Chapter 221: Chapter 221. Faren's Concern ( POV )
Aisha, the daughter of the Laurel Family, proposed to take the elf princess into their clan. It was indeed a wonderful plan.
It had reached a point where we didn't know how many Elf survivors remained. It was now the responsibility of the Hume race to atone for their sins.
It was started when the adventurer guild of Lucas Town, sent a report to me explaining that they had found an elf in an orc settlement, and they were apprehensive about what to do with her. I was left speechless, wondering what a lone elf was doing so far from her now-destroyed kingdom.
In the report, Guild Leader Bazzam, who seemed to already know what had happened with Wills and the Elf Kingdom, asked to keep her in the royal palace, so her safety would be guaranteed.
However, I had my doubts about her situation. Not everything comes without drawbacks, there were demerits to consider.
If she was protected in the royal palace, there was no doubt that her safety would be of the highest level. However, her true identity would become known to people.
Until now, her identity as an elf had been concealed by her Magic Tool, and she had been selling medicines and potions for a living. If I were to suddenly allow such a person to live in the royal palace for no apparent reason and grant her the highest level of security, which even my children didn't receive, then it would be apparent to anyone that something was amiss.
Naturally, my ministers and nobles would seek an explanation, as a significant portion of the kingdom was managed by them. I would have to justify my actions to them, and they would determine whether my decision was right or wrong. This meant that, as an elf, her identity needed to be disclosed, at least to the high-ranking officials of the kingdom.
Although I am the king and can temporarily silence them, it would undoubtedly invite more trouble, which wouldn't be good for the kingdom.
Morg was suggesting some rather absurd things about making her my concubine. I wondered if he had bumped his head while walking.
Firstly, if I, the king, were to marry an Elf, other countries would not remain silent about it. Secondly, considering the long lifespan of elves, according to their standard that elf princess was only slightly older than my youngest daughter, Ayri. Marrying someone the same age as my youngest daughter at the age of 50? Absolutely not. Morg had certainly lost his mind with old age.
Furthermore, if I didn't handle this elf princess matter carefully, I might meet the same fate as Wills kingdom stupid king. I had no desire to welcome an angry divine beast that could destroy my kingdom in a matter of minutes, after spending years making it prosperous.
I couldn't believe such a nonsensical suggestion came from my most intelligent minister. I wondered if he was tired of living and wanted to die along with my kingdom.
I had gotten sidetracked from the story. In other words, if I were to testify and confess to her in the royal palace, there would be two demerits, in addition to the merits of her safety.
The royal palace was indeed a fairly safe place to live, but only for those of royal blood. If asked whether her safety was 100% guaranteed for everyone, the answer would be no. The royal palace was a place where people regularly came and went to meet me or for various other reasons.
Thinking about people coming and going, there was no guarantee that no one would try to infiltrate and cause harm to her. While I could hire plenty of guards for her security, there were always exceptions, and "what if" scenarios would persist no matter what measures were taken. It was impossible to guarantee 100% safety.
The second problem was that if I revealed her identity to certain people, and they secretly told someone else, it would be equivalent to announcing that an elf princess was living in the royal palace. If she stayed in the royal palace with very tight security, she would be confined and unable to move freely, which was not a life anyone would want to live.
Even though she could use her magic tool to hide her identity, she had already shown that it had a significant flaw. Even if her tool was flawless, the fact that we specifically informed people of her whereabouts posed a substantial risk, and it wouldn't take long for people to discern her identity, even if she changed her appearance.
With so many problems, simply keeping her in the royal palace was not a viable option. So, what should be done?
As I pondered this predicament, a report came in that Roselia Claude had captured a dragon child. I had to temporarily put aside the elf princess matter and focus on this new development.
Though Claude's matter was resolved thanks to my current one and only son-in-law, and soon after he also solved the issue of protecting the elf princess by taking her under his wing. I couldn't help but wonder what good deeds I had done in my last life to be so lucky.
"Morg, arrange for a secret rumour to spread throughout the kingdom stating that 'An Elf is being protected in the royal palace. Afterwards, prepare a room at the back of the Royal Palace. The occupant will be a female knight, so arrange for someone to look after the room daily, and assign some knights to guard it 24 hours a day. You can have Aniue decide on the selection."
Faren comes out from his thoughts with a smile, and while praising Sylphy in his heart for choosing such a good son-in-law, he speaks to his minister Morg.
With this rumour spreading, the possibility of people keeping a close eye on my favourite son-in-law would decrease. Additionally, if someone had nefarious intentions, they would likely target the female knight instead of going after my son-in-law's clan or seeking out his no-named worker.
Enjoy more content from m-v l'e|m,p-y r
"I see, this is certainly more effective. Should I prepare the substitute girl immediately?" Morg, who was unaware that he had been scolded numerous times by Faren in his mind just now, asked while praising Faren in his mind for coming up with a more practical plan than his own.
"No, that's not necessary. Spread the rumours first. As the rumours grow, it'll let them imagine an arbitrary existence of an elf as they don't have any eye witness anyway," Faren replied calmly.
"I will do it now, Your Majesty. Please excuse me." Morg bowed slightly and left Faren's study, thinking about how to spread the rumors.
With that settled, I needed to select a person to be dispatched to Myne's clan, someone who would serve as the personal bodyguard of the elf princess.
A strong, firm mouth and reliable person... Aniue would be an ideal candidate, but it was impossible to send a prince there.
What's more, the person needs to guard the elf and this is not a short-term mission. Also, I can't send anyone there, only a female or a married person would be better for this work, so that person don't harbour any ill intentions er spending a long time by her side, and try to bite something which he can't chew.
"Aniue, do you have any talented individuals in mind to dispatch to Myne's clan as a secret bodyguard for the elf princess?" Faren after thinking for a while and failing to come up with any suitable candidates, looked at Aniue who was helping him to deal with extra paperwork, and asked gently.
Aniue hearing his father's question, put down the complaint of a village chief whose villain is continuously getting raided by goblins and now asking for help, and replied after thinking for a while.
"Well, how about the Head of the First Knight Division? As far as I remember, he was in charge of the Divine Spirit Forge game, and he did quite well there. He also had some contact with Myne and had a good impression of him. Plus, he's highly skilled with a sword, and his skills are also not that bad. Moreover, he has a family, meeting all the conditions Father mentioned."
Head of the First Knight Division, aah Gale. He was indeed strict but had a good personality guy and was quite powerful. It seemed like a reasonable choice, plus his child was born not too long ago and I heard he had totally turned into a stupid father figure now.
Yes, the more I think about it, the more I think he's a good choice. Well, the issue now is whether he'll agree to it. But would he agree to bring his recently born child to a completely new place? Gale is a meritorious person, and I'd prefer not to use my authority as a king to force him. I suppose it would be quicker to ask for his decision directly.
"I also want to send two female knights to guard Myne's clan. Since Lucas is a small town, they should be more than enough to handle minor problems, and Myne can handle the larger ones himself. Do you have any candidates in mind for this role?" Faren asked thinking of giving small favour to Myne.
"Hmm, two female knights. I think there are a few female knights in the 2nd Knights Division who greatly admire Sylphy very much. They should be good candidates," Aniue replied, hesitating slightly, as female knight training hadn't come under his area and most of them were trained by Sylphy before she was robbed by Myne, so he rarely had contact with them.
"Can they be trusted?"
"Well, I'm not so sure myself either. You should talk with Sylphy about it," Aniue spoke with a hint of embarrassment since he rarely looks after any female knights, because most of them start harassing him in the name of asking various exercise-related questions, which, in the end, have nothing to do with their training."
Sigh, it was indeed desperate to ask a saint like Aniue to look for the female knights. As usual, he seemed to be weak against women. As a crown princess, it is indeed quite embarrassing to think that this guy can't even talk with a woman properly. No, this can't go on like this. I am soon going to enter in my fifties. It's time for Aniue to become a real man.
I understand that it isn't easy to find a suitable partner, but this guy is completely indifferent about marriage. If this continues, I will become a laughing stock in my friend circle, and they will certainly try to humiliate me while showing me their grandchildren. No, I can't let that happen.
Thinking such, Faren looked at Aniue with a determined look and spoke with a deadly serious face.
"Aniue, don't easily accept that you're weak against women. Shouldn't you be thinking of settling down with a partner as well?"
Hearing Faren bring up the topic of marriage again, Aniue looked at his shameless father, who was trying to give him marriage advice once more. He picked up the paper on the table with a frown and turned his face away.
Faren was already used to his elder son's childish behaviour about marriage and continued, "At first, I thought you would choose your partner between the Sacred Bow or the Saint. But now, because of your continuous hesitation, the Sacred Bow was taken by Myne along with Sylphy. So, would you like to meet the Saint?
Listen to me, son, you're already getting old, and sooner or later, you'll have to get married no matter how much you try to run from women. The Saint is a very good partner for you, so take my advice and meet her before someone else takes her away as well."
The Saint, officially recognized by the royal family, was a rare soul. Holding an incredibly powerful Recovery Skill, she treated anyone regardless of their status or remuneration, she is very gentle with everyone, earning her the nickname Saint. She was also requested by the royal family many times for her help, and she was a woman familiar with the royal family.
This kind-hearted woman was very rare nowadays, and Faren deeply wished that Aniue would accept his advice and marry such a good woman.
"Father, let's hold off on this talk for another time. There are many things that I have to decide right now, and the other side has to decide too," Aniue spoke and hurriedly ran out from Faren's study.
Sigh, why is this guy so against his own marriage? Other children of his age have already had their third or fourth marriage, and here he is, not ready to do even one. It seems like I have to talk to my wives about this matter. This matter can't be delayed any longer.
If I leave this matter to Aniue, then he might not find a partner for himself his entire life, Faren thought with a frown and hurriedly walked toward his second wife's workshop to invite her for a secret family meeting.