The World Is Mine For The Taking-Chapter 1213 - 187 - The King of Bethlan (2)

Both of us did it two times—once in her pussy, then again not long after—before we finally rest.

Her breathing was still uneven, shallow inhales catching every now and then as the last traces of her orgasm continued to ripple through her body.

I could feel it in the way she trembled faintly against me, like echoes refusing to fade. Meanwhile, my own thoughts were settling into that familiar, quiet state with the post-nut clarity washing over me, dulling the heat and replacing it with a slow, grounding calm.

She shifted closer, instinctively, until she was completely nestled against my chest. Her head rested just below my chin, her body fitting against mine like it belonged there. The warmth of her skin seeped into me.

For a while, neither of us spoke.

Then, breaking the silence, I finally said, "I never really asked you this, but… What happened on your trip? Did it go well?"

She let out a soft, amused laugh. "Fufufu… you know, it was actually really hard to convince him. My father, I mean," she said, her tone light but knowing. "He is a king, after all."

She adjusted herself slightly, fingers idly tracing against my chest as she continued. "He has his own responsibilities. I mean, the kingdom, the people as well as the things he wants protected. And with how Bethlan is right now…" She trailed off briefly. "Well, it was only natural for him to hesitate."

"I see…" I murmured.

That explanation didn't surprise me.

If I were a king ruling a nation teetering on the edge of conflict, possibly facing war with another country, leaving it unattended—even temporarily—would be a dangerous gamble. Staying close, maintaining authority, and making sure everything remained under control… it was the logical thing to do.

"Well," I asked after a moment, "then what actually pushed him to come here?"

Her shoulders shook slightly as she laughed again. "Fufufu… I told him I wanted to marry you."

I blinked.

"When I said that," she continued, her voice carrying unmistakable amusement, "he went absolutely livid. Not angry—no, it was worse than that. He was shocked. Furious, even. Completely beside himself."

"Well," I said, letting out a short breath, "I guess that would do it."

She didn't sound like she was joking. And honestly, if there was no other way to force him to act, saying something like that was probably the most effective move she could've made.

The image came to mind effortlessly.

Her father, a king accustomed to composure and authority, losing it the instant those words reached his ears. The thought was almost funny.

"Wait," I said suddenly. "So where is he now?"

"He's already here," she replied casually. "He's staying in the castle and talking to the Queen."

***

Myrcella's POV

"Y-You arrived far sooner than expected," my mother said, her voice tight with restrained tension. "We… didn't anticipate such a quick response."

The King of Bethlan sat across the room, his posture upright and composed. Two knights stood beside him, one on each side, silent and unmoving like statues carved from steel.

On our side of the chamber stood myself, with two magic knights stationed near the Queen.

"Well," the King said evenly, "when my daughter requests my presence, it would be improper to delay."

He paused briefly before continuing, his tone softening just a fraction. "And though it is late, Queen, allow me to express my condolences. I am truly sorry for your loss."

He inclined his head slightly. "While I did not always see eye to eye with the late King of Milham, he was still a capable ruler. Perhaps not a great one, but competent enough to keep this kingdom standing for at least one more generation."

His gaze sharpened. "I sincerely hope that whoever is responsible for his death is found—and executed without delay."

"We are actively pursuing that matter," my mother replied. "But more than that—"

"Yes," the King interjected calmly. "I believe I already know why I was summoned here."

He leaned back slightly, fingers resting against the arm of his chair. "I must admit, I was curious. I never expected such a proposal from Milham, especially one directed at a foreign king."

"I heard the details directly from my daughter," he continued. "This… joint initiative between our kingdoms. The idea of allowing my younger knights to study here and learn how to become magic knights."

His eyes narrowed just a little. "As I understand it, enrollment in the Milham Academy is restricted to citizens of this kingdom—save for foreign royalty. So tell me, Queen… what has changed?"

"Well…" My mother glanced at me briefly, then returned her attention to him. "You are aware of the increasing pressure from the Empire, are you not? And the Republic—formerly a Principality—that has been amassing forces made entirely of machines."

She spoke steadily. "In its current condition, the Kingdom of Milham would struggle to withstand either force alone. If the Empire were to strike first, our chances of victory would already be slim."

"And even if we did survive such a battle," she continued, "the Republic would undoubtedly seize the opportunity to attack us while we are weakened."

"And then," she said quietly, "we would fall."

"And that would bring the Empire or the Republic straight to our doorstep," the King said, finishing her thought. "Given Bethlan's proximity to Milham."

"That is correct," my mother replied. "The signs of a larger conflict are already visible. A war that spans nations—perhaps the entire continent."

"With the Empire and the Republic both expanding, pushing for dominance," she went on, "the smaller kingdoms will inevitably be crushed between them."

The King fell silent, considering her words carefully.

"So," he said at last, "what you're suggesting resembles the actions taken by the people of the Great Forest."

"Not a full unification," my mother clarified. "An alliance. If you were to send one hundred promising knights to the Milham Academy," she explained, "and have them trained as magic knights, there is a chance we could cultivate elite warriors—ones capable of defending both our kingdoms." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"A hundred?" the King repeated, raising an eyebrow. "But your academy only allows one hundred cadets to graduate as magic knights, does it not? If I were to send a hundred of my own knights," he continued, "there is no guarantee that even one of them would earn that title."

"We intend to change that," the Queen said firmly. "Tradition stands in the way," she admitted, "and the administrators resist change. But tradition has grown stagnant. The world is changing. And clinging to outdated customs will only stifle talent. Too many capable individuals have been cast aside because of rigid structures and obsolete rules," she continued. "That system is no longer sustainable."

She met the King's gaze directly.

"With this alliance, we have a chance to change that—completely."