Ignoring the teary eyed Adriel, the emperor invited Adam and the others to the guest room of the castle. After arriving, they were now seated across on a furniture facing each other. Ruby was on the side seat though being ignored by them.
After glaring at each other for a while, the emperor and Adam smiled at each other. Then Adam said,
"Once again, its a pleasure to meet you, your highness, the Emperor. My name is Adam Aves Aldians. If you may, just call me Adam."
Nodding his head, the emperor responded, "My name is 'Ace Claus desa elrox Aragon'. As you know , I am the emperor of Aragon. You may simply call me Ace if you'd like. Pleased to be your acquaintance."
Adam nodded. Then Ace Asked, "Adam.. If possible, I'd like to ask you some questions...?"
"Yes, please go ahead."
Then for some time, he asked somethings. Most of them were related to Adriel's presence in the Kingdom of Grania though. Lastly he asked if his group knew about the mysterious golden light that illuminated the entire world, which Adam answered by saying no. But this itself was suspicious as after getting the letter from the king of Grania, less than two week passed. And his group has already reached the empire faster than the expectations. This made the Emperor to doubt Adam's involvement in the mysterious phenomenon.
"Haah... I see. So she did something like that. I guess I should apologize..?"
"There's no need for that, Emperor Ace. Although it was a little unexpected, I don't think she meant any harm. In that sense, I think it's fine if you just scold her enough so that she won't try something like leaving the empire by herself."
"I see. Then I shall do that. By the way, I didn't ask before, but what kind of relationship does you have with my daughter..?"
Although Ace was asking this with a smile, Adam could only smile wryly in response to his bloodlust when he mentioned their relationship.
"Don't worry, Emperor Ace. As I explained before, she asked to be my student. Although I have not accepted her as a student, I still consider her a future one. Besides that, I think we are just good friends."
Although he had some thoughts about her feelings after living together for some time, he didn't want to make every girls he meet to love him. So he was hoping to reject her with good intentions. Thus, he was happy that the emperor is against it. Or that was how it supposed to be.
"Hm? Now that's new. I've seen a lot of boys trying to court her, and never even one of them succeeded. She saw them like both more than fools who were trying to use her for different purposes. But, that wasn't how she thinks of you from what I see."
"Ahahaha... Although I am happy to be complimented, I am doing this for her sake. As you think, she probably has some feelings for me. I too understood this. But, being together with me will only bring her anguish and regret. I am not saying I won't love her. You see, I am someone who rides the boat called danger almost everytime. That's why, if she were to be with me, all she could witness are destruction and blood. Besides that, I already have seven my wives to be and two mistresses. Don't you think she is worthy of a better man..?"
Ace was silent. The others were silent as well. But the girls had other thoughts running through their minds.
(Addy has Seven fiancee..!? How..?! Let's see... Amanda, Xesteria, Elbereth, Celeste... That all I know! There are more..!? I have to ask for the details next time!) Ruby
(Oh? Master has that much wives..? It will be troublesome to attack him huh..? But, didn't he said two mistresses..? Could it be the two of us?)Beta
(Its natural for master to have so many women flock around him! I don't have to worry about my position! I am nothing more than a servant to my master. If he wants to use me, that is more than enough!) Bella
Contrary to the girl's thoughts, Ace responded after thinking for a while, "Although I don't know what kind of danger you are mentioning, I too don't want my child to encounter such a thing. As for the number of your woman, isn't it too low for a man of your capabilities..? Also, ignoring the danger you mentioned, I think you are a perfect person to be my daughters husband. And if you are planning to reject her, please do so after hearing her feelings. Whatever she wishes for, I will support her."
He too actually think it's a little cruel of him to reject her. After getting to know her a little bit more during their travels, he too had a soft spot for her inside his heart. But thinking of his other girls, Adam wanted to hold back from increasing his harem. Although there was a little guilt of rejecting a girl who had feelings for him, he consoled himself by thinking he is doing this for her sake.
"Don't worry, Emperor Ace. Although I do plan to reject her, I won't be heartless as not to hear her feelings. I will —"
Stopped hise words midway the door to the room was pushed open with a bang as Adriel wearing a beautiful red gown with golden frills entered with a blooming smile.
Seeing his daughter, Ace sighed and smiled with a little sadness hidden behind his fake emotion. May be because of his experience as an emperor, his daughter didn't notice that sadness and walked gracefully towards him and bowed to Adam's group with a smile before taking a seat next to her father.
Everyone other than Adam and Ace could only feel pity for the innocent Adriel. Even Ruby, who's her rival could only look at her with sympathy.
Seeing how's everyone is looking at her, Adriel tilted her head in confusion. As if noticing her confusion, everyone returned to their normal expressions and smiled.
"Ah! That's right father! I want to ask your permission for something! May I..?"
"Mm? Yes, what is it, Adriel..?"
Ace who was still pained by his daughter's future sadness smiled like a doting parent at her.
"You already heard this, but Addy is the youngest sword master in history! And he's accepting students! Ruby.. Rubelia is one of his students and she improved so quickly you know?! That's why, I'd like to ask your permission to be his student too!"
"..."
Ace turned towards Adam. Understanding what is he was signalling him, Adam said,
"I'll have to test you even if your father gives you permission. I'll answer you before we leave the empire."
Not knowing what is he or her father planning, Adriel smiled and said, "Of course! I don't think you will accept anyone with just talent alone. So I am ready to accept that challenge!"
He nodded. Thereafter, they talked about some more. After accepting the insistence of Adriel and Ace, they decided to stay in the castle till their departure.
.
.
.
.
"Hey Master... Is it really okay for you to reject her..? I mean, I don't really care, but you know, even she is not aware of her own feelings. So, when she finally understands it and try to express it, what will happen if you reject her right then ..?"
Adam didn't respond to Beta's question. He was staring at the night sky from the garden behind the castle. He was Accompanied by Beta and Bella.
After their talk, Ruby and Adriel went to bathe. Adam and his two servants were walking through the garden.
"Although I am not worthy enough to advise you master. So, I'd like to say that my opinion in this matter is the same as whatever master chooses."
Contrary to Beta who serves him for the sake of this world, Bella's loyalty was at a level farther than she even could see.
After hearing the two's opinion, Adam responded with a sigh, "Its not that I don't like her. I am trying to reject her so that she may endure less in the future. I don't know why... But I feel like I'll have to leave everything alone in the near future...."
"..." Beta looked at Adam's face to see what's he thinking about.
Bella being the loyal servant responded with a bow and a sweet smile, "Wherever you go, I shall follow. My entire self is for you after all. If there is no you, I too will follow you even after death."
Adam smiled at her. Although he was feeling headache due to her depth of loyalty, he felt happy knowing at least she said that.
"Enough about gloomy future. As promised, I'll take you all on a date each day. Tomorrow is you, right Beta.? Then Ruby, Adriel and lastly Bella..?"
Beta nodded. Although she knows about relationships and romance, the reason for which she requested a date was because of her curiosity. She just wanted to try whatever the girls were asking of him.
"Then you should come to the entrance of the castle tomorrow morning. If you don't know anything about a date, just ask to Ruby and Adriel. They will explain. Well then, I will be leaving..."
Saying so, Adam walked away. However after he reached his arranged room, he turned back and asked,
"Why are you here Bella..?"
After bowing once, she responded with a determined face, "It is the duty of a servant to stand by her master's side. I'll be here. No matter what, just ask me. I shall serve you well."
Feeling lazy, he only nodded once before entering the room. After staring at the sky through the windows for a while, he slept on the big bed....