Ainz Ooal Gown: Noble Knight

But being a veteran actor, he didn't let that panic linger on his face for too long.

Rune tried to keep his expression as natural as possible. He raised his hand and touched the back of his neck somewhat awkwardly.

"Originally... I was planning to call you after calling Sebastian, but I didn't expect you to come looking for me."

Si tilted her head, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.

"really?"

“Really.” Rune’s gaze was frank. “Perfect, let’s go visit Her Majesty the Dragon Queen together.”

Si stared at Rune for several seconds.

In the distance came the sounds of soldiers chatting and laughing as they prepared the camp, mixed with the crisp sound of horses' hooves clattering on the stone path.

Silk finally nodded.

Her smile relaxed a bit, and although the scrutinizing tone hadn't completely faded, it was at least no longer as chilling as before.

“Alright.” She took two steps closer to Rune and naturally stood a little behind him. “Since my elder brother said I should go too, then let’s go together.”

Rune let out a long breath in his heart, but his expression did not reveal anything. He turned and walked towards the exit of the camp.

"Let's go then."

The three of them walked towards the royal city.

The wind blew from the end of the street, ruffling the ends of Rune's golden hair. He didn't turn around, but he could feel Si's gaze fixed on his back.

Rune silently quickened his pace.

The outline of the royal city had already emerged from the end of the road. The gray-white stone walls gleamed with a warm luster in the sunlight. The guards in front of the gate recognized Rune from afar and stood at attention to salute.

Rune nodded to them and strode toward the open palace gate.

As soon as I stepped through the palace gate, an elderly man in a dark official robe emerged from the shadows of the porch to greet me.

A polite smile graced his wrinkled face.

"Lord Eindora." Chancellor Bergman approached Rune and bowed slightly.

"Thank you for your trouble, Your Excellency the Prime Minister." Rune returned the bow.

Bergman's gaze passed over Rune and landed on Silk, his smile deepening. "His Majesty has been waiting in the reception room for some time. Please follow me."

The sound of four people's footsteps echoed in the corridor, and sunlight streamed through the diamond-shaped window panes, casting golden fragments.

Rune stopped in his tracks in front of the reception room door.

The door was right in front of him, and through the wooden door carved with an ornate dragon pattern, he could faintly hear soft footsteps coming from inside.

It was probably the kind of dull thud that Derodion made when she jumped off the throne and landed on the carpet.

His hand hovered above the door, hesitant to come down.

Chancellor Bergman stood slightly behind him, taking in his hesitant expression.

A knowing look appeared on that wrinkled face. Lady Aindora must be a little timid and hesitant to go in because of her beloved.

Sure enough, no matter how strong they are, young people are still young people.

"Lord Aindora." The prime minister, well-versed in the ways of love, decided to offer Rune some encouragement. "Don't be nervous, His Majesty has prepared a little surprise for you."

Rune's body stiffened for a moment.

Surprise.

When this word came from Chancellor Bergman's mouth, it was like a hunter telling his prey "Don't be afraid." It did not comfort him at all; on the contrary, it instantly raised Rune's vigilance to its peak.

The last "surprise" from Derodile, that little queen, was grabbing Sebastian's hand and acting cute in front of him. This time, Bergman has brought up the word "surprise" again. Who knows what new tricks he'll come up with next?

What if she starts by saying, "Lu Enqing, you've finally come to marry me..."

Rune dared not think any further.

Si's voice came from behind at just the right time, very low, and full of kindness that was almost overflowing.

"Brother, why don't you go in?"

Rune didn't turn around, but he could imagine Si's expression at that moment.

What are you afraid of?

These words were like a bayonet, constantly urging Rune on. He sighed inwardly, just about to make up an excuse to brush it off...

“Lord Rune,” Sebastian’s voice came from the other side, but it was grave. “Should I go inside and investigate first?”

Rune felt a throbbing in his temple.

Sebastian clearly misinterpreted the nature of the scene, thinking that there were some kind of traps or mechanisms hidden in the drawing room.

“No need, Sebastian.” Rune’s voice was a little dry, and he tried to make his tone sound more relaxed. “It’s just a simple audience, there’s no danger.”

'Probably.' he silently added in his mind.

But Sebastian's brows remained slightly furrowed, and his light gray eyes carefully scanned the gaps in the door panel, as if trying to sense the atmosphere inside through the solid wood.

After a moment, he nodded slightly, probably confirming that there were indeed no powerful beings lying in ambush inside.

Looking at Sebastian's cautious demeanor, Rune felt a triple pressure coming at him at the same time.

With a "nothing to lose" mentality, Rune silently made a wish in his heart.

'I'd trade Sebastian remaining single for life... for Derodine not to act all cute in front of me in front of Sis.'

Trading one's own temporary peace for Sebastian's lifelong happiness is somewhat unethical, but since Sebastian is already shaped like Tadachimi, he probably doesn't need this happiness anymore.

You can't get anything without making sacrifices.

Rune silently apologized to Sebastian, then resolutely pushed open the door.

The sound of the door hinges turning echoed softly in the reception room.

Sunlight cast warm dappled patterns on the dark wooden floor, and a faint floral fragrance filled the air.

Derodile stood in the center of the reception room, wearing a light pink dress with a voluminous skirt that made her look even more petite.

Rune's gaze immediately fell on Drordiro, confirming that her eyes were directed in his direction.

But she didn't rush over to grab his hand, nor did she show any signs of acting cute.

Rune's heart slowly returned to its normal position.

'Sure enough, the womanizing king's luck with women is really effective.'

Just as he was about to breathe a sigh of relief, he noticed that Derodile's gaze had passed over him.

The Queen's gaze fell on the area behind him, or more precisely, on the blonde woman behind him wearing red and white leather armor.

Rune's breathing paused for a moment.

Derodion took a step, her steps small but quick, the light pink hem of her skirt swaying gently with her steps, like a small flower being blown by the wind in spring.

She jogged up to Rune, but Rune wasn't her target.

Deloron practically brushed past Rune and went straight to Silk.

Rune looked down at the small figure that swept past him, his mind going blank for a moment.

Derodion stopped in front of Silk and tilted her head slightly.

If she didn't look up, her gaze would only reach up to Si's waist. Then, she stretched out her small hand.

"Are you my little sister?" Derodion's voice was childish, yet it had a deliberate attempt to imitate an adult's speech, creating a unique and endearing contrast.

"Nice to meet you, I am Derodile, you can call me sister from now on."

The little hand grasped the tip of the silk.

Time seemed to freeze at that moment.

Rune's body remained frozen in a position, looking down at Dorothy, as if he had been struck head-on by a petrification spell. His expression went from relaxed to confused, and then to completely frozen, all in less than three seconds.

A hint of confusion appeared on Sebastian's wrinkled face; he clearly hadn't fully grasped the situation.

Chancellor Bergman stood inside the entrance to the reception room, his hands behind his back, calmly watching the scene unfold.

A subtle, almost imperceptible smile curved the corners of his mouth.

Bergman silently praised Her Majesty's actions in his heart.

His Majesty is indeed wise. Instead of directly targeting Lord Rune, he chose Lord Rune's sister. This way, he expressed intimacy without appearing deliberate.

Sometimes, this kind of "unintentional" tacit agreement is far more effective than a direct promise.

Moreover, Her Majesty believes that using coquetry when speaking to women is indeed more effective in acting.

When facing taller adult women, her innocent and carefree demeanor becomes more natural, and her body doesn't instinctively stiffen as it does when facing Rune.

"...Your Majesty?"

A soft voice came from above, and she was somewhat surprised that the little girl in front of her would call her "sister".

But upon closer reflection, it might be a local custom.

She knelt down, her aristocratic upbringing instinctively making her want to bow to the monarch first.

But her movements were noticeably mechanical; she bowed a few minutes slower than usual, and her gaze lingered on Derodion's youthful face for several moments.

"No need for formalities." Derodion tiptoed and, following Si's squatting posture, reached out her small hand and gently patted Si's head.

Her Majesty's movements were gentle, conveying the loving care of an older sister looking after her younger sister.

"After we get married, we'll be family. You're Lu Enqing's sister, so naturally you're my sister too. There's no need to be so formal."

Flames instantly erupted from Silk's eyes.

The little girl in front of me, who looked no more than five or six years old, actually used words like "marriage" and "family".

These words acted like a fuse, igniting the anger within her.

How could my brother lay a hand on such a young girl!

Si suddenly stood up, her gaze precisely fixed on the direction of the reception room entrance.

Rune's left foot had already stepped out, while his right foot was dangling in mid-air, his entire body poised to run away at any moment.

"Brother," Si forced out through clenched teeth, "where do you want to go?"