<h4>Chapter 181: Summoned by the Second Queen</h4>
<i>Tranted by AmaLynne </i>
<i> </i>
<span data-contrast="auto">For the past few days, Sam had been enjoying a peaceful daily life, deepening his rtionship with his fiancees, especially with Lise.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">He had been taking care of Lise’s health, practicing swordsmanship with Hanae, and visiting Kotomi and Mizuki to check on them. He had also been corresponding with Ste through letters, steadily strengthening his bond with his fiancees.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">However, Sam’s life took an unexpected turn when a knight arrived at the Walker Count’s estate and brought him to the royal pce.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">It seemed that Queen Cordelia Isle Sky, the second queen, had something to discuss with Sam.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Despite his inquiries, no reasons were given, and he was quickly dressed in formal attire.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">With the help of Lise and the others, it didn’t take long to get ready, but Sam couldn’t help feeling a bit disgruntled about the abrupt summons.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">(Still, I have no idea why she’s calling me.)<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Dressed in a ck suit and a blue coat prepared for the court magician, Sam was led to the reception room, where he sat without touching the tea, inwardly puzzled.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">He couldn’t fathom why the second queen was summoning him, someone he had no connection to.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">(But I can’t ignore a summons from the queen either.)<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Ignoring it might cause trouble not only for the Walker Count’s estate but also for Ste.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">To be honest, Sam had no desire to speak with a queen he didn’t even know, but it was part of his job as a court magician serving this country.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">After a few minutes of waiting, with the steam from the tea gone, a knight entered the room without knocking.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">The knight nced at Sam, surveyed the room, and said, “Please,” gesturing towards the corridor.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Following the knight, a woman in her mid-forties, wearing a dazzling red dress and apanied by maids, appeared. She had blonde hair and gave off a shy impression.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">(Is this woman Queen Cordelia? … She seems like a shydy?)<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Sam didn’t voice his thoughts, but his first impression was quite disrespectful. If she had heard it, she would undoubtedly be furious.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">The queen, after being led to her seat by the maids and partially hiding her face behind a shy fan, directed a scrutinizing gaze toward Sam.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Are you Samuel Scheidt?”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">The queen’s voice was somewhat intimidating.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Yes, I am Samuel Scheidt.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Hmph, the kingdom’s mightiest wizard, still just a child. Well, never mind that. I called you here today to give you some good news.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Yes?”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“You should be pleased. I have decided to marry you to my daughter, Rachel.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Sam couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, wondering how this hade to be.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“…I appreciate your words, but I am already engaged to Liselotte Walker, Murasaki Hanae, Mizuki Amemiya, and Princess Ste Isle Sky.”
<span data-contrast="auto">[ TN: I’m changing the name “Hanae” back, the previous name is ugly as heck. ]<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Even though he was engaged to the daughter of the count, as well as to a princess, he couldn’t fathom the possibility of another engagement.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">This would surely invite disapproval from those around him.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Furthermore, he had no intention of marrying a princess he had never met, and Rachel was known to spread malicious rumors about Ste.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">There was no way he wanted to walk that path.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“I’m aware that you have multiple fiancees.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“In that case…”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Why not break off your engagements?”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“…What?”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“My daughter, Rachel, has taken a liking to you. She would be a better match for you than a daughter of uncertain parentage like Ste. If you intend to continue as a court wizard, you should have someone to support you. I’m offering to be that support.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“I decline.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Sam firmly spoke his mind in response to Cordelia’s statement, which he found uneptable in its verbosity and high-handedness.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“What did you say?”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“I said I decline.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Do you dare to jest? You, a nobody from who knows where are refusing an offer to marry Rachel! Is that your answer?”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Yes, I decline. Forgive my impertinence, but I have no reason to marry Rachel.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“You insolent wretch!”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
.
<span data-contrast="auto">Cordelia’s fan snapped, striking Sam’s cheek.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Nevertheless, Sam didn’t avert his gaze from Cordelia and continued.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Between me and Liselotte, we have a child. I cannot, under any circumstances, break off my engagement with such important people to marry Rachel.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“You, impertinent fool!”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">A knight who had been standing behind Cordelia approached Sam, seemingly ready to draw his sword. However,<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Don’t touch me.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“—Hi, ah, ah!”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Sam exuded an intense aura of both menace and magic, rendering the knight incapable of further speech, causing him to copse on the spot, hyperventting.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“That’s enough!”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Cordelia stood up from her chair, waving her fan in her hand.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“I thought it would be a good match since Rachel insisted, but an ill-mannered child like you is unsuitable for my daughter. You may amuse yourself with the youngdies if you wish.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">With that said, the queen lost interest in Sam and promptly stood up, leaving the room. The maids hurriedly followed her.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Um, what was all that about in the end?”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Sam, baffled and with a tilted head, looked around, but there was no one in the room to provide an answer.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Afterward, a maid approached him and said, “Are you still here? You may leave now if you wish.” Sam sighed, realizing that it had all been a waste of time, and prepared to leave the pce.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Oh, Sam.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">As he stepped into the corridor, a familiar voice called out to him.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Your Majesty.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Recognizing the voice as that of King Clyde, Sam immediately knelt.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Rise, rise. We are to be family, after all. I’d like you to be more friendly with me. Moreover, I heard you were in the pce, so I came to find you. Would you care to stop by my chambers?”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Of course. I’d be delighted to apany you.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Good. Let’s go then.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">As Sam epted, the king began to walk in high spirits.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">(Actually, did the king personallye looking for me? He’s quite flexible.)<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">While thinking about this, Sam followed behind the king.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">