The Desire to Hide (2)

“Julia. “Do you have any alcohol?”

Catalina sat in the carriage whining and yawning repeatedly.

He was struggling with boredom, probably tired of harassing Malcolm, who was guarding his side.

Five days after leaving the central battlefield.

While returning to the capital, surprisingly nothing happened.

Even the occasional monster attack was quiet.

“I’m bored. “I just want to drink and sleep.”

“As soon as I get back to the capital, I’ll make you drink to your heart’s content, so just be patient.”

I scolded Catalina, but Julia also had her arms crossed with a bored expression.

Just one day to arrive at the destination.

It will be hectic after returning to the capital.

Won’t we just wander around frantically until the situation is resolved?

In particular, I had no idea how to appease the king.

“Julia. Perhaps the King’s favorite food or gift… “

“Don’t do anything unnecessary and go as soon as you arrive.”

“…I see.”

I didn’t know that giving a gift might have the opposite effect.

It would have been better to run quickly and have an audience with her.

Fortunately, the king will not impose harsh or severe punishments, but I think he will take some action.

It was difficult for someone who had to somehow head to the Demon King’s Castle.

“Don’t worry too much. Because the King is concerned about whether you are safe.”

“But Catalina…”

“It’s just this much fuss. “It’s not like my arm flew off.”

Catalina showing off her left arm.

Contrary to what he said, his expression was slightly distorted as if he was in pain.

They said it would get better soon, but according to Serika, a complete cure is difficult.

If rehabilitation continues, he may be able to swing the great sword again, but it is unlikely that he will be able to show the same force as before.

And there was one more worry.

‘I also need to tell you about Kayla’s identity.’

Now that her identity has already been discovered by Max’s knights, it has become difficult to hide her identity.

In the first place, I had no intention of letting Kayla hide her identity for the rest of her life.

In addition to informing the king of Kayla’s identity, he hoped that he would recognize her as a member of the kingdom.

Although I don’t know how much impact the King’s announcement will have.

Considering her status, you can’t ignore her.

“Anyway, I’m worried about Serica too.”

“Yes? Me…?”

“Okay. Because a being higher than a saint was born.”

Then Celica was horrified and shook her head.

Even now, I couldn’t accept the fact that I had become a half-human and half-god, but neither were the others.

In particular, if someone with higher religious faith than the saint appears, the Vatican will not remain silent.

“I should also stop by the Vatican in the capital.”

“Anyway, even if you stay still, they will invite you. There’s no need to go there in person.”

Perhaps the current saint will be pushed out and Celica will take her place.

Of course, Celica won’t accept it.

“Celika, do you have any plans to become a saint?”

“Yes?! No! “I shouldn’t be in that position!”

He is shaking his hand and shaking his head as if this is nonsense.

I was glad that he didn’t seem to have any intention of leaving my side.

“Let’s go to the capital first and think about it. “The Vatican won’t sit still, but something bad is going on.”

“That’s right.”

No matter what the Vatican says, what can they do if they say they don’t like Serica?

I can listen to what you say, but I don’t want any unnecessary interference.

“Anyway, there won’t be any time to be bored when we return to the capital. Be prepared.”

As Julia said, there was a lot to do when we returned to the capital.

Is it a priority to meet with the king first and explain the situation?

We will soon find out how she will treat me.

***

“This is so unexpected.”

The spectacle unfolded as soon as we arrived in the capital.

People were happily running around on the streets and music was blaring.

Festivals. The capital was vibrant with a festive atmosphere.

As we reached the main gate, numerous people greeted us with cheers.

“What the hell? “Suddenly it’s a festival.”

When I left for the capital, the gray streets were full of life.

Crowds welcoming people by throwing flower petals. I felt dizzy as I was experiencing a situation for the first time in my life.

“…I didn’t know the King would welcome this much.”

People were calling us heroes.

As I showed my face through the window, people cheered louder.

Then Erina quickly closed the curtain and pulled me in.

He pulled me in with a pensive look, probably because he was afraid of people’s gaze.

“Erina. Calm down.”

“…No, I do not want. “Why are they looking at you?”

For Erina, who was wary of people, it was nothing short of the worst.

I roughly expected something like this to happen once I became famous, but I never expected it would receive this much attention.

Even when people tried to block the carriage procession, the kingdom’s knights came out and began to guard.

The place they lead to is the royal palace. As soon as I arrived in the capital, I had to meet the king without even having time to catch my breath.

“Are you sure the King isn’t really angry?”

“…”

Julia suddenly silences her mouth. It seems like she didn’t think of this situation either.

However, it is no longer possible to turn the carriage.

Numerous knights were already surrounding the carriage, opening the road to the kingdom.

Upon entering the main gate of the palace, a red carpet appeared as the crowds disappeared.

As soon as I got off the carriage, a parade of knights followed.

My colleagues were confused and embarrassed by the sudden situation.

I hid Kayla behind me while holding Erina’s hand.

“Everyone, don’t get away from me.”

“Yes, yes… ” !”

Celica must have been scared, too, and started walking right next to me.

At least Tyria was looking around with eyes full of curiosity.

“What is this? It’s unnecessarily loud.”

“S-sister… “Please be quiet for now.”

Catalina was about to swear as usual, but Malcolm managed to stop her.

Fortunately, Catalina just quietly grumbled as if she didn’t want to cause trouble.

The place we headed to, led by the knights, was the banquet hall of the kingdom.

A trumpet sound suddenly rings when the door opens.

The military band was announcing our position.

At the same time, numerous people’s eyes were focused on us.

I was able to face the king who was standing in the center of the banquet hall.

“Oh! The main character has finally arrived!”

A banquet hall where silence follows the king’s words.

Countless nobles were looking at each other in silence.

The atmosphere suddenly became heavier. Meanwhile, the King smiled and lifted a wine glass from the table.

“Now that the people who announced victory have arrived, we should start a proper banquet.”

The king approaches slowly. Accordingly, the servants around him handed out glasses to his colleagues.

As if it were a scripted script, the king accepted wine from his attendant.

He came up to me and poured me a glass full of alcohol.

“Ruler. “Everyone gets a drink.”

The king pours alcohol on all his colleagues, including me.

In the meantime, I was holding on to Erina’s hand.

Fortunately, Erina waved her hand and refused, and the king seemed to understand as well.

After all the remaining companions accepted their drinks, the King handed them to me.

“How about it? “I’d like to get a drink from you.”

“…I understand.”

After carefully pouring the drink, the king immediately raised his glass high.

All the nobles who were watching this also raised their glasses.

“Ruler. Let’s all have a toast. For the heroes who returned safely!”

Along with the king’s singing, the nobles also shouted toasts and raised their glasses.

After paying attention and drinking alcohol, the military band started playing music.

The banquet began in earnest and became noisy.

“Everyone, enjoy yourselves in peace. It’s a banquet for you.”

“Thank you. King.”

As Julia stepped forward, the king also smiled and stepped back.

Soon, numerous nobles who were watching rushed towards her.

There was an endless process to become acquainted with Julia, the representative of the federation.

In addition, a lot of attention was paid to Catalina and me, the representatives of the party.

When people who had never seen each other tried to talk to each other with a smile, it was inevitable that it would be awkward.

Moreover, Erina next to him was giving her a derogatory look, so he was trying hard to hide her behind.

Julia defeats the people approaching me just in time.

“I think it would be a good idea to go out of the banquet hall for a moment.”

“Okay. “I’ll take my colleagues with me.”

Fortunately, Julia noticed and got people’s attention.

Thanks to her, I was able to get away from the people and away from the banquet hall.

As I opened the window and headed to the balcony, the atmosphere became quiet.

Only then did Celica sigh with an exhausted expression.

“Haaa… “I’m completely out of my mind…”

“I never thought I would end up in a place like this as soon as I arrived in the capital.”

I thought I would have time to go back to the mansion and catch my breath, even if only for a moment.

The king didn’t even give me a chance to come back on my own.

As time goes by, won’t people’s interest decrease a little?

While I was contemplating whether to spend time on the balcony and wait for the banquet to end.

“You were here. Seohyun.”

The king who followed me approached with a smile.

“It’s been a while. King.”

“Okay. By the looks of it, I’m glad you’re safe.”

When I turned to the side with a hand gesture telling me to come closer, the king whispered in a low voice.

“…Will you follow me? “I want to talk to you.”

“Yes. I understand.”

It has finally come.

After asking for understanding from my colleagues, I walked next to the king.

As we passed the balcony and left the banquet hall, the servants began to move away one by one.

Finally, the highest space in the royal palace. I was able to head to the king’s bedroom.

A space where even servants are prohibited from entering. A private place only for the King.

As I followed her into the room, a sweet scent came.

When the bedroom door was finally closed, only the King and I were left.

The king slowly turns his head and looks at me.

The relaxed attitude shown at the banquet hall a little while ago suddenly appeared.

“Seohyun.”

“…Yes.”

“Answer me honestly.”

He had a sad expression on his face, which was red from toxicity.

“Am I failing to give you faith…” “?” ?”

“… “

“Did you really act arbitrarily because you didn’t trust me… ? ? “Be honest…”

It was only when I met the king face to face that I was able to realize the seriousness of the situation.

It will take a very long time to comfort her.

I didn’t realize it until it was too late.