The mystery behind the King's sudden shift in tone was quickly resolved by the girl beside him. Lia's bright voice filled the room, "Uncle!" she exclaimed, her face lighting up with joy.

  "So that's how it is," Mav thought, piecing things together.

  "How’s your father?" the King asked, his voice softening.

  "I haven't seen him in a while. He's almost never home these days—always at the guild. But I assume he's doing fine," Lia replied, a hint of sadness in her smile.

  The King gave a small nod. "He probably is."

  "Anyway, come on, sit, both of you," he said, gesturing toward the large table in front of them.

  Voithos, the King’s attendant, moved swiftly, pulling out two chairs and placing them side by side at the table. Afterward, he returned to his post near the entrance, standing tall and silent, observing. Mav found it strange that the King didn’t invite Voithos to sit, but he assumed it was some kind of routine and decided not to question it.

  Lia took her seat without hesitation, dropping into the chair with little regard for the grandeur of the company. It was as if she was entirely comfortable being around the most powerful people in the kingdom. Mav, on the other hand, moved more cautiously. He nodded politely in the direction of the King and Queen before slowly lowering himself into his seat, feeling the weight of the moment pressing on him.

  It was then that Mav noticed the man sitting across from him. How had he not seen him earlier? The man had an imposing frame, his broad shoulders accentuated by the tight sleeves of the formal attire he wore—black and white, with stark contrasts that only highlighted his muscles. His long, red hair fell past his shoulders, and around his neck was tied a crimson cloth, marking him as a member of the Red Flame Guild. His presence alone suggested he was someone important, especially given that he was seated with the royal family.

  But the most striking feature about him was his missing left arm. His sleeve was neatly pinned up where the arm should have been, a glaring reminder of something Mav couldn’t help but wonder about. Curiosity tugged at him, but he decided not to pry. After all, whatever had happened was clearly personal, and now wasn’t the time for such questions. Mav’s eyes darted away quickly when he realized the man was watching him.

  As he glanced around the room, Mav couldn’t help but notice Chloe’s absence. She must have been at the front lines again. He admired her determination—at their age, she was already risking her life in battle. It seemed harsh, even unfair, to put someone so young in danger, but Mav reminded himself that the rules in this world were likely different from his own.

  "Mav," the King said, interrupting his thoughts, "you’re probably wondering why I called you here today. But before we get into that, let’s enjoy this meal and not let all this delicious food go to waste."

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  The King made a short prayer to the Flame God, a formality that barely registered in Mav’s mind, and clapped his hands. "Now, let’s begin!"

  Lia wasted no time, eagerly digging into the food in front of her. Mav, more reserved, followed her lead but with much more caution. He wasn’t sure of the dining etiquette here, but he stuck with what he knew—using a spoon and fork, picking the ones that felt comfortable in his hands, leaving the other cutlery untouched. He found himself curious about how the man across from him managed to eat with only one arm, but he quickly stopped himself from staring. It didn’t feel right to watch.

  Mav instead observed the King and Queen interact. They seemed like ordinary people in some ways, sharing laughs and exchanging small pleasantries, but there was an unmistakable aura around them—a heaviness that weighed down the atmosphere.

  After the meal, drinks were served. Mav opted for water, as usual, while Lia and Adelfi drank something orange-colored, which Mav assumed was a type of juice. The adults, as expected, drank wine, their glasses filled with a rich purple liquid. The King, swirling his wine in hand, turned to Mav, prompting him to set his glass down and give his full attention.

  "First of all, Mav, I want to sincerely thank you for coming," the King began, his voice carrying a weight that made Mav sit a little straighter.

  "It’s not like I had a choice," Mav thought, biting his tongue to keep the thought to himself. Instead, he replied politely, "It’s an honor to be here, Your Majesty."

  The King gave a satisfied nod before turning to the man across the table. "And Rio, thank you for joining us as well."

  The man responded with a simple nod, his silence saying more than words could.

  The King’s attention shifted back to Mav. "Mav, I owe you an apology."

  Mav’s brow furrowed in confusion, catching him off guard, and for a brief moment, he wasn’t sure how to respond. "An apology, Your Majesty?"

  The King sighed. "Yes. I promised you I wouldn’t tell anyone about how you healed my daughter, not even my own family. And I kept that promise—Voithos, who was there with us, did as well."

  He glanced at Adelfi, who fidgeted beside him, twirling her small fingers. "But my daughter… well, she couldn’t keep quiet about it. Not even a few days after her recovery, and she had already told every member of our family, as well as some of our personal maids and butlers. I tried to make her understand the importance of secrecy, but I couldn’t stop her. Besides, she didn’t hear the promise herself—she was unconscious when it was made."

  The King’s expression grew serious. "Unless, of course, you believe she should face some form of punishment?"

  Mav's eyes widened, and he quickly shook his head. "N-No, it’s fine! Really," he stammered, glancing at Adelfi, whose wide eyes looked up at him nervously.

  The King’s face broke into a hearty laugh, instantly dispelling the tension. "Isn’t he a good guy, like I told you?" he said, turning to the Queen.

  "He certainly is," the Queen agreed, her gaze resting warmly on Mav.

  The King turned to his daughter. "See, Adelfi? Good for you, huh?"

  Adelfi nodded enthusiastically and then turned to Mav with a bright smile. "Thank you, big bro!"

  Mav returned her smile, though a part of him couldn’t shake the feeling he just got played.

  The Queen leaned forward slightly, her voice soft but clear. "Mav Rose, I wanted to personally thank you, alongside Chloe, when she gave you your reward. But time didn’t allow it. So, allow me to use this moment to thank you now, from the bottom of my heart, for saving my daughter’s life."

  Mav bowed his head respectfully. "It was my pleasure, Your Majesty. Anyone would have done the same in my place."

  The Queen smiled. "Not only are you kind, but humble as well. The qualities I would expect from one of my knights." She paused, her eyes twinkling. "No pressure, of course, but if you ever wish to serve the kingdom, the doors are open to you."

  Mav shifted uncomfortably in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the edge of his glass. Was this another subtle attempt to play him? "Thank you, Your Majesty," he replied carefully. "I’ll certainly consider it."

  The King cleared his throat, drawing Mav’s focus back to him. "Now, as for the reason I invited you here," he began, before turning to the man across the table. "First, Rio, most of us in this room know who you are, but I’m not sure if Mav does. Would you mind introducing yourself?”