Chapter 2:
Chapter 02 — The Queen's Embrace
Summoned To Another World
King Alberto shifted uncomfortably, his regal bearing momentarily faltering.「Well, that's true... but I haven't come up with a lie to tell the people yet.」Zak's eyes narrowed, a hint of exasperation in his tone.「...Sighs... You bring me here and don't have a plan on what to do?」「I apologize for that.」 Alberto's voice was a low murmur of regret.「But since you don't seem untrustworthy. I'll come up with one.」 Zak's declaration was firm, a new resolve settling upon his shoulders.
A genuine smile touched the King's lips.「Thank you, Zackry.」「Just call me Zak when we’re alone, okay?」「Oh, okay.」Zak’s mind was already racing, cataloging details of this new world.「What month is it?」「The third month of the Imperial Calendar.」「How many days make a week, and how many months are there?」「Well, seven days make a week, and there are twelve months.」【So it's similar to back on Earth.】A strategic thought sparked in Zak's mind.「Oh, and since I’m turning nineteen, invite the common folk too.」Alberto's brows furrowed in confusion.「Err... Why should I, if I may ask?」Zak leaned forward, his words carrying the weight of ancient wisdom.「Well, it shows that you're a fair king, one who brings them to some of these balls once in a while. They’ll be loyal to you.」「What will that achieve?」「You'll be remembered throughout the generations, and who'd want to overthrow a king who treats his commoners as equals?」Alberto considered this, a new understanding dawning in his eyes.「You make a strong point. Okay, but I’ll only do it now and then, okay?」「Yah, thanks.」【My real goal is to find out if she’s really here. If I was brought here, then it could be a possibility.】
Just then, the grand doors swung open, and the Queen swept into the room, her eyes wide with raw emotion.Alia, the Queen, stared at Zak, her lips trembling.
「 Is... is that really you, son?」【So this is the Queen.】 Zak had a fleeting, vivid flashback, memories of Zackry's life—his life now—flashing through his mind. 【So that’s how it is.】He moved towards her, a practiced, solemn expression on his face.「Yes, it is. I sincerely apologize for making you worry, Mother.」Alia lunged forward, enveloping him in a fierce, tearful embrace.「 No, don’t be. I’m grateful you’re alive! But how are you? The medical mages said you had passed, that the Curse took you!」Zak gently pulled away, maintaining the facade.「That's what I wanted them to think.」「What do you mean?」 Alia's confusion was clear.「Well, a curse no longer has any affect if its target is dead. So I delayed a lightning spell to activate when the curse had left my body. The spell activated.」「And that does what?」 Her suspicion was subtle, but present.「Well...」【She seems a little suspicious of me.】Alberto, sensing Zak's hesitation, stepped in smoothly.「Well, honey, the human heart can be jolted back to life with the right amount of lightning. So that's what Zackry did.」【Damn, so he knows about that. I guess their knowledge isn't that limited.】Alia looked from husband to "son," still somewhat bewildered.「I don't fully understand about that, but I'm glad Zackry's back.」【If only she was a Maid, then maybe we could’ve made new life.】Alia finally released Zak, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand.「Okay. But why don’t you look pale and thin like you did before?」「I used recovery spells on my body.」「Oh, okay, that explains a lot.」Alberto cleared his throat, a knowing glint in his eye.「Darling, I don’t mean to sound rude, but will you continue questioning our son, or will you make him the best 19th birthday party any young man could ask for?」
A genuine smile touched the King's lips.「Thank you, Zackry.」「Just call me Zak when we’re alone, okay?」「Oh, okay.」Zak’s mind was already racing, cataloging details of this new world.「What month is it?」「The third month of the Imperial Calendar.」「How many days make a week, and how many months are there?」「Well, seven days make a week, and there are twelve months.」【So it's similar to back on Earth.】A strategic thought sparked in Zak's mind.「Oh, and since I’m turning nineteen, invite the common folk too.」Alberto's brows furrowed in confusion.「Err... Why should I, if I may ask?」Zak leaned forward, his words carrying the weight of ancient wisdom.「Well, it shows that you're a fair king, one who brings them to some of these balls once in a while. They’ll be loyal to you.」「What will that achieve?」「You'll be remembered throughout the generations, and who'd want to overthrow a king who treats his commoners as equals?」Alberto considered this, a new understanding dawning in his eyes.「You make a strong point. Okay, but I’ll only do it now and then, okay?」「Yah, thanks.」【My real goal is to find out if she’s really here. If I was brought here, then it could be a possibility.】
Just then, the grand doors swung open, and the Queen swept into the room, her eyes wide with raw emotion.Alia, the Queen, stared at Zak, her lips trembling.
「 Is... is that really you, son?」【So this is the Queen.】 Zak had a fleeting, vivid flashback, memories of Zackry's life—his life now—flashing through his mind. 【So that’s how it is.】He moved towards her, a practiced, solemn expression on his face.「Yes, it is. I sincerely apologize for making you worry, Mother.」Alia lunged forward, enveloping him in a fierce, tearful embrace.「 No, don’t be. I’m grateful you’re alive! But how are you? The medical mages said you had passed, that the Curse took you!」Zak gently pulled away, maintaining the facade.「That's what I wanted them to think.」「What do you mean?」 Alia's confusion was clear.「Well, a curse no longer has any affect if its target is dead. So I delayed a lightning spell to activate when the curse had left my body. The spell activated.」「And that does what?」 Her suspicion was subtle, but present.「Well...」【She seems a little suspicious of me.】Alberto, sensing Zak's hesitation, stepped in smoothly.「Well, honey, the human heart can be jolted back to life with the right amount of lightning. So that's what Zackry did.」【Damn, so he knows about that. I guess their knowledge isn't that limited.】Alia looked from husband to "son," still somewhat bewildered.「I don't fully understand about that, but I'm glad Zackry's back.」【If only she was a Maid, then maybe we could’ve made new life.】Alia finally released Zak, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand.「Okay. But why don’t you look pale and thin like you did before?」「I used recovery spells on my body.」「Oh, okay, that explains a lot.」Alberto cleared his throat, a knowing glint in his eye.「Darling, I don’t mean to sound rude, but will you continue questioning our son, or will you make him the best 19th birthday party any young man could ask for?」
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