Memories: My Kingdom

Chapter 48: Entering the Castle

“Good morning, doctor Gie!” Thepeople greeted Gie when they passed by him. “A friend?” they asked when they saw Leui who was standing behind Gie. “And a cute dwarf!” they added when they saw Mhir who just came out of the door.

“Good morning.” Gie smiled back as he nodded. “Yes. They are my friends.” He told them.

“Ah! It’s Analiese!” Mhir exclaimed when she saw Analiese setting up a stall outside their house. “Analiese!” she called as she ran towards her.

Analiese turned and saw their group of three then she smiled. “Good morning.” She greeted.

“Good morning. How do you feel today?” Gie asked.

“I feel much better compared to yesterday.” Analiese answered.

“Good. Just continue taking your medicine three times a day. After six months, let’s see if your illness will be finally cured.” Gie told her.

“Thank you very much, doctor Gie.” Analiese smiled.

“Analiese. The flowers are very beautiful!” Mhir exclaimed when she saw the bouquet of flowers on the table.

“Wow! They smell fragrant!” someone passed by when she suddenly smelled the flowers. “And they are very beautiful!” she added.

“They came from the Rainbow Village, madam. Do you want some? I can also arrange them in another way…” Analiese said and continued speaking to the customer.

“She’s doing great.” Leui smiled, feeling relieved.

“Her complexion looks better now, thanks to doctor Gie.” Marie spoke as she appeared behind them. “She insisted on going outside and basking in the sun.” she said.

“It’s fine. It’s actually better for her to bask in the sun.” Gie said. “But, not too much. Tell her to return inside before noon.” He told her.

“Yes, doctor Gie. Thank you very much!” Marie said before she went to Analiese who successfully sold a bouquet.

“By the way, Leui. Since you’re here, are you staying for good?” Gie asked.

Leui is a human, after all, and he finally returned to where he belongs. Mhir can also stay, as the humans are open-minded about the other races, despite those who hate them. Those who hate them won’t come to their kingdom. What for? To increase the loathing that they feel?

“I’m not sure…” Leui answered as he pondered. Although he decided to go to the human kingdom, he didn’t think much of it. After all, he’s already content in his life in the Other Shore. The first reason he wanted to go to the human kingdom is pure curiosity. He really didn’t give it much thought…

But, now… he thought when he remembered Tinum… and then the scythe that he found which he suspects belonged to Loheiruchel, as if it were Loheiruchel’s memories that he is dreaming. Thinking about this –

“Gie.” He called as he turned to him. “What do you know about the royal family?” he asked.

“The royal family?” Gie was surprised. But, remembering that it was Leui’s first time in the kingdom, he felt that it was reasonable for his friend to ask because Leui might feel curious.

The royal family is the ones ruling the human race, after all.

“Currently, it is Khander who is the king.” Gie answered. “His queen died after giving birth, and unfortunately, it was a princess who was born. Khander is deeply in love with his late wife, so he didn’t marry another. The Fleur, which is the title for the princess, is expected to marry a prince from another kingdom.” He explained.

“… the Sallia Kingdom?” Leui spoke. He has already heard of this other human kingdom.

After the Great War, everything was in chaos. There were many lives that were lost in the aftermath. In the human race, a dissent appeared and the humans have split into two. This other group of humans doesn’t want Filur or Loheiruchel to rule them. They want new blood. So, they split up and built another kingdom by themselves.

“Yes.” Gie nodded. When he arrived in this world, he was surprised to find that there was another human kingdom. “I heard that this marriage will unite the two kingdoms, making the human race whole again.” He said.

“The Fleur feels a great pressure, then.” Leui spoke.

“Yeah.” Gie agreed, pitying Fleur Eliese.

“How are they as a person?” Leui asked.

“The king is benevolent. He sympathizes with the poor.” Gie answered. “The Fleur has a great sense of responsibility, just like her father.” He explained.

Leui nodded in understanding. There is a pensive look on his face. Before they arrived in the Capital, he casted an invisibility spell on the scythe so that the humans won’t be afraid of him or would think he is a bad person for carrying a scythe, which can be used as a murder weapon. He could’ve left it with the knights, but after Fedrich saved him when the Dream Weaver’s domain collapsed, he learned that the scythe can’t leave him, he knew that the scythe will just return to him even if he’d tie it with the horses of the knights.

He also couldn’t leave the scythe to them, since they think that it was a cursed scythe. They didn’t know it was Loheiruchel’s. Also, he wants to find out the mystery surrounding Loheiruchel, as well as the scythe, by himself. And Tinum… I wonder how he is now…

Leui glanced at his back where the scythe which he tied to his waist using his belt is. Seeing Gie’s expression, it was obvious that the other couldn’t see the scythe. The invisibility spell really works. “Is it possible for me to enter the castle?” he asked.

Gie was surprised, although he immediately recovered his expression. “You want to go there?” he asked.

“Yes.” Leui nodded. “I want to see how the castle looks like up close.” He explained.

That’s just one reason. In truth, he wanted to know more about Loheiruchel. And the one who definitely knows the most about Loheiruchel is the king, Khander, who is the descendant of Filur, Loheiruchel’s comrade.

Gie thought about it. He remembered that when they were in college, Leui was really an avid reader of fantasy novels. It isn’t unusual for Leui to be interested in the castle since they are now in a fantasy world. “It’s not impossible to enter the castle…” he said. “It’s just that you should have a valid reason to enter it.” he told him. He grimaced. He felt ashamed to not be able to help Leui in this matter. Although he is the best and popular doctor, he's still a civilian.

“I understand.” Leui spoke. He knows that Gie’s abilities are limited. Gie has already helped him enough. If he’d still insist, he would be impertinent. And entering the castle is obviously out of Gie’s power. “Then, do you know what are the valid reasons to enter the castle?” he asked.

“Hmm… let’s see – “ Gie rubbed his chin as he pondered. “Nobility is one thing. But…” he looked at Leui.

As people from another world, naturally, they are nameless in this world. Nobility is out of the question.

“I don’t have any interest in being a noble.” Leui spoke. He’s already happy being a civilian.

Gie nodded. “Then… knighthood?” he spoke. Knights can freely enter and exit in the castle, which they are guarding.

“But, I don’t plan to be a knight.” Leui said.

Gie understood. “Their job is very dangerous.” He said.

“Is there any other way to enter the castle?” Leui asked.

“Another way…” Gie muttered as he pondered. Suddenly, his eyes lit up. “Ah! You can enter if you have made a contribution to the kingdom!” he said.

“A contribution?” Leui muttered. “Like what?” he asked.

“Like saving people!” Gie answered.

“’saving people’…” Leui pondered.

“’saving people’?” Mhir spoke when she heard their conversation. “Leui saved the people of the Rainbow Village from a Dream Weaver!” she said.

“You did?!” Gie was surprised.

Leui nodded. “It’s not that much. I… we know the Dream Weaver. We met her when we were in the Other Shore, and then helped her.” He explained.

Gie was awed. He already knows that Leui lived on the Other Shore. That’s already scary enough. But for five years?! If it was him, he doesn’t think he could live for one day. Then now, Leui is telling him he has saved someone from the other race, and it was a Dream Weaver!

Dream Weavers are known to be hostile creatures, and when they catch you, you can only dream of escaping, but you can’t.

“Oh. I’ve finally found you.” Someone spoke from behind them.

They turned and saw that it was Melton, the vice-captain of one unit of knights.

Melton nodded at Gie and Mhir before he looked at Leui. “Leui. Sorry if we neglected you.” He said and apologetically smiled.

“’neglected’?” Mhir was puzzled.

Melton smiled, feeling embarrassed. “You helped us save the people from the Dream Weaver, and then captured the thieves.” He said. “The captain already went to report, and the head knight asked me to fetch you. His Majesty wants to meet you.” He told him.