I symbolically slapped myself on the mouth, all because of this love-struck tendency of mine. I love Lionel, I love Lionel, I love Lionel... I chanted it like an incantation three times in my head, wiping away the cold sweat.
"Hahaha... You're really quite amusing, but there's no need to be nervous. I won't get angry with you!" He laughed self-deprecatingly. "Since Lionel's mother passed away, it's been seven or eight hundred years since I've genuinely laughed like this. If it weren't for you, I might have even forgotten that Lionel is my own son!"
"Your Majesty is too kind!" This must be what they call "the king's great delight"!
He narrowed his eyes with a meaningful look. "Margie, I'll grant you a reward. Heather has spent centuries trying to make me smile, yet you managed to make me laugh so easily. If you visit often, I'll be very happy! This way, no vampire would dare lay a finger on you."
"Your Majesty, no reward without merit!"
