"Please forgive me for what I am about to say, but you have to be stuck with me for every minute of the next two months."
Lloyd's sharp and straightforward response silenced Queen Magentano. For a brief moment, she considered hitting his head with an ink bottle or dislocating his jaw with her bare hands. However, she quickly simmered down.
This is the kind of person he is. A madman who spouts nonsense without a second thought.
That was how it had always been until now. His ideas seemed like insanity at first glance, but they frequently turned out to be genius in the long run. It was a mischievous quirk that was unique to Lloyd.
"Ha. Seriously..." A chuckle escaped her. "You are saying I have to spend the entirety of the next two months with you?"
"Yes, that is true, Your Majesty."
"If I do, you say my left arm will heal." Her voice dripped with doubt.
"That will likely be the case, Your Majesty."
"Likely?" She frowned. "You are not sure yet."
"The matter at hand is not something I can dare make any promises about, Your Majesty," replied Lloyd.
"That sounds like you're saying it's nothing more than a possibility."
"Even so, we should grasp at whatever possibility within our reach," Lloyd said, his voice growing serious in response to her question. Possibility. Yes, they had to grasp onto it. At the very least, their attempt would allow them to confirm if it was an illusion or something more. It was especially important to make an effort during times like now when there was not a single other option in sight.
From what I observed in the Ending Spoiler, the queen tried all sorts of different things when she realized her left arm was paralyzed and starting to decay. However, it all failed.
Lloyd had to step in as the palace and the queen herself were unable to find a remedy for her condition. In a way, he was the only possible hope they had.
I have to convince her.
He knew failure to persuade her would lead to the loss of her arm and fall from grace. Keeping this in mind, he carefully chose his words as he started to speak again.
"I am sure you remember the time when I was frantically absorbing mana."
"Hmm. Of course, I remember. I do not often go through such a horrific experience."
“...”
"Relax. It is all in the past, and you saved me in the end. Anyhow, am I right to suppose this must have something to do with your suggestion?" asked Queen Magentano gently.
"Absolutely, Your Majesty," said Lloyd.
"Are you possibly planning to absorb my mana like that time?"
"It is the opposite, Your Majesty." Lloyd found it easy to talk to Alicia as the latter was always quick to catch on just like now. She swiftly understood his intentions without the need for long, flowery explanations. Lloyd politely lowered his head. "As a matter of fact, the mana utilization method I used then is called the Asrahan Core Technique."
"The Asrahan Core Technique?" repeated the queen.
"Yes, Your Majesty. As you can tell from its name, the technique was created by Sir Javier Asrahan, and I gave him a little help with perfecting it at the end."
"Hmm. Interesting. A technique that led to the birth of a grandmaster and swordmaster." Her eyes lit up the moment Lloyd began to talk about the technique. She was truly born to be a swordswoman.
Suppressing the smile on his lips, he said, "Yes, Your Majesty. That technique is what allowed me and Sir Asrahan to become who we are today."
"What is so special about it?"
"It specializes in the absorption, processing, circulation, and discharging of mana."
"Just like when you were absorbing my mana before?"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Lloyd sensed that he had attracted her attention. Now, it was time to get straight to the main point. "That made me dare have the thought of teaching the Asrahan Core Technique to you."
"You want to teach me that technique?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Do you think it will cure my left arm?" she asked, genuinely curious.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Good. Their conversation was flowing fairly nicely, Lloyd thought. "For the next two months, I will stay by your side every minute of every day. We'll tie one of our hands together so I may continuously circulate my mana in your left arm."
"Then?"
"Your symptoms will improve as mana begins to circulate in your arm again."
"Are you certain?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"What comes next?" she asked.
"I will also teach you the Asrahan Core Technique."
"That sounds like it'll be difficult for me to learn."
"I understand what you are saying, Your Majesty. You surely perfected your mana circulation system while becoming a swordmaster a long time ago. I know that it is nearly impossible to relearn such a foundational technique."
"If that's true, how can I learn the technique?" asked Queen Magentano.
"Through our bound hands, you will certainly be able to do so by having your body memorize the pathway of mana that I guide through it," explained Lloyd.
"To put it another way, you will lay down the basic foundation for me to learn, but the rest is up to me."
"Forgive me, Your Majesty," Lloyd hung his head down. At the same time, he sensed something.
All right. I won her over.
Lloyd could feel that the queen was willing to take up the offer but slightly hesitant. Sometime later, she asked with a troubled face, "I see what you are proposing. It is extremely appealing. However, there is one thing bothering me."
"If I may dare speak, could you be concerned about how the people around you may react, Your Majesty?"
"Indeed," she said, a sad smile on her face. "As you know, I do not have a lover. That's why people may... misunderstand our relationship if I spend two months stuck together day and night with a man, a subject of mine and a public official at that, whom I have not even promised a future with."
"You are certainly right, Your Majesty." Lloyd accepted the queen's point. It was actually something Lloyd was worried about beforehand and undoubtedly needed to go over.
This would create a scandal for even an ordinary young noble lady. So, it goes without saying for Queen Alicia who's the queen of the kingdom as her title suggests. She is probably completely against getting swept into such a scandal and becoming the subject of gossip.
It wouldn't be a small scandal. It would directly affect the dignity of the queen herself. Lloyd, however, had a plan in mind.
"Your Majesty, there is nothing to worry about."
"It sounds like you have a plan in mind."
"Absolutely, Your Majesty," said Lloyd.
"Tell me."
"I do not doubt your excellent leadership, charisma, and governance. Furthermore, I have unwavering faith in your incredible political leadership and persuasion abilities. This is my source of hope and the plan I have in mind, Your Majesty," Lloyd said as he bowed his head down.
"Tsk." She clicked her tongue and muttered. "In summary, you are handing over the problem to me so that I can deal with it."
"I am filled with gratitu... no, I mean, please forgive me, Your Majesty."
"Are you truly sorry?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Haah. I might as well hammer a nail through your tongue..."
"Your Majesty?" gasped Lloyd.
"No, I was talking to myself."
Lloyd did hear everything she said but chose not to respond, knowing that she would embrace his proposal and take care of any potential scandal on her own.
At last, she nodded. "I see."
"That means..."
"I see how sly, irritating, and vile you are."
“...”
"Besides that, I see your suggestion is not entirely bad, even if it comes with a bit of a scandal. I will also not deny that your help may be the one I need most at the moment."
"So..." asked Lloyd again.
"I will accept your offer."
"I am overwhelmed with gratitude, Your Majesty." It was done. Lloyd felt relieved, so he bowed. "I shall now begin preparing for-"
"Prepare?" she asked sharply.
"Your Majesty?" Lloyd lifted his head in surprise and saw the mysterious smile on her face.
"We could start right away. Is there a need for a particularly grand preparation?"
"Uhm, that is because-"
"You said it yourself," she said. "This is a good treatment method for my left arm. And so, there is no need for any additional preparation which could lead to a delay. Am I wrong?"
“...”
Lloyd wanted to deny her words and say he needed some time to prepare. However, he couldn't. She cocked her head to the side. "Is there a separate process that you have not told me about?"
"That is not true, but-"
"But what?"
"I am not mentally prepared..."
She gave him a stern look.
"Never mind, Your Majesty. I shall get right to it. Immediately."
"Good," she finally said with a smile. Lloyd broke out in a cold sweat at her eagerness. The situation was moving far faster than he had anticipated.
I thought she would be more embarrassed, resistant, or hesitant. So, I expected the queen to need a lot of coaxing to agree with my plan.
But what happened was the exact opposite of that. The queen was extremely eager to start treatment right away. In fact, she was urging him to move faster.
She gets a 10/10 in proactiveness. Wow.
Lloyd understood her proactive attitude after imagining how stressed she must have been about her left arm all alone without anyone to share her concerns with.
"Yes, Your Majesty. We can start right away," said Lloyd.
"All right. Then, what should I do now?"
"First, we must bind our hands together like I have mentioned earlier."
"My left hand and your right hand?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Lloyd swiftly examined the workplace for the leather strap used to bind paper bundles and said, "I will transfer mana into you through my bound hand."
"Are you going to circulate the mana in my left arm?" guessed Queen Magentano.
"Yes, Your Majesty. At the same time, I will closely observe and analyze the circulatory pathway of mana that has already been finalized by you."
She observed, "And based on your findings, you will find where the foundation for the Asrahan Core Technique can be established."
"You are certainly right, Your Majesty."
"It's a similar process to surveying or developing a design, which are your specialties."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"I see. Begin immediately."
"Yes, Your Majesty. May I..." Lloyd approached the queen, who extended her left hand in a slightly awkward manner. He could not tell if it was due to her paralysis or because she was feeling hesitant. He tried not to mind and extended his right hand. However, he flinched as their fingers touched before moving on to grab her entire hand, which was surprisingly warm.
"Why are you hesitating?" She blurted before clasping their hands tightly. "Tie it quickly."
"Understood, Your Majesty."
Lloyd then attempted to tie their hands, but doing so with his left hand proved so difficult that his mind went blank. This necessitated the assistance of the queen's right hand, and they were barely able to create a secure knot.
"I cannot believe how difficult this is. We should avoid untying ourselves unless it's absolutely necessary," she stated.
"I agree with you..." Lloyd was still dazed when he realized their hands were securely clasped together, his hand slightly numb. "I don't have much blood circulating in my hand."
"Is that uncomfortable for you?"
"Not at all, Your Majesty. However-"
"However what?"
"I was afraid that you might find it so."
"I am fine. We must untie ourselves when we wash ourselves, use the bathroom, or change clothes anyway."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Then what is the problem?"
"Nothing at all, Your Majesty. I will start the treatment right away," he said, his cheeks burning up because this method proved to be a million times more embarrassing than he had anticipated, and he was ready to act to alleviate the awkwardness when...
"Wait," she said, pulling her left hand and interfering with the flow of mana going through it. Lloyd lifted his head to see what it was now and saw her smiling. "Before that, I just remembered a matter of grave importance that you must attend to tonight."
"Your Majesty?"
"This way." She jerked her left arm even harder, gaining entire control of Lloyd, who was flopped down on the office chair later.
"Your Majesty?"
"Shh..." She then sat on the chair beside it, dragged it forward, and leaned forward, bringing her face closer to Lloyd, who felt her breath for a split second and wondered if he needed to move back. Something was then inserted into his hand - a pen.
"Your Majesty?" Lloyd mumbled.
She stared at him with an intense gaze. "What is wrong? This can't be your first time using a pen."
"That is, of course-"
"Then, do as I say," ordered Queen Magentano.
The amused smile on her face piqued Lloyd's interest, and he found his heart racing as he watched her smile.
Have you lost your mind? Are you nuts? Get it together.
Lloyd fought hard to stay strong and locked to his goals, which were to date an ordinary girl and live a happy life with children. He struggled to not envision marrying the queen, going on a honeymoon, the number of children they would have, and so on...
"Okay, these are documents that require your signature, and that is mine," Queen Magentano said.
Lloyd was jostled out of his trance with her piercing voice. He immediately woke up. "Your Majesty?" He then looked at her, who was directing her gaze on the pile of documents on the desk.
"Sign it," she said.
"Your Majesty?"
"I said, sign it."
This bundle of documents? An ominous feeling gripped Lloyd. His hunch turned out to be right.
Her playful smile grew wider. "Since you and I must stay together for a long period of time, I believe this will be very convenient. You will not say it is difficult just because you are signing it with your left hand, will you? My signature is very plain, as you can see."
"Ah, um-"
"Sign everything."
"All of these documents?" gasped Lloyd.
"Of course."
“...”
"Do not even think about going to sleep before you finish."
“...”
Lloyd inwardly begged to be spared from the chore, but it was futile. The night was long, and the documents were numerous. He signed them with his shaky left hand while the queen watched him with a glow of satisfaction that he could not tell was from making him do her work or seeing him struggle through it. In any case, the night was really far too long.
