“What is all in our minds right now about me and that girl, we shall address it at a later time.” 

I dismiss the problem about the little girl and I having the same last name and physical features. There are more important things to discuss rather than focusing on her.

We have priorities after all. 

“Heroes, for why we summoned selfishly, I myself will apologize. As for the reasons…” 

I, the royal guards and Ishtal bowed down for an apology before them. A king should not be doing this but I feel but for dragging them out of their own worlds you know. 

After that, I told them a background of our world and its current state and what calamity we are facing right now. 

“We, the Astlan Kingdom, requests for your assistance for this calamity we are facing right now. Please, gallant heroes, answer our call” 

We again bow our heads before the gallant heroes hoping for a favorable response. Their decisions will determine the fate of the land. They are now talking among themselves. The little girl was left out in the conversation. 

Do they not consider her as one of them? 

“King, you are too humble. This is my honest opinion. We do not have any choice but to fight for your kingdom. To bow down to us even more, it seems you really are in a desperate time. This is what I would ask. A method of return, do you have any?” 

One of the heroes praises me for my humbleness. After that, he gave his honest opinion about the situation. They answered favorably. 

“I am deeply moved by your honest answer. Although, I am still apologetic for pulling you people in our world problem. Let me convey my thanks. Of course, I will be more than willing to fill all of your needs in my domain. As for the method of return, I, again deeply apologize, but we do not have” 

I am sorry heroes...

That is a blatant lie. There is a method of return. I myself don’t like to lie, but I have to make sure that all of them will focus on the upcoming training and journey.  

Although, I assured them that they will not be having any financial problems under my domain. 

“I see. Even though we want to pursue the topic, it would be pointless. So please now, tell us your plan for us.” 

I am shocked at the same time happy for their enthusiasm. They want to discuss the plans already. But we can’t discuss further right now.

They will soon reach their limits. It is a disgrace that I cannot serve them a fancy dinner, I’ll have the meals deliver in their rooms. 

“O Gallant Heroes, may we discuss the plans tomorrow, the dimensional transfer may have depleted most of your energies. I shall have the mai-…err … servants accompany you to your rooms.” 

Ah...!

 I was about to say maid, then I remembered that there was a maid among the heroes. I imagined a maid escorting and serving a maid too.

The stand-up leader of the heroes replied with “we shall comply” then they are escorted by the servants to their respective rooms. 

The little girl is still a mystery to us but we cannot nitpick on the details right now. Using the name of the royalty will cost her dearly if she does not tell the truth about it tomorrow. 

. 

. 

. 

I am currently in my room. My room is the biggest among all the rooms this castle have, but also the messiest. Documents are scattered and my bookshelf is in a sorry state.

The gentle breeze of the wind is blowing out from the veranda. The blue transparent curtains are being gently swayed by the wind. The scenery outside is the whole City Capital and the Capital outskirt with high reinforced wall to prevent magical beasts from entering. On the west, you can see the lush green forest of the elves and to the right is the mountain ridge of the Dragon kin.  

Ishtal is in the corner of the room suddenly speaks. 

“Your Majesty, the method of return they speak of. There is one right? Although it is inscribed in ancient scriptures, but it can be used by the Dragon kin. Why did you tell them there isn’t one” 

“I don’t want them to lose focus on their upcoming training Ishtal, I, myself know that someday, It will come back to me. I will tell them after the calamity settled. By then, I will have the heroes train in our domain for a while and have them travel around the world to train under the leaders of another continent.” 

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“You seemed to trust the other leaders of the continent” 

“Well, I did have a bout with them a two or three times in my time of travel too.” 

“I think you are as wild as ever your high-“ 

THUD!

There was a blunt sound of a falling object outside my room. The heavy door that cannot be moved by the wind slightly creaks. I hurriedly went outside of my room to see what happened. 

It was a surprise...

The little girl Asagao is here. I am also worried if she heard about the conversation just now. She seems to have fallen on her butt.

Is she spying on us?

I, by nature, am very distrusting. This little girl here has been garnering plenty of suspicions.

I will intimidate her with words. Reveal your true nature here, Asagao.

“Hou, Little girl. Are you spying on us in the middle of the night?!”

“Hih! No…I don’t…!”

That was a cute shriek, but I cannot let myself get swayed but this cute act and then… 

“Um…eh…toilet…”

“Huh? Sorry, I wasn’t able to hear that properly. Will you say it again?”

“Toilet! *Hic* I got lost! *Sobs* can’t find!” 

She was just got lost finding the toilet! I am suspecting a little girl too much! This is why I am always called idiotic king.

She clings to the hem of my clothes and looks at me with upturn eyes like it is pleading. She is seriously crying and sobbing right now. 

“Huh? Wait! Please stop crying! No, I didn’t mean to be angry with you, so please stop. Here! Look! I will go with you!”

“Really?”

“Really really! After that, I will escort you to your room too!” 

“Un! Thank you, Fon!"

I managed to cover that up. I patted her on the head.

Her hair is silky and smooth it was a nice sensation to my palm. My whole palm has already covered most of her head because she is so small.

Good thing she stopped crying. I feel really guilty right now.

Also...Fon?!

“Your name is Asagao, right? With same last name as me, Lionheart”

“Yes! Asagao! Asagao Lionheart! Same as Fon-nii!”

“This world has full of coincidence…” 

I made a small talk like that. She answered really cheerfully that it made me smiles back at her. After that, we started to walk down the hallway. Ishtal, the magician of wind. 

I need to know more about her before making any assumptions. I should ask about her circumstances, about her name and if she is by any chance a relative of mine.

I don’t want to cause any commotion within my land because of her existence. It seems I have to keep an eye on her just to be sure. I will ask the heroes about her too after they train with her.

Should a child be training like that?

As I was thinking those, a soldier on patrol greeted me.

“Good evening Your Majesty!”

“Good evening to you too, soldier! How is the situation?”

“Your Majesty, the situation is normal as usual, but please rest assured as we do not slack on our duty.”

“Thank you for your hard work and dedication soldier.”

“By the way your majesty, it is rare to see you alone in the middle of the night”

Alone?

OH SHIT!

I promptly left the soldier. I dash through the hallway at an unbelievable speed. Sweats are flowing non-stop. I recalled that crying figured who was begging for company.

The tiny adorable girl whom instead of receiving sympathy and apology is treated with suspicion and the tiny girl who smiled at being patted…

What have I done? She was just a little girl. What am I even thinking?  Spy? This is why I am called idiotic by Lily and Edelweiss. They would surely show me no mercy if they knew what I did. 

I heard a faint sobbing. It sounded really lonely and betrayed.

Goddess, please forgive me if you ever exist. I walk towards her. Each step I take, the sobbing and crying became more audible. Those steps are so heavy while my heart is being ripped apart. 

The lonely figure of the small girl that was hugging her own knee at the same time burying her face in it. 

Her beautiful snow-like hair just like mine, her tranquil blue eyes that reflect the light illuminated in this dim hollow night with cold air wafting. Her small and fragile shoulders that trembles together with her thin petite arms. In contrast to my masculine features, her face announces a beauty and prettiness that can strike a blooming warmth in anyone’s heart, albeit right now, her cheeks are little flushed.

I got to her now. She is shivering. I felt the blood from my head being drained. I feel really painful right now, but what about her? 

Being left in this dark, gloomy hall, lost and lonely in this world she doesn't know, separated from her loved ones at such age. 

I got down. I don’t even know if I still have the right to do this, but I patted her head. After a few second of patting her, she looks up to me.

Her face is a mess with excessive crying it is still very cute though. I apologize to her. 

“I’m really sorry! I’m really sorry! I have done something like that to a small child like you!” 

“…” 

Her blank stare which seems surprised stings my heart. I feel like I am being pricked inside. 

I let go of her head and got up. I reach out to her waist and lifted her up into my arm. Light, she is so light. This little girl is almost weightless from my standpoint. She reflexively clings to my head so she will not fall. 

“I will carry you like this so we wouldn’t get separated.” 

She is really warm and soft. This feeling, I might get addicted to it. But right now, with that thought, it also hurts. I fought thousands of battles, receive many injuries and wounds.  I will always emerge victoriously. But this pain I am feeling right now. I don’t think about winning against it.

I can’t...

Now I can’t even imagine this girl going to battles.

She is thin and really soft. This girl that looks like she will cry in any painful situations, this fragile girl that will break emotionally and physically, I thought to myself “I want to protect her” but it will be unfair for the other heroes too. They might get angry with me. 

In just one night, not even a whole day passed, I got attached to this girl emotionally.

Is it because of her appearance?

Is it because I am pulled by her charm?

Is it because I am interested in her because of we have the same last name?

Nonsense.

I know myself I am an excellent ruler and a king over my people. But I am not a good person to another one. I lack the trust that one person should give to one another. I somehow want to care for this girl, not because of whim but because I truly care for her. 

This meeting between me and this little girl must be arranged by the stars. 

As I was carrying Asagao and striding down the hallway, a soldier in patrol catch us on his sight and bowed down to us.

He then looks at Asagao then asks.

“Your highness, I didn’t know you have a little sister” 

“She isn’t, she is together with the heroes” 

“Oh, I deeply apologize. But you two are really similar” 

“I myself are at a loss for words too you know.” 

“I see, but this little girl really looks like you, looks like an angel you k-“ 

The humble soldier averted his eyes for some reason. I can tell that his face is flustered.

He tried to convey something by pointing at something but controlled his self.

“What’s wrong soldier?” 

“The little girl, Your highness, she isn’t wearing any undies” 

“Huh?!”