While I was making a few questionable calculations in my head, our names were called up on the stage. It’s our turn now. I wonder what we’ll get. In truth, I’d already received Lumine, Helios’s bride, and learned about the past that my father and mother shared. I’d even received the proper chants to cast anti-evil magic and had been taught the name of an angel of Seraphim. I’d already received more than enough, topped off with a night at a luxurious inn where I could eat and drink as much as I wished on Faisal’s dime. But because of Mr. Julius, I didn’t get to enjoy that last bit much… Still, I had fun. While I didn’t deny that I’d suffered quite a bit as well and experienced some pain, I enjoyed myself so much that I felt like all the cons were outweighed by the pros.
I didn’t particularly want anything, though I felt like I was lying to myself. Nah, I’ll take what I can get. Mr. Robert always tells me that one can never have too much money. I recalled the merchant, who certainly wasn’t strapped for money, trying to sell me very expensive armor. Mr. Robert’s store carried a wide variety of items, and it was a popular place—he had a good flow of customers visiting his store daily.
And yet, he’d sometimes say, “Ms. Chloe… Money’s tight, and you’d be doing me a huge service by supporting our family if you bought this diamond bracelet. How does three of them sound to you?”
When I declined the offer with a, “You’re not strapped for money, are you?”
“You can never have too much money,” he’d reply before adding in a shady tone. “I wish 500 million gold just rained down on me right this second.”
Well, maybe “shady” isn’t fair to say. I also wish money would rain down on me.
“Chloe, Julius, over here,” Faisal said, calling us over.
I excitedly headed to the center of the altar to the new king, Faisal. I realized midway that Mr. Julius wasn’t behind me. I returned to him and forcibly dragged him over.
Come on! We’re in the middle of a huge crowd here! Just listen to me for once! It was embarrassing to be dragging him over in the middle of everyone. I was dressed so nicely, and my hair was done; I wished to carry myself in a more elegant fashion, but I realized I was acting like my usual self. Not that I care.
Layla smiled, and her lips parted ever so slightly. She remained silent but mouthed, “You guys get along so well.”
Once we made our way to Faisal, I tried to let go of Mr. Julius’s hand. As a representative of Astria Kingdom and a former daughter of a duke, I wanted to be refined and graceful here. Unfortunately for me, Mr. Julius had a hard grip on my hand and wouldn’t let go, so I used my free hand to pinch one side of my skirt and curtsy.
From afar, it may have looked like Mr. Julius was escorting me, but it was actually the other way around.
“This is Chloe Sagrid, an alchemist from the Astria Kingdom,” Faisal said. “And beside her is her beloved spouse, Dragon Knight Julius Craft. It’s thanks to the valiance of this couple that we were able to be victorious in this tenuous battle. It’s no understatement to claim that without them, Rasheed would’ve been bathed in blood and darkness for many years to come.”
“S-Spouse?” I whispered feebly.
I assumed Faisal would introduce us as, “the daughter of the late Duke Sagrid and the former Black Prince of Dystiana,” but I was totally wrong. I was happy that our past had been separated from our current selves, but I was tempted to shake my head at the word, “spouse.”
For a brief moment, Faisal looked at us quizzically, but he continued his speech. “Many of our soldiers have seen Dragon Knight Julius’s valor on the battlefield. The same could be said for Chloe, who, despite being an adorable lady, wasn’t daunted by the terrors in front of her eyes and calmly assessed the situation to fight against our enemies. While you two are from a different nation, you’ve fought so hard for Rasheed’s sake. And for that, you have my deepest gratitude. I’d like to thank you both.”
I gave a small bow. Mr. Julius looked predictably annoyed, but knowing that there was a time and place for everything, he remained silent. I assumed he was thinking something along the lines of, “I didn’t fight for Rasheed’s sake.”
“I would love to give you two a title of nobility in Rasheed, but I’m certain that you both have no need for that,” Faisal said. “This medal may serve no purpose for you as well. And so, while this may not be much, I’d like to give you a portion of the jewels stored in the royal family’s treasury along with black rose necklaces, a symbol of eternal friendship with the royal family.”
A black rose necklace? What’s that? I got that we’re getting jewels, which is really nice. Currency is different in Rasheed and Astria, so I’m glad we’re not getting cold, hard cash. Exchange rates and all that are a nuisance. Jewels are perfect! I can sell them and use them for my alchemy! I spent some time mulling over the black rose necklace, wondering if it was a black jewel in the shape of a rose. If it was a sign of friendship, it unfortunately meant that I couldn’t sell it.
“The black rose necklace is a sacred treasure made from a mystical black crystal. It remembers its owner and can find the mystical black crystal that it was carved from,” Faisal explained with a smile, proud of this idea. “In other words, as long as you’re wearing that black rose crystal, you can visit the Holy Palace anytime you wish and meet with us.”
Since Faisal was now the Holy King with Layla being his queen, it’d be difficult for a normal alchemist and Dragon Knight to meet them so casually. Personally, I was very happy with this idea, but as I’d expected, Mr. Julius made a face as though he had no need for something like that.
“Layla, bestow them with the necklaces,” Faisal requested.
“Certainly,” she replied obediently.
She took out a thin, gold chain with a small, glossy, black rose on the end and offered it to us. I gratefully accepted this reward, but since Mr. Julius refused to follow suit, I received his share too. I can’t sell this. I’ll preciously keep it close to me.
The moment I received the necklaces, a loud applause erupted as though they were waiting for this moment. This is a bit embarrassing.
“Now then, let us end with the stiff formalities,” Faisal declared, his voice reverberating throughout the hall. “Today is a joyous occasion. Enjoy yourselves to your heart’s content. There’s no need to hold back.”
Layla grabbed my other free hand, necklace and all. Mr. Julius still refused to release me, and so both of my hands were occupied, and I was unable to do a single thing. It seemed I’d be forever unable to gracefully greet the Rasheedan nobility.