Chapter 70: Shield and sword (1/2)

”Sol, I am happy to present you, Clara, as you can see she is an elf. I brought her back because I thought she would do well as one of your retainers or perhaps a concubine.”

”Heh!?”

Clara exclaimed loudly at those words.

”Wait, wait, wait. What do you mean by concubine?”

Lilin tilted her head, ”You don't want to?” her eyes showed a profound confusion as if the very concept that someone would refuse such an offer was something she couldn't understand.

Clara wanted to scream her frustration and say of course not but rejecting the crown prince like that in his presence was out of the question. What's more, she clearly felt three pair of eyes lock on her at the same time. She didn't know why but she was sure that giving a firm rebuttal wouldn't result in a pretty result.

”Lilin. Stop it.”

The voice of salvation came from the prince himself.

”But…”

”No buts. I am happy that you thought of me, but I refuse to force anyone to enter into relationships with me. So please, stop now or I am going to be angry.”

He was talking with a calm and steady voice. Even though he didn't raise his voice, Clara could feel a certain majesty in his voice.

This raised the opinion of the prince in her mind. Elves were rather liberal when it came to love. This was mostly because of their high longevity and their low birth rate. For elves, sex wasn't something for pleasure and love was just a chemical reaction. They only believed in survival and giving birth to the next generation.

Still, as a woman, she also had dreams about her first time.

”Clara, was it? I hope that you forgive my cousin if her words were hurtful.”

Looking at his dazzling smile as he apologized, she could feel her face burn and her heartbeat accelerate. This made her understand once again why her mother said that those with beautiful faces could control the world. It was cheating.

Milia, who was observing all this from the back, had to hold the urge to let out a snicker. She wasn't biased in saying that Sol had the potential to be one of the most handsome men in the world. This was even more so because he was blessed by the goddess Luxuria. If he really wanted, few girls could resist his charm.

'This Clara is suitable to become his highness retainer. Perhaps even a contracted partner. Elves are B+ at base with different variants such as Moon elves or high elves having the potential to reach A+.'

She was already beginning to assess the advantages of getting this woman as a retainer for her beloved master.

But,

'I need to search deeper into her background.'

Even now, even though she knew it wasn't her fault, she could never forgive herself for letting her previous master die because of something as stupid as a betrayal. She would never let any traitorous bastard come close to Sol. Even if it was at the price of her life.

Thinking about traitors, she remembered one particular old man that set her suspicion ablaze. She needed to do a new round of spying soon to refresh her information.

'Once I have enough proof to validate my theory, I will immediately inform his highness. Fufufu~ it seems like I will have to become active again after all those years. I hope I am not too rusty.'

Sol, after giving his apology to Clara, patted Lilin on the head before turning to face Lilith. His fist was slightly clenched in anticipation.

”So, how was it?”

Silence fell as all eyes gathered on Lilith who stayed silent. Sol couldn't help but feel a little nervous but this nervousness provided to be useless as a small smile formed on Lilith's face before long.

Standing up, she came close to Sol and took him in her arms as she murmured.

”Aside from you showing off a little too much, this was almost perfect. You still have so much to learn, but–Sol, I am very proud of you. Congratulations.”

Those words struck home deeply and he could feel his eyes moisten a little before giving his all to not shed a tear. It would be truly lame of him to cry because of some little praise in front of everyone.

In his past life, Sol wasn't anyone special. Just a normal teen that could be found in the world. Just one out of 7 billion humans filled this world.

His life was neither particularly sad nor particularly incredible.

That's why he loved this world so much at first. Here he wasn't just a nobody. He was Sol Dragona Luxuria. The sole and unique Sol. Here he was special. He wasn't just someone who would die forgotten and ignored by the world. Even thousands of years after his death people would still remember him as the tenth king.

… This was what he thought initially.

Later, as he began to grow up and adapt to this world, he began to understand.

Being special means nothing.

Being unique means nothing.

Being remembered means absolutely nothing.

Those were the aspirations of people who wished to leave a mark on the world.

For him…Rather than being special. Rather than being unique, the simple fact that those close to him were proud of him was enough to send him to cloud nine.

This was the greatest form of happiness for him.

Some people might see this as incredibly childish. Others might see this as stupid or pitiful. Many would mock his lack of ambition. But–

But so what?

What did it matter to him?

He would become someone they could all be proud of.

He would become someone who could protect all of them.

He would become someone they could rely on.

That's why, while giving the brightest smile possible, he answered Lilith's praise.

”This is just the start.”

Looking deep into her eyes, he swore inwardly.

Even though he didn't know her pain.