Parallel Vol. 4 [LEGACY EDITION]

Chapter 71.2: Weight of a Life (2)

Not for the first time that night, the entire hall fell silent, akin to a graveyard as several eyes turned to stare at Kashi in disbelief. Panic, fear, incredulity, humor and anger flittered through the onlookers' eyes in quicks succession as they struggled to decide what emotion to settle on. However, regardless of what they thought, only one man's reaction really mattered. The eyes turned to the Rosen King.

King Parissius, oblivious to the thoughts around him, stared at Kashi in abject silence as the daeben's words replayed in his head. Are you crazy... Are you crazy... Are you cra—BAM! "Maybe I am!" yelled the King as he slammed his hand against the table. Unconsciously, he switched to informal speech as he defended himself, "Is it so weird to fight alongside my warriors? I would not be the first king to do so!"

"Haa?" Perhaps it was because King Parissius reverted to informal speech, but Kashi lost all decorum as he berated, "Are you really crazy?" He pointed at Chu Ling as he said, "Remember what I just said about the weight of her life? Well, if she's carrying a pebble, you're carrying a freaking mountain on your life!"

Kashi's rebuke seemed to echo throughout the hall, leaving King Parissius stunned and slightly embarrassed. The daeben, realizing the gravity of what he just did, immediately softened his tone, "My apologies, Your Majesty. I do not know what came over me."

To his credit, the young King smiled and then said with a shake of his head, "No. It's fine." He sighed as he sat down, and then said, "My father once told me a great ruler surrounds himself with people unafraid to let him know when he's making a wrong choice." Sending a playful glare Kashi's way, he added, "Even if they be insufferable at times."

"Your Majesty," Leila interjected. "What Kashi was trying to say, in not so eloquent terms, is that this Empire right now, can only survive with you as the Emperor. Any infighting caused by your absence or death will destroy this fledgling empire before it even begins." The wisben paused, and then added with an evil aura about her, "Of course, if you were to quickly produce an heir or two, then you could return to the battlefield with the Empire in safe hands."

"H-heir!?" King Parissius nearly choked on his drink. He rapidly coughed to clear his throat and then sent Leila a pleading look. 'Why are you doing this to me?'

Leila, however, ignored the King's gaze as she confirmed, "Yes. An heir. It would be great for the Empire's stability if you produced one as soon as possible."

"Hm. An heir?" King Chu's eyes went wide at the prospect of a grandchild. With longing in his eyes, he looked at King Parissius and said, "I will be praying for you. Twin pairs of twins will be the best."

"Father!" Both Chu Ming and Chu Ling shouted, mortified by their father's words. The hall burst into laughter as the women turned bright red from embarrassment.

Meanwhile, King Chu burst out laughing as he reached out and patted his children's back. "Haha. I raised you two excellently." Glancing at Chu Ling, he teased, "I never thought I would get to hold your child in my lifetime. This old man can die happy now."

"You're not going anywhere, old man," Chu Ling stuck out her tongue as she retorted.

Chu Ming nodded and then said, "We still have so much to learn from you."

King Chu laughed with pride as he looked at his daughters and declared, "What greater joy is it than to have excellent children such as these?"

"Marrying them?" Syèl said to Shokō, but his voice was so loud that everyone in the room heard him. As a result, King Chu glared at King Parissius, who once again almost choked on his drink. The poor young king wanted to cry as the room once again broke into raucous laughter. What the hell? Had someone declared open season on him?