Netori: Stealing The Hero's Party!

Chapter 585: Advisors To The King

Another week has passed and the king and the queen have shown no results at all. The queenʼs legs were still light and her belly still not grumbling at the sight of either something sour or sweet. Thus, with the royal healer present along with Markus as the knight, the two were sat down in their thrones and questioned about what was happening.

”Another week passes, who knows how many are left?” Said the old hunched-over healer. Her eyes were half closed for her gaze had grown hazy in her old age. Looking up at the king through the long strands of hairvering the front of her face, she heaved a sigh and shifted her attention to the queen instead. ”Have you been taking the medicine that I provided young lady?”

Nervously looking towards Milo before glancing right back at the old healer, Viola nodded her head to give affirmation to the question. The old womanʼs eyes then shifted to the king once more. Staring at him, she pondered.

ʼA human and a spirit, if only he held a lick of creature blood then this wouldnʼt be so difficult.ʼ Shaking her head, she lifted her head to the king once more and spoke to him again.

”If I may speak out of line for a moment…” As embarrassing as thenversation was for Milo, he fanned his hand and gave her permission. Nodding back, the old woman took a deep breath and readied herself to speak out the truth about the matter. ”As much as it pains me to admit this, your father–or rather the late king wasnʼt really your father. I doubt itʼs a secret for he was far too old to father any children from the moment heʼd married your mother.”

Shifting umfortably in their thrones, both the queen and the king looked at each other. The two were very much aware that Milo and even Tia were born out of wedlock. Neither of them had a legitimate claim to the throne and if that news broke out of the castle, the already turbulent politics would be rocked even more. The Mistress would swoop in and if the hero doesnʼt help them, the royal family might as well bme a scrubbed page in history.

”As for your real father…” Walking forward a few steps, her walking stick clicking against the floor, the healer got their attention yet again. Once all eyes were on her–even that of the dark knight in arner, shentinued. ”We have no clue who he was or if heʼs alive–mostly likely not, but either way, heuld very much be the reason behind your…”

Hesitating for a moment, the old woman sighed.

”Impetency…” Looking up at the look of shock resting on the royalsʼ faces, the old woman added. ”I ran some tests on your sister tonfirm, but it seems sheʼs fertile with regular periods every month–which means, itʼs not the fault of your mother but the fault of this mystery father to a certain extent.”

Glancing between the duo, she allowed them a moment to digest what sheʼd just said. But as their shock refused to pass, the old woman began talking again.

”Ofurse, your race plays a crucial role, but if even medicine from the greatest herbalist in Athenia doesnʼt work, then thereʼs more than one fault at play.ʼ

”And what do you suggest, lady Gray?” Stepping out of the dark, his long sword thrown over his shoulders, the dark knight huffed like a bull from behind his mask. ”Last I checked, it was your duty to keep the royals in good health, but has age caught up with you? Is it time for your apprentices to take over?”

It was obvious that Markus wasnʼt happy about Grayʼs assessment–and would he be? Past Miloʼs death, he wished to retire but with no heir to the throne, heuldnʼt do so in goodnscience.

”Stand down, Markus…” Hearing themmand from Viola, Markus took a step back but his glowing emerald eyes behind that helmet kept glaring at the old woman. However, Gray did not budge either, for she knew that the royals needed her.

”You may be older than me, knight, but it doesnʼt seem that youʼre as wise,” shaking her head as if disappointed in him, Gray slammed the heel of her wand against the tiles. The bell tied to it echoed through the hall and finally, as everyone was looking at her again, she offered the last advice that she had. ”A surrogate. Much like the queen that required another man to birth you and your sister, we might too need another man to fulfil that role–a surrogate father that is, but ofurse, I know Iʼm pushing beyond what I should.”

Laying down her stick, Gray lowered herself to the ground and sat on the floor. Casting her gaze upwards, she glanced between the stunned king and the queen. Neither of them expected her to suggest such a thing, but if the royal family must go on, then in secrecy a child had to benceived.

”N-no way!” Viola was the first to dissent, her heart already pounding for she would never dare sleep with another man.

”Has your mind rotten, Lady Gray? How can you suggest such a thing?” Milomplained, still trying to be somewhat respectful towards his elder.

”The winds are turbulent my lord, an heir can reignite peopleʼs hope in the monarchy. Else, the dukes and the duchess, along with that woman in that wretched place, theyʼll blow you into the wind and there would be little for even your knight here to do anything about it.” Turning her attention to Markus, she glared at his helmet. ”Tell me OʼKnight, will you pick up your blade if itʼs not the rich who demand change but the poor whoʼd been influenced by them? Will you be able to sweep the heads off of fathers and sons whoʼve been falsely led to believe that everything would be better without a monarch ruling them?”

”To what end, for the dukes and duchess to rule over them instead? As if…” Markus tried to rebut her point, but then he realized that a slave might yearn for freedom but upon achieving it, he sometimes turns into a slave to that freedom instead. ”Tsk…honeyed words can entice them, I suppose. Most of them are level-headed, but even a minority of civilians are still neighbours to the rest. If I raise my sword to them…”

As Markus Milo wore a strained expression. He knew that one civilian killed by his soldiers would rattle even the peace-loving citizens against him. Especially with a succubus doing the manipulation along with the nobles trying to dethrone him.

”This…meeting is dismissed!” Frustrated, he slammed his fist on the armrest and began walking towards the exit.

”Milo, wait!” Viola followed right after, but there was no way the king would listen to her…just yet.