A Decisive Decision
Before preparing for the formal dinner, Scarlet goes to her father’s room to tell him the news.
“Papa? We found out what’s going on with Rose.”
“You did!? What is it?”
“She’s starting her second imprint.”
“I see…So you will be staying with her for the next week?”
“Actually…Rose chose to imprint on Sher Aka.”
“What? Why?”
“She said if she’s going to have a mother she wants to choose her.”
“I see…Sigh I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this. How far along her imprint is she right now?”
“She hasn’t started it yet but she probably will sometime tomorrow if it’s the same as last time.”
“Do you think I can talk to her?”
“She’s already asleep.”
“Sigh Alright. Let’s go have dinner then, I’ll check if she’s fine when we are done.”
“Okay.”
After a long dinner, around eleven p.m., the King knocks on Rose’s door, “Are you still up?”
Hearing no response, he slowly opens the door where he finds Rose sleeping in Sher Aka’s arms.
“Yawn Good evening, your Highness.”
“Good evening, I just wanted to check on Rose. Is she alright?”
“Yes, she woke up for a bit, about an hour ago. She’s starting to be a bit delirious, her imprint will probably start sometime in the morning.”
“Is everything else okay with her?”
“Yes, from what I can tell she’s fine.”
Letting out a huge sigh the king sits down on a chair and asks, “Are you sure this is what both of you chose to do? There is still a bit of time to reconsider.”
“We’re both sure.”
“I see…Will offering you money change your mind?”
“No. I’m not able to be bought off.”
“In that case, I’m sorry.”
“About wh-”
Hitting Sher Aka with the palm of his hand, the king knocks her out and picks up Rose. He then locks the door and flies out of the window towards a heavily guarded area of the town where he lands in front of a bunch of soldiers.
“Halt! Identify yourself.”
“I am King Carlo Resplandor. I need you to open a portal to Blaze, money is of no issue.”
“Y-Yes your Highness! Prepare communications to open the gate!”
After about twenty minutes of waiting, the soldiers get the approval they need and the mages begin to funnel mana into a giant stone door causing the door to slowly open.
Once it is fully opened the King walks through to the other side where a horde of soldiers go down on their knees and greet him.
“Greetings, your Highness! Welcome back home!”
“Inform my wife. Tell her I’ll be there soon, it’s an emergency.”
“Yes, your Highness!”
“Greater Boost Speed. I invoke the name of Sylvia as King of this country, make the winds bend to my whim and let them guide me to my target. Tail Wind!”
After transforming into his draconic form the king at immense speed flies towards his destination. It takes him about fifteen minutes until a giant white fairytale-like castle surrounded by rose gardens comes into view. Diving down into the courtyard he finds his wife nervously waiting for him.
“Carlo…You’ve done something stupid again, haven’t you?”
“It was our only option.”
“What did you do…”
Transforming back into his humanoid form he approaches her with a sleeping Rose in his arms.
“Carlo…Is that?”
“Yes, it’s her. Our beautiful little daughter. The curse on her body has temporarily been lifted because she is starting her imprint.”
Picking Rose up from the King’s arms she gives her a kiss and starts cradling her in her arms, “Carlo…She will never forgive you for this.”
“I know, I’m prepared to be seen as an evil uncle by her.”
“...”
“Couldn’t you have waited for a bit longer? Maybe we could have convinced her without needing to do this.”
“That was my plan but she decided to imprint on an Elf in her adventuring party that offered to become her mother. She seemed determined to take on the role of a mother to her so I had to step in.”
“I understand…What we’re doing to our daughter is immensely cruel but I understand you completely.”
“I’ll stay for her imprint and then leave once I have taken the full blame. I’ll play up the villain role so you can be her savior.”
“Are you prepared for that? She’ll despise you for the rest of her life.”
“I know. But as a father it’s my job to value her future over my own happiness.”
“I understand…Let’s bring her to bed then. Please inform the headbutler and our staff that a new princess has arrived. Make sure to tell them about her cursed appearance as well to avoid misunderstandings.”
“Of course. I’ll see you soon my love. Take good care of our little Libella for me.”
“I will.”
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