Love

I explained almost everything, starting from the beginning, but excluding the part about knowing the creator. There is no telling how they might react to that, assuming they believed me.

Once I finished my explanation, the King stared at me wide eyed, amazement filling his eyes. Did I accidently say something cool?

"Tell me young girl, would your name happen to be Estelle?"

Huh? How does he know my name? It wasn't mentioned earlier, and if it was, he wouldn't have asked this question, so again, how?

"Uh, yes your highness..?"

"So it is true!"

Suddenly the King's tone was that of a gleeful little boy who had just found out that he could get whatever he wanted from the store. How does he keep switching moods so fast.

"What is true?"

"The legends of course, the legends!"

"What legends?"

Both Elizabeth and I were confused, but that didn't seem to deter the King's excitement one bit.

"Why the legend about who will save the world of course! It's no surprise that you don't know of it Lizzy, as I never told you about it, and it is no surprise that you don't know about the legend yourself, Miss Estelle, as it has only been told once."

"Okay, I get that, but what is this legend?"

I asked my question, confused about what the King spoke of. I have never heard of a legend involving me once in my time on this world, so why am I hearing it now?

"The legend is you! This old man of an unknown race once appeared at my castle many decades ago, back when I was a young King. He said he knew the future, and that one day a girl by the name of Estelle would save us all! Of course no one believed, thinking he was just crazy. He was executed not long after for telling what Elves thought were more lies, but I always thought he was telling the truth."

"Wait, are you talking about the blind prophet?"

"Yes Lizzy, I am! You were only a little girl when he showed up, so I'm surprised you remember."

"So does that mean I... I..."

Elizabeth's voice trailed off as her face went beet red.

"I fell in love with a legend?"

She whispered the last part quietly to herself, but I heard it because of my immense hearing, and it seems the King heard it too, as his already wide eyes became wider than I thought possible.

"You what!?"

Hearing the King, Elizabeth snapped out of her quick daze. I pretended like I didn't hear anything. Having been surprised, the King moved close to Elizabeth from the end of the long table and they began whispering to each other while I heard everything.

"You mean to say you have finally fallen in love?"

Elizabeth didn't whisper anything back, instead choosing to only nod her head once with her face turned down in embarrassment.

"I can't believe it! To think you have finally fallen in love! Do you have a plan to seduce her and make her your bride yet?"

While I was planning on just passively listening into their conversation, hearing that sentence brought my full attention. You want her to marry me!? We met only four days ago!

Elizabeth shook her head once to answer his question.

"Well we must make plans at once! We can not afford to let your first love escape you. Meet me here later tonight. We will discuss our plans then."

"No father, we mustn't. I want her to fall in love with me naturally, not through tricks and schemes!"

Elizabeth finally spoke her first words in their conversation, and hearing it brought me a small amount of relief.

At least she doesn't plan to force me. If she did and I rejected, there is no telling how here loyal subjects would react.

"Fine, you don't have to show up. That won't stop me from trying though!"

An incredibly determined look appeared on the King's face, one that would not easily be swayed. This could get a little annoying.

"Hey, I don't know what you two are discussing, but could we get back to the conversation about the ancient curse? Maybe you can tell me where it is so I can destroy it?"

Hearing me interrupt, their conversation was brought to an end. The King cleared his throat once before replying while Elizabeth simply kept her head down.

"Ahem! Yes, the curse. You wish to know where it is?"

"Yes, I do. The fate of the world rests in my hands, and I would like to keep it safe."

"I will show you then. Give me a few moments while I grab something."

With that, the King stood up from the table and went over to one of the many shelves that filled the room. He reached onto one of the particularly older and dustier looking ones and pulled a map down from the very top. Once he had it, he brought it back over to the table and laid it out.

"Now then, the Blind Prophet gave me a map before he had been executed. He said that on this map was the location of the ancient curse. He said that when I met you in the future, I should show you this map to lead you on your journey."

"Wait, so the site of the ancient curse isn't at this castle? Elizabeth, didn't you say it was here?"

"I did. Father always told me that it was deep within one of the many dungeons of the castle. Was that a lie?"

"Yes Lizzy, it was. I didn't know how people would react if they knew the real location of the ancient curse, so I made up a lie so that they never risked truly finding it and accidently releasing the demon armies."

Ughh. I just want to finish this and go home.

"Well, thank you for showing me this map. I shall set off at once towards the site."

"No, you mustn't leave after only just arriving! Surely you will spend a few nights in the castle and regain your strength before continuing on your journey."

The King stopped me just as I was about to get up and leave at top speed. I can already feel the direction this is going.

"No, I should set off at once."

"I disagree. I imagine you have come a long way to get here without much rest. I insist that you stay for a few nights."

Of course you insist. If you didn't, I would be able to leave without risking unending rage from the Elves.

"Fine, I might stay a few nights."

"Ah, but there is one issue. Most of the rooms in the castle are taken, so you will have to share a room with Elizabeth. That won't be a problem, right?"

An obvious lie. He didn't even try to hide it, but I have a feeling I will regret it if I don't do as he says.

"Fine."

"Perfect! I will have the room prepared at once."

Lord save me.