to say yes, but the way that the princess was looking at me made me say no.

Now, the princess was sitting beside me. Me and the king were chatting about magic and all that stuff, even Grisha joined in a few. I've learned a few things while chatting with the king. None of them were any important, but they were interesting to hear.

Now I'm getting uncomfortable. Why? Because the princess has been staring at me for a while now. They were just locked onto me, I couldn't help but blush a bit. I'd take a sip from my tea. Oh, her glare seems to be off me now. Wait, why is she standing up now like she's about to make an announcement?

"Father. Mother."

"Hmm? Is there a problem Emilia?"

"Th-this man, Noctem Takeshi-"

Huh, why is my name mentioned? Is there something wrong with me? She glanced over at me and then back at the king and queen.

"-is who I wish to marry!"

PFFFFFFFFFFT~!!!

And so, a stream of green tea flew into the air.