Alfred's hands gripped my shoulders tightly, his blue eyes wide and desperate.
"Yuuya! Please!" His voice wavered, trembling with urgency. "You are Lord Regis's disciple, right!? That means you can help us!"
I stared at him, my expression unreadable.
(Help with what, exactly?)
His grip tightened.
"Please! Help me!" Alfred bowed to me, but his grip remained firm
Silence filled the room. Alan, The knight captain standing behind him held his breath, watching his king plead to a child.
I exhaled softly, pulling his hands off me.
"Please explain to me first." I smiling awkwardly.
"I want to cure my daughter's illness; I don't know what her illness is and I already try many things to cure her but nothing works out and my last hope is lord Regis. That's why I'm here looking for him." Now Alfred has a grim expression.
"Can you tell me what symptom that your daughter has?" I making eye contact with Alfred.
"The illness start around the age of five, her body start to become weaker and she constantly getting a high fever. now it has become worst, her skin change into sickly pale skin and her growth has been stunt." the colour drained out of Alfred face.
I know what kind of illness his daughter have, Dia-neesan once told me about it before.
"We don't know what's causing it. None of our healers can cure her, and the best alchemists in Araulia have failed to find a solution."
I tilted my head slightly. "And what does that have to do with me?"
Alfred hesitated. Then, his blue eyes locked onto mine.
"…You know something. Don't you?"
My fingers tapped lightly against my knee.
(He's more observant than I expected.)
I let a small smirk form on my lips.
"Maybe I do," I admitted. "But why should I tell you?"
Alfred's breath caught.
The knights tensed immediately, a few reaching for their swords. Alan glared at me.
"How dare you—"
Alfred raised a hand, cutting him off. His expression had darkened.
"You very cunning for a kid. What do you want? Money? Title? Just name the prize." Alfred look desperate, he even bow his head to me."
He took the bait. I smirk.
I leaned back, tilting my head slightly.
"What makes you think I want anything?"
Alfred's fists clenched. "You wouldn't hesitate if you didn't."
I shrugged. (Smart.)
Leaning forward, I rested my elbows on my knees.
"I don't care about gold or titles," I said casually. "But I do need a way to reach your kingdom."
Alfred blinked. "...You want to come to Araulia?"
I nodded.
"In exchange for information, I want free passage to the capital. No questions asked."
A long silence followed.
Alan's eyes narrowed. "That's all?"
"Yes."
Alfred's jaw tightened. He was still suspicious.
(He thinks I have a hidden motive.)
After a moment, his hands relaxed. "…Fine."
I smiled slightly. "Then let's talk."
I took a slow breath.
"Your daughter is might suffering from the Devouring."
I say it with a straight face.
"Devouring…?" Alfred and Alan focussed his gaze on me waiting for an answer
The tension in the room grew heavier.
Alfred's breathing was uneven, his fingers digging into the fabric of his cloak.
"…Then, do you know how to cure it?"
I didn't answer immediately.
I tapped my fingers against my knee, acting as if I were thinking.
"Maybe,"
Alfred leaned forward, his voice desperate. "Please! If you know anything—"
I held up a hand. "Not now, I'm not that naive. I'll explain when we reach Araulia." I give both of them an icy stare.
'Are you really a kid." Alfred sighed.
"You can use that room for tonight, we will depart tomorrow I need to prepare first. And the knights can sleep outside, Regis already put a barrier around the yard so they will be safe." I instruct them.
"thank you for your consideration Yuuya." Alfred bow at me again.
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Alan knock at the door of the room that Alfred using right now.
"Your majesty may I come in? I want to discuss something."
"Yes" After getting permission to enter. Alan open the door and entered the room
"What do you want to talk about, Alan?" Alfred is now sitting on the bed with a serious face.
"Your majesty are you sure we can trust that kid? In my eyes his action doesn't match with his appearance." Alan has a doubt about Yuuya whether he really has the information they need.
"He is the only hope that I have left Alan. The only thing that I can do is trust him. As long as I can cure my daughter I am willing to take the risk." Alfred make an eye contact with Alan.
The only thing that Alfred can do right now is trying to convince himself that his judgement is correct to put his trust on Yuuya.
"But your highness…" Alan still have a doubt in his heart. But his words got cut by Alfred.
"He also The disciple of lord Regis, I'm sure he has more knowledge than the doctor and the priest."
"I guess you are right, Your majesty. The princess live is far more important right now. I will take my leave now." Alan bow and start to walk out from the room, but his feeling inside still doesn't feel satisfy with the answer he get.
The night become silent once more, currently I sitting on the roof on top of Alfred's room try to see whether they has other agenda, but I was wrong. I heard all of the conversation between Alfred and Alan.
"He is a good father." I chuckled.
"I guess my father will also do the same thing, he might be still search for me right now." I whisper by myself and I can feel that my cheek slightly wet.
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It still early in the morning and I just finished packing up my things. Since everyone is still sleeping, I decide to do my usual sword training at the training ground outside. unknowingly there is a shadow that watching me training.
The time pass by and after finish the training I cook breakfast for all of them with some help from the knights. And we will start to moving out after the breakfast.
"It the best food I ever taste!"
"It's better than the food we have in the dorm."
"Yeah I wish we can eat it every day."
I'm glad that the soldier satisfy with my food that I have served. When I enter the house.
"This is marvellous, Yuuya please become the head chef in my castle." Alfred has a sparkling eye while devoured the food forgetting about his manner and title as a king. Luckily there is no one to see him in this state
"Please be reasonable with your request, what would you do if your people see you like this." I sigh watching Alfred eating right now.
Alfred just ignore my word and keep eating.
After everyone finish with breakfast they decide to take a breather before start the journey. Half an hour past and finally we start the journey to the Araulia Kingdom.
The journey is a smooth sailing, the knights really do a great job fighting with the beast inside the forest.
It take us about half an hour to reach the end of the forest. For the first time, I finally see the outside of the forest. The forest was surrounded by a vast grassland. I can feel the wind blow hitting my face. The mana in the atmosphere is thin but it was refreshing.
Near the spot that we came out from the forest, there is a knight, carriage and horses. The knights greet Alan and immediately prepare the carriage for Alfred.
"Yuuya-kun, you should sit inside the carriage with me" Alfred grab my shoulder and start drag me into the carriage. I didn't resist, in fact its more convenient this way since I want to discuss something personal with him.
Without further ado, we start the journey again onwards to Araulia kingdom.
"Ahem, Yuuya-kun." Alfred trying to get my attention. Alfred crossing his arms with a serious expression.
"Do you think we can discuss about my daughter's illness now?"
"Of course, I will always keep my promise." I smile to reassure him.
"First of all, Just like I say before, Your daughter might have a decease call devouring."
"A devouring?" He lean closer and he propped his chin on his hand.