The knight departed, leaving an air of anticipation. Roderick, brimming with enthusiasm, couldn't contain his excitement. "Ohh, We're meeting the King, I can't wait to see the beautiful princess for the first time!"

The room fell into an awkward silence. Haruki, Kilin, Seraphina, and Garrick exchanged glances, Seraphina's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Unaware of Seraphina's true identity, Roderick continued, unabashed. "Ooooh, I wish that I will be the princess's husband."

Haruki's hand met his face in disbelief. "Umm... Roderick-'san'? You know... that the 'princess'... you're talking about is right in front of you, and you're saying embarrassing things to her?"

Roderick's eyes widened in realization. "Huh... What do you mean she's here?" He turned to Seraphina, baffled. "This girl?"

"Yes, that's her," Haruki confirmed.

Roderick's face paled, regret etched across his features. "N... n... no way... I... I... apologize for what I said!!"

But before his apology could fully escape his lips, Seraphina's palm met his cheek with a resounding slap. Roderick crumpled to the floor, unconscious, while Lila let out a startled shriek. Seraphina's eyes flashed with indignation as she turned to Elara and Garrick. "You pervert!! You should know who you're talking to! Hmm! Let's go, Elara, Garrick, I don't want to be near that pervert."

The three exited the house, leaving Roderick to groan and slowly rise to his feet. Confusion and pain etched his expression as he questioned what had transpired. Haruki and Lila quickly filled him in on his embarrassing blunder.

"Next time, try to stop saying embarrassing things like you just did, you made Seraphina hate you, just by saying you must be her husband," Haruki advised sternly.

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Roderick's gaze turned distant as he gazed out the window, his spirits visibly dampened. "Yes..."

Haruki, his tone more serious, continued, "Now then, if Seraphina says what you said in front of her father, you'll most likely be imprisoned or banned from seeing her to avoid contact. But I'll convince The King for the misunderstanding, and try to prevent your punishment."

Roderick's gratitude was palpable. "You're a lifesaver... Haruki-san..."

"When did you start calling me that? Never mind, but remember to choose your words carefully, okay? As I said, you might be imprisoned, or in the worst case, executed," Haruki reminded, a note of concern in his voice.

Lila chimed in, adding a touch of levity. "Well, you might not be married though."

Roderick's eyes widened in horror. "What...??!! I... I understand..."

Haruki rallied their spirits. "Well, let's go to the castle, I'm all fixed now. The King probably has some words for me regarding the summon."

"Ehh...?? Haruki-san, you were summoned here? It's my first time personally meeting a summoned person," Roderick inquired, genuine curiosity shining in his eyes.

"Yes, but the summon was for something important," Haruki replied, his expression growing more serious.

"Important? Do you know the reason why you were summoned?" Roderick pressed.

"Yes, but I'll not say it here. Maybe you guys will know once we get there... Let's go? Hey Roderick, stop looking through the window looking depressed, we're going!"

Roderick sighed, but with newfound determination. "Yes, I'll follow you guys, lead the way."

With their spirits lifted, the trio set off for the castle, its grandeur a sight to behold. Upon arrival, Haruki marveled at its size. "Woah, this is my first time seeing a big castle like this."

Lila chimed in, "Me too, we had a castle in my hometown, but not this big."

Haruki rallied their excitement. "Let's go in?"

The two companions echoed his sentiment, their voices filled with anticipation. "Yeah!"