As I followed Anna, many thoughts crossed my mind. I don't remember my name. Yes, I don't remember the name my mother and father gave me in my previous life. I kept thinking about it to remember, but I couldn't. I don't know why. Maybe...
[ERROR]
[ERROR]
[ERROR]
What's happening? My head hurts. I let out a slight cry from the pain in my head. I was holding my head where I was standing. Anna turned around and called out to me.
"Are you okay, sir?"
"Yes, I just felt dizzy."
After answering, Anna started walking again. Why did my head hurt just now? I don't remember. I think I was thinking about something. I'll think about it later. I need to focus on the task at hand now.
'SIGH'
****
Anna stopped in front of a door that was three meters wide. She turned around.
"My prince, this is the royal family's dining hall. I must go to attend to my duties. Bon appétit, my prince."
Anna said goodbye and left. I took a deep breath and went inside. There was a long dining table with five people sitting around it. The king's chair was empty; he hadn't arrived yet. I started walking around, looking at my surroundings. On the walls were flags with knights holding shields, the symbol of the kingdom. The chandelier hanging from the ceiling was very ornate. I sat down on an empty chair. I bowed my head and greeted everyone. Sitting next to me was the kingdom's first princess, Elizabeth Agnos. She was my sister. Her beauty was captivating. Her jet-black hair, sparkling brown eyes, curvy figure, and smile left people in awe. Across from me sat my youngest brother, Adam Agnos. He was considered a genius because of his skill with the sword. Although he resembled Elizabeth in appearance, the difference was that Elizabeth seemed mature, while Adam looked more childlike. Next to him sat Alvin Agnos, exuding his usual arrogant demeanor. My eldest brother Jin and my third brother Samuel were absent because they had left early for the academy. Jin was truly talented, and Samuel's intelligence increased the interest in him. And in the seat closest to my father sat the king's current wife, my stepmother Lucille Agnos. After my mother's death, my father remarried a few years later. Lucille was not like the typical stepmother. She did not plot assassinations or exclude anyone. She took care of Samuel and me when we were young. She tried to give us motherly love. Stupid Stephan treated her badly. My fifth brother Adam and the second princess Estelle were her biological children. Lucille, with her blonde hair, blue eyes, and mature demeanor, enchanted everyone around her. I learned this information from Anna before it came out, and I don't think she was lying. So I looked at Lucille and smiled.
"Good evening, Queen Lucille."
Lucille seemed a bit surprised, as if she hadn't expected those words, but she composed herself and responded with a warm smile.
"Good evening, Prince Stephan."
Alvin and the others looked on in astonishment. I was definitely embarrassed on Stephan's behalf. Why were they so surprised just because I said hello? Then I greeted everyone individually. I learned why the queen and a few of my siblings hadn't come after I woke up. Stephan had been in an accident earlier and had been yelling at everyone who came to check on him, trying to harm himself. When I asked Anna why he did that, she said she didn't know and that no one had told her. That's why the queen and my siblings didn't come, to prevent the same thing from happening again. I guess they're thinking about me even if I'm useless. My older sister Elizabeth looked at me and spoke with a smile.
"I'm sorry I couldn't visit you after you woke up, brother."
She handed me a small box.
"This is my belated get-well gift."
"Thank you, sister."
I put the box aside to open it later.
I started chatting with the queen and my siblings. I was wrong about Alvin. Even though he seems arrogant, he's a good person. He tried to ask how I was doing in a roundabout way. It was a bit funny. While I was talking to the man, the large door opened. Everyone fell silent. King Julian entered. His aura alone said, "No one can defeat me." He walked slowly toward the chair. My father was at level C. The kings of the other new kingdoms were at most at level E.
As long as the conditions for kingdom advancement were not met, even if they were at level A in the kingdom, they could not advance. To become a level 4 kingdom, 1,000 people at level E were required. There were five people at level D in the kingdom. They were all important aristocrats or commanders. Everyone stood up and greeted the king. When the king sat down, everyone followed suit. At the head steward's command, the servants began to distribute the food. After the servants had finished distributing the food, everyone, including the steward, left the room. Only the Agnos family remained. Everyone began to eat in turn. The king wiped his mouth with a handkerchief and spoke without looking at me.
"I heard you had memory loss. Is that true?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, but I'm better now."
The king looked at me and started eating again.
Alvin added from where he was sitting.
"You idiot, if you're better, you know you always called the king 'father.'"
Alvin sighed and took a sip of wine.
****
After everyone had eaten their fill, the king wiped his hands and mouth and spoke again.
"The round table issued a statement. The demons may attack earlier than expected. Therefore, as the royal family, we must be prepared for war. The demons are very active. Alvin, go to the city of ESTEN and fortify it. Can I trust you?
"I'll do my best, Father,"
Alvin replied excitedly. Julian turned to the man.
"Bring prosperity to the city of Gronton. Protect them from this threat. Can you do it?"
"You can trust me, Father,"
he replied. It's not just that I was given a task. I understand them.
'SIGH'
Just as I thought the meeting was over, the king turned to me.
"Stephan, I want you to marry Princess Astrid Ston, the second princess of the Ston Kingdom."
Ha...ha, did he say that to me? I jumped up and shouted. I wasn't expecting this. Why am I getting married when I have older brothers? I don't even know her yet. I composed myself and sat back down. I guess this is where the outcome of the mission will be decided. If I say no, I won't be able to take Stephan's memories, and that will put me in danger. If I say yes, I'll be marrying someone I don't know. What if she's very ugly? Wait, wait, we shouldn't judge people by their appearance, but I'm a talentless prince. Who would want to marry me? Ah, they want to establish a connection with the kingdom, not with me. I'm handsome, but I have no skills, so I don't think they'll send a beautiful princess. I'll stay married for a while, and if I become king or leave the kingdom, I'll divorce. Everything is for the mission. After thinking for a minute, I replied,
"As you wish, Your Majesty,"
The king nodded, and after a few more conversations, everyone began to disperse.
The STON Kingdom and the Agnos Kingdom have similar strengths. Their alliance will cause other kingdoms to retreat. I know nothing about Astrid.
"SIGH"
I was the first to leave.
'Ping'
-----------------
Mission completed
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