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Chapter 138: I Choose Father

“Roy/Master…”

“Do we drink tea first or eat cake first?!”

On one side was the red-haired princess with a fork in hand, glaring fiercely and demanding attention. On the other side stood the blonde maid, holding red tea, looking pitiful and speaking nonchalantly, yet refusing to give up.

No matter who it was, Roy couldn’t bring himself to refuse either.

However, after continuous feeding, his stomach was starting to protest, and Roy knew his body just couldn’t take anymore.

“Excuse me, I need to step out for a bit.”

Just as he said that and attempted to get out of bed, the two girls blocked his way, one on each side.

“Where are you going? I can accompany you.”

“You don’t need to worry, Your Highness. Alice will take care of the Master.”

“Hmph, can’t I just go with him for a little walk? Besides, I’m really not comfortable leaving him with just you.”

Seeing the two exchange glares, Roy, already sweating from the tension, could no longer keep quiet.

“You both stay here. I can go alone!”

The moment those words escaped his mouth, both girls froze.

Charlotte pouted in discontent, while Alice’s eyes dimmed slightly.

“I’m just going to the restroom. Surely you can’t follow me there?” Roy half-explained, half complained.

Little did he expect that upon saying it, both girls suddenly looked up at him with a fiery glint in their eyes.

After the back-and-forth during afternoon tea, both understood how tough the other was, and it was hard to declare a winner.

But now, there was a rare chance to be alone with Roy!

Going to the restroom was a highly personal matter. Whoever accompanied Roy would indirectly prove who had his favor more!

Charlotte, with her competitive nature, didn’t need any additional motivation. And under her influence, the typically reserved Alice also grew resentful, increasingly coveting time alone with Roy.

So, they both spoke up at once.

“The restroom is quite a distance from here; I guess I could reluctantly show you the way.”

“Master, don’t be polite; Alice will guide you there.”

Roy was taken aback.

He thought that after offering reasoning, these two would back off, but they only became more enthusiastic?!

Wait, what are you thinking? Aren’t girls supposed to be modest about these things? Why do I need someone to come with me to the restroom?! Don’t I have any personal space or freedom left?!

“No, no, no! I know the way, and I just need my cane!”

“You know the way? Can you navigate better than the young lady who grew up in the palace?” Charlotte scoffed.

“Master, the cane is missing.” Alice stated with chilling nonchalance.

“Ah…”

With his stomach further swelling and under the burning gazes of the two girls, Roy felt like he was trapped in hell.

He wasn’t severely disabled or anything! Besides, having a girl accompany him to the restroom was just too embarrassing!

But… what if he couldn’t hold it anymore? If he couldn’t make it in front of the girls, that’s beyond mere embarrassment!

No matter which girl he chose, he would lose his dignity as a man.

For Roy, this was a crisis akin to facing a blood-red dragon!

Fortunately, fate was not always so cruel. A sudden voice from outside was like a heavenly bell offering Roy the ultimate salvation.

“Roy, are you free?”

As the door swung open, there stood Carl!

Roy immediately responded, “Yes! Absolutely!”

Seizing the moment when the two girls were momentarily stunned, Roy hopped out of bed, clutching his stomach, and rushed to Carl’s side.

Noticing the resentful eyes from the two girls, Carl looked at his son, a bit hesitant. “Uh, if you’re busy, it’s fine…”

“No! It doesn’t matter how busy I am, I can always make time for my father!”

Roy said with such warmth as he dragged Carl out of the room.

In Carl’s eyes, his son was doing significantly better with girls than he ever had.

That kid, claiming his relationship with Charlotte was nothing special? He was clearly close to the princess, yet still making time for the maid! And now, he had the audacity to be in the same room with both!

Carl couldn’t help but worry about his son’s future.

In Veszyra, the norm was monogamy, though nobles could have a few concubines. As a father, Carl didn’t oppose Roy having multiple girlfriends, but it did depend on whom!

Not to mention Alice, Charlotte was a whole country’s princess. Now that the second prince was dead, Charlotte might inherit the entire Lionheart Kingdom!

Even if regular noble girls could throw a fit, Carl could handle it. But if it came to a Lionheart queen, he might truly find himself helpless.

“I’m not trying to pry into your private matters, but, uh, I think you should take it easy,” Carl said, glancing at Roy with a complex expression. “Women can be quite terrifying.”

“Don’t worry, their relationship will improve… probably,” Roy chuckled bitterly.

If you said their relationship was good, the tension between those two was anything but fake. But if you argued they were at odds, they were oddly united when targeting him.

In the original story, even if they didn’t end up together, they would at least be half-friends, so their feelings couldn’t be that bad.

Compared to their rivalry, his bladder was definitely more important!

“Father, we can discuss this later. I need to use the restroom!”

Roy clutched his stomach as he made his difficult way to the distant restroom.

After taking care of his physiological needs, Roy accompanied Carl to an empty balcony.

After spending some time together, Roy had learned a bit about Carl.

If it wasn’t something important, Carl wouldn’t specifically seek him out.

Under the cool breeze, after a long deliberation, Carl finally looked at Roy and spoke slowly.

“You must have many questions about our bloodline…”

Roy’s heart sank, but he kept his expression composed. “If you choose not to tell me, I understand you must have your reasons.”

Hearing this, Carl felt a bit of the weight lift off his chest.

He had always been worried that Roy would blame him for not revealing the truth sooner; to his surprise, Roy didn’t seem troubled.

Even if it was merely a moment of courtesy, it was sufficient solace for Carl.

The old knight smiled faintly, eyes showing a mix of surprise and warmth. “You are far more sensible than I was at your age.”

“Your mother once instructed me that until you proved unqualified, I shouldn’t let you become an Extraordinary Being, shouldn’t let you accept the Reverse Scale, and lastly, shouldn’t reveal the truth about our bloodline.”

“So that’s why you’ve been keeping everything hidden,” Roy nodded in realization.

Yet unexpectedly, Carl shook his head.

“No, your mother’s instruction was one aspect. But the real reason I didn’t tell you this was that I didn’t want to.”

“Huh?”

Under Roy’s bewildered gaze, Carl turned away to look into the distance and sighed heavily.

“I don’t want you to tread the same path your mother did.”

Looking at Carl’s back, Roy felt a hint of unabashed sorrow in the supposed Ironblood Marquis.

 

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