King & Priest
As Alex departed, the priest rose from his seat, wearing an expression of discontent. He approached the King with a sense of urgency and spoke with a tone of concern. "My lord," he said, "Are you certain that you have made the right decision?" The King, gazing up at the priest with a calm demeanor, replied, "I cannot say if my decision was right or wrong. It is simply that I cannot bear to dissolve this marriage. However, Julia is unhappy." The priest, taken aback, responded promptly, "My lord, do you still believe that Alex is worthy of Princess Julia?" With a heavy sigh, the King replied to the priest, "I am aware that Alex is no hero, but he is a scholar.
[In the author's explanation, we learn of a fascinating story about Alex, a bright mind who pursued a degree in management while living on Earth. Upon entering a new world, Alex's journey to success is fueled by the benevolence of the first princess and queen, who imparted their knowledge of reading and writing to him. With his previous education and newfound skills, Alex blossoms into a brilliant scholar, leaving a lasting impression on the kingdom.
When it comes to power distribution in any kingdom, several crucial roles come to mind. First and foremost, the King sits at the top of the hierarchy, ruling over and managing the kingdom with a firm hand. Assisting the King is the Church, whose members work tirelessly to maintain the King's influence in the kingdom. Alongside the Church, the Hero is a key player, tasked with protecting the kingdom from the demon king and other evil forces that threaten its safety. Scholars, on the other hand, use their vast knowledge to help the kingdom grow and prosper, often taking on roles as city lords. Nobles are statues given by royalty to rich and influential people, who aid the King and the kingdom with their resources and political clout. Finally, we have the Commoners, hardworking individuals who earn their keep and contribute to the kingdom's growth through their labor and tax dollars, even if their contributions may go unnoticed by the upper classes.]
The priest took a determined step forward, meeting the king's eyes with a solemn expression. "My lord, I understand that you may feel remorseful for breaking off the engagement, but I cannot condone your offer to give away our wife and daughter as compensation. It simply does not sit well with me."
The king fell silent, the weight of the priest's words bearing down on him. After a few moments, he let out a small chuckle, though his expression remained serious. "You are right, it's not that I am giving Alex my wife and daughter as repayment or compensation. The truth is, I have never loved Linda, and I don't think she has ever loved me. Perhaps we are only together because of the circumstances that brought us to this marriage. If Linda finds her true love in Alex, then I will feel nothing but happiness for her. However, Maya has suffered enough because of my decisions. That is why I leave the decision of whether or not to marry Alex to her. I selfishly hope that she finds a new life and happiness with him. So, you see, it is not out of guilt that I make this decision."
As the king finished speaking, the entire area grew silent, the weight of his words sinking in. The priest broke the quiet, asking for permission to leave. The king remained alone, his thoughts heavy with the weight of his decision.
Meanwhile, Alex was on his way to meet Linda, determined to tell her about the king's offer and to propose to her. He hoped that she would accept his proposal and that they could start a new life together, away from the palace's politics and the king's selfish desires.
-To be continued