Vinny sat there with his leg crossed, nothing to do, suddenly wanting a biscuit—but he hesitated a little.

“Miss Maid, there aren’t any rules in the palace like ‘the biscuits and tea are only for display, not for eating,’ right?” Vinny asked.

“Sir, you jest. If the tea isn’t for entertaining guests, what else would it be for?” The maid smiled sweetly. “Please, you don’t need to restrain yourself. You’re an honored guest of His Majesty the King.”

“Ah, that’s true.” Vinny nodded, started drinking tea, and popped a biscuit into his mouth. Only after a moment did he realize what the maid had just said. His brows furrowed, and he set down the cup and the biscuit.

“Miss Maid, just now—you said, who wants to see me?”

Before the maid could answer, footsteps echoed from outside the hall.

Vinny looked up—right then, King Friane V, holding a scepter, stepped into the hall, with Mirexia beside him, still in her gown, golden hair flowing down.

“It’s been a long time, Vinny. Since our last parting, how long has it been since I saw you?” King Friane V said with a hearty smile.

Hah??

The King himself came??

Vinny had thought it was only Mirexia who wanted to see him after the banquet. If the King wished to meet, that would be days later.

“Your Majesty.” Vinny quickly came to his senses. He was about to kneel and perform ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) the courtly salute when Friane V stopped him.

“No need for such formality, Vinny. Didn’t you already perform the salute before? And there are no outsiders here.” As he spoke, Friane V glanced toward the maids in the reception hall.

The maids understood at once and filed out.

At the King’s signal, they exited the hall in order, closing the doors firmly behind them.

“Haha, come, don’t just stand there. Sit. It’s easier to talk here, with no one else around.” Friane V motioned for Vinny to sit, then himself took a seat on one of the sofas.

Mirexia, still in her gown, sat beside her father. She kept her gaze fixed on Vinny, silent, as though she had only come to accompany the King.

Seeing this, Vinny sat down on the sofa facing them.

“Sorry to have kept you waiting, Vinny. Mirexia and I had to see off the guests. That always comes with talk and formalities. I hope you don’t mind.” Friane V’s tone was courteous, as if he weren’t speaking to a fallen, disregarded youth.

“Of course not. Entertaining guests is as it should be. And I didn’t wait long.” Vinny knew well how troublesome noble gatherings were—everyone knew it was only surface-level socializing, but it still had to be done properly.

“Mm.” Friane V nodded kindly, then sighed. “Your father was a brave knight. Today, in you, I see his shadow.”

“That’s good. Even if you couldn’t draw the [Saintess], you could still draw other Spirit Souls. As long as a person doesn’t abandon themselves, there’s always a path forward.”

Those words made Vinny sweat. Right on the mark—the Vinny of the original work had abandoned himself.

“If they knew you didn’t collapse after their passing, but relied on your own strength to enter Carillian Academy, your parents’ souls would surely feel comforted.”

“I don’t dare take credit. If not for Your Majesty’s support—if you hadn’t broken precedent and allowed me to choose a Spirit Soul and sit for the Academy’s entrance exam—I might still be that idle good-for-nothing.” Rather than accept the praise directly, Vinny instead turned it back into thanks. “That kindness, Vinny will always remember. Thank you.”

“No need for humility. I gave you the chance, but it was you who seized it. You made something of yourself, Vinny.”

“And besides—it’s I who should thank you, Vinny.”

“Thank me?” Vinny blinked.

“Thank you for saving my daughter from the [Bronze Blood]’s scheme in Reismir.” The King turned his gaze to Mirexia, eyes full of fatherly affection.

“Hehe, it’s a bit amusing. When she returned, I asked Mirexia about the situation. But this girl—she kept talking instead about how much you’d changed this term, how dangerous the scene had been, how timely you were, how decisive your choice, how courageous…”

“Father, don’t say such things.” The golden-haired girl beside him lowered her head, voice soft in protest.

[Virtue +100]

[Current Virtue: 5804]

“Haha, what, weren’t these your words?” Friane V chuckled when his daughter interrupted him right in front of Vinny.

“I—when did I exaggerate like you?” Mirexia tried to protest in a low voice, as if hoping Vinny wouldn’t hear. But Vinny was right there—of course he heard.

“Haha, enough, enough. Vinny, you grew up with this child, you must know—even if she looks strong, her face is thin. She bottles things inside, too embarrassed to speak them aloud.”

“Father.”

“Alright, alright, I won’t say more. If I go on, my precious little pearl will be too embarrassed.” Friane V laughed.

“I was only stating the facts, nothing more.” Mirexia finally spoke after a pause, as though deliberately clarifying for Vinny’s sake.

Friane V only smiled silently.

Of course he understood—he had once been the famed romantic of Camella before meeting Mirexia’s mother. How could he not see through his daughter’s girlish feelings?

But he didn’t expose it. Children had their own fortunes.

“Uh…” Vinny watched the father-daughter exchange, unsure how to respond.

Usually, King Friane V was the stern monarch of Camella. Perhaps only in private, with his daughter, did he show this kind and gentle side.

Vinny wasn’t sure if he belonged in such a family moment.

“Besides that, Mirexia told me you uncovered the [Bronze Blood]’s mole who poisoned her in Carillian Academy, and that during the Erunes descent crisis you assisted her in great merit.” The King looked at Vinny with satisfaction. “You’ve been busy these days.”

“You’ve truly grown.”

“Your Majesty flatters me.” Vinny felt like he was being spoken to as an elder to a child who had grown up.

He glanced at Mirexia.

It seemed she had kept her word, covering for him carefully—even with her father, she only said “Vinny helped her greatly and accomplished much,” without mentioning details.

Vinny knew: someone like Mirexia, bound by morality and their bond, would never betray his secret.

“I’m grateful for what you’ve done. So, personally, as a father, I offer you my thanks.” With that, Friane V drew a jeweled box from his robes, setting it on the table and gently pushing it toward Vinny.

“Eh, that’s far too much! A gift—I really can’t accept this, Your Majesty. I’m your subject. Helping the Princess was my duty. And the royal family has already shown great favor to my family—how could I accept more?” Vinny waved his hands quickly.

“Take it, Vinny. No need to stand on ceremony with me.” The King dismissed his refusal. “It’s what you deserve, a small token.”

“Vinny, accept it. It’s the royal family’s will.” Mirexia added.

“Uh… then I’ll obey rather than resist.” Seeing no way out, Vinny accepted.

Well—he had saved Mirexia. Thinking that way, he could take it with an easy conscience.

Vinny picked up the box and opened it. Inside lay a brilliant colorless gemstone pendant, calm and still, yet as if it contained some strange energy flowing within.

Vinny’s eyes widened. He instinctively knew this pendant was extraordinary.

With the King’s permission, he picked it up. The moment his fingers touched it, the pendant grew cold, ice patterns forming on its surface, shining with icy blue light like a living crystal of frost.

“This is—??” Vinny was shocked. The dull gray gem had transformed into radiant blue, exuding cold.

“It is an adaptive enchanted stone made by my court enchanters, crafted from a Tyrel gem. It changes according to the bearer’s strongest elemental affinity. For you, that is ice—so it became ice. With it on you, your ice magic will be greatly strengthened.” The King explained.

“Something this amazing??” Vinny couldn’t help but exclaim.

He had heard of Tyrel gems—they were extremely rare, with pitifully low output across the entire Tyrelis Continent.

“You like it, don’t you? Hehe, it was Mirexia’s idea to gift it to you.” Friane V laughed.

“Eh?” Vinny turned sharply to Mirexia. She averted her gaze, refusing to meet his eyes.

“Princess Mirexia, thank you. I really like it—it’s clear you chose it with thought.” Vinny thanked her sincerely.

“It’s nothing.” Mirexia’s expression remained unmoved, as if to say, as long as you like it.

Still—

[Virtue +80]

[Current Virtue: 5884]

Virtue fluctuations didn’t lie.

“This is my personal thanks. Beyond that, the royal family has another matter.”

“Ah—Your Majesty, this is already too valuable. I really can’t accept more.” Vinny grew dizzy at the thought of more gifts, shaking his head quickly.

“No, perhaps I misspoke. This isn’t thanks. It is, rather—returning something to its rightful owner.” Friane V waved his hand.

“Returning… to its rightful owner??” Vinny froze, question marks written in his eyes.

“Come, Vinny. That’s the other reason I sought you tonight.” The King looked him over and nodded. He had met countless men—how could he not see the changes in Vinny?

After all, true nature cannot be faked.

When most youths receive something precious, they can’t hide their excitement. Even the deepest schemer betrays their hunger in their eyes.

From Vinny’s eyes, Friane V had indeed seen delight—but not blind greed. More hesitation, more restraint.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Though confused, Vinny stood. He placed the pendant back into the box and tucked it inside his robe, then followed after the King and Mirexia.

The three exited through a side door of the reception hall. Several silent Dragon-Knights saluted the King and Princess, then fell into step beside them.

They didn’t ask who Vinny was, nor where the King was taking him.

Such matters weren’t theirs to know. As the royal guard, their only duty was to protect the royal family and their guests, nothing more.

From their aura, Vinny could tell—these weren’t ordinary Dragon-Knights. Unlike the newly joined youths, their murderous intent was controlled, invisible, yet if anyone dared draw a weapon here, they’d be cut down in half a second.

The three passed several palaces until they reached a splendid, resplendent hall.

From half-forgotten childhood memories, Vinny recognized it—this was where the royal family lived.

The King was bringing him to the royal sleeping quarters??

Vinny was startled. Even the King’s close ministers weren’t qualified to enter the royal family’s residences. Only blood relatives.

The only time he had seen this palace was in childhood, playing with Mirexia. He had never been inside.

“It’s a special matter. What must be returned to you lies in the royal bedchambers.” Friane V said.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep