"Now that you are aware of my intentions, may I ask if you could step aside?"
Reinhard gazed sincerely at Graham, hoping he would allow him to take Felt away.
"Hey, hey! What are you guys even talking about? What Royal Selection? What are you planning to do with me?"
Felt timidly tugged at Graham's sleeve, afraid that he might abandon her.
Having grown up in the slums, she knew nothing about the Royal Selection.
Every day, she only thought about how to survive, how to earn money, and how to escape this life.
Things like the Sword Saint and the Royal Selection were too distant for someone like her who didn't even have a family name.
"Sigh..." Graham let out a sigh and met her anxious gaze, speaking seriously, "It's like this, Felt. The Kingdom of Lugunica, where we are now, is currently without a king. According to an ancient prophecy, five Royal Candidates will be chosen to compete for the throne. The way to determine the candidates is through this insignia...
Just now, when you held it in your hand, it reacted and emitted light, proving that you are the long-missing fifth Royal Candidate. And this Reinhard here likely wants to support you in ascending to the throne, which is why he's so concerned about you. Perhaps there's some agreement between the Sword Saint's family and the late king."
Felt frowned, "Graham-sama, are you saying that I have the qualifications to become a king, to become a noble?"
"You were already a noble. You are the daughter of the late king, who was kidnapped while he was still alive! Your golden hair and red eyes are proof of this." Reinhard paused, then continued, "Moreover, you should possess the 'Divine Protection of Wind'. This blessing grants you agility and swift movement, a special ability of the Royal Family."
After saying this, he extended his hand, "Although it might not be appropriate to say this in front of Emilia Ojousama, as Graham said, I will support and protect you until you ascend to the throne. Will you come with me to the Astrea family, Felt Ojousama?"
Hearing this, Felt turned her gaze to Graham.
"Well, Felt, haven't you always wanted to escape life in the slums? If you follow this powerful Sword Saint, you'll be able to live a life you've never imagined. To be honest, there are very few in this world who can defeat the 'Sword Saint'. With him, you'll be very safe."
"How do you know my intentions?" Felt asked, somewhat surprised.
"Because I've been watching you for a long time. If I wanted you to be my maid, I naturally had to investigate thoroughly. The money pouch was intentionally hung on my waist."
"Huh? You're way too cunning, man!" Felt was stunned. So he had been counting on her to steal his money pouch all along.
"None of that matters now. Didn't you refuse anyway? In any case, if you're willing, you can go with Reinhard to the Astrea family. That way, Old Man Rom's injuries can also be treated. If you're not willing, I promise you, even the 'Sword Saint' won't be allowed to act recklessly!"
As he spoke, Graham coldly glanced at the red-haired Sword Saint.
"Uh..." Reinhard looked awkward. It seemed he had left a very bad impression.
"I can become a king? This has to be a joke, right?" Felt clutched her head, completely unable to believe it.
She was just a poor girl with a determined heart striving to survive. Suddenly being told she could become a king felt like a pie falling from the sky, something she couldn't accept right away.
"Felt Ojousama, please believe in yourself. Come with me, just to confirm. I promise you won't lose anything!" Reinhard gave her a knight's salute, his gaze filled with sincerity.
Anyone who saw it would surely feel goodwill toward him, but Felt wasn't buying it.
"There's a limit to jokes! Even if I really am a princess, what about my parents? Why haven't they come looking for me all this time? A king? Do I even care?"
Glaring fiercely at this 'fake knight', Felt turned and walked away.
"Felt Ojousama, the late king has passed away. They didn't come looking for you because they feared you might be in danger..."
"Bullshit! They were in danger, so they just abandoned me? If it weren't for Old Man Rom, I would have starved to death long ago! Now that they need me, they come looking for me? Where were they when I needed them?"
Felt was extremely agitated. She didn't care about the Royal Selection. All she wanted now was to leave the slums and help Old Man Rom recover from his injuries.
"Uh, well... Graham-san, can you please talk to Felt Ojousama? The Kingdom of Lugunica is currently facing a crisis of destruction. Other empires are eyeing us covetously. Without the fifth candidate, the true Royal Selection cannot begin..."
Reinhard turned his hopeful gaze to Graham, as Felt seemed to trust him.
If all else failed, he would have no choice but to fight...
For the future of the Kingdom of Lugunica, he had to take Felt and make her the fifth Dragon Maiden!
"Alright. I'll try."
Graham calmly glanced at him, then turned and walked toward Felt, who was now tending to Old Man Rom...