<h4>Chapter 183: Meeting with the King (2)</h4>
<i>Tranted by AmaLynne </i>
<i> </i>
<span data-contrast="auto">“By the way, it seems that your rtionship with Ste is good.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Yes, it’s just that I feel sorry we can only exchange letters.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">While the other fiancées enjoyed living together, Sam felt sorry that he could onlymunicate with Ste through letters. He wished he could meet her in person, but he hesitated to casually visit the royal pce.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Sam would like to talk to Ste face to face anyway, but he also feels that it would be unwise to visit the royal pce so casually.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“That shouldn’t be a problem. She was delighted with the handkerchief you sent her the other day.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“I’m d to hear that.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“I didn’t expect you and Ste to exchange letters so frequently. But it’s a good thing. She’s also happy. Now, about that…”<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">“I’m thinking it’s about time for you and Ste to live together.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“I’ll talk to the Master about it.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Wait, Sam, wait a moment.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">If Ste wasing to the mansion, preparations were necessary.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Sam regretfully understood that he needed Jonathan’s assistance with various arrangements.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Clyde interrupted Sam’s thoughts.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Do you n to continue staying at the Count Walker estate?”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Um, is that not okay?”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Considering Lise’s situation, he thought it might be best to continue living at the earldom.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Jonathan and the others would likely want to be close to their first grandchild, and it would be afortable ce for Lise, who was pregnant.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“It’s not a problem, but you already have the title of Count. How about having your estate?”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Oh, is that how it is?”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“That’s how it is. Don’t make such a troublesome face. It may be a bit of a hassle to find an estate, but… I’ve been thinking about this. I want to give you an estate.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Huh?”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“It’s not veryrge, but it belonged to myte brother.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“But, um…”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Sam was taken aback by the unexpected offer, and he wondered if it was appropriate for him to decide without discussing it with his fiancées.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Between us, I feel like I’ve burdened you too much. From Albert to the incident with Kurando. However, I haven’t done anything to repay you, and that troubles me.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“No, I don’t mind at all.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“I do. You’re a kind and good-hearted young man, but I’m troubled that you’re being taken advantage of because of your kindness. Also, when Ste starts living with you, you might feel ufortable at the Count Walker and be unable to visit freely.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“I see.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Eventually, you and Ste may have children together. When I think about that, I want a ce where you can visit without any burdens. Will you ept it?”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">With the king putting it this way, Sam felt it would be impolite to decline.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">However, he knew he needed to discuss it with his fiancées and the people at the Count Walker.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“I gratefully ept.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Good.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">The king nodded in satisfaction at Sam’s response.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“I’ll provide you with more detailster. Finally, there’s one more thing I want to tell you. Do you remember when I talked about the court wizard other than Gunther? The ones who held positions butcked ability due to the nobles’ interference?”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Of course.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">These are those who, due to the intervention of the aristocratic faction, are in the position of court wizards despite theirck of ability.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Those people were notified that they could remain court wizards on the condition that they duel with Sam.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">What happened after that, Sam never heard.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“In the end, no one wanted to duel you to keep their position. They all feared ending up like Albert, so they refused to duel and relinquished their positions and titles.”<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">“Everyone thought it was too much trouble. I might not have told you, but those people were only seeking to take advantage of their positions. However, there’s a bit of trouble now.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“That’s absurd.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Sam did not expect them to give up their position as court wizards so easily.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Sam was surprised because he thought he would be dueling with some if not all of them.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“I never expected them to give up their positions as court mages so easily. I thought at least some of them would be willing to duel, so it’s surprising.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Sam might not understand, but those people were merely trying to take advantage of their positions. That’s all they were worth.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“I see. I can’t really grasp it.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“That’s fine for you. However, there’s a bit of trouble happening.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“I have a bad feeling about this.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Usually, when adults phrase things like that, it means getting involved in something troublesome.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Besides you, Gunther, Kotomi another person is fulfilling their duties as a court wizard and serving the country. His name is Dominic Johnston.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Dominic Johnston?”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Yes, Dominic is an excellent wizard. The reason he wasn’t present during your duel with Albert is because he was engaged in a skirmish with a certain tribe on the front line.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“What happened to him?”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“He expressed a strong desire to see your abilities.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Sam looked up at the sky with an apologetic expression.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Oh, it’s going to be troublesome after all.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Sam’s feeling of unease turned into certainty.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":276}">