klisemfg Chapter 77 The King's Summoning
Chapter 77 The King's Summoning
"Stop her, quick!"
Before the words were finished, a figure suddenly leaped out from behind the curtains. It was Tuo, who stood shamelessly blocking the doorway with a sly smile on his face.
"Let's see where you run to, Your Majesty." A cunning smile curled at the corner of To's mouth.
At the same time, Guan's oily face quietly approached Qiao Xiao.
She, however, remained detached, showing no emotional fluctuation whatsoever. Her eyes were filled with a chilling light as she disdainfully said, "You think you can compete with me?"
Just as she was about to strike, the door burst open, and Spartz stormed into view, panting and covered in sweat.
When Shi Bozi's gaze fell on Qiao Xiao, his eyes instantly lit up. Without thinking, he shielded her behind him, gripped his sword tightly, and stared warily at the two people in front of him.
"Father, Mother is exhausted today and needs to rest. I will personally escort her to the Queen's bedroom."
Spoelstra's words left no room for argument; his anger was palpable, and it seemed to be a warning to the two of them.
Upon hearing this, Guan was enraged and roared, "Sipoz, are you insane? I am your father, how dare you speak to me like that!"
Qiao Xiao sneered inwardly, thinking: Thank goodness, they finally know these most basic pieces of information.
Tall and imposing, taller than both To and Guan, he looked down at the two men with a hint of provocation in his eyes and slowly asked, "Father? Really, Father!"
It was as if the anger in his heart could not be suppressed, which transformed into arrogance and dissatisfaction.
Tuo and Guan looked at each other in alarm, realizing that the man and woman before them might already know their secret.
Guan stammered, "What are you saying... I don't understand." Clearly, he didn't have much confidence when he said that.
Tot signaled for him to shut up, but he replied matter-of-factly, "That's ridiculous. This is the king; he has the face of a king. What are you questioning?"
Spartz: "I don't mean to question you, Father, it's just that you seem too suspicious. If you still insist on keeping Mother, please take me with you. I'd like to have a heart-to-heart talk with you!"
Qiao Xiao finally spoke up: "Alright, Shi Bozi, stop fooling around. Well then, Your Majesty, we'll be leaving now."
The two left the palace one after the other. Before leaving, Spitz glared at them twice.
After coming out.
"I should have used my own sword!" said Spartz angrily.
Qiao Xiao immediately interrupted him, sternly questioning, "What do you want to do, Spitz?"
Faced with Qiao Xiao's questioning, Sporz was filled with grievance and anger. Unable to control his emotions, he blurted out, "Didn't you see the way they looked at you?! Those filthy thoughts... just thinking about them makes me sick, it makes me want to..."
Qiao Xiao replied calmly, "You wish you could kill them? You've been blinded by anger, Spitz."
Completely losing his composure, Spohr exclaimed excitedly, "But Mother!"
“We cannot act rashly now.” Qiao Xiao’s tone was calm, but her determination was unwavering. “If we deal with them now, another king will appear. The key is to find the source of their magic.”
She bit her lip, and a trickle of blood oozed from her tender skin, leaving a faint bloodstain on her lips.
He struggled to suppress his resentment and forced a submissive response: "I understand, but I simply cannot tolerate their treatment of you..."
His voice was low and suppressed, as if it carried endless bitterness and grievances, yet he deliberately buried these emotions deep in his heart, unwilling to let them easily show.
Qiao Xiao gently patted Spitz on the shoulder and said earnestly, "I understand how you feel, Spitz. But you must always remember that your safety is the most important thing. They will never give up and will definitely look for other opportunities to attack us."
Schertz clenched his fists, his gaze lowered, staring at Qiao Xiao, his heart screaming in despair: No, you don't know! You can't understand me!
He was silent for a moment, then whispered as if making a vow: "I will definitely protect you, Mother."
His gaze was almost manic, filled with a frenzied obsession, yet his words were so calm, yet chilling.
Daisy spotted Qiao Xiao and burst into tears of joy: "Thank God, Queen, you're finally back! It's so good that you're safe and sound. Oh, Your Highness, we are so grateful that you brought the Queen back safely."
With her eyes fixed on Qiao Xiao, Spitz replied in a deep and firm voice, "Protecting her is my duty, Daisy."
Qiao Xiao glanced at the sky and said, "It's getting late, you should all go back and rest. Tomorrow is the day the King will meet with the ministers, and we have a lot to do, so we must prepare in advance."
Schuberts asked cautiously, "Then, may I escort you back to your palace?"
Qiao Xiao sighed helplessly, her tone tinged with weariness and resignation: "You know my abilities, Spartz."
But Spohr insisted on asking again, "May I take you back?"
Qiao Xiao looked at Shi Bozi, whose eyes were full of sincerity and concern, and finally nodded. So, Shi Bozi silently followed behind Qiao Xiao, escorting her all the way back to her palace.
Throughout the journey, Spoelstra remained silent, not uttering a single word, but his gaze remained fixed on Qiao Xiao. The distance between them was neither too close nor too far, like that of her knight.
Only when they reached the entrance to the palace did Spitz speak: "Good night, Mother."
Qiao Xiao replied calmly, "Goodnight, Shi Bozi." After saying that, she turned and walked into the palace, leaving Shi Bozi standing alone outside the door, staring at the closed door, unable to leave for a long time.
After Qiao Xiao and Daisy entered the bedroom together, Spitz did not leave immediately, but stayed there for a long time.
Daisy: "The prince has left." She stood guard by a window, closely observing Prince Spalding's actions and reporting back to Qiao Xiao in a timely manner.
Qiao Xiao: "He's finally gone." She felt a sense of relief.
Daisy stood behind Qiao Xiao, her expression hesitant, as if she had something to say but didn't know how to begin. Qiao Xiao noticed her unusual demeanor and turned to ask, "What's wrong, Daisy? Is something on your mind?"
Daisy's thoughts were instantly pulled back to reality by Qiao Xiao's question.
Daisy: "Your Majesty, don't you feel that His Highness's feelings for you are different?"
Qiao Xiao stood frozen in front of the mirror. Daisy continued, "His gaze always follows you, it follows you too closely."
Qiao Xiao: "Perhaps this is a sign that he lacks maternal love. He is so starved for love. It's not me, I'm one of the few people who care about him."
Daisy: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."
Qiao Xiao: "He's a smart kid. Once he finds his way, he'll naturally understand his own feelings."
In the darkened room, Spartz stood before the mirror, his face pale and his expression haggard. He decisively sliced his fingertip with a dagger, and bright red blood gushed out, dripping onto the magic mirror. The blood was quickly absorbed by the mirror and vanished without a trace. His tone was cold and resolute as he said, "This is the blood I owe you."
The magic mirror let out a low laugh: "Your Highness, you are truly generous."
She had already prepared the ointment, which she gently applied to the wound to stop the bleeding and promote healing.
The magic mirror asked curiously, "What do you want with me?"
With determination and longing in his eyes, Sporz slowly asked, "Is there any way I can become stronger?"
Schertz felt a deep sense of powerlessness and frustration at his own incompetence, and he was unwilling to be manipulated by those imposters.
After a moment's thought, the magic mirror replied, "There are many ways, my prince. Which one do you need?"
Without hesitation, Spitz answered, "Magic."
The magic mirror warned, "My prince, magic is a very dangerous thing."
Spoelstra responded firmly: “Help me find it.”
The Magic Mirror sighed helplessly and said, "Alright, since you insist, let me see which area has the strongest magic... Hmm, it's the Magic Forest."
Spoelstra: "The Enchanted Forest?"
Magic Mirror: "Yes, elves live in the Magic Forest; they might be able to help you."
Spitz: "How do we get there?"
Magic Mirror: "I can show you a map, Your Highness, but I'll need your... hehehe, you know what I mean."
Spitz took out the glass bottle containing the red liquid, uncorked it, and dripped a few drops onto the magic mirror.
The magic mirror absorbed this unique drop of blood. "It smells like roses, Prince."
Sporz: "You should know why I'm doing this?"
Magic Mirror: "Of course (for the Queen's sake), I am an all-powerful and all-knowing magic mirror! But my prince, the Queen intends to use me again. She came to the secret room alone to find me last time, and I must tell you about this."
Spartz: "The Queen?" His cold eyes flashed with a strange light, his thoughts in turmoil. He paused for a moment before speaking, "Give her whatever she needs."
Magic Mirror: "Yes, Prince, you are the most trustworthy person."
A tender flower bloomed amidst the cold heavens and earth.
With a "splash," Sporz poured half a bottle of red liquid.
Magic Mirror: "Oh, my prince, you are so generous."
Spitz: "Magic Mirror, you must know that if anything happens to Fali, I will cease to exist."
The magic mirror's voice turned serious: "I know, Your Highness, I am... (the omnipotent and omniscient magic mirror)."
...
"There's no sun today, Daisy." Qiao Xiao tilted her head slightly, her gaze fixed on the sky above.
Daisy replied, "Yes, Your Majesty." She gently stroked the adorable orange cat in her arms, a hint of unease in her eyes. This orange cat was none other than Marigold.
Daisy, still seemingly immersed in the previous day's harrowing experience, said in a slightly trembling voice, "Where were you yesterday, Marigold? It was awful."
Marigold nestled obediently in Daisy's arms and whispered, "I'm sorry, Daisy, and my Queen. I had some trouble yesterday."
Qiao Xiao gently stroked Marigold's head and softly comforted her, "It's okay, as long as you're back safe and sound."
Daisy asked curiously, "What happened, Marigold?"
Marigold tried hard to recall the events of yesterday and slowly said, "I was absorbing magic in the magic forest and was preparing to return when I accidentally stepped into a hidden trap and fell into a dark and deep cave."
Qiao Xiao and Daisy exchanged a glance, and a hint of worry welled up in both of their eyes.
Daisy pressed on impatiently, "And then? What happened next?"
Marigold: "Then a strong knight saved me, oh my god, he's here!" It looked ahead in surprise.
At that moment, Eric was walking towards them with firm steps. He had clearly taken care of himself; his neatly trimmed beard and combed hair made him look much younger and more refreshed.
Eric walked up to them, bowed respectfully, and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
Qiao Xiao smiled and nodded, replying, "Get up, Knight Eric."
Eric stood up, his eyes shining with gratitude, and said sincerely, "Thank you for choosing me as your knight, Your Majesty. Since becoming your knight, I feel that my life is full of light every day."
Daisy's expression suddenly changed, her eyes fixed on the person behind her, her voice becoming low and tense, "Prince Spalding."
Qiao Xiao suddenly turned around, her gaze meeting that of Spoelstra. Spoelstra stood there, stunned and pale, his eyes lifeless, frozen in place as if in a daze.
Qiao Xiao sighed inwardly: "You may all leave now."
Daisy and Eric exchanged a glance. "Yes, Your Majesty."
Qiao Xiaoman walked quickly towards Shi Bozi, "Shi Bozi, let me explain."
Shi Bozi remained silent, his eyes cold and distant. He tried his best to suppress his emotions, as if waiting for Qiao Xiao to finish speaking.
Qiao Xiao: "I... he is just my knight, not my personal knight."
Spitz: "So, you've already made your choice? Why before I became a knight?"
His voice was frighteningly calm, yet behind that placid tone lay a sense of powerlessness and an inexplicable hysteria.