64 Chapter 63 (1/2)
Given the rumors currently going on about you, I'm expressing some concern over the continuation of my son's arranged marriage.”
The following morning, two days after the event with my mask breaking, I had received a morning summons to stand before the King. He sat on his throne now, a stern look on his face as he stared down at me. Richard was in the room as well, but he held the same disinterested look her always had. When his eyes met mine, there was absolutely nothing that indicated his acceptance of the fact we had sex a few nights prior.
As the King spoke, I recalled having straddled his lap on that throne at least once before. It wasn't typical since the throne room didn't offer the same privacy as his study, but once sitting in the king's lap while he fondled your breasts and bounced you up and down on his knee was enough to diffuse any intimidation that throne gave. That wasn't to say I was free of fear. Even after spending the previous day with the girls, I still feared what would come of this.
”I am sorry, father.” I didn't shoot him a smile like I might of once, my role play skill telling me that this wasn't the time.
”Ahem,” The King cleared his throat like he had swallowed something distasteful. ”That'll be King Hyburn, for the moment.”
I winced at the words. It certainly felt like a step backward. All the goodwill I had earned with the royal family seemed to dissipate in a puff of smoke. I certainly couldn't expect Richard to step up and defend me, and of course, Devon was nowhere to be found.
”What would my lord have me do?” I asked, lowering my head in mock atonement.
The King gave a long sigh. ”I owe your father my life. Therefore, I am not ready to annul the engagement based on simple rumors.However, you will be watched very closely. I suggest you spend some time becoming the perfect wife for you husband-to-be. In a month, we will consider setting the final date.”
I tried to look chastised while also looking grateful to the King. Naturally, I didn't feel grateful at all. He had hit me, breaking my mask, and now he wanted to act like it was my fault. The audacity of that old man. Of course, had I actually been Cornelia, his statement would have been a huge relief. I'd still have a chance to not embarrass my entire family and nation.
However, I was not Cornelia. I didn't care about that engagement, and I didn't care anything about the majority of the people in this castle. After a little less than two weeks. I would be out of there. It looked like the King was pulling his lap privileges. Well, that was just fine. I couldn't level up sitting on his lap, anyway. I had less than two weeks to gain as many levels as I could, and simply put, Richard, the King, Devon, or even Julian weren't needed. I had wasted tons of time with them, and they hadn't given me much experience.
I let role play run on autopilot, saying all the formalities of a polite, boring, and stupid princess while the King nodded like he had successfully chastised a child. When I finally left the throne room, I was ready to punch a wall. However, at the very least, the wait and see approach meant I had enough time to finish up what I came here to do. I had let the glamor and excitement of the noble life rule me for the last few weeks. Until the harvest, I simply needed to work on myself. That's what brought me back to Reinhart's tower.
”You want what from me?” Reinhart asked, raising an eyebrow.
”I need you to teach me as much as you can. I plan to flee the castle on the night of the Harvest.”
Reinhart winced. ”I wish you hadn't told me that.”
”It doesn't matter.” I shrugged, ” I trust you, and right now I need people I can trust.”
After a moment of thought, Reinhart gave a shrug. ”Fine, I'll teach you everything I know, but work as I talk, if you can listen you can move your hands.”
That's how I ended up working on experiments as I listened to Reinhart lecture about magic. Previously, he had always been more of an active teacher, demanding that I find books and only ask questions when I didn't understand something. However, I didn't have the time to work my way through the half-dozen tomes he wanted me to read. Instead, I needed to focus on what was important, and that was something I could only get from an experienced mentor.
On top of making several of the recipe's Reinhart had pushed me to make, I also continued to run experiments on the animal semen I had accumulated. Thus far, I had absolutely no luck in coming up with any other potions, when suddenly a certain batch came back positive with my Examine.
{Potion Making has increased to level 5.}
{Examine has increased to level 9.}
{Vial of Moderate Sexual Arousal, Grade B, Maker: Aria – Increases the sexual arousal of target considerably for fifteen minutes.}
”Oh, a grade B potion, and another recipe. Absolutely incredible. Many alchemists will go their whole lives only discovering or improving upon one or two recipes. For you to have created four never before used recipes, it is simply amazing.}
”Ah, well, I just lucked out.” I shrugged.
”No, no, it's your skills as an alchemist. You're clean, methodical, and think of changing conditions in ways I'd never had guessed. Speaking of which, what is the recipe for this? It seemed to be a nontopical version of the Pigman lubricant.”
”Ah, that is…” I started looking through the notes and then realized that while listening to Reinhart I had forgotten to take any. ”I, um… didn't take the notes.
Reinhart sighed, shaking his head. ”Well, my ability can tell it was made with the troll semen.”
”Uh!” I winced. ”That's right. I used the last of it today.”
Reinhart shrugged. ”You've mentioned it is harder to get. That seems to hold true in all of life. The harder something is to get, the more powerful it is magically. That's probably why this is moderate. Well, until you can get back down there to gain more sample, this is the only vial. Do you want it?”
I shook my head,” Just sell it. Maybe someone at the Harvest can make use of it.”
”Right, you mentioned that a lot of the stuff I sold was showing up at these underground sex parties. I was invited to one of those once. Never went, but I still have the mask sitting around somewhere.”
”You have a mask?” I asked, ”Ah, would you mind if I had it?”