Reincarnated as Twins: And Then, I Was the Only One Abandoned - ☆64 And Then, ③

☆64 And Then, ③

A maid quietly set down tea and light refreshments. Before they bowed and left the room. 

The only ones left in the spacious guest room were me, the King, and Elysia. 

—Wait, what? 

What am I even supposed to talk about? 

My hands trembled with nerves, and I couldn’t even bring myself to reach for the tea. 

Meanwhile, the King of Eldarin and his daughter, Princess Elysia, continued chatting with warm smiles. It was as if I weren’t even there. 

“Still, this whole situation was quite nerve-wracking. The new King of Valhalion’s recklessness had already become a concern for the neighboring countries. Given your personality, I knew you wouldn’t back down easily… but we were *this* close to full-scale war.” 

“Fufu, I apologize for worrying you. But this city was built together with everyone here. Just because we were threatened, I couldn’t simply hand it over. I’ve always been blessed with good fortune, so I believed things would work out this time as well.” 

“Indeed, this city is unlike anything I’ve seen before—its strength and elegance are seamlessly intertwined. I’d like to take my time exploring it later.” 

The King brushed back his platinum blonde hair and took a sip of tea. 

—No, seriously. First the dark elf chieftain, now this guy. Do elves not age? 

This man looks more like Elysia’s older brother than her father. 

The father and daughter continued their pleasant conversation. 

Then, cutting through that peaceful atmosphere, the moment arrived. 

“By the way, Father, there’s someone I’d like to introduce to you today.” 

“Introduce? Who might that be?” 

“Yes, the person sitting beside me.” 

“Beside you? What are you talking about? There’s no one there.” 

……Hey. Wait. Can he actually not see me? 

“Please, stop joking around.” 

Elysia pouted in mild annoyance. 

“I see nothing. No one. The only people in this room are you and me.” 

“This is Souta Amagi.” 

Without missing a beat, Elysia pressed forward. 

“He and I have vowed our future together.” 

“…Huh?” 

“…Huh???” 

The King and I both let out identical stunned reactions. 

“Souta, please introduce yourself.” 

—So this is what it means for your mind to go blank. 

My vision blurred. I couldn’t focus. 

My heart was pounding like a drum. 

Oh god. I might actually die here… 

“W-Wait, hold on… I don’t understand what’s happening right now…” 

I barely managed to force the words out in a hoarse voice. 

—What the hell is going on!? 

I need to get a grip on the situation. 

“After all, back then, you told me, ‘From now on, trust me and follow me.’ I never expected a proposal at a time like that…….. but I was truly happy.” 

Elysia said this with a faint blush on her cheeks. 

…Wait. 

…Wait, wait, wait. 

—WHAT THE HELL?! 

That’s way too much of a leap!!! 

I *do* remember saying, “If you can’t trust me, then we won’t be able to move forward together,” back then. 

Sure, eventually I thought we might head in that direction… but she skipped over way too many steps!!! 

We haven’t even gone on a proper date, let alone held hands!!! 

King Eldaris, meanwhile, looked like the soul had left his body. In a frail voice, he finally spoke. 

“T-To think… you had someone like this… But… I suppose I can’t just ignore this, can I…?” 

“Souta, please introduce yourself.” 

…No way around it. 

I just have to face this head-on. 

“N-Nice to meet you. I’m Souta Amagi… Um, I’m eighteen years old. When I was a baby, I was abandoned in a cave, but a kind dark elf took me in and… somehow, I’ve managed to survive until now. Elysia has helped me tremendously, and I… I hope to repay that kindness by working hard…” 

…Crap. 

I got so flustered that I ended up sounding like some kind of samurai at the end… 

The King was now slightly more composed. He raised an eyebrow and shot me a sharp look. 

“Abandoned, you say? What exactly do you mean? Are you telling me you’re not even a noble? Not only are you a human, but you have no status whatsoever… And yet, you had the audacity to propose to Elysia, the second princess of Eldarin? …Perhaps it’s that recklessness that drew her to you.”

“F-Father! Please don’t say it like that—” 

Just as Elysia was about to protest, Eldaris cut her off sharply. 

“Silence, Elysia. I granted you freedom. But not so you could marry some nobody human from who-knows-where. You have two choices—either pack your things and return to the kingdom with me immediately, or cast this man out. Clearly, you are still just a child.” 

Elysia closed her eyes, as if deep in thought. After a brief pause, she slowly spoke. 

“He is not some nobody. This man… has the right to become the King of Valhalion.” 

“…Huh??” 

“…Huh???” 

Once again, the King and I spoke in unison. We were utterly dumbfounded. 

—Wait, wait, wait, WAIT! I didn’t hear anything about this…!? 

“Right now, this kingdom is in a state of chaos with no ruling monarch. Soon, a noble assembly will be held to decide the country’s future. I will inform Duke Leonard. So Father, I ask that you attend as an observer.” 

Elysia paused for a moment— 

Then, with a final, decisive statement, she delivered the finishing blow. 

“Souta will be crowned King at that meeting.” 

—EEEEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!?!?!?!?!?