Rise of the Eromancer

Chapter 171 The Eccentric Royal Family

"...You have just become a candidate to inherit the throne."

"What…?"

Prince Lance — Rhys was already aware of how cunning he could be, and in a way, how determined he could also be. Even when they first met, Prince Lance personally flew all the way from Enkland in just a hunch that Lina might be the one that was in the photo that was trending on the internet.

And when he was there, he made the Secretary Karen, who had been trying to control Rhys, look like a child as he did whatever he wanted and just took him away before she could do anything.

No — he probably wasn't even there for Lina, he was there for him. As the person who had been making tabloids in Amerka, the royal family of Enkland would have surely taken an interest in Rhys as well. Prince Lance was probably already aware that Lina was with Rhys even before that blurred photo was leaked to the masses, it only finally gave him a reason to approach Rhys without looking suspicious.

Even when he activated the traps in the castle, he was probably testing Rhys if the news about his strength was real… this might also mean that he was fully aware of Rhys's abnormal reflexes and senses, which should not really be obviously visible to other people.

Someone as cunning and sharp as that… would have also probably known about the infiltrators beforehand.

This entire thing… was a set-up.

"Hm…" And as Rhys collected his thoughts, a very small smile escaped his lips as he glanced at Lance's table, only to see him also looking at him, raising a glass of wine at him and nodding.

"You suddenly went quiet, Master Rhys," Daniel lightly tapped the table to get Rhys's attention, "You do not really have to worry, you won't be a target to those who crave the throne from Uncle. Well…

…not yet, anyway. Maybe tomorrow?"

"Danny, come on," Lina scoffed as she gestured to Daniel to shut his mouth, "Rhys isn't interested in that."

"That is not entirely true, Ma'am."

"W… what?" Lina could not help but take in a small gulp as she looked at Rhys, "You mean—"

"If that's the price for wanting to be with you, then I'll gladly take the responsibility that comes with it," Rhys very gently grabbed Lina's hand and kissed it.

"R… Rhys," Lina gasped as she finally looked at Rhys's face again; tears, almost threatening to fall from her eyes, "Are you… are you proposing to me?"

"What…?" Rhys could not help but blink a couple of times as he heard Lina's words, "I'm—"

"Can the two of you not flirt here!?" And before Rhys could say anything, Vicky finally snapped out of her stupor; her eyes, trying their best not to look at Rhys, "It's… it's disgusting. Why are the two of you even at the same table as us?"

"Hm," Lina raised an eyebrow as she looked at Vicky, "We'll leave, then. Rhys… follow me to the bathroom."

"W… what are you guys planning to do in the loo?" Vicky also stood up almost at the same time as Lina. And suffice it to say, all of the attention in the banquet hall was on them — none of the other guests could really hear what they were talking about, they were really only interested in Rhys and observing him.

Unfortunately for the gossipers and lusty married women, before anything could happen, the heavy sound of a trumpet echoed throughout the entire banquet hall. And almost as if in instinct, Vicky, who was making her way to Lina, abruptly stopped in her steps as she stood straight and faced the end of the banquet hall; where a small throne and a table were neatly and carefully placed.

[His Majesty, the King. And her Royal Highness, Queen Charlotte!]

And with the herald announcing the arrival of the King, everyone also stood up from their seats all at the same time. Rhys also quickly stood up, saluting the King as he entered the hall.

This caused Vicky to slightly glance at Rhys for a few seconds; her breath, slightly shivering as Rhys's thick arm couldn't be contained by his coat. Fortunately for her, her quivering breaths were drowned by the sound of whispers — Vicky and the other members of the Royal family found this completely disrespectful… but it did not take long for them to know the reason for the incessant whispering.

…Most of the women in the room couldn't stand up for some reason; some of them, even covering their faces in shame. There was a common denominator in all of the women who remained seated — all of them were wearing thin dresses.

Fortunately for them, the musicians hired for the banquet were professionals and quickly played a more lively tune to mask everyone's whisper as the King and Queen walked across the red carpet.

The King smiled and nodded at everyone, completely ignoring the fact that some of his guests did not stand up for him. The King looked quite young, one would even mistake him as Lance's older brother instead; his glowing slicked golden hair and thick glowing beard somewhat made him look younger.

Queen Charlotte, on the other hand, quickly noticed that a number of women did not stand up for them, causing her to raise an eyebrow as she glanced at each and every single one of them. Unlike the King, Queen Charlotte's age was obvious due to the wrinkles on her face, only slightly hidden by her make-up and glowing curly pink hair.

Very soon, however, she saw the reason why — he stood out in a room filled with color, after all.

"Dear…" Charlotte whispered into her husband's ear, "...That's Rhys Wilder."

"I know," the King just continued to smile and nod at their guests. And soon, he made his way toward the table of Agatha and Lance.

"Father. Mother." "'Sup dad, mum."

Both Lance and Agatha bowed their heads at the King and Queen. The King only smiled and gestured to them to lift up their heads, Queen Charlotte, however, glared at Agatha, gritting her teeth as she gestured to her to fix herself.

"Act your age," Charlotte whispered with her teeth still gritted before just smiling at Annabeth, Lance's wife, like nothing happened.

"Y…yes, Mum," Agatha, however, could really only force a smile back as Charlotte actually sneakily pinched her on the thigh.

"I did not expect so many people would attend," the King then faced his guests, "Everyone, please — we are all family here. Sit, sit!"

All the guests smiled and laughed before all of them sat back down. The women who couldn't stand up since their thighs were wet, could really only look away in shame.

"My grandchildren…" The King then stretched his arms to the side, "...Oh, how all of you have grown. But you should never be too old not to hug Grandpa and Grandma, no?"

And out of all of Lina's cousins, only Henry really rushed toward the King and Queen and hugged them. As for Vicky and the others, they only smiled and bowed their heads as the King and Queen looked at them… and soon, the King's eyes landed on Lina.

"Ah, dear Linette," the King very gently let go of Henry and put him on the side as he once again stretched out his arm as he made his way to Lina, "My Queen's favorite grandchild has returned to us, I see."

"...Right," Lina glanced at Queen Charlotte, only to see her squinted eyes looking at her from head to toe; almost as if judging all the choices she made in her life in one look, "...Hello, Grandpa."

"Hm," the King smiled and nodded before he finally turned to look at Rhys and also saluted to him, "And could this be the famous Master Rhys? At ease, Soldier."

"Please, Your Majesty…" Rhys shook his head, "...Just call me Rhys."

"Nonsense," the King chuckled, "I have heard from my son that you are to teach these rowdy bunch a thing or two of what you know. It's time for these children to actually know what it's like to really serve the country and not be on their phones all day."

"That…" For some reason, Rhys could not really rebuke the King's words, and he probably shouldn't in the first place, "...I will do my best, Your Majesty."

"Hm," the King smiled and nodded before gesturing to the Queen, "Dear, this is Master Rhys."

"Everyone knows who he is," Queen Charlotte reached out her hand to Rhys, "You seem taller in person, Master Rhys. You have made quite a name for—"

And before Charlotte could finish her words, the entire banquet hall was suddenly filled with gasps as Rhys… kissed the Queen's hand.

"Rhys…"

Rhys quickly turned to look at Lina as she nudged him and tapped him on the waist. Was… he not supposed to do that?

"Pft," Queen Charlotte, however, broke the sudden stifling silence that followed as she let out a hearty giggle, "Oh my, when was the last time a proper gentleman stood in this hall? And a foreigner at that."

"I… apologize, Your Majesty. I overste—"

"No," the King held Rhys's shoulder and interrupted him, "Do not apologize for attempting etiquette, my boy."

"Still, I—" Rhys could not finish his words again as he felt the King's grip suddenly tightened.

"How about some entertainment, then!?"

Rhys could really only watch as the King suddenly backed away from him; once again stretching his arms to the side. And this time, he suddenly took off his coat… revealing all the raging muscles that were hiding beneath his clothes.

"Oh no…" Lance could not help but cover his face, "...I knew he was being too behaved."

Agatha, on the other hand, could not help but smile and nod several times.

As for Rhys, he finally realized where Agatha and half of the family got their temperament from. And judging by the smiles and claps of the other guests… This was normal behavior coming from the King.

Just… how random and eccentric are these people?

"Master Rhys," the King gritted his teeth as he flexed his muscles, "As two people who have served our country…

…how about we show these young people how it's done?"