The Demon King's Paladin Part 2. All Out War.

Chapter 429. Charlotte's Decision

" I understand why you'd think that, but I still think reattaching King Alan's arm should take priority here. The Beastmen value strength after all... I don't know how long King Alan will be viewed as a King without his arm."

" Okay, if that's what you think... That's good enough for me, I guess?"

I explained about Ryan to Charlotte, like I did with Sarah and Anna... Again, she didn't seem too surprised by what I told her. Maybe this is just a quirk of people from Gaia? I mean, if this was my world, I'm sure they'd be at least a little upset? Maybe not... I think I should just check. Charlotte seemed ready to move on with the conversation and start talking about something else. But I really do think I need to make sure she's okay with it.

" Charlotte... Just to reiterate, your distant Grand-Uncle was alive up until a week ago. Are you sure you're okay with what I've just told you?"

Charlotte looked a little surprised that I brought this back up. She thought for a second before she answered my question.

" I know that he and his people have probably spent the last 3000 years in endless torment. I know that it couldn't have been easy what happened to them, but at the same time, my Uncle Ryan still had his wits about him all this time after. His first real action when given the chance was to soothe his people's pain with his Mind Magic. He then gave you a copy of his memories to give to my Father so we can know the truth about what happened when we were all forced from our original homeland. Then, without a second's hesitation, he not only freed himself and his people, but also granted you a chance to escape from your captors. It hurts my heart to think about what he and his people have been through, but I can't do anything about it, I couldn't do anything before this all happened, and I couldn't do anything after the fact. What not only I, but we can do now, is make it so that his sacrifices weren't in vain. Having said that, we have his jewel, right?"

" Yeah, I have it right here."

I took the red gem out from my shirt, for some reason, it likes to sit where the pendent of a necklace would be, I've tried putting it in my pocket, but for some reason... Something feels " off" in the back of my mind, like knowing you touched something dirty and really want to wash your hands because of it. And that feeling really only abated when I took the gem out of my pocket. Then it felt like I was being pushed to put it in my shirt. I guess it has somewhat of a connection with me on some level. It's not hurting me or anything, so I don't really mind having it sit there. Either way, I let Charlotte take a good look at it.

" As long as you have that, it means that you can fulfill his request whenever you want to in the future. Like you said, Sarah and Anna think doing it after we all visit Bestia is the best course of action. I've already written a letter for My Parents to read today. I'll just need a piece of paper and I'll be able to explain the situation, My Parents should happily pick a date sometime soon to be able to have the time to really take in everything Uncle Ryan wants to show us. Until then we need to do what we can, and for now that means helping King Alan."

Charlotte placed her hand over top of the jewel... Well, I guess it'd be more correct to say she placed her hand on top of mine. She was staring intently at our hands. I guess she really does understand the importance of Ryan's gem. Even with that, she's still steadfast on wanting to help King Alan. She's being so selfless with this. I mean, this jewel might hold the answers to questions that have been eating at the Dark Elf People for the past 3000 years, but instead, she wants to help others first. She really is a good person. I nodded my head to her words and began to agree with her.

" Okay Charlotte. If that's what you think is best, then that's what we'll do."

I smiled as warmly as I could as I spoke. With that matter taken care of, the only thing left to do now was to get Charlotte a pen and a piece of paper. I tried to turn to so I could speak to Janet while facing her... This is when I noticed something strange.

* Hold...*

I was pulled back as I tried to turn... When I looked back, I could see the reason. Charlotte's hand was still holding onto mine. Okay, that's obviously my fault. I didn't tell her that I wanted to turn. I quickly looked back to her and began to explain what I was doing to her.

" Uhm... Charlotte. I want to turn to speak to Janet..."

" Hm..."

Instead of acknowledging my words, she simply hummed a sound that seemed to suggest she didn't really hear me.

" Are you okay?"

" Uh Huh..."

Again, she didn't break eye contact with our hands, and she proceeded to not register what I was saying. I wondered what was going on, until I got some help.

* Grip.*

" See, My Love. I told you she would still want to help Uncle Alan!"

Sarah came over and placed her hand on to Charlotte's. This seemed to snap Charlotte out of whatever trance she was in.

" Oh, right... Of course, I'd want to help King Alan. Now then where were we?"

* Release.*

Charlotte gently let go of my hand as she felt Sarah's hand on her own. Charlotte didn't look as if anything was wrong... What the hell was that? Is it the jewel? No... There's no way, why would Ryan's jewel do something weird to his niece? It doesn't make sense... Maybe she didn't get a good night's sleep last night? That's got to be it.

" I was just explaining that Anna and I knew that you would still want to help Uncle Alan. I mean, it's the best thing we can do at the moment. Following a plan is sometimes the best course of action, right, Charlotte?"

" Oh... Yeah, absolutely Sarah."

Sarah nodded to Charlotte's agreement with her statement. She's pretty correct to. When in doubt, following a plan that seems to be right is usually the way to go. We've succeeded so far in these past few years by following the plans we've made. Anyways, I need to talk to Janet. I turned around to see something rather surprising. It was Janet who was quite close to me, and she was holding a piece of paper and a pen.

" Here you are, Lord Matthew."

" Wow, Janet! I didn't even need to say it."

" One of the signs of a great Maid is being able to tell what their Master requires without a word being spoken. And you do agree I'm a great Maid, don't you? Lady Anna has always approved of my work."

Janet looked quite proud of herself as she spoke. Anna even gave an approving nod. I can't really disagree. I've never had an issue with her... Except getting her to take a few days off here and there. But she's become more accepting of it I've found. Granted it's only when I also force Jim to take a few days off as well. I quickly accepted the pen and paper that Janet had begun to hand to me, and I responded to her words.

" Of course you're a great Maid, Janet. You've always been our rock since you took the Job. Honestly I'd be lost if you'd quit."

" Sounds like I should get a raise."

" Name your price?"

" I'm only kidding, Lord Matthew. You and I both know Jim and I are making quite good money."

" Well, we're in a good position now here in Paradise. There's no reason everyone who's supported me during the process shouldn't be able to enjoy the fruits of the labor."

" Well, I'll let you know if I ever do need one, but honestly, the quarterly raises are quite motivating as it is, you know? I'm pretty sure that's a perk that no other Noble offers usually."

" Really? I mean, it's a career though? Shouldn't you be paid well based on tenure and the like?"

" That would be something for the Master to decide, not so much his maid, but I will say you should be careful. If word gets out somehow, it might cause an influx of resumes to come through the mail from all over Diablos."

" Well thankfully I've only talked about this inside the mansion. I'll start praying that it never happens though... I've already got enough paperwork to deal with."

Janet and I went back and forth for a little until the realization of mountains of paperwork could return in my future. With that depressing possibility in my mind, I quickly handed the pen and paper to Charlotte who seemed to be having some kind of conversation with Sarah and Anna... Well... I guess it's nice that they're close, right?