The Demon King's Paladin

Chapter 175. Dinner's End

"How did I end up here exactly?" That was the only question I had rolling around in my head as I examined Charlotte's eyes after challenging me to a duel.  

" Charlotte! What are you asking from a guest! What has he done for you to want to duel him?"

The King raised his voice in response to Charlotte's outburst. He seemed more surprised than angry at her. I think that fits the reactions of everyone here, surprised. Sarah and Anna had puzzled looks on their faces after wiping their small mouths after enjoying their ice cream. Meanwhile, I hadn't even dished out my dessert before Charlotte challenged me. Charlotte was undisturbed by her father's question and calmly spoke to everyone in the room.

" I can't accept his answer to my question."

" You mean how I don't care about others view me? I don't understand how that evolves into you needing to duel me."

Now I couldn't accept her answer. Is this based on her need for her people's approval? Charlotte looks at me again and then looks away just as fast. What is she doing?

" Well, why not?"

The Queen spoke nonchalantly. As if this wasn't an issue for her.

" Wouldn't this be a big problem if either of us were hurt?"

The Queen looked puzzled at my words.

" Well, I suppose we can let him duel her. However, instead of a duel, why not a sparring match instead? It would give less reason for either side to be insulted if either of them lose."

Sarah spoke to the Queen as if she were enjoying my current situation.

" Yes, I think that would be for the best. My daughter tends to get excited and jumps to the first thing that pops in her head. I'm sure she just wants to test something about herself and even Matthew."

The Queen happily agreed with Sarah. She then turned to me with a serious expression on her face and began to speak to me.

" Marquess Matthew, would you please accept my daughter as a sparring partner, please? It seems that she really wants this, regardless of how much sense it makes to do it. I would really appreciate it if you would."

" Would it really be that bad to do it?"

Delcan added to the Queen's request with his own pleading. I sighed at them.

" It seems my wife has forgotten, but I believe it's impossible as I currently am."

" What do you mean by that?"

Charlotte asked that with a hint of annoyance. I guess she thinks something along the line of me thinking she isn't "worthy enough" to fight or something similar to that.

" Because of a certain skill, I can't control my swordsmanship. The skill makes every attack I do a killing blow. In time it'll assimilate fully to me, and I'll have control again, but for right now I don't. So, I can't truly spar with someone right now."

" I remember, My Love. However, to my knowledge, your magic is completely safe to use!"

" You mean the magic that will horrifically maim or kill someone if they don't defend or dodge it properly?"

" Manage the output, it's about time you started practicing that aspect of magic. If you learn it, you'll be able to lessen the amount of mana you need to use for your magic. You've been having issues with running out of mana, haven't you? Now would be a great time to start learning for the future!"

" I can... Control the output? Why is this the first time I'm hearing about this? It can help my mana reserves to!?"

" My Mother wanted to teach you, but everyone has been so busy since returning to Blackstone after Promethia tried to invade. May as well start now. It should be fun!"