I was in my family's castle, right in front of my parents with my retinue behind me. Astrid and Johannes were kneeling.

"Mother, Father, this is Dame Astrid Cobbler and Sir Johannes Talhoffer. They're my newest retainers. I recruited them myself, and I have full confidence in their abilities," I said.

"Will we need to give them land?" Father questioned.

"I will eventually. We won't need to do that for a long time. I made an alternate payment deal with them," I replied.

"Alright," he nodded. "You two can rise."

Astrid and Johannes stood up.

"We're honored to meet you," the former said.

"You don't need to be so formal," Mother stated. "We're happy that our son has more people protecting him."

Father took a deep breath.

"Now, if you'll excuse us, Gustav. Your mother and I have to prepare for His Majesty's arrival. After all you've done, you deserve to take a rest," Father told me.

"Do I still have to marry my cousin?" I asked.

"By the gods, Gustav, you don't," he answered. "The Queen of Vandalland wants you to be her husband. That's a far better match than the son of a count could ever hope for."

"And His Majesty might not let the marriage happen now, but we may be able to convince him eventually," Mother said.

"That's something I'll have to deal with later," I thought.

"Are you against it?" Dʰéǵʰom questioned.

"Of course, I am! I don't even want to be the Groom of the Stool! Being a king's much more powerful than that!"

I struggled to hide a grimace.

"Well, I won't have a choice if King Eduard, my parents, and Hildoara want it. Even a Saint can't deal with that many powerful people," I thought.

My parents left the room, and I turned to Astrid and Johannes.

"Let's go to the courtyard. I owe you two some training."

A few days later, Astrid, Johannes, and I stood in the castle's courtyard with training gear on. We'd waited a bit to continue training so they could get adjusted to castle life. Joanna and Dr. Minos were there too, the latter reading a scholarly journal. I placed several practice swords and books about magic down.

I surveyed Johannes and Astrid. I had them do basic magic exercises for a while to increase their control over their magic. They had small bits of fire in their hands. Next to the fire was a piece of kindling. Their job was to keep the fire from setting the kindling alight. Astrid and Johannes did this masterfully. Pride welled up in my chest.

"Before we start training, there's something I should tell you. I shouldn't have waited as long as I have," I said.

"What is it, Gustav?" Johannes asked.

"You remember how I told you that I couldn't afford retainers because my parents gave me a low allowance?"

"We do," Astrid replied.

"That was a lie. My family's actually doing horribly financially. We're spending far too much money on his Majesty's behalf. That's why I was in the North in the first place. I was trying to get money to pay my family's expenses," I stated.

There was a moment of silence.

"I'm sorry that I didn't tell you before," I said. "But I didn't trust you enough to tell you. And I still don't trust Dimitri enough to risk letting him know. But I trust you enough now. If either of you wants to leave my service over this, I won't blame you."

Astrid held up her hands.

"You don't need to worry about it, Gustav. I know nobles outside of Motteburh aren't as bad as nobles in it, but you're not wrong to be paranoid. Besides, you made us knights. We owe you more than we could ever repay," she stated.

"I don't blame you either. I'm just glad you're telling us now," Johannes added.

Warmth flowed through my body.

"Thank you both. I don't deserve retainers as good as you," I smiled.

"You do," Astrid replied.

I nodded.

"Alright," I said. "Time to learn more magic."

They snuffed out the flames. Then, I looked at the greatsword Astrid had on her back.

"That might be a problem," I stated.

"What would?" Astrid asked.

"Your greatsword," I answered. "Johannes' dual wielding might be an issue too."

"Why?" Johanna questioned.

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"Because nobles need one empty hand to cast spells. That's why we used one-handed swords," I said.

Realization dawned upon them.

"But you were able to carry my old greatsword and use magic!" Astrid pointed out.

"Body enhancement spells are the exception, but you'd have to be an absolute master of body enhancement to fight on the same level as spellcasters who do things like shoot fireballs," I replied.

"Alright. I'll master body enhancement, then."

A wide grin crossed my face.

"That's the spirit, Astrid!" I gave her a thumbs up. "Now, Johannes, you wanted to make a new magic weapon, right?"

"I still do, Gustav. I haven't come up with anything better to do," Johannes said.

"That essentially means you want to discover a new enchantment. Right now, you should focus on learning magic in general. You need a good base knowledge of magic to make magic items," I stated.

"How good?"

"10 years of training should be enough to make simple items. To make something entirely new, most people who make magic items have had at least a century of training. You also need very high-quality weapons, but my family has a contract with a dwarf. So, we have those."

Johannes blinked with shock.

"That's a long time," he said.

"It'll take me longer than that to be the world's greatest swordswoman. And we're learning magic together. That should make it go faster," Astrid replied. "So, don't worry, Johannes."

She placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"I have one question, Astrid. Why do you want to be the world's greatest sword fighter?" I asked.

Astrid suddenly became uncomfortable. She looked down.

"Honestly, I don't have a reason. I just want to," she admitted.

"Wow. You and Johannes really are made for each other," I said. "You decided what your goal in life will be because you have nothing better to do."

"That's not what I said!" Astrid huffed.

"Don't worry, Astrid. I'm sure that when we complete our goals, we'll find something better to do," Johannes replied.

"I know you're trying to help, but that doesn't make me feel better."

"Alright, let's get back to our training," I said. "Would you rather learn physical enhancement magic or rapier use first?"

"Rapier use. I already have a background in sideswords. Rapier fencing will be faster," Johannes said.

"Why don't we spend half of our time studying rapier fencing and the other half with magic?" Astrid suggested.

"That's a good idea."

"Alright," I nodded. "Let's start, then."

I got in a rapier fencing stance with my practice sword.

"The first thing you need to know is that the rapier is a dueling weapon. Some people used them on the battlefield in my world, but it isn't a good idea. Other swords are better for war. Now..."

Before I could continue, a servant rushed into the training grounds. There was a look of haste on her face. She bowed to me.

"Go ahead and talk, Lisa," I said.

"Sir Gustav, Count and Countess von Blitzburg want you to get ready. His Majesty is approaching," she replied.

I rushed into the castle with my retinue behind me.

"That was fast! I didn't think he'd resolve things at the treasure mound so soon," I stated.

"Your king doesn't like wasting time," Dʰéǵʰom said.

"You'd think that someone who doesn't age would take things more slowly," I thought.

"Yes, he doesn't age, but commoners do."

I got in my finest clothes as fast as I could. Then, I saw that Johannes and Astrid's clothes were the exact same as they always were.

"Fuck!" I facepalmed. "I forgot to buy you new clothes!"

"Is there a problem, my Lord?" Johannes asked.

"Yes, there is! You're knights now! You can't meet the king looking like this!"

I went back to my clothing trunk and pulled out some of my clothes. Then, I returned to the two. Astrid was pale with fear. Johannes had his hand on her shoulder.

"By the gods, we're going to meet a king. What's going to happen? Will he be upset that he's meeting former commoners? Will he..." she trembled.

"Don't worry, Astrid. Gustav will keep us safe. He knows what he's doing," Johannes assured her.

"Yes. I'll take care of everything. All you two need to do is stand around. Everything will be fine," I stated, hiding my own nervousness.

I tossed the clothes to them.

"Put these on," I said. "They'll do for now."

My eyes turned to Astrid.

"They're men's clothing. So, if His Majesty asks why you're wearing it, we'll say that Johannes has a crossdressing fetish, and you're dressing up for him."

"How did you know I have a crossdressing fetish, Gustav?" Johannes asked.

Dʰéǵʰom burst out laughing.

"Never mind that," I said. "Just put those clothes on."

Johannes and Astrid did as commanded. My retainers and I then entered the castle courtyard. We stood in front of the gates with my parents along with their retainers. A grand procession was approaching the castle, banners with two-headed black lions standing tall. The portcullis lifted high, allowing the newcomers inside.

King Eduard the Defenestrator was at the front with Queen Eleanor. They got off their horses, handing the reigns to servants who would deliver them to the stables. Everyone in my household knelt before the monarchs.

"You may rise," King Eduard said with a stoic expression on his face.

We stood up.

"It has been a while since I spoke to you in person, Count and Countess von Blitzburg," he stated. "The last contact we had was a letter you wrote. I must say that it is good to see you again. I trust that you are doing well?"

"I am, your Majesty. It's an honor to have you here."

"Quite."

King Eduard turned to me.

"It has been less long, Lord Gustav. I see that the dragon isn't here," King Eduard said.

"Cinnamon had his own business to attend to," I replied.

Queen Eleanor stifled a laugh.

"The dragon's name is Cinnamon?" King Eduard asked, suppressing his confused expression well.

"Yes, your Majesty," I answered.

King Eduard's eyes turned to Joanna.

"It has been a long time, Dame Joanna. Or do you go by Lady Smed now?" he questioned.

"Joanna is fine, your Majesty," she said. "I don't deserve the noble titles I have."

"Hmph. Still haven't realized that your mother's actions are not your own, I see. Well, no matter. I suppose it's time to address the bull in the room," King Eduard stated.

My father nodded.

"Yes, your Majesty. It's time to talk about our family's finances," he said.

"We can talk about that later. I mean bull in the room in a very literal sense."

King Eduard the Defenestrator turned to Dr. Minos. He could no longer hide the look of confusion on his face.

"There is a Minotaur in your courtyard," King Eduard said.

"His name is Dr. Minos, your Majesty. He's one of my retainers," I replied.

A contemplative expression crossed the king's face.

"First, a dragon. Now, a minotaur."

"Dr. Minos was first," I stated.

King Eduard ignored that.

"Are you some sort of monster tamer?" he asked.

"I'm afraid not, your Majesty," I answered.

There was a moment of silence.

"Of course, you're not going to elaborate," King Eduard muttered before sighing. "I honestly shouldn't have even been surprised that you of all people have a minotaur in your retinue."

He composed himself, the stoic look crossing his face once more.

"Is there anything else I should know? Do you have any manticores, chimeras, maybe a pegasus or two?" King Eduard wondered.

A memory flashed through my mind.

"I have some rocks that used to be Western Deathworm eyes. I forgot to sell them, so you can buy them if you want," I said.

"Oh, those are rare!" Queen Eleanor smiled. "I would like to buy some later after the war debts are paid off."

"Thank you, you Majesty."

King Eduard scanned the area once more. He looked like he was expecting something weird to jump out. Then, the monarch started walking towards the castle. We followed him.

We arrived in my family's solar. King Eduard took a seat.

"Bring me the financial records," he said.

Father did as commanded. King Eduard opened the records and looked at them. He passed out.

"Eduard!" Eleanor shouted.

"Your Majesty!" Father shouted.

King Eduard jolted awake. Pure anger covered his face. He shouted so loud that the entire castle could hear it.

"I'M GOING TO KILL THOSE POINTY-EARED BASTARDS!"