It Seems Like I Got Transmigrated Into An Eroge

Chapter 118: Prince Lykos (2)

I didn't like the tone of Prince Lykos' voice.

"My dear guest, I apologize for the wasted time. Her highness, princess Lily, seems to be in a hurry. My apologies." Prince Lykos said.

"By all means. However, I'm not here to have a little chit-chat with you because as you can see I'm a busy person." Lily scoffs.

"I know it fully well. But first, I want to express my gratitude for helping my people in the Maiveil kingdom. The elven kingdom helped my kingdom in so many ways, so I hope our meeting shall be the beginning of the fruitful future between our kingdom."

A maid emerges at the door with three cups of teas placed on the top of the tray. She approaches and places the cups of tea at the table, centering the three of us. The four and Aldrich remained standing on their feet. They're just behind the prince standing. From Aldrich alone, I can easily identify the other four—They're part of the high aristocracy society. A Count family is rather on the middle pack of the noble ranking, but they're still considered a high-ranking official.

According to Claude's memories, the previous head or the previous owner of the Belmont and the Kramer Family declined the offer of the previous king to promote their family to a Duke status, which is unheard of until to this day. Thus, the title 'The Foolish Heroes' was born. The noble circles made fun of them for it.

There were speculations that it's a tactic against other kingdoms to fear the Maiveil kingdom, like giving them false pretense because of how noble ranking is structured in this world. The stronger the noble, the higher ranking it gets.

Honestly, I don't get their logic. Because that time, the war just ended and their names are well-known throughout other kingdoms. Unbeknownst to the people who laughed at them, they seem to have a reason for it because after the head of the Belmont family died that was also the mark of the family's prestigious nobility decline. I may be overthinking it, but it seems like there are correlations between the two.

Before inspecting the cup, I quickly glance at Aldrich to see his expression, and like usual, he's wearing his facade. But I can see his hands slightly quivering. I'm not sure whether it's fear or anger.

Lily picks up the cup and smells it. "It has a funny distinct smell for a tea."

"Indeed, it came from the herbs growing in here. They only exist in here."

"Yet, yours is different."

"My tongue has peculiar taste buds. Do you want mine?"

"Don't bother. I'm not fond of tea anyway." 

Observing Lily's tea and mine. Her tea was different because mine was too odd-looking than Lily's tea. I took a sip. The taste was somewhat odd too. It's not bad as I assume it to be, however, it's just too bland for my taste.

Lily glares at me.

I respond with. "Too bland. Not my liking. Plus, the smell..."

"If you don't like the smell why did you take a sip, huh?"

"...I don't know."

"I see... Fret not, I don't have any malicious intentions rather I wanted to build a wonderful relationship with the two of you, especially to you Claude. That's my main reason for our meeting."

"What happened to your discussion about the southern part of the border? I thought there were some disagreements."

"Indeed. I apologize, but I lied. The problem at the southern border has already been solved with the help of your esteemed father. I deeply apologize for it. I don't have any intention of lying, but you wouldn't accept my invitation unless it's related between our kingdoms."

Lily coldly gazes at him. "If you want to have words with us, tell it directly and we would consider. This is a serious matter that shouldn't be merely used as an excuse to talk to us. Prince Lykos, first prince of the Maiveil kingdom."

"Yes, I shall reflect on it."

"Then this discussion is over." Lily stands up while holding my hands.

Suddenly, I heard some murmuring from the woman next to Aldrich. I wasn't able to hear what she just said.

"Keep your mouth shut, Talia." Prince Lykos said as he looks back

"M-My apologies..." The woman named Talia cowers as she backs away.

When Prince Lyko spoke in a calm manner, a domineering aura erupted for a few seconds before disappearing from him. It was strong enough to make the hair in my arms stand up. The prince is quite more interesting than I thought because even Aldrich behind him can't help himself, but to remain standing in fear. The difference of powers is too obvious.

Unlike the people from the freshman S-class aside from Lily and Adelle, he's far more terrifying to mess with. Not only because of his strength but because of his underlying personality. If I were to guess, I would categorize him over to the sly ones.

As we were about to leave, our attention was taken by Prince Lykos.

"My apologies for the interruption. Before you leave, as I was saying, my main reason for inviting you here was to invite you over to my our faction. With your skills and experience, I would love to welcome you here, Claude Weiss." Prince Lykos said.

"Wait, I'm getting invited? Me? Not Lily?"

"We've been notified by her brother, so we respect the wishes of King Welton. So what's your answer? I can provide everything you need. The people. The facilities. The points. Everything shall be provided for you. If you have any request don't hesitate to ask me."

""Your Highness?!"" All five screamed.

Prince Lykos quickly glares at them and they instantly shut their mouth. He then returns his gaze back to me. "So? Isn't that quite a good deal? Furthermore, I will also put you in a higher position. You're a disciple of the Saintess, so I would gladly welcome you in here. My kingdom is indebted to her benevolent kindness. What do you say? Your strength will hugely benefit us."

"It's a good proposition. But I will choose to decline, sorry." I didn't hesitate in my words.

"May I hear why?"

I'll just lie since there's no way I'm joining a group alongside Aldrich. "I'm not interest—"

"Good answer!" Out of nowhere, Arya pops up next to me. I jolted but restrained myself from jumping. I thought I would die because my heart skipped a few beats.

"Arya?! Where did you come from?!" Lily yelled out of surprise.

"I've been here since the beginning."

"Since the beginning?! And why are you here?!"

"Of course to protect you two. You two are my underlings and I have sworn to myself that I shall protect my underlings until my last breath. And to also check whether they will betray me by joining some puny faction. They will fight and die for me."

"I really appreciate your words, but... We're more like slaves on the last part."

"No way! If you're a slave, you will tend my everyday needs, for instance, like washing my body."

"O-okay?" I said out of confusion.

"Do you want to be?" Arya smiles at me.

"Noooo! He won't!" Lily shouts from the top of her lungs as she pulls me away from Arya.

With the sudden appearance of Arya, everyone in the room except for us and Prince Lykos became terrified, especially Aldrich. He looks at Arya with terror and confusion. Arya's presence alone is enough to make anyone cower in fear.

Despite the strength of dragons, their population is relatively low, just like the elves but far worst as to why they're rarer than elves. Furthermore, there are creatures that are on the same stratosphere as the dragons in terms of strength.

"Well, he asked for it. Why are you answering for him, Lily?"

"Because I said so!"

"I don't get it..." Arya looks at me.

"Can we go back to the topic?" I said.

"Really? If you say so."

We're in our own world, so Prince Lysok broke it by speaking first. "I see the reason now. Looks like someone got ahead of me. The formidable dragon princess already took hold of him first. Well then, I will respectfully accept your refusal, Claude Weiss. As for the dragon princess, I hope you won't give him a hard time since he's still technically a citizen of my kingdom."

"You will not tell me what I need to do."

"Yes, yes. I understand. You don't take words from other than you, am I right?"

Arya stands up and nods rapidly with her hands over to her waist.

"Well then, this concludes everything. I bid farewell and see you again, Claude Weiss. Your Highness, Lily, and Your Highness, Arya." Prince Lykos stood up and raises his hand forward to me.

I shake his hand and gave him a smile before leaving. "You too. Have a great day. And one last thing, see you, Aldrich."

Aldrich rolls his eyes and completely ignores me. After getting out of the room, Arya latches into my left arm like we're some sort of couple. "What are you doing?"

"I'm so proud of you!" Arya tips her toes to pat my head. "You're a good boy. Good boy. However, I don't like when you hold back. If you hated someone, kill him, okay? Instead of keeping the hatred inside your chest, let it out and kill the person responsible for it."

"..." I was left speechless. 'I don't think you understand that there are rules in this world, young lady.'

"Arya! Don't corrupt him!"

"What? I'm just giving him advice."

We're garnering a lot of attention...