Regressor of the Fallen Family novel Chapter 186

Chapter 186

“Is this really okay as it is?”

“We have no other choice. I must be honest with you.”

“Yes, I suppose so. But then how you think His Majesty will react…”

As concern filled the master’s aged face, Logan intuited there was more trouble on the horizon.

Not wanting to pry into matters in this situation, Logan took a deep breath and stood in front of the office door.

At Logan’s nod, the knight guarding the door announced their arrival loudly.

“Duke Felix Esperanza and Count Logan McLain have arrived.”

– Let them in.

Creak.

The door opened with a familiar voice.

The king’s stern expression came into view immediately.

Logan sighed inwardly and stepped forward with determination, kneeling down.

“Forgive us, Your Majesty. Although we have captured some of the assassins, they all took their own lives before we could learn their affiliations and those behind them.”

The king sighed in response.

“Just as I thought…”

Logan’s eyebrows twitched involuntarily.

‘Is he suspecting me?’

It was an unpleasant thought, even if expected.

But then.

“It means they were thoroughly prepared. There’s no wonder you couldn’t find it. Well done, Logan.”

An unexpected response came from the king.

“…Excuse me?”

Taken aback by the surprise, Logan couldn’t hide his astonishment.

However, the king was now smiling at Logan, unlike before.

Moreover,

“I might have come across a bit irritable after all the troubles we’ve faced. Please forgive this inadequate ruler, Lord Logan. If I cannot trust you, then whom can I trust?”

At the moment when the king, having risen from his seat, approached Logan and patted his shoulder,

The Sword Master, standing behind Logan, looked visibly brightened.

“Your Majesty…!”

Yet Logan couldn’t smile like his master.

Although the king was smiling at him, his eyes remained completely still.

It was an eerie discrepancy that Logan felt, an act he was all too familiar with from his previous life as a freedom fighter, concealing his own identity.

‘An act…’

A chilling feeling crept into Logan’s heart, but he couldn’t show it.

Logan managed a similar smile and bowed his head.

“Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty.”

“Ha-ha-ha. It’s only natural. No need to thank me for such. Perhaps our estranged relations were due to the distance we’ve kept. Let’s take this chance to grow closer.”

“…Pardon?”

“Let them in!”

An abrupt order from the king.

With the command, court ladies carrying all sorts of foods and drinks entered as if they had been waiting.

Logan, unable to hide his confusion, cringed slightly.

“Your Majesty, to do this at such an hour…”

“Oh, Duke. It’s unnecessary to intervene today. This is a reconciliation between Lord Logan and me. Come and have a drink too.”

Even the Sword Master’s attempt to dissuade him couldn’t stop the king’s benevolent face.

And so began a most unexpected midday drinking session in the king’s office for Logan.

“Ha-ha. Cleo, bring more wine.”

“Your Majesty, you’ve had enough.”

“On such a fine day, when are we to drink if not now? Bring more! But this Flamma seems to taste a bit different, doesn’t it?”

“The taste of the noble wine changes slightly depending on the brewing time and the accompanying food…”

“Is that so? Ha-ha. I’m learning so much. Enjoy freely, Lord Logan. I shall fill your cup as an apology.”

Ha-ha, Logan laughed at the awkwardly pleasant gathering, which now included even the usually stoic Sword Master with a broad grin.

The drinking affair that started in broad daylight continued until the sunset viewable from the castle windows.

The king, Logan, and the Sword Master left the merry gathering with promises to meet again.

“Did you enjoy yourself, Your Majesty?”

After everyone else had departed and they were alone,

The king’s smiling face suddenly stiffened upon hearing Cleo’s words.

“Hmm. It’s tough to keep up such a forced smile.”

“…Your Majesty?”

“How could it be enjoyable? It was just a gesture of goodwill, a cover-up for the naive mistake I made by revealing my true feelings before.”

Cleo’s eyes widened, upon which the king managed a bitter smile.

“Don’t look at me like that. It’s just the conduct a powerless king must maintain.”

“Ah, I sorrowfully ask for forgiveness, Your Majesty. That wasn’t my intent…”

“Although the Duke may not understand, Lord Logan surely felt my intentions.”

“Then…”

“It’s a roundabout apology, or even a display of submission, within what the monarch can do.”

Crunch.

The king, who had been smiling so brightly just half an hour ago, grimaced menacingly.

It wasn’t merely the outburst of emotions caused by alcohol.

It was the explosion of something that had been building up and building up.

“Cursed be! It’s all because I don’t have the power. Because the royal family lacks strength.”

As the king spat out rough curses, Cleo’s eyes shone oddly, but the moment the king turned to look at him, he quickly bowed his head, concealing his gaze and smile.

“The royal family needs a way to gain power. We need a method…”

It was then that the desperate voice of the king reached Cleo’s ears.

“If Your Majesty pleases, may I present a modest suggestion…?”

* * *

“It’s fortunate that Your Majesty has cleared up the misunderstanding. Ha-ha.”

The master’s proud laugh wasn’t just due to alcohol.