After that, each of us went in alone to see the King. Once Sir Gaius returned, it was finally my turn. I never would have thought that I would be seen by His Majesty twice in my life! Though I was still a bit worried, I wasn’t as nervous as I had been the first time, either because it was the second time, or because I’d grown over our journey.
Saying goodbye to the others, I hurried along towards the audience chamber.
“Ah.”
When I arrived, someone I had met was waiting in front of the heavy door. It was Vice-Commander Astorga. His sharp, ice-blue gaze was the same as I remembered, but he seemed a bit strange this time around.
“It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other.”
“...Yes.”
“Is something the matter?” I asked. Sir Astorga stayed silent, looking a bit hesitant.
“...Miss Lucia.”
“Yes?”
“Know your place.”
“Eh?”
“Get going... His Majesty is waiting.”
After throwing me those cold words, he turned his head, opening the door. What did he mean by that? Was it really because of my outfit!?
“Lucia Arca. Step forward.”
Bewildered, I stepped inside, noticing that there weren’t as many people there as the first time I saw the King. It was only His Majesty, Sir Astorga, and me. They must have sent everyone else away. After what the Vice-Commander had said, I began to feel nervous as I approached him.
Once I was before the King, he spoke. “I ask you. Is it true that you have lost your powers?”
Was it really okay for me to speak directly to him? Sir Astorga shouldn’t know, after all. I was told to know my place, but it would be rude not to answer, wouldn’t it? After I came to that conclusion, I gathered my courage and answered.
“Yes, that is true, Your Majesty. I no longer have my powers.”
“Is that so?”
“Eric... Lord...Eric did many measurements, but I no longer have any mana. He told me that it must have disappeared when the Cristallo Sacro were purified.”
“...I see.” His Majesty replied in solemn voice. After a moment, he asked me an unexpected question. “Is it also true that you wish to marry the Dragonslayer?”
Caught off guard, I didn’t know what to say. I’d been told to know my place. Is this what Sir Astorga meant? But I couldn’t deny it. I wanted to live the rest of my life with Sir Celes. I wanted to become his family. No matter what anyone said, I wouldn’t give that up.
“Yes. That is true.” I nodded.
In return, I got a deep, deep sigh and silence. I could feel his opposition in the air, cold and tense. It seemed that not only Sir Astorga, but His Majesty thought I should know my place.
“And you won’t agree with my opposition,” the King asked with a dry voice.
His words stabbed me in the heart. But I wouldn’t give in. If I wanted a future with Sir Celes, I couldn’t give in.
“You are not suitable for him. The hero’s wife should be one of high standing. Look at yourself — you are lowborn — a lowly servant like you could never marry a hero. Your family has been investigated, and you have no mages in your bloodline. According to Edoardo, your powers were unique, a one-off. Mana holders are rare as is. I cannot permit him to marry someone who will not birth a child with magic.”
A lowly servant like me... It was hard hearing that. I knew that I was lowborn. My laundrymaid uniform suited me.
But, even so.
I thought of Sir Celes’s smile. This wish isn’t only mine. Sir Celes wants me, too. I couldn’t give up here.
“I apologize, milord. But I must ask you to allow it,” I said, bowing my head.
“I will pay you whatever you want. Will you not reconsider?”
“I do not need money, Your Majesty... There is only one thing I desire.”
Each of the King’s words seemed to stab me in the heart. Why was he so against it? I knew I was a commoner, and Sir Celes was a Knight Captain. I understood that we weren’t a good match, but I didn’t think that His Majesty would refuse to this extent.
I had gone on the journey of purification at his orders, and I accomplished that. Shouldn’t that count for something? Is status really that hard to overcome? Though he was a knight, Sir Celes was originally just a commoner like me. Why was it an issue?
“I beg you. I do not need anything else. Please, allow our marriage.”
Thinking about it, we could probably still get married. We would just have to run away to a temple, get them to give us a license, and I’d go from being ‘Lucia Arca’ to ‘Lucia Clementi.’ But due to Sir Celes’s job, it wouldn’t be wise for Sir Celes to incur the displeasure of the King, so I kept begging. Please, Your Majesty. Please let us marry!
“So you refuse to take your reward and return to where you came from.”
“I apologize.”
“I see — your resolution is quite strong.” Seemingly finished with trying to change my mind, His Majesty sighed once more. I had hope for a moment, hearing it, but that was a mistake. The King lamented, quietly ordering, “Florido, ready the Black Carriage.”
A carriage? While I was surprised, Sir Astorga had seemed to see this coming, bowing his head.
“...As you wish.”
“Milord!?”
Raising my face, I saw the King, skin and bones. Lounging back tiredly on his magnificent throne, he emotionlessly continued, saying something terrifying. “You would not accept my clemency. I have no need for you if you have no power. Power is everything in this world. I need none without it. What do you have? Nothing. I cannot have you stand with Edoardo. The Hero King Edoardo’s reign requires only capable men. I had thought to let you live somewhere else, but if you are this stubborn — I will have you eliminated.”
I felt all the blood drain from me at this unexpected conclusion. Why!?
Ignoring me, His Majesty quietly but cruelly made the order, “Lucia Arca, you are sentenced to death!”