Never Die Extra

Evan D. Sherden, Watering Seeds (4)

On that night, Evan, who had barely gotten away after getting along with Princess Serena to the fullest, went back to the villa with the Marquis after he was barely released from the long meeting with the King.

The two sat together for a late dinner. They both felt so mentally tired after returning from the Royal Palace that the tea that Belois poured for them seemed extra delicious.

The Marquis sighed with satisfaction while taking a sip of black tea with brandy. Then he dropped a bomb on everyone present there.

“His Majesty is trying to promote your engagement with Her Majesty, Serena.”

“I don’t want to die!”

The Marquis laughed at Evan’s immediate response. He said that as his son already realized the importance of business, he had thought that his response would’ve been something like this. Of course, Evan didn’t want to get married to a Princess and then get killed for his behavior.

“What in the world!?”

Belois, who had quietly withdrawn, muttered silently. Her voice that seemed to come out of her very soul was heard by Shine. He immediately shushed her.

Belois became frightened and shut her mouth tightly. Fortunately, the Marquis and Evan had not noticed her.

“Don’t worry, Evan. I refused by saying that it was still too early. I wouldn’t give you up that early.”

“Isn’t it strange, father? No matter how coveted the Brotherhood Pharmacy is, the royal family cannot just connect both the families to gain advantages in the business. How many high-ranking noble families will accept it, and of course the foreign royalty…”

Even with all of that in mind, if Evan married the Princess, did it mean that the value of the Brotherhood Pharmacy was greater than the dungeon city’s worth itself?

The talks were still in the initial stages, having discussions about cooperation with the Brotherhood Pharmacy. The dungeon city would be giving enough help to the Silkline royal family without even them having to ask!

Evan was hardly able to understand what was going on. He didn’t know who was using the abacus in the Royal Palace, but there were lots of degrees of miscalculation.

But the Marquis shook his head with a big smile.

“It’s not about the Brotherhood Pharmacy, Evan. Of course, it’s not even about the dungeon city…His Majesty wants you.”

“What?”

“You, my proud son Evan D. Sherden. The Majesty wants you for your abilities.”

‘Those aren’t my abilities. But I can’t say anything about the reality to anyone. The truth is, it’s absolutely meager. I just utilized the knowledge I already had beforehand. I was lucky, and there were only good people around, always helping me. That is the only reason why it had all been possible.’

If that was really what the King wanted him for, then he had to stop meeting the Princess anymore and engaging with her. Otherwise, the secrets of his identity would soon be revealed, of him being an extra character in this world.

“It’s impossible, father. And please be sure to tell the King that I am a small boy who does not suit the Princess.”

“Hahahaha! Okay, if your Majesty talks about the matter again, I’ll tell him that… But you met Princess Serena today, right?”

“Yes.”

It had been a really exhausting meeting, so Evan replied with a dying face, but unfortunately, the Marquis didn’t seem to notice his expression.

The Marquis asked Evan with a bawdy face that looked like someone asking his peers about his first love.

“So what about it? You can be honest, Evan. I know you’re refusing to be engaged because of everyone else, but why don’t you tell me about your feelings?”

“She was certainly pretty like the rumors. Pink hair and pink eyes, I’ve never seen anyone like her. She was like a fairy.”

“Oh, yes! Certainly, Her Majesty’s eyes and hair color are known to be fascinating.”

Belois squeezed the tea tray tightly, standing behind them. Her body was shaking. Shine stopped her again.

“If Princess Serena grows up as it is, she will truly become exceptionally beautiful, renowned at home and abroad. Well, not as much as our Belois.”

The moment she heard that, Belois felt at ease. Her face had turned red, and her whole body trembled slightly, but the anger and anxiety seemed to subside.

Shine was astonished to see the change in her.

“But she can’t control her personality. I don’t know what you’re thinking, father. I’m tired. If possible, I don’t even want to get involved in all this.”

“Uh, um. Do you really mean it? Then do you hate Her Majesty?”

“No. But I don’t want to marry the Princess.”

The Marquis seemed relieved and disappointed at Evan’s assertion with a strange expression. While affirming that she was a pretty girl, the Marquis was worried about Evan’s future for a while as he saw Evan relentlessly cutting it off, saying that her personality was a problem.

But now was not the time to worry about such a distant future. The Marquis stroked Evan’s hair with a friendly smile on his face.

“Well, that’s settled then. I was wondering what to reply to His Majesty. I’m also tired of all the Majesty’s proclamations that you and the queen’s elder daughter will fit very well.”

“Does it mean the King has been talking to my dad for a long time, just to marry me and the Princess together…?”

Evan’s words found its target. Then, with a small bitter smile, he drank the tea and emptied the cup.

“Father will be going to the Royal Palace for three days from tomorrow. There are one or two issues that need to be discussed in relation to the Brotherhood Pharmacy. Leave all the complicated things to father, and go sightseeing on the Royal Road with your attendants.”

“Is it okay if I go without you?”

“Sure.”

In fact, the King had asked the Marquis to bring Evan along with him as well the next time round.

But the Marquis had decided to go ahead and talk firmly with him tomorrow. Then the King would not be able to dig into the matter any further.

Evan smiled brightly at the words of the Marquis. He thought he was the most trusted father in the world!

The Marquis also laughed. To see Evan’s smile, he would even kill a Demon King!

“Evan, let’s go play together!”

However, the next morning, all the convictions and expectations of the Marquis were shattered by Serena, who had come to the villa with two men.

Evan looked back at the Marquis of Sherden, who stood there with an expression on his face as if his soul had left his body.

“Father…”

“Evan, I’m sorry. This time, even I can’t stop her. She cannot receive harsh treatment.”

They could’ve avoided meeting the Princess by not going to the Royal Palace, but Evan couldn’t stop her from coming to meet him.

It was said that the Princess could not leave the Royal Palace. Evan remembered it and cried out.

“You haven’t been prevented from going out!”

“I want to blame her for all the reasons that my day wasn’t perfect!”

“Father, I’m still here, don’t leave!”

The Marquis left the mansion, leaving Evan screaming behind him. When he reached the Royal Palace, he had only two escort knights with him. He had no idea what to do with Princess.

He was thinking about asking the King whether they were sent by him.

“Wow, that chimpanzee Marquis really was your father, Evan. You two really don’t look alike.”

Meanwhile, Serena was speaking calmly, unaware about what damage she had done. Evan replied, pouting his lips.

“… I admit that my father is a little too prawny, he is a very nice and caring person. And why aren’t we alike? Our eyes are exactly the same.”

“Oh, your eyes are the same alright. But my Oppa’s eyes are much prettier and bigger.”

The elite fire slime Ruby, who had landed on her shoulder, cried out as if it agreed with her words. However, when Evan glared, it screamed out in fear.

He said, looking at the Princess,

“What if an attacker comes out of the street like this?”

“It’s okay. These two are here to protect us.”

“Please rest assured, Master Evan. His Majesty has also ordered them. We will be responsible for your safety, so please enjoy yourself comfortably.”

‘Now, I can’t even enjoy what intended to in the first place!’ Evan sighed again.

As the Marquis had said, “Running away from her was possible, but keeping her away was impossible.”

It would have been ridiculous to return the Princess who had come herself. So Evan had no choice but to play along.

“There was a place I originally wanted to go to with my attendants today.”

“Then I’ll go there with you. I hope it’s fun. It would be better if there were earthworms too.”

“There are absolutely no earthworms.”

Evan sighed and looked back. There, Shine was admiring the transcendent beauty of the little Princess.

And then there was Belois, casually standing there with a calm expression on her face, as usual.

However, Evan had a strange feeling that Belois was just pretending to appear calm.

‘She can’t be jealous? Or is she?’ he thought to himself.

“You both get ready to go out with me… First, I have to buy clothes for you. For three days, you have worn the same clothes. Change those dirty clothes and move.”

“Oh, you mean to buy us clothes? Will you buy me too?”

“Yes, for both of you. So prepare yourselves to go out with me.”

“Yes! I’ve been preparing myself from the beginning, Master!”

“…I will be ready in a while, Master.”

Shine trembled with excitement, and Belois politely walked away.

When Evan looked at the mirror on the wall and checked his clothes, looking at the backs of the two Rookies, Serena said blankly,

“They are really pretty kids. Both of them.  Are there only pretty people here? Oh, except for the chimpanzee Marquis.”

“These are my dear friends. They are acting as my servant and maid for some reason, but I would appreciate it if you could understand that both are precious to me.”

“Okay, Oppa. Are we starting to cross the status wall that cannot be overcome?”

“No… Well, yes.”

The Princess was by no means a bad person. One just had to understand the speech and respond to it. She was not a spoiled child, so it was awkward to tease her further.

Evan closed and opened his eyes… For now, he decided to ask her the thing he was most curious about.

“But how really… How did you even come out?”

“I wanted to play with Oppa, so Dad happily let me go. Again, my Oppa is amazing. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen my dad like someone so much.”

“Wait a minute, did you tell him about yesterday?”

The Princess said confidently,

“I met Ruby at the flower garden, and I also met Evan Oppa. But I can’t tell you the details because I’m shy.”

“It’s the worst! 80% of the parts that need to be omitted remain the same!”

“I didn’t lie as my Oppa asked me to!”

What did the King think about Evan’s and Serena’s relationship?

Seeing the two escorts nodding satisfactorily after seeing Evan walking behind her, it seemed like it was already over for him!

“No, this is really dangerous.”

Evan imagined one of the soldiers carrying a bomb and making a minefield around him just to stop him from running away.

It meant that Evan’s way to escape had been completely blocked.

If he was unable to escape, he might really have to get engaged to the Princess!

“I just wanted the Princess to be free, so I helped. And why are you trying to wear another leash around yourself…?”

“Leash? I just said I wanted to play with Evan.”

The Princess looked up and laughed. She said, “Can’t we just play? If we play, will we be scolded?”

“… No, of course not.”

Evan replied, unsure of his situation. But Evan kept thinking too deeply that he was feeling dizzy all of a sudden.

However, thanks to that, his mind was cleared. At least when he thought about it now, it was clear that Princess Serena playing with him meant nothing.

“Hey, it’s too late, so I can’t help it. Let’s play together. Also, everything today is a secret.”

“Yes, let’s go play together. Oh, the kids are here too!”

When Evan looked back, he saw Shine and Belois, who had been prepared, walking side by side. They had just washed their faces and put on new clothes, and both of them seemed to emit an aura of radiance.

“We’re ready, Master!”

“Master, I’m sorry to have you wait.”

“No, it’s not a problem, Belois.”

Among the two, Belois was looking the best. She was still nine years old, but why did she have such a mature charm?

He shook his head, recognizing himself fascinated by Belois’ quietly burning red eyes and tight lips.

“Then let’s go.”

The unexpected party had increased by one member, but there was no diversion to be had.

It was the moment when the royal road treasure hunt began.