Dragon King's Harem Chapter 127. Marissa's Bitter Emotions I (Patreon)

Dragon King's Harem Chapter 127. Marissa's Bitter Emotions I

Our Yegauns entered the palace courtyard. But rather than me, this time the guards' attention was on Marissa. Some of those who already recognized her quickly greeted her. While the others whispered to each other in confusion to ask who she was.

Like when I brought Jyne for the first time, I decided to take Marissa to the hall to greet her formally. But before I got there, Al approached me in a hurry.
"Your Majesty, thank goodness you're back," he said.

Hearing Al's words, Marissa spontaneously turned to me since it indicated her guess was right. While Al covered his mouth in reflex as soon as he realised Marissa and I had not broken my Tonic of Camouflage.

But beyond his predictions, I was not mad at him.
"What is it, Al?" I asked casually. Well, I didn't intend to surprise Marissa from the start since her case was different from Jyne's. She was in an emergency state, not running away for petty reasons like Jyne.

Since what Al wanted to convey was a little sensitive, Al drew himself closer to me.
"It's about the Orc and Minotaur. Also---" He glanced at Jyne.
"About the Fox King's letter..." he whispered before he pulled himself away.

Even though Al tried to speak in a low voice, Jyne still could hear him.
"My father has sent his reply?" she said excitedly. A smile on her face.

But Al replied with an awkward smile.
"He not only sent a letter, Your Highness. He also sent your first brother."

Jyne's smile disappeared and a panicked expression replaced it.
"Y-You mean, Arter is here?" Her first brother, Arter, was the strongest of her four brothers.

"Yes. He has been here since last night and wants to see you soon. Please change your clothes and meet him. If we ask him to wait a little longer, I think he will destroy his room." This was the main reason why Al immediately met the king as soon as he found out about his arrival.

I turned to Jyne.
"I'm sure he's really worried about you. Go and see your brother. I'll catch up after discussing a few things with Marissa." Well, I was not sure Arter was just worried about her. The Fox King must have sent him for some reason.

"Okay. I will excuse myself." After that, she bowed and left. Several maids immediately followed her. As she walked, her hands removed her coat, revealing her nine tails. It made Marissa realise Jyne's identity.

Not only that, since Marissa was able to confirm Argod's identity. That meant the healer sitting with her along the way was the princess of the healer tribe. Princess Evelina. She turned to Evelina.
"Is that the reason you didn't say anything, Your Highness?" asked Marissa.

"Forgive me. But I can't say it before His Majesty decides to tell you everything," replied Evelina calmly. She didn't mean to mock Marissa considering she was in pretty bad shape.

As they spoke, I returned my gaze to Al.
"About the others, we will discuss it with General Guillotine and Sela. Call them to meet me in an hour in my office."

"I understand, Your Ma---" Al's words stopped as he pressed his lips and glanced at Marissa.

"It's fine. She already knows," I said. After all, I already had my portal skill. So even if I had to use his Tonic of Camouflage again, I would go using my Portal.

He looked relieved.
"Fine. I'll tell them right away." Then he bowed and left.

I turned to Evelina.
"Evelina, can you help me prepare a welcome dinner for Prince Arter?" Even though I wanted to welcome him right away, since Prince Arter came formally, I couldn't welcome him in commoner clothes like this. So I decided to do a formal welcome tonight. Then I shifted my gaze to Eir.
"Tell Sarah to prepare a room for Princess Marissa."

"Yes, Your Majesty." After a bow, they left.

"Marissa, come with me." My feet moved towards the hall as I used my dispel skill. As my horns and my eyes returned to normal, all the maids and guards around me gasped in shock and bowed.
"Good afternoon, Your Majesty," they said in unison.

I simply gestured to them to lift their heads. Behind me, Marissa followed.

We arrived at the main hall. I sat on my throne and turned my gaze to Marissa who was standing in silence under the throne stage.
"It's a bit late. But welcome to Crimson Flame Palace, Marissa." I started our conversation.
"I didn't expect our meeting would be different from our last meeting," I said apologetically. Last time, even though we didn't meet in the capital, she and her father came with dignity. But now she came as a refugee.

She bowed politely.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I'm also glad you've woken up from your slumber."

"It's a long sleep. I never thought it would bring chaos to Igixar even though I have prepared everything," I replied. Unfortunately, the real Argod had no other choice but that. Or he would become the Dark Lord destroying this world now.

Although that question bothered Marissa, she had heard that sometimes the dragon king had to hibernate so she simply let it slide. But there was one other thing that bothered her more than that.
"Your Majesty... May I know why you did it?" she asked out of blue.

"You mean my hibernation?" I asked. As I remembered, the real Argod had already told Marissa the reason. Not a real reason though, but I didn't want to change what he already said.

"Why did you disguise yourself as a hunter? Is it because you want to pick me up personally?" asked Marissa. She couldn't help but feel happy with it.

I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words to explain it. Since I was sure the fact would disappoint her.
"To be honest, we found you by chance. I haven't read your father's letter yet," I admitted.

"You haven't ?" she said in disbelief.
"Then what were you doing in that place, Your Majesty?" she asked curiously.

"Pray. That place is an important place for my ancestors so I decided to pray after I woke up from my sleep," I said.