Mebius World Online – Mari’s VRMMO Diary, Embarking on a Laid-back Adventure as a Novice - Chapter 81
It should be uploaded yesterday but, I was too tired.
81. Mari-nee, him and the king
For now, I asked Letya-san to step back, and I entered the small room with him.
And, I experienced my second astonishment of the day.
Originally, this small room was created by the pharmacist for patients who didn’t want to be seen or heard by others.
So, there should have only been two round chairs and a small table as furniture.
But now, a long red carpet covered the floor, and a colorful tapestry depicting a lake hung on the wall.
The round chairs had been replaced with impressive ones with cushioned backs, and the table had been replaced with something very expensive, with metal legs resembling plants supporting a glass top.
There was only one person who could have done this, but before that…
“Why is the king here?”
If Letya-san had entered normally through the door, she would have informed him of my absence, and since she wouldn’t have known the state of this room, there wouldn’t have been the option to wait here.
Considering her prostrated posture, even if the king had said, “Wait here,” I think Letya-san would have declined, saying, “It’s too much to make you wait, and there’s no suitable place for you to wait.”
So, the king must have entered this room unnoticed by some means.
“The castle has several escape routes prepared for unforeseen circumstances through generations. One of them happened to pass near this house, so I connected it to this room. By the way, the entrance is hidden under the carpet.”
Now that he mentioned it, a part of the carpet in the corner of the room seemed slightly different in height from its surroundings.
Wait, so could the recent tremors I’ve been feeling be due to the king digging underground?
“The rumors in the capital about your casserole intrigued me, so I wanted to taste it myself. But I can’t walk around openly. I was scolded by my attendants severely after meeting you last time. However, by using this escape route, I can visit you without attracting attention. Although it cost quite a bit to hastily construct it, it’s worth it just to see your surprised face.”
The king chuckled, but there are too many points to nitpick, and I’m here feeling troubled, you know?
First of all, even if it’s fine that my casserole is becoming famous in the capital, why would the king be interested in commoner’s food?
He’s the king, right? There are plenty of delicious foods for him, aren’t there?
Moreover, who spread these rumors to the king?
There must be more important information!
And he casually mentioned connecting this room to the escape route, but I never gave permission for that, including the interior!
And how much did it cost to construct it hastily?!
If there’s money for that, I thought about using it for the people in the capital, but since it’s not from taxes, I can’t say anything!
And if we consider this as a public project, ultimately, the money will be returned to the people in the capital… hmmm.
“It seems you’ve accepted the current situation. I apologize for urging you, but could you serve me your casserole promptly? I’ve been so busy escaping the castle that I haven’t eaten anything since morning. Of course, I will pay for it.”
Laughing with a slightly playful tone while holding his stomach, I felt a slight discomfort in the king’s expression.
I don’t really know where specifically, but there’s something about it that bothers me.
“…Please eat properly.”
Without finding an answer in the end, I left the room and went to the clan’s shared item box to take out the casserole.
Wooden dishes wouldn’t match the atmosphere of that room, but anyway, the fact that the king is eating home-cooked food makes such discrepancies trivial, right?
Returning to the small room, I placed the casserole I brought on the glass table.
“Here you go. I’m not sure if it’ll suit the king’s taste.”
“No need to be modest. Hmm, it smells delicious indeed. Let’s try it.”
Scooping up the casserole with a wooden spoon, the king took a bite.
After chewing slowly for a while and swallowing, the words that came out were unexpected.
“I never knew my mother. Though frail, she was a beloved queen mother to the people. It seems she passed away shortly after giving birth to me. According to my father, who watched over her, my mother’s once pale pink hair turned completely white, and her delicate limbs became as thin as dried branches. He often told me it seemed as if she entrusted her entire life and essence to me, every last drop of it.”
“Your Majesty…”
“I never knew such a mother, never tasted her cooking… But indeed, this must be the taste of a mother’s cooking. It’s no wonder many people seek this flavor.”
Moved by his somber story, I couldn’t help but… huh?
Wait, no, I’m not everyone’s mother, okay?!
Before I could ask for clarification, the king lifted the plate and swiftly finished the casserole with his spoon.
“It was truly delicious. Now, as promised, let me pay.”
Saying so, the king placed an exorbitant amount of money on the table.
“Um, I think this is a bit too much to accept?”
“Your deeds have reached my ears as well. This is for the feast you provided and for the children of the outer city.”
“Even so…”
Honestly, I think this amount is more than ten times what I’ve spent on daily expenses so far.
“It’s all because of my shortcomings. Consider this gold not as a king’s reward but as a token of gratitude from one citizen to another, for supporting the parts of me that I couldn’t reach. Honestly, I still think it’s not enough.”
“It’s more than enough!”
I couldn’t help but exclaim.
“Hmph, selfless indeed… Do you know what you’re called in the capital now?”
“I really don’t want to know, but if I find out in some vulnerable moment later, I might faint, so please tell me.”
“From the owner of the Fairy’s Dining Hall, ‘Fairy Mother.’ Or perhaps, due to your compassion for the poor children, ‘Mother of the Kindred Young.’ And also…”
“Ah, never mind, it’s fine.”
If this continues, I might end up staring into the distance with a faraway look again.
“By the way, I’ve been curious since earlier, but who is the tall man over there?”
As if remembering, the king inquired about him.
“He’s my new family member.”
“Family member?! I don’t recall ever becoming family with you!”
“See how unhonest he is, but isn’t he cute?”
“There is indeed something strangely endearing about him.”
“Hello! More importantly, aren’t you the king of this country? Why are you neglecting the adventurers?! It’s because of them that tragedy occurred!!”
As if driven by something, he threw his words at the king.
“I understand what you’re trying to say. However, Maria is also among those adventurers… Now then, can you say the same thing again, considering that?”
“That’s…”
“And you must have seen it too. Among us, there are those who do good deeds and those who don’t. Regardless of origin, that’s what people are like. Why don’t you ever realize that?”
“… “
“Your reaction suggests you understand, but you’re not willing to admit it, I see. But, you know? Blaming only Maria for the actions of everyone is cruel. If that’s the case, then blame me, the incompetent king who failed to notice the city was on the brink of crisis and took no action. All responsibility falls on me. If you must blame someone, blame me.”
Though he has the appearance of a young man, the king said so with a demeanor filled with dignity.
You could tell he meant those words just by looking into his eyes.
And thanks to that, I realized the true identity I had been suspicious of.
Looking at him, he seemed stunned, as if he never expected to be lectured by his own country’s king.
“Those words are heartwarming, but I still can’t believe we’re not responsible. So, Your Majesty, his argument isn’t wrong either.”
“You…”
“Here you go again.”
“Furthermore, Your Majesty said it was just me, but are you planning to shoulder everything alone this time? You’re already so tired that you have dark circles under your eyes… If this continues, you’ll collapse eventually, won’t you? Many people will be saddened if that happens. I’ve already made my family sad because of that.”
The king’s eyes widened as he looked at me, who laughed with self-deprecation.
Did he notice the dark circles because of me?
Well, it’s not because of exceptional insight or anything.
It’s just because my mother used to do the same thing.
Thinking that, I realized one more thing in a chain reaction.
The reason for coming here in such a terrible condition…
It’s a bit weak to say it’s just because he wanted to eat casserole, right?
“We… or perhaps, maybe you have something you want to ask of us, don’t you?”
“… Why would you think that?”
“Why indeed? I don’t know either. Maybe I’ve learned such skills too?”
This time, when I joked, the king burst into laughter and raised both hands.
It’s good that he surrendered.
But the content of what the king talked about afterward was beyond my imagination…
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