Vol 2: Chapter 14

The Holy King of the Kruvan Holy Kingdom is given a name in infancy, but once crowned, he becomes the “Holy King” and discards his name. And he is called the “Holy King” until he dies.

The characteristics of the Holy King are always light blue hair and eyes. This color is called “Holy Blue”. When the Holy King has a child with a partner from any race, the child either inherits the “Holy Blue” or completely inherits the characteristics of the partner. It seems to be either or.

In a sense, this is also a unique inheritance such as the Magic Eye.

Since “Holy Blue” can appear in both men and women, it is quite possible for a woman to become the king. However, if the “Holy Blue” does not appear, they will live as a relative of the royal family without being called “Holy Prince” or “Holy Princess” – in which case, they can’t even call themselves “Duke”. Only those who have the “Holy Blue” can be dukes. And of course, “Holy Blue” can disappear going down the family line, but even if it disappears, the duke status will not be revoked. Thus, although House Ebene has halfling family lineage, they are still dukes.

The “Holy Blue” is a special color and is the most noble color in the Holy Kingdom – I learned from the private tutor.

「His Majesty the Holy King himself!?」

「Why is His Majesty here?」

「Is His Majesty the Holy Prince’s attendant!?」

Clamor was at its peak.

However, the children at the table where I was – the highest-ranking spot in the venue – knelt and bowed their heads, and us, escorts, followed suit.

Following that, the same thing happened at other tables. The large venue became silent, as everyone bowed.

On the outside, the afterglow of sunset disappeared, and darkness suitable for a new moon night covered the skies.

However, the chandeliers in the hall cast a brilliant light.

The footsteps of the Holy Prince and the Holy King approached us.

The aura is amazing. Akashi-kun from “Kuroko’s Basketball” would probably say, “He’s tall”.. Ah, it’s painful that no one in this world will understand my references!

「Uh, um.. Everyone, please raise your heads. I am also a participant in the same banquet as everyone, after all.」

The Holy Prince’s formal speech absolutely didn’t fit his incredibly child-like voice

But no one raised their head.

「Uh, umm..」the Holy Prince’s flustered noise was heard in the silent hall.

「-Did you guys not hear that? Raise your heads.」

When a deep voice rang – if a glass was nearby, it would’ve definitely vibrated from the low frequency – first, the two from the duke houses raised their heads, and then, one from the marquis house raised her head. And now, it was okay for me, the young lady, and everyone else to raise our heads. So we did.

Needless to even check who told us to raise our heads, it was the Holy King himself.

Looking directly at him, his aura was quite incredible. Something looks to be shining. Eh, is it mana? Is he leaking mana? Isn’t that bad, Holy King?

「I’m sorry. If I had informed my arrival, it would’ve been a big fuss, so I kept it on the down low. Just think of me as Kluvshrat’s escort.」

It’s still a big fuss if you come without saying, though? ..I’m sure everyone was thinking that, but no one said a thing. Because the other person was the Holy King himself.

Prince Kluvshrat seemed relieved because everyone got up. He walked up to our table and took his seat.

Following that, the Holy King stood behind Prince Kruvslat and surveyed the people at the table. Is he serious about being treated as an escort? Is that really ok? But no one can sit as long as the Holy King is standing, right?

「..Your Majesty, please don’t make jokes.」

Holy shit!!! The gray bear spoke!!! ..I thought, but it was just the Berserker standing behind Lady Mira. Oh, the Berserker was the one who spoke huh.. I’m relieved.

I mean not. An escort can’t simply talk to the Holy King. That’s really bad.

「What? You also took up being an escort for your own child, right, Your Excellency Border Earl Mule?」

The Holy King cast a sharp glance by raising his eyebrows. Wait a minute, Berserker was the Border Earl himself!?

Even the young lady and the sons of the duke houses were surprised.

What! There are other cases where the escort himself is a VIP? Let’s check. Louis’s escort is Arthur, so his identity is in the clear. And Lady Charlotte’s cool-guy escort is.. looking at the whole scene with his mouth agape, so there’s no need to worry about him. Though, I’m not really sure if he can perform his duties as an escort.

And as for the Halfling escort of Lord Ethan.. Yeah, she’s intently staring at me. “I don’t have a secret identity that I’m hiding. I’m not a kinder egg with a surprise” – to pass on a message along those lines, I raised both hands up and shook my head. Whether she got my message or not, she nodded with an “Umu.” What does that “Umu” mean?

「If so, let us concentrate on the role of escort.」

「Yeah, I’m going to do that too. Hey, you guys! How long are you going to be standing? Sit down already.」the Holy King said.

In which part of the world does the escort tells the guests to “Sit down already”?

But I mean, this might be what it means to be powerful people. They can’t understand the feelings of lower-class people.

When I noticed, an orchestra appeared from the corner of the hall and started playing music. They played a stringed instrument similar to a violin, and it was a pleasant, mellow music which did not disturb the conversations in the hall. A servant of the mansion brought a chair to the Holy King, but the Holy King rejected it saying, “Have you ever seen an escort sit?” making the servant grow pale. You see, they don’t understand the feeling of lower-class people.

The banquet finally began. Something like a ceremony program was placed on the table. It had the menu name for the dishes, and there seems to be a greeting from the sponsor mid-way through the banquet. A high-ranking noble is supposedly the sponsor, and the name “House Duke Rozier”, Louis’ house, was written on it.

What if the Duke himself is coming? The number of VIPs will further increase? I can see several children who are feeling suffocated by the fact that not only the Holy King but the Border Earl himself is also here. Do they not plan to let these children catch their breath?

「Uh, umm, everyone who turned 12 this year, nice to meet you. My name is Kluvshrat. Please don’t mind the Holy.. the escort behind me.」

Since no one uttered a word, the Holy Prince tried his best to strike a conversation. But there’s no way anyone can not mind the Holy King

「Kluvshrat-sama, it’s been a while.」

「Oh, Louis. Yes, it’s been a while.」

I guess the two were already acquainted with each other, as they were having a relaxed exchange.

「Hmm? Did you change your hair color?」

「!? Eh, yeah, I just.. felt like it.」

With cold sweat beading on his forehead, Louis gave Lady Eva a sidelong glance. Prince Kluvshrat noticed it, and turned his eyes towards Lady Eva – and was stunned.

「I am meeting you for the first time, Holy Prince Kluvshrat-sama. I am Eva, the eldest daughter of House Earl Sillys.」

Since she was sitting in a chair, she only bowed slightly, but Prince Kluvshrat had his eyes glued on her.

「What is the matter, Kluvshrat-sama?」

「..Ah, eh, uh.. may I ask for your name?」

「As I said, it’s Eva Sillys.」

「I-I see! You’re called Eva Sillys, yes. It’s a slightly long name. Which house do you come fro— Ouch!?」

The Holy King dropped a knuckle on Prince Kluvshrat’s head. No, no. The escort shouldn’t bring harm to his host.

「Calm down, Kluvshrat. Young Miss, you are.. Victor’s daughter, I see.」

「Yes, Your Majesty. House Sillys is grateful for Your Majesty’s holy light—」

「Stop, stop. Those things are unneeded right now!」

When the Holy King addressed her, the young lady descended from her chair, knelt down, and bowed her head, but it was the Holy King himself who stopped her.

「Sit down, sit down. You all are the main characters today.」

Many people must have thought, “The person who stands out more than the main characters shouldn’t be the one saying that!”

「..I am deeply grateful, Your Majesty.」

When the young lady returned to her chair, the aperitif was carried in.

The table was lined with white plates, and a fork and knife of pure silver polished like a mirror. The center of the table was empty. Dishes served on a platter will be placed there.

The aperitif was a glass of various colors containing drink which tasted like fermented apple cider. It was sweeter than cider.

The young lady took a sip of the aperitif and placed the glass back on the table. Louis and Lady Mira were absentmindedly watching her each and every move.

It was pleasant to watch. I wonder if the escorts would get to eat too.. Most probably not. As I was thinking that, the Holy King spoke.

「By the way, Victor’s daughter, are you engaged?」