After being dragged into the estate through its intricately designed halls, he was led into what he presumed to be a living room, though it was grander than he could have ever imagined a living room could be.
It wasn't gaudy with gold and littered with statues of the homeowners.
It was slightly plain in design but Arthur preferred the beautifully plain design of this place.
A-anyway, enough about the interior design.
Arthur, after being led… No dragged into the living room followed by Scarlet's family found himself in a rather precarious situation.
He was sitting on a luxuriously comfortable three person couch.
The problem was that he was sitting in the middle of Scarlet and what he presumed to be the princess of the nation.
If that wasn't enough of a reason for his chaotic state of mind then how about sitting directly opposite of the King and Queen and the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of the FREAKING NATION?
Why were the King and Queen here?
Shouldn't they be in that gigantic castle?
Sigh… Arthur knew it was because of what Scarlet experienced but dealing with a Grand Duke and Grand Duchess was tiring enough.
As for the violet haired girl sitting beside him wasn't lessening chaotic state of mind, she was increasing even more so than being in the presence of the ruler of a nation.
Stareee.
Stareeeeeee.
Stareeeeeeeeeee.
Stareeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
Why was she staring at him?
He had noticed her odd behavior ever since he saw her hiding behind her mother the Queen.
Could it be that she didn't like him?
She wouldn't order her father to have him executed, would she?
Also, what was with this silence?
Can someone speak?
The silence was too stifling for Arthur and the only thing keeping him sane was the tea he and everyone in the room had been served a while ago.
"Sir Arthur, would you like some tea?"
"Y-yes please, thank you!" Arthur replied to the only remaining maid within the entire estate.
"It is my pleasure, Sir Arthur!" The maid said while trying to suppress a chuckle before pouring the nervous boy his fifth cup of tea.
As a woman, she understood what was happening.
Even the previously confused King and Grand Duke had realized why Scarlet was behaving abnormally.
Unfortunately, Arthur was too naive to understand.
[Scarlet, can't you help him out?] Yuki said while on Scarlet's lap.
[W-what should I do?]
[Just act normal and introduce him to your parents!]
After taking a deep breath and a sip of tea, Scarlet finally gathered enough courage to break the five minute silence, "As everyone must already know this is Arthur. I owe him life!"
As soon as her words fell everyone who previously stared at Arthur turned to her allowing Arthur to sigh in relief
Only for him to stiffen when everyone's faces turned back to him.
[Arthur, introduce yourself!] Scarlet said while elbowing his side.
Now, knowing what to do and not wanting to be impolite, Arthur placed the teacup down on the table in front of him, gulping before shakily standing up and bowing, "P-Please forgive my lack of etiquette Y-Your M-Majesty the King, Y-your H-Highness the Queen, Grand D-Duke, and G-Grand Duchess. M-my name is Arthur, Arthur Pendragon!" Arthur said with his head still lowered.
Damnit, why do novels make it seem so easy when the main character converses with a high status person?
This wasn't easy at all.
Should he sit down now?
Or wait for a response before sitting down?
In the beginning, he only sat because he was forced to by Scarlet.
"Hohoho, Arthur Pendragon, that is a nice sounding name!" Grand Duke Ern said before standing up and helping the boy raise his head.
But after doing so, Ern bowed "Arthur, my boy, you have my deepest gratitude for saving my daughter's life." before raising his head and looking down at the now stunned boy "If there is anything you would like in return for saving Scarlet's life please state it. I will have it brought to you in seconds." He said in all seriousness.
"My younger brother is right, if there is anything you desire please state it, no matter how hard it is to obtain I will use my authority as King" Edward was also serious his niece's life is far more important than all the riches the world had to offer.
Breaking out of stupor, Arthur replied equally as seriously as the King and Grand Duke had "Grand Duke, there is no need to bow your head; as for a reward, I never thought of such a thing before or after saving Scarlet's life." After awkwardly rubbing the back of his head "In fact, embarrassing or nonsensical it may sound, I was unaware of Scarlet's identity as the Vampire Kingdom's Grand Duke's daughter. And even if I was aware of Scaret's identity, I would have never thought of asking for a reward. Not even now."
"Hohoho, you're quite a good natured boy aren't you? If it were anyone else that had saved my daughter, I would have been afraid for my coffers!" Ern was impressed. After he finished speaking, he introduced himself "Though you might already know from my daughter, Scarlet, but allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Ern Alucard Heartfilia!" He then pointed at his wife who had at some point already left the couch and was next to him.
"Young Arthur, was it? I am Scarlet's mother. My name is Lynn Ernest Heartfilia! Please call me Aunt Lynn from now on!"
"As you may already know, I am Queen Elaine, mother of Violet Edward Heartfilia. Like my Sister Lynn said, please also refer to me as Aunt Elaine or better yet as Mo" Queen Elaine enthusiastically introduced herself only to be interrupted.
"MOM!" Violet yelled as she furiously blushed; she couldn't believe what her mother was about to tell Arthur to call her.
After stealing a peak at Arthur, she finally relaxed not before shooting a glare at her mother.
Chuckling at the behavior of his wife and daughter, Edward said pleased with the boy "Young Arthur, I must say you are one of a kind, even I myself would be tempted by the thought of a reward personally being given by a King and Grand Duke of a nation."
Arthur was honestly quite flattered by everyone's warm responses once introductions began.
"Y-your Maj-"
Edward interrupted the boy by patting his shoulder "Arthur my boy, please do not refer to me as such! Please call me Uncle from now on. I and everyone in my family aren't one for such formalities outside of royal duty."
"Uncle!"
Arthur truly didn't expect such a warm reception.
Everything was outside of his exception, the confusing moment between Que-... Aunt Elaine and Violet didn't help either.
Turning to look at the currently only sitting person, Arthur smiled; it seemed like the saying was true an apple truly does not fall far from the tree.