Chương 391: Chapter 364. A Day Out With Royalty

" Sorry about this, Matthew..."" Don't worry about it. If Sarah and Anna thought it was a good idea, I don't see why we can't just enjoy the day."" Right... I guess I should stop feeling guilty if you put it like that?" I nodded to Alice's words. Currently, I was in line with Alice. We were currently in a small shop in Paradise, we were grabbing some refills for our drinks as a matter of fact. We had just finished lunch.

Granted, we weren't alone, I looked back to see King Alan and Queen Aria speaking to each other while looking at us." Am I not trusted?" I couldn't help mumbling out my thoughts. It's been like this since yesterday. Once I Contracted Harry, he had a long chat with Lily before he told me that he would stay Contracted to me. After I told Sarah and Anna about it... They were happy for me, but I found out that they had their own developments while I was Meditating.

The Kings and Queens decided that their families deserved a personal tour from me, the Fief Lord of the greater area, but also the Town Lord of Paradise. I was going to argue it, but I was held back by Sarah and Anna. They said that it would just be a 3-day assignment and at night, we'd be able to relax. Well... I don't know about me relaxing. We still have Cynthia, Alice and Charlotte staying with us, so I'm really only able to relax in our bedroom.

Not so much because I don't like our Guests, I'm Friends with them after all... But they're still unmarried women in my house, I don't want to do anything untoward towards them... It'd be even worse than usual since they're all Princesses as well. Regardless, as you can tell, I said yes to what was requested of me. Yesterday, I took Warrick, Aqua and Cynthia on a more hands-on tour than the last time they were here.

I wondered why Sarah wasn't there, but she insisted on training yesterday with Anna, Ruby, Alice and Charlotte. It was a bit strange, but it was a pleasant day, Cynthia was really interested in everything I had to show them. Warrick and Aqua were just as happy to lay low and enjoy the sights of the city." Hey, where should we go after this?" Alice asked a question as we returned to the table with her parents. I could see that King Alan and Queen Aria were interested in the answer as well."

Well, we have 2 choices really. I could show you the Military Monument in the Eastern part of the city or, I could show you the Cattle Ranch. The choice is really up to you." I looked at the Bestian Royal Family as they thought about their choices. While Alan and Alice were wondering what to do... Which I'm not sure why, since I'm pretty sure Alice has been to the monument already. What could she be thinking about then? But regardless, while they thought, Queen Aria's voice entered my ears." So, Marquess Drake...

Would you mind if I just call you Matthew?"" By all means, Queen Aria." I gave permission to Queen Aria calling me by name, but this didn't seem to satisfy her?" Is something wrong, Queen Aria?" I decided to get to the bottom of this quickly. I don't want them having a bad time here." Well, it's just that it makes no sense to call me by my Formal Title if I'm only calling you by name, Matthew. Don't you already call Alle by name?" An alarm bell was going off in my head as I quickly looked to King Alan...

But he didn't seem to find anything wrong with me calling Alice by her name... In fact..." Speaking of which, J... Matthew! Why don't you call me by my name too? I mean you already call Warrick by name in private! You can do the same with us!" He's actually in favor of it? Queen Aria quickly continued on from her husband's request."

As you can see, we may be a Royal Family, but Sarah and Cynthia are somewhat like Daughters to us, it doesn't make sense to either of us that her husband wouldn't be able to speak to us as Members of her Family, I hoped that you could begin to think of us as Family moving forward as well."" Mom...." Alice called out to her mother, but before she could say what she was thinking, Queen Aria simply put her hand on Alice's with a knowing look in her eyes, then she continued on."

So, having said all of that, could you start using our names?" Queen Aria looked at me with a pleading look in her eyes. I'm somewhat reminded of the kittens in the pet store back in my world... I sighed and gave them what they wanted, even if I didn't understand why they thought I needed to treat them like "Family"... I mean, it's not like I'm going to Marry Alice or anything after all." Okay, Alan, Aria, Alice... I'm sensing a theme with the naming..."" Of course, just wait until you meet My Sons! Adam and Alex.

And of course, My other Daughters! Ashley and Amy!"" You've had 5 children?" I looked at Alan and Aria, since I was surprised by what they said. Aria seemed to know what I was thinking and answered a few of the questions that formed in my mind." Him, yes, but not me. I've had 2 children. Alice and Alex." This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere." So..."" Yes, Alan is Married to another woman. Did you not know this?"

I shook my head to Aria's information. I decided to explain myself very briefly." I've been...

"Busy" since I arrived in Diablos, I've barely gotten to look into other Countries and the information about any of their major players. I really only got the bare minimum information for all of the Countries back when I was learning under Warrick. To give an idea, it was only for 6 months and I had to cram as much information as I could into my head before leaving for here. It would've taken 6 months to make it here if it wasn't for Warrick helping us out back then."

I remembered the horror of test after test I had to do to prove I remembered what I learned. Then I thought back about the trip out here. Warrick was able to get us to the Eastern Border with his King's Road ability creating a personal road for us, then the land past the Eastern Border was difficult to make progress in. Sure, there were towns and the like on the way, but the roads... Or lack thereof... It wasn't "great", to put it mildly. Sarah and Anna helped keep me sane during that journey.

It took us 2 months out of the 3-month journey to Paradise to even get back to what could be recognized as roads. Then I realized just how great the King's Road ability was when we traveled back to Blackstone recently. It took 6 months in total. Even with my new road. It just goes to show how large Diablos is." It looks like you've been through quite a lot, Matthew." Alan offered his sympathies to me. I continued to speak to him." Yes... Yes, I have.

But, continuing on, is it rude to ask what the other Queen's name is?" King Alan flashed a slight smile before he answered my question." No not at all, it's Andrea. She's from Canidae, the center for the Dogkin Beastmen in Bestia. I'm also from there. Aria, however, is from Felidae, the center for Catkin Beastmen in Bestia."" D... Do they get along?" I asked the next question on my mind." More or less."" More or less?" Aria answered my question with something that I just found more confusing.

She continued to explain it to me." I mean, it's not that we're trying to assassinate each other, but Andrea and I have always been somewhat antagonistic towards each other. To make a very long story short, we both ended up Marrying Alan because of Our Country nearly falling into a Civil War."" Civil War?" Aria dropped a bomb on me with this one. I was so surprised I couldn't help but repeat what she said."

Yes, again, to keep it as uncomplicated as possible, Andrea and I are both Daughters to Duke Houses in Bestia. There's always been a bit of a rivalry between the Dogkin and Catkin. The previous King of Bestia favored the Dogkin. During his reign, Dogkin were given a lot of Political Power that they didn't want to give up, the Catkin simply wanted proof that whoever the next King was, they wouldn't do something like that for either side. A compromise was made, a "deal" if you would.

A more balanced distribution of power between the Dogkin and Catkin was created. Of course, everyone tried to be as fair as possible given the circumstances. And the cherry on top of that, to maintain said "balance", was that the next King's Marriage was to be with both a Dogkin and Catkin Noble from a Duke's House each. There were many choices that could be made. My hand was put up for an Arranged Marriage because of that. So, Alan put in his Claim to the Throne.

It took him that long to realize that he Loved me... Or so he says, I have some letters that state otherwise... But continuing on! Our People choose our Kings or Queens through a massive battle royale. In time, Alan won, his first action after winning was naming me his Queen. The 2nd action was to ask Andrea for her Hand In Marriage as well. Granted, I told him to do that if he won."" Why would you do that?" Aria's explanation at the end was quite strange. She quickly explained that to me as well."

It's because Andrea is a Good Person. It's just for some reason, she's always had this sense of rivalry towards me. Whether it be tests, combat... Even baking! Everything is an opportunity to prove she's better than me. It's been like this since we first met in kindergarten!" A bit of frustration came out of Aria. She quickly regained her composure and continued to speak." However, through all of that, she's always challenged me out in the open.

Whenever someone attempted to use underhanded tactics for something when we were children, she'd be the first to reprimand them. So, I knew she'd make an annoying... But "good" Sister Wife... I just wish she was a little more open to being more friendly with me. We've made progress with the Kids, but some things built over a lifetime can only be expected to take just as long to tear down." Aria looked a little regretful as she stated her wish. King Alan looked to be in agreement with his wife...

But now with all of that answered... I just had one more question." So... If that's the case, is there a reason that she isn't also here?" Alan and Aria looked at each other before Alan answered my question." Well... To put it bluntly, she doesn't think highly of Humans or Elves... So, she requested not to come, she thought she'd just be a detriment to the Summit. She actually was quite angry that she couldn't come. I'm sure she would've liked your food, Matthew."" I see..."

Even if she liked my food, that's not a reason she could end up liking all Humans. I wonder if I'll ever end up meeting Queen Andrea? Regardless, I guess I should worry more about my current predicament." Well, my questions are done... Have you guys figured out what you wanted to do?" All 3 of them looked at me. Once a moment had passed, Queen Aria asked me a question." Didn't you mention that there was something called a "petting zoo"?"

Yes, that's where we allow some of the younger animals into a pen and let people pet them. Would you be interested in that? Currently we have cattle, sheep, horses and even a few birds."" Birds?" Alice looked surprised. I can understand why since the birds were a new development." Yes, during a haggling session, one of the Shop Keepers in my shops was able to negotiate gaining a few Soft-Feather Hawks and Plump Woodpeckers. They're D-Class Monsters that are prized for their soft feathers.

You can make children's toys and baby clothes from them, but they need time to graze for their health. I also found out that they're quite soft to the touch, so I decided to include them in the petting zoo... From what I've seen, it's been a great success. The birds are also fans since they were domesticated and enjoy being pet by our customers and given treats."" Let's go then!" I couldn't help but laugh as Alice's eyes began to sparkle from my description of the birds. Even her tail was wagging.

Her parents agreed with her request and we ended up spending the rest of the day at the ranch. Alice was even so excited that she gripped my hand and dragged me to the petting zoo, but she thankfully let go after Mary mentioned how we looked like a couple. She became very shy after that for the rest of the day, but she couldn't stop petting the zoo animals until the petting zoo closed. I was with her through the whole day, since I felt it would be strange to intrude on the married couple.

Every now and then, I could see them giving us a strange smile, but the truly strange thing was the look that Aria had while looking at us. It was like she was watching a grand scheme playout in real time. I couldn't help but wonder what it is that made her look like that... Or why she returned to a neutral expression when I would catch her with that look.