Chapter 3-3:
An Audience
BEFORE WE HAD AN AUDIENCE WITH THE KING, I decided to officially make the orphans my squires. It would be awful if the king’s fancy made them the center of attention. Of course, even if these children became my official attendants, they would likely have to follow the king’s orders, but now that they’d received these promotions, they might be able to refuse a bit.
Since I could no longer get rid of those dogs, there was no reason for the orphans to remain as my squire candidates. When they received their elevated statuses, they all began to cry. I didn’t quite understand it, but my assassin educational style must have gone well. The knowledge of our predecessors was great and had to be respected.
In any case, it was imperative for my squires to learn proper manners that were befitting for the king’s presence. Fortunately, a solution was quickly found. Alice, who read many books, had perfectly memorized proper etiquette, and the other five quickly picked up on her teachings. There was no need to hang them in the air anymore, though I found it a bit unfortunate that I could no longer tie them up and kick them down.
Soon enough, the day we would visit the king arrived.
“As you’re no longer my squire candidates, you do not have to call me ‘sir’ anymore,” I said. “You may speak normally as you desire.”
“Sir, yes, sir!” the shouted.
I wasn’t sure if they’d failed to understand my words or if it was just a force of habit, but I assumed that they would loosen up soon enough.
But it’ll be a bit embarrassing if they speak to me like that in the castle, I thought.
And so, I took my six squires and their dogs to the castle where His Majesty awaited.
✦ ✦ ✦
In my previous life, I had visited the castle on several occasions. However, upon arrival, I realized that the air within the building was different. I felt the gazes on me. Though I was a daughter of a duke, I led around six squires who, in turn, led six dogs. It was no wonder that we stood out, and I felt people staring curiously at them as well. The former orphans who had become my retainers would undoubtedly upset some nobles.
Thanks to my father walking in front, no one dared to hurl any nasty remarks at me. Had I been alone, I was sure that I would have had an unfortunate experience. My squires all walked confidently along the long corridor with their dogs, looking so proud that I became anxious. How could they look so calm despite visiting the castle for the first time?
Even in my past life, I had been tense upon my first visit to the castle. Here, they resembled undaunted heroes who had looked into the eyes of Hell and made it back. It was as though they had nothing left to fear, and I couldn’t help but wonder where they had gained such bravery. The dogs had also been taught well, and none of them let out a single bark as they confidently walked through the castle like they owned the place.
And they’re just strays! I thought.
We were guided into the audience room by the king’s attendant. I expected only the king to be there, but the queen and Crown Prince Edward were in attendance as well. In my past life, I’d first met Prince Edward when we were much older, but it seemed that detail had changed. My father took the lead and walked across the red carpet, then kneeled about ten paces away from the throne where the king sat. My squires and their dogs also stopped in place and genuflected beautifully without a single misstep. The dogs laid low as though they were kneeling too.
“Splendid,” the king said, his tone filled with awe.
“Thank you,” my father said, keeping his head low.
“You may rise.”
With His Majesty’s permission, we all slowly raised our heads. The dogs sat down politely. How in the world were the dogs trained? They seem a bit too…skilled.
“Indeed, the daughter of the duke is beautiful,” the king said, “but her squires look respectable as well. I can hardly believe that they were once orphans. The dogs are trained quite well too. I’ve never seen animals so polite. Serena, I’ve been told that you are the one who raised the orphans and the stray dogs, but how in the world did you manage such a feat?”
It had been a while since I’d last seen His Majesty’s face, and he looked surprisingly gentle. In my past life, the last time I saw him, I’d felt that he was rather cold.
“Your Majesty, I have told the orphans to eat and sleep with the dogs,” I replied. “I told them to communicate through their hearts and to nurture bonds like those of siblings—or perhaps of parent and child. The orphans matured alongside their pets. I had the orphans learn the proper skills needed to become excellent squires, and as the dogs were exposed to human language, they quickly understood our words.”
In truth, I’d only had the dogs around as sacrifices to turn my squires into splendid assassins, but I could never say that. I instead thought of some random excuses and tried to hide my true intentions.
“Ah, I see,” the king replied. “By raising them both at once, both parties synergized and matured at a rapid rate.”
“Precisely, Your Majesty,” I replied.
Synergized? I just wanted those dogs killed, and I didn’t aim for anything like that.
I was confused, but I found it best to let sleeping dogs lie.
“In any case, the dogs are very well trained,” the king said. “I would love a dog like that…”
“I shall give all six to you,” I replied.
I responded quickly, without missing a beat. I wanted nothing more than for him to take them off my hands. I would be free of the dogs, and the king would express his gratitude to me. Only good could come out of this deal.
My squires all looked troubled, but how could I refuse a royal order? You’d all better endure it.
“No, I’ve no intention of tearing apart sibling bonds,” His Majesty replied. “But I shall not forget my gratitude for your loyalty, as you offered them to me without a second thought.”
I don’t need that kind of gratitude! Just take these dogs away!
Of course, I couldn’t say that aloud.
“I’m grateful for your kind words, Your Majesty,” I said.
“Now then, duke, I do have a proposition,” the king said. “I would like for your daughter and my Edward to be engaged.”
Huh?
“I’m grateful to hear that,” my father replied. “But are you fine with this, Your Highness?”
“Of course,” Edward said. “I have no issues. In fact, I would consider myself blessed to be engaged to such a lovely lady.”
He flashed a gentle smile at me, his demeanor completely different from when he’d broken off our engagement. I had hoped to see him smile at me once again. But…
When I took a closer look, he wasn’t as handsome as I’d initially thought. In fact, I felt that Oscar was a bit better looking. Internally, I had long passed thirty, and I wasn’t sure if that was affecting my taste. However, I didn’t feel the spark of love that I’d felt for Prince Edward in my previous life. He looked unreliable. My squires were far better trained and prepared.
Huh? Was he always like this?
“Serena, what say you?” the king asked.
When their attention suddenly shifted to me, I responded instinctively.
“I’m so very grateful,” I said. “I couldn’t be more honored. If you will have me, I could wish for nothing more.”
I even made my cheeks grow pink—a result of practice as I’d tried my best to act like Eleanor. I’d known that I would be engaged to Prince Edward one day, but this had happened much quicker than in my previous life.
“Goodness,” Her Majesty said. She gazed at the dogs, enchanted. “Since you two are now engaged, please bring those dogs along. I’d love to play with them in the castle courtyard.”
“I would love to play with them as well,” Prince Edward said.
He was also staring at the dogs passionately.
Uh, he didn’t look at me that way, even in my previous life. Is this engagement just for the dogs? Am I just a bonus?
“Truth be told, my wife, Edward, and I all love dogs very much,” the king said. “If we publicized that fact, our subjects would shower us with pets, and so we’ve kept it a secret. But Serena, if you love dogs as well, it’s a different story. I ask that you bring your pets along every time you visit the castle.”
“Of course, Your Majesty,” I replied.
Huh? Wait, in my previous life, I feel like I told Prince Edward that I’m not fond of dogs. Did he hide that he liked them from me?
Eleanor, on the other hand, loved them, and she would often feed the strays.
Was my engagement canceled partly because of dogs? Are they to blame?