The tension within the castle deepened as the rebel forces closed in on the main city.
The ministers themselves witnessed a brooding King Alexander, his only solace found in Consort Lancelot's castle, where Lance listened to him in silence, offering comfort with his presence alone.
Amidst this turmoil, King Alexander turned to Lance, his voice laced with concern,
"Lancelot, promise me that if things take a dire turn, you'll end yourself. Don't let those rebels near you, your beauty must stay untainted."
Lance wrapped his hand around King Alexander's shoulder, "If that's your wish, I'd choose death over being with another."
King Alexander gently hugged Lance. "You..."
Lance's words had a way of melting away his troubles, turning bitterness into sweetness.
His heart fluttered as Lance spoke, "Loving you is all that I need to live."
King Alexander tenderly ran his fingers through Lance's brown hair. Suddenly, he asked, "Does Lance wish to be the First Consort?"
"No matter what my title is, I am yours," Lance responded with a smile.
King Alexander embraced him more tightly, the longstanding void in his heart finally filled.
He thought, "This is the love I've been seeking."
He loved him, and Lancelot loved him.
King Alexander caressed Lance's cheek, overwhelmed by his unwavering affection.
Despite the hurt he'd caused him, Lance still loved and stood by him. If this was true love, he had little else to desire.
Even as the rebels approached the main city, he was untroubled. If Lancelot could be with him in the end, that would be a satisfying conclusion.
[King Alexander's favorability: +5%, his current favorability 100%.]
[Congratulations to the Host Lance Princeton for perfectly clearing the D-grade Male Lead 'King Alexander' in 1 year 5 months, the instance clearance score is greater than 80% of the hosts!]
[This instance clearance is evaluated as A-grade. Please return to the personal space for settlement of the rewards.]
With an exhale, Lance smiled, It was finally over.
007 chimed in, ["Congratulations on completing the first mission, Host. Mission rewards will be settled after this world. You're doing great!"]
Lance had a question, though. ["Will my favorability drop? And if it does, do I need to redo the whole task?"]
007 reassured him, ["There is a possibility that favorability may drop after reaching maximum, but you won't need to redo! You no longer need to spend time on King Alexander. We'll focus on Duke Arthur when he arrives."]
Soon, King Alexander issued an edict to throw First Consort Jace outside the Royal Grounds and let Lancelot take the role of First Consort.
No objections were raised. With the rebels approaching, few dared to dispute the King on the throne.
—--
By ten days, Duke Arthur's rebel army finally reached the main city.
One afternoon, Alfredo whispered to Lance,
"Sir Liamsworth sends word. He says not to worry, the soon to be King has promised your safety."
Lance paused and offered a knowing smile. The De Vere Dukedom had been cultivating private soldiers for generations. In Original Lancelot's previous life, these very soldiers had played a crucial role in the downfall of the De Vere Dukedom.
Now, who were the allies Duke Arthur truly counted on? It was the De Vere Dukedom, his rebel army comprised a significant 60% of De Vere's private soldiers.
"My Lord.." Alfredo's eyes widened, he finally grasped the entire situation.
His lord must have been aware of Duke Arthur's impending rebellion, perhaps from the moment he was asked to deliver a message to Sir Liamsworth or even earlier.
After some time, 007 informed Lance,
["Duke Arthur is about to reach the Royal Gates."]
Lance paused briefly, then stood up resolutely, "Let's meet the King. Though, he may soon become the former King."
In the Royal King Castle, King Alexander admired the throne made of precious materials.
Butler Cheron entered, reporting, "Your Majesty, the First Consort Lancelot has arrived."
King Alexander looked up, a smiling figure standing before the door to the throne room.
He involuntarily curved his lips, reaching out his hand. "Come to me, Lancelot."
—--
The cacophony of the outside world grew louder, the sounds of battle and approaching horses.
King Alexander extended his arms to embrace Lancelot, listening as the clamour outside drew nearer.
Suddenly, he spoke, "Lancelot, I apologize for not being able to share a single night with you. I couldn't fulfil your desires"
Lance looked at him, a soft smile gracing his lips, "It's alright."
Lance did not want to contract whatever disease King Alexander and Former First Consort Jace shared.
King Alexander nodded, he realised his earlier words was poorly timed, but the urgency of the situation weighed on him.
Before King Alexander could continue, the castle doors were violently broken open.
Revealing a General in a resplendent military uniform. His eyes, as deep as ever, scanned the room and finally rested on Lance.
He, Duke Arthur has arrived.