The next day, I met with the King in the absence of Selene after they were done dealing with the aftermath of the raid on the party.
I once again confirmed that the Evil Cult has been eliminated from the root just as the Goddesses had told me and collected our rewards for the escort request of the event.
Outside of the ownership of the «Empty Wilderness», Teto and I were given 50 Mithril coins for successfully completing the request and even going beyond that by sealing the Great Devil.
"Hey, isn't that too much?"
"No, it's your rightful reward. I consulted with our court mages about the price of a tool that can seal the Great Devil and they concluded that the value of your service is the same as requesting 10 A-rank Adventurers to subjugate and even seal the Great Devil."
Apparently, this was still on the cheap end of the spectrum since the Great Devil would have needed more than just 10 A-rank Adventurers, more so if you also add the preparations to seal it.
"I see...... I will gratefully accept them then."
I heaved a long sigh after accepting the money and ownership right.
Silence filled the room for a while after that which was then broken by the King's speech.
"If it's okay with you, that is if you both don't mind, I would like to have Chise-dono be a Court Mage here and Teto-dono an imperial guard."
"Your Majesty......"
The Prime Minister and Knight leader looked at the King who asked us so with a gaze appealing to him to continue with his words and not just stop there.
"And well, you know. How about becoming my concubine someday? But if you don't like this idea, how about considering an engagement with my son?"
I guess they must have sensed how out of the norm our strengths were from A-rank Adventurers and were now trying to rope us in.
However, I could also sense something different from the King's eyes which was unrelated to our strength, something like a bit of interest in the opposite gender.
"If you're considering my standing as Selene's foster mother, I don't need it. More importantly, we're free-spirited adventurers. We don't wish to be tied to one place and I don’t want to become your concubine. Or is there something else at play?"
The King chuckled in self-derision when I asked back in return.
"...... That's sharp of you. There's indeed a reason. I’ve made serious offers to anyone who made me think ‘this is the woman'. I was charmed by the beauty of you two when you fought against that Great Devil."
"Err...... I don't know what to say. Rather, don't you love your legal wife or your current concubines anymore?"
"No, I love them. My love is impartial, it has no bounds!"
Oh, that was kinda cool of him but he reeks of disappointment.
And so, I am at the receiving end of his no-bounds love huh......
"I'm serious."
"............ Sorry. I have to reject it."
"I also am not interested in you."
The King suddenly leaned back on the sofa as if his strength was sapped away at my and Teto's rejection.
"Hahaha, I was turned down."
He laughed but I didn't sense any deep melancholy in it.
Sure enough, I wonder if people with lots of love have many such lovelorn adventures. I for one don't get it.
"Sure so, it has come to this. I will get Aria to comfort me this evening."
Aria...... Most likely, it was the nickname of his legal wife.
He was talking about the new stepmother of Selene who often talked to her whenever she visits. She seemed to have become attached to her as she heard about the stories of her mother Elise when she was alive.
After that, we talked about some other things with the King. And since we were already talking, I also consulted with him about Selene and entrusted him with a certain something.
And after King and his two retainers returned, I ceased the function of the transfer gate on their side.
SIDE: Seleneril
A lot of things happened. I made my debut as royalty, then the attack of the Evil Cult. The days went back to normal after dealing with the aftermath, though.
Every day passes by so fast after my first appearance as Princess.
«Selene. You must make sure to not get blinded by wealth and authority. Always consider the what, why, and how when the time to use them comes, and consider the effects your actions might have on others.»
The words of Chise okaa-san 一一 those were the same words she had said about the magic power I possess and now for my authority as royalty as well.
I received teachings and etiquette as royalty.
I, who didn't understand the impact of the royal authority I suddenly got ahold of might have, carefully weighed each one and understood them.
Just the point that I lived as a commoner up until now shows that I wasn't your normal Princess.
But the lessons and teachings about advanced healing magic I received from Chise okaa-san helped me out a lot.
From then on, I familiarized myself with the lifestyle of a royal, as if to make up for the time I had lost.
I talked with Otou-sama, chatted with the Queen consort who knew my Okaa-sama, and, for the time ever, saw the appearance of my birth mother Elise Okaa-sama in a portrait.
I acquainted myself with my half brothers and sisters and, as I continue to ponder that it might be better for me to stay here as a royal, the time I spent with Chise okaa-san and Teto onee-chan decreased.
I felt alone.
There were some painful moments when I couldn't get used to the lifestyle of royalty.
But even so, I felt relieved that I am linked to the house I had lived in with Chise okaa-san and Teto onee-chan due to the transfer gate.
If possible, I would like to be with Chise okaa-san and Teto onee-chanーーI wished so.
I was so happy when I learned that Otou-sama was considering bringing them into our family.
The day came when Otou-sama and his attendants passed through the transfer gate to propose to the two the idea of joining the family but this apparently turned out to be a failure as Otou-sama was turned down.
I thought maybe I should try to plead with them myself, so I stretched out my hand toward the transfer gate but I realized that couldn't go back there like usual.
"Huh? Why...... Why can't I go there?"
"...... Selene. Chise-dono gave me this letter."
I received the letter from okaa-san with a shivering hand and read it as tears overflowed.
「To Selene,
The threat of the Evil Cult has been uprooted. Your debut as a royal is now over as well.
To be honest, I had wanted to look over your growth until you're 15. This might be a bit early to do this but I'm considering passing this role to His Majesty and the others.
There are so many people with Selene now.
The King, the Queen consort, your half brothers and sisters, the knights, the maids, and the sisters from the downtown clinic.
They will be there to look after you and guide you from here on.
Then, I considered that having the presence of us adventurers with unknown origins in your shadow, who had become royalty, would leave a dark spot on your inevitable bright future, so I think you’ll be better off without us.
That's why I have closed the transfer gate.」
"How can it be? I can't go back? I can no longer go to the home where I lived with Chise okaa-san and Teto onee-chan! I can no longer be with them!"
My tears refused to stop at the sudden farewell.
Then I looked at the next letter.
「Selene. These 11 years Teto and I had passed together with you were incredibly amazing.
It was my first time acting as someone's mother so I think I might not have acted as much as a true mother.
I also had my work as an adventurer so I can't really say that I was a good replacement as a mother with pride and, to be honest, I still brood over the fact that the things I taught Selene were really for the best or not.」
"Okaa-san, you're thinking about such things...... But for me okaa-san is, there's only one okaa-san."
I continue to read further.
「I have passed a present for you to the King. First is the «Sense Crisis Necklace». This was a cursed accessory I had found in the dungeon in the past which I had purified. Its color would change when there is danger approaching you. Rely on the people around you when that happens.」
"Okaa-san......"
I took the accessories handed over by okaa-san from the Prime Minister uncle and held them in my hand as I read the letter.
One of them, a necklace, should be the one okaa-san wrote in the letter. Another one was a simple ring-shaped magic tool.
「Another one is a ring. It's a magic tool I have created. Its effect is, well I can't explain in detail, but it will save you in case you are in danger and no one is around to help you. If you ever fall into a truly disadvantageous situation with no way out, I will come for you no matter where you might be.」
I thought I could no longer meet them but as long as I have this ring, I will always have a connection with okaa-san.
「And finally, Selene. We love you. Live happily.」
Tears flowed out uncontrollably due to the sadness from the sudden parting and for her selfless love for me at that line.
Otou-sama and the others just silently watched over me who had such an appearance.
