Chapter 61
61
Roy couldn’t imagine what kind of surprise his father would prepare, so he patiently waited.
He didn’t have to wait long.
Soon, most of the caravan went straight to the capital. Only the carriage carrying Roy and Karl left the capital behind, continuing towards the deep forest, until they reached a fenced area.
Near the fence, a boulder stood, clearly carved with the words “Wang Family Gardens – Trespassers Bear Their Own Consequences.”
The carriage didn’t pause at all, continuing on its way, clearly not its first time down this path. Roy understood, his old man wasn’t one to do something foolish on a whim.
Indeed, upon entering the garden and passing the last path, the view outside the carriage window suddenly opened up.
Roy leaned out slightly, only to see beneath towering mountains, a magnificent waterfall cascading down, surrounded by lush, dense greenery, a two-story holiday cottage stood quietly, like a little paradise hidden deep in the forest.
Outside the cottage, a bare-chested, burly man with a thick beard and long, deep red hair was wielding a two-meter-long axe, splitting wood—or rather, trees.
Having seen the king’s portrait, Roy recognized at a glance that this red-haired, muscular man was none other than Robert Reinhardt, mentioned earlier on the carriage.
Yet, this unrestrained scene before him was so absurd compared to the legendary title of “The Red Flame Dancing on Dragon’s Back.”
Karl was the first to disembark, eagerly striding forward.
Robert looked up, noticed who the visitor was, and immediately burst into hearty laughter, opening his muscular arms and rushing over to give him an exuberant hug.
“Haha, Karl, you rascal, you finally made it!”
“Your, Your Majesty, you’re still so spirited,” Karl said with a wry smile.
Karl’s physique was already robust and well-shaped, but he seemed like a small, frail creature in front of Robert.
No, why does this scene feel so… gay?
Watching what seemed like a philosophical moment unfold, Roy felt his heroic fantasies about Karl and Robert crumble instantly in his mind.
“Cut the crap! I don’t believe you call me that in private…”
Robert was laughing heartily when he saw the second person alight from the carriage.
Roy performed a courtesy bow: “I am Roy Ainsbrad, at your service, Your Majesty.”
Unexpectedly, the next second, Robert came forward with a warm slap on his back, the force nearly making Roy spit out on the spot.
“Kid, I’ve heard about you! Who hasn’t had their wild days when they were young? It’s not too late to repent, work hard, roar!” While speaking, Robert gave another slap, causing Roy, who had just steadied himself, to stagger again.
Sheesh, why do I always feel like the king is doing this on purpose?!
“You’re not wrong there, thinking back to when your Uncle Robert…”
“Scoundrel, always trying to smear me, huh!”
Robert immediately hooked Karl’s neck, putting him in a strongman’s lock, stopping the black history that was about to be revealed.
Compared to old Raymond, Robert was even more enthusiastic, completely unpretentious in private, a stark contrast to the dignified king Roy had imagined.
“Have you arrived?” At that moment, a gentle call drew Roy’s attention.
Turning around, he saw a beautiful woman with brown hair approaching gracefully.
She was Leisa Reinhardt, Charlotte’s mother, the Lionheart Queen.
Like Robert, the lady wore a casual, brown dress, devoid of any haughty airs, her lightly curved lips appearing very approachable.
“Hello, Aunt Leisa,” Roy dropped the formalities, presenting a friendly smile.
“So, you’re Roy. Ah, you’ve grown up well, no wonder my Charlotte has taken a liking to you,” Leisa mused, covering her cheek with her hand.
“The journey has been hard, hasn’t it? Forget those smelly men, come inside and rest a bit. Charlotte is here too.”
Ah, so this is what a surprise means.
Roy turned around, only to see Karl, who was locked up, giving him an encouraging look, which made him somewhat laugh and cry at the same time.
But setting aside Dad’s marriage nagging, Roy did indeed want to get on better terms with Charlotte.
Compared to the usual restrained courtly interactions, it seemed easier to gain favor in private.
Why not seize this rare chance for a private encounter?
After all, she is the chosen one, the future Lionheart Queen!
With this in mind, Roy didn’t decline, pushed open the door, and walked into the Reinhardt family’s vacation cottage.
The house was well-lit, and the faint morning light accentuated the rustic and natural freshness of the wooden structure. The walls were adorned with deer, sheep, wild boar heads, and other fierce animal specimens as trophies, but the bedside and tea table were filled with delicate and vibrant flowers, likely the work of Robert and Lesa.
In his past life, staying in such a vacation cottage in a tourist area would cost a four-digit sum, right?
Roy was admiring the furnishings when he heard footsteps coming from upstairs.
He immediately went to the stairs, ready to greet the princess.
“Mom! I’m still changing! Have them wait a bit before coming… in…”
The girl’s expression froze.
Roy was equally stunned.
The person coming down was indeed the princess, but she didn’t look as reserved and noble as usual.
Her beautiful, fluffy red hair was a mess, her lovely eyes sleepy. Most importantly, she was only wearing a thin pink nightgown, the hem barely reaching her knees. Looking up from below, one could glimpse her smooth, slender legs and soft, delicate bare feet on the stairs.
Any higher view would be quite dangerous.
Tears welled up in the girl’s eyes, and her cheeks reddened at a visible pace.
According to Roy’s anime experience from his previous life, he was about to be beaten up any second now.
Luckily, he reacted quickly, saving the scene in his local brain hard drive before slipping away from the spot.
“Ah!!!”
It wasn’t until three seconds later that a cry of distress echoed through the cabin, breaking the morning tranquility of the woods.
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“The surprise I prepared isn’t bad, is it?”
“Mom! You should have told me earlier about this!”
“Sigh, didn’t I tell you to get up earlier?
Ten minutes later, Charlotte finally changed back into her flattering military uniform skirt, white shirt, and a pair of beautiful, smooth black silk over-the-knee socks. Her gorgeous fiery red twin ponytails were also neatly combed, like festive, brilliant ribbons.
However, her face still held the remnants of embarrassment, and her eyes, glaring at her own mother, were full of chagrin.
Lesa, on the other hand, looked quite pleased, even leisurely sipping her tea as if this commotion was just part of her snack time.
And Roy obediently sat across from the mother and daughter, not daring to utter a sound.
Such a carefree mother, isn’t her heart a bit too big?
Unexpectedly, Mireille suddenly looked up at him and asked, “So, Charlotte looks quite cute in her bare-faced nightgown, doesn’t she?”
“Mom!!!” Charlotte instantly flared up, pummeling Mireille’s shoulder with a flurry of pink fists.
To be fair, it was indeed quite nice.
Roy savored the memory of the princess’s nightgown skin, silently giving it a five-star rating in his heart.