I've Inherited the Summoning Skill, So I'm Going to Try to Master It! - Episode 38: In Other Words, Read the Situation

Episode 38: In Other Words, Read the Situation

The King had flipped his mood completely and was now in high spirits. He placed Tia on his lap and resumed lunch. It seems that the fairy’s bad reputation was cleared. But in exchange, it felt like the King had gained a bit of a bad reputation instead. Though that’s probably just my imagination. Surely.

“Rufus, I get the feeling it’s better not to bring out Tia in front of His Majesty.”

“What a coincidence. I was thinking the same thing. If Mother saw this, it would be a huge problem.”

“…Looks like it’s too late. Mother is coming here.”

A chill ran down my back as I noticed someone entering the salon. It was my mother. Apparently, Leonard’s Sword Saint Skill allows him to sense not just the presence of people around him but also even more detailed information. Incredible. It’s almost like having a cheat tool with a wallhack feature.

“I heard you were having lunch together. Would it be alright if I join as well?”

This is bad. Mother is staring intensely at Tia sitting on the King’s lap. 

“Mother, please, look closely! She has wings on her back! She’s not just an ordinary girl!”

But it seemed my thoughts didn’t reach her. The temperature in the room seemed to drop, while the King continued to shower Tia with affection. He was oblivious to everything else.

It seems like he really wanted a girl. Maybe I should apologize for being born a boy instead.

“Excuse me, who is that child?”

“Eh? N-No, it’s not like that. It’s a misunderstanding!”

The King flinched at her authoritative voice. His face had turned pale. As expected, the King’s dialogue skills are truly something else. Every word he speaks feels heavy, as if he’s being mercilessly pummeled.

“What do you mean by ‘misunderstanding’? I can’t believe this happened under my nose.”

“Wait a second. Rufus, you’ve got to do something!”

At this point, it would be bad if things escalated into a battlefield. I kind of want to see it, but it would be disastrous for the marriage if there’s a rift between my parents. 

Father, you owe me one, okay?

“It’s a misunderstanding, Mother. The child on the King’s lap is Tia, whom I summoned. She’s not His Majesty’s secret child.”

“Papa, was my relationship with ‘Mama’ just a fling?”

“Tia! Stop saying things that could lead to misunderstandings!”

“Piyeh!”

Tia shrank and returned to her original Fairy size in an instant. This should clear up any misunderstanding Mother had. Because ordinary children can’t shrink like that.

“Darling, don’t be mad, okay? It’s just a little playful joke.”

“Read the time, place, and atmosphere!”

Seeing all this unfold, it seemed my mother’s pressure disappeared. Now, a different kind of pressure was directed at me.

This is bad. Did it just shift to me!?

“Rufus, could you explain?”

“Of course, Mother!”

I stood straight and answered her question.

—

“Ah, I really went through a tough time today.”

“That was an unpleasant incident.”

“The real mistake was making Tia bigger in the first place.”

After that, it was a disaster. Mother interrogated me, and I ended up explaining that Tia’s magic made my hair look better when she dried it. 

As a result, I ended up having to take a bath with my mother today. 

As for Brother Leonard, he had tears in his eyes after being ratted out by Father for his mistake. I also reported that most of the items listed in the catalog were already in place. Which led to me getting scolded by Mother.

It’s not my fault. It’s so unreasonable.

But since Mother firmly told me not to release the items, I won’t have to deal with Brother Leonard sneaking into my room at night. That was the only good thing. If he did come, I could just bring up Mother. And it would be like an evil spirit making Brother Leonard disappear.

In other words, Mother’s protective charms are the strongest.

After returning to the Summoning Guild, I slumped over the desk, exhausted. I needed a bit of rest. Wasn’t lunchtime supposed to be a peaceful time to relax? 

“Prince Rufus, I’ll be taking the draft to the First Prince.”

“Thanks, Selvus. I’ll be up and about in a bit.”

“Understood.”

With a strained smile, Selvus left the room. It seems he was aware that lunch had been a disaster. I’m glad that message got through to him.

If there’s a problem, it’s the possibility that Brother Gilliam will come here with a pile of catalogs. 

No, it might not even just be a pile. A mountain of them is coming. I can see it, I can see the scene in my mind, Lala.

“Um, is everything alright?”

“Lala, could I have a cup of tea?”

“Understood. I’ll prepare it right away.”

Currently, Balt and Ray are having their lunch. Therefore, I can’t go out to the garden for a break. Even if a powerful magical creature like Lagios is nearby.

While I drank the tea that Lala made, I fiddled with the fur of Beartolt. I sighed in relief.

“Ah, this is revitalizing.”

“Master is becoming like an old man. How pitiful.”

“Master has been working non-stop since morning. Let’s let him rest.”

“Was lunch with His Majesty really that difficult?”

Lala was seemingly curious. She tilted her head and asked.

If that’s the case, then I’ll take this opportunity to teach Lala about the hardships of the royal family. Namely, I’ll tell her about the Queen, Mother.

“Do you want to hear about it? You do, don’t you, Lala?”

“Ah, no, not really…”

Lala made a “I messed up!” face. But it was already too late. I proceeded to tell Lala everything that happened during lunch. I was going on and on about it.

Of course, I made sure to keep Brother Leonard’s honor intact and kept some things a secret.

………..Maybe Selvus predicted this and ran away? What a thing to do, offering sweet Lala as a sacrifice.

When Balt and Ray returned from lunch, Lala looked exhausted. Sorry about that, Lala.