>> “I think I’m falling in love with you...” in a short, yet sweet monologue she said, everyone shunned completely from those words.

Their loud clamor and bustle heard throughout the place. Even Abigor, who remained stunned from what Astarte said, looked in awe.

“Huh? What—-Wait...” I tried to halt the clamor the entire group does and look at Astarte directly in the eyes. “What...? I’m telling the truth.”

With nonchalance on her voice, Astarte speaks out. What? What does she mean about it? “Eh? You tell me that you’re falling in love and this in our first meeting?”

She nods and smiles like a kid who sees a lollipop from a stranger. “..... What the...?” I’ve lost the thoughts out, all while gazing at her.

“So, from now... we’re betrothed. You’re a soon-to-be-King and I’m your Queen.” Her lips form a wide smile. “That’s too quick! You don’t know anything about me at all!”

I grunted from her reply. Astarte chuckles while swaying her head sideways. “Not a problem; since you’re here, there’s a lot of time for us to know each other. I also want to know you more as well...”

What the...? How this turn of events happen? “I don’t understand; there’s no way we can be together!”

“And why’s that...?” Astarte asked. Her eyes squint, asking that. “I mean...” my body frets out. Everyone here says they’re all Demons. A human and a mythical being together, and of all, a Demon...

This is ridiculous. My life turns out into a fantasy novel-like in an instant. Plus, I’m sure the entire Kingdom might be surprise if they learn that I, a mortal will be betrothed to the Queen.

I am not in a lineage of noble as well...

“There’s no way a mortal like me will fall in love with you, a Demon.” I answered. That thought made Abigor’s expression gritted out with hatred.

“You bastard—-“ but before she comes forward, Astarte halted her. The attendant seemed reluctant and surprised from what the Queen does.

“I never said that you must fall in love with me in an instant.” Astarte lifts her chest up, as declaring those words.

“It’s not that I’m gradually feel that way—-“

“—-No, it doesn’t matter how much time it will take for you to feel same thing as mine. We have all the time, and besides... I know one of these days you will fall in love with me.”

She’s showing confidence and assurance to this situation. “... Also, everyone captivates my beauty. I know you’re denying yourself to be with me...”

Now, she’s acting high and mighty. Swaying her hair lock, she gazes at me with smug.

What now...? I admit she’s pretty, but admitting that I’m swayed over her looks doesn’t seem good.

“... Well, yeah... I know you’re pretty and all. But that doesn’t make me kneel down and take your hand to marry.”

My words are firm and stiff, all from the experience I had resisting beautiful girls and their confession.

“Hah, let’s just see now how long will it take for you to kneel down and ask for my hand in marriage.”

I sense she got a little pissed from what I’ve said. “It’s nice to meet you, Justine. I know you will sway your feelings towards mine soon.”

Smirking at me, she turns back and faces the servants. “Let’s go...” trotting her feet on the ground, the Queen left together with everyone; however, Abigor turns her head sideways, giving me a sneer gaze.

“What’s with her problem...?” I asked in wonder while standing.

“Young lad...” at my back, a sudden tap lures out. I jumped out of surprise to see the one who did it. “You...” I grunt. It’s the mage named Botis, showing grin on his face.

“Seems that you two are getting along quite well, huh?” he muttered. The rest of the mages comes forward to me while scrutinizing my outfit.

“So fancy and bizarre clothes you have, mortal...” a man with good looks stares at my shirt and pants. He has a greenish blue strand hair in well-trimmed style and bulked body.

Pair of horns arises from the temple of his head. “Yeah, and you see Sartan, these clothes are really unique...” a girl, preferably in her 17 years of age added.

She has a violet hair and pair of horns plucked in the forehead. “He’s a person from another world... what you expect...?”

Mammon chided in as he smiles at the two. “Uh... umm... mister, I... I’m sorry...”

“Huh?” I asked. From behind Mammon is a girl looking at me with despondence on her eyes.

“You look manlier than I thought,” another girl walked forward and faces me. Her ample breasts are shown in front of my eyes. Her eyes are glimmer in amber and slit shaped.

The allure she gives is too strong and hard to resist not ogling. “Ah, thanks—-“

“I mean, if you’re not betrothed to the Queen, I might take you for myself...” her lips show grin. I don’t know but the way how she looks at me seems a bit odd.

“Asmodeus, please stop talking like that to our future King.” Mammon interjected. She gives off a sneer gaze at the man right then.

“It’s nice that there’s a new guy appeared. Tristitia is happy.” The young boy waves the paw of the doll. “Are you...?” I asked.

“I’m Loth; Lord Tristitia’s familiar and guard. And I’m the one speaking on his behalf...”

Once more, the young boy introduces himself by using the doll. “Can we be friends?” he asked. I don’t see any good reason why should I get along with everyone here...

But they seemed not impose any harm at all. “Well, if you’re fine with me being your friend?”

Tristitia removes the doll covering almost of his face and look directly into my eyes. His eyes sparkle in navy blue after hearing my reply.

And in an instant, runs forward to me to embrace. “I’m happy!”

Everyone stunned from what the young boy did. I also got surprised from what he did. “... He speaks.” Mammon uttered.

“Yeah, I don’t know if it’s a direct occurrence but, it’s quite new... the boy from the House of Acedia who always do ventriloquism speaks...”

Even Sartan and Asmodeus twitched out of surprise. “Uh... is that odd?” I asked out of wonder. The entire group looked and nods.

“It’s an unnatural thing for this boy to speak. He never said anything when he’s not doing ventriloquism.” The girl who stands beside Sartan speaks. I believe her name is Vangloria...

“Uh, guys...” from the corner, Beelzebub, the one who summoned me seemed on the verge of crying. “What?” I asked.

“She seemed getting left out of the group.” Botis answered. “And I was saying I’m sorry... yet...”

Tears moistened on her eyes while sniffling. Mammon and Sartan come over to her and console. “We never expect you will summon the King of this Kingdom. Quite an achievement you have, Beel...”

“Yeah! Unlike familiars, summoning a mortal requires lot of stamina and power to consume. Apparently, it takes 12 mages to summon a mortal from another world...”

Their thoughts did reach Beelzebub as she look at the two with wonder and awe. “These two are right; you did a great job. I happen to foresee this day will come before.”

Caressing his beard, Botis joined and smiles at Beelzebub. “Great work you done, Beel...” he added.

“Teacher, senior, Mammon...” as her eyes wandered to look at these three, tears welled on her eyes and wailed out. “Hey! Why are you crying!? Stop! No, don’t cry!”

Mammon and Sartan panicked to console Beelzebub. The others joined them and did same thing.

“I never thought this day will come. A summoning happened and out of the people in my world, I’ve got to choose...”

I feel a little relieved and sadness at the same time. For the time I was turned into a cold, inanimate object, a slight ray of hope gives to me.

“... Fate plays mysterious things in our lives. We don’t know what awaits in the future, but I’m sensing that you will be the one holds onto it.”

Botis stands before me as he looks into my eyes. “I don’t know what to feel right now... seeing myself on this place.”

“Be grateful, you’re still alive and all... and betrothed to be the next King of this Kingdom.”

That topic again, just how this summoning leads me to this kind of stuff? I want to understand everything. Am I really capable of living a luxury life?

Is there any way for me to go back in my world? If there is, how...? I would be glad if there’s one thing.

“And now, you’re the King of this Kingdom... we welcome you, Justine—-no, Your Highness... once more.”

Botis kneel down in front of me right after. The others see what he did, and follow.

“Wha—-Hey!” I grunt, but they seemed not listening to me at all. Anyways, I should find a way to go back to my world. I know there are methods... no matter how much risky might be.

But for now, should I play along with this charade they made? I don’t know how this will last, though...?

♦ ♦ ♦

>> Going back to the castle, Astarte briskly walked as her servants followed.

She didn’t say anything after. Everyone felt a little odd from her since there a while ago. “What’s his problem; not getting head over heels with me...!”

Murmuring softly but firm on her voice, her hands clenched tightly. Abigor instantly sees it, but she remained silent.

“...Not even trying to compliment my beauty, he’s a jerk! Ugh! It’s confusing!” she suddenly halts from walking. Her servants looked astounded right that moment.

“Ah! It’s confusing! I did finally meet him but why...?!” Astarte started ranting out in the middle of the hallway. Her once pretty face turns grim and rage.

And her cheeks start blushing unexpectedly. She doesn’t even understand why; kissing him all of a sudden and telling him what she truly feels.

“Ah, Your Highness—-“

“DAMN THAT GUY! AGH!” her voice roared out as one of the servants shunned before her question continues.

Facing her servants, Astarte’s complex look shows up. It’s the first time they saw the Queen having this expression. She’s always composed and collected at all times.

“It’s confusing! And now I already found my King! Damn it!” she cussed out. Her feelings gone haywire from the moment their lips connected. She did feel that the man the mage summoned is the one she sees in dreams.

There’s no mistaking about it. Astarte knows from her heart, that man is the one destined for her.

Although, that’s all of a sudden but she knew there’s something in him. “My mom told me about the feeling of knowing the person I want to be with. It’s the thing I felt about the time I see him, and... And...”

Her facial looks turns soft, but immediately go complex once more. “Ah! Damn it!”

“... And that’s why I wanted that guy to punch his face right that moment. But you halted me, Your Highness...”

With humble on her voice, Abigor chide to her thoughts. “...You can’t just punch anyone without proper reason.” Astarte answered as she meets Abigor’s eyes.

“But she insulted you. You’re impeccable and pretty than any other women, Your Highness...”

“I know that, I know... but,” Astarte got timid after. Trailing the thoughts out of her mind, her eyes avert off and look at the window.

The sunbeam luring over the windowpane gave light to the hallway. “I think I made mistake too...”

Her soft mumble twitches everyone as they heard it. “...Your Highness...” Abigor called. She has never seen the Queen acting like this before.

On her eyes show the wonder and happiness luring over, as it glimmer and quivers.

“... I become hasty and rush everything. Meeting him is the greatest thing happen, and though I know this is kind of quick, but my heart thumps like crazy...”

It’s the true feelings of the Queen. She has been felt that sensation the moment their eyes meet. Her heart couldn’t rest up; his voice and looks makes her eyes see the majestic spark luring over.

Astarte doesn’t even understand, either... yet, she never shows hesitation to hold his hands.

“He’s different from the nobles I met; there’s something I want to know more about him. I want him to see me as his Queen and nothing more. He’s all I want and nothing else...”

Her monologue fills with tenderness on it. Abigor fuzzed her eyebrows while looking at the softened face of the Queen.

“She’s really struck to that man. But that guy never showed interest on her...? ”

Taunting those thoughts out of her mind, Abigor heaves a long, deep sigh.

“Might be, the Queen’s on that age to see someone in opposite sex as an interest, huh...?”

That might be the whole case... it can’t be helped at all. “Abigor...”

Out of the moment, Astarte cracked the silence as she looked at the attendant. “Your Highness?” she asked.

“I am wondering... how he will fall in love with me?” a sudden question comes out of her mouth. Abigor shunned out from the thoughts heard.

“... I wish to marry him soon and lead on my main goal to this Kingdom. At least, that’s my sole purpose as the Queen...”

On that statement, Astarte’s face show somewhat a serene as it glimmers in the sunbeam. “... I do want to ask him to be my husband. Though this was all but a sudden happening, that makes me sure this will never go to waste.”

“Your Highness...” Abigor utters. Her sole purpose: to serve the Kingdom as the ruler and lead this place as the Queen.

Since the time this world was founded, that is.

She sighs and smiles at the Queen. “I do not know about that, Your Highness... but I think you should take it slow. Don’t rush anything; you and he may find the proper way to settle things up.”

Astarte’s lips form a smile after hearing her answer. “You’re right; I should know him better before anything. And that will happen soon. I know, he will kneel and beg my hand to marry, I’m sure of it.”

Though, that’s kind of ambiguous but Astarte says it like it’s really going to happen. For she knows this day happens by the proper time, knowing that the King of this Kingdom will come.