267 Troubled Hear (1/2)

Antis was rigid for a while, but he gradually relaxed.

He tried to smile though he was upset. ”You're really smart to have guessed the intention of the royal family.”

Roland chuckled. ”Smart? This is just normal, all right? You haven't seen the real smart Golden Sons. They almost seem to have nine heads.”

Naturally, Antis didn't believe in the existence of a world where everybody was like a dragon.

Even in Fareins, the most powerful country of all, the literacy rate was not much higher than that in Hollevin.

If the literacy rate in Hollevin was around 1%, that in Fareins it was about 1.5%. The difference was not huge.

The literacy rate of the elves was much higher. Almost all of them could read.

However, the fertility of the elves was too low. It was said that their population was slightly more than fifty thousand.

So, it was impossible for their race to rise.

Considering Roland's remark as him being modest, Antis continued, ”Actually, I think it will be better if you work for the royal family, who acknowledge your capabilities.”

”Even after I lured the queen away?” Roland put on a weird smile. ”Even if the members of the royal family are okay with it, I don't think the king will be, will he?”

”Lured away? That's a very wrong perspective,” Antis said rather angrily. ”The queen is out for traveling and only staying in Delpon for now.”

Roland was lost for words. ”Whatever you say.”

”Speaking of the queen, do you know her real identity?” asked Antis.

Antis still liked leaning against the wall. Roland suddenly remembered something he read from a book: those who preferred to talk to other people against the wall were essentially troubled by a sense of insecurity, and they would rather show their back, or their vulnerabilities, to other people.

Was Antis troubled by a sense of insecurity?

After the idea popped up in his head, Roland asked after a brief surprise, ”Do you know it?”

”Of course I do.” Antis nodded and said, ”I'm part of the royal family anyway. It's been four years since the queen was married to the king. I took part in her vetting back then. Do you want to know about her?”

Antis seemed to be grimacing.

Ignoring the guy's teasing expression, Roland nodded casually.

Andonara was now his friend anyway, and Roland did not know for sure what she would be in the future. It was not a bad idea to know more about her past.

”The queen was already famous when she was a girl.” Antis smiled gently. ”She was both beautiful and strong. She became an Elite Warrior at the age of fifteen. Then, she was promoted to be a Great Swordsman and spent two years as a mercenary, until she grew tired and retired. As it happened, the king was choosing a new queen, so she participated in the competition.”

There was deep affection in Antis's eyes.

”You have no idea how gorgeous Andonara was when she was a girl. Among all the noble ladies, she was wearing simple, tight white clothes, with a sword on her waist and her long hair tied back. She did not wear any makeup or accessories, but she was the focus of all the men's attention just by standing there.”

Antis liked Andonara too?

Roland reached this conclusion.

”The king picked her the moment he saw her.” Antis seemed to be lonely. ”As a minor captain of the royal guards, I was involved in the investigation on her.