My Wife Is The Author?

Chapter 27: Meeting The King

The journey to Elurion Palace was far quieter than Charles had expected.

The streets of the capital were overflowing with people eager to catch a glimpse of the returned princes.

Yet inside the royal carriage, the atmosphere remained silent.

Charlotte sat beside him, her hands folded neatly in her lap as she stared out the window. To anyone watching, she appeared perfectly calm, but Charles could tell she was nervous.

After several minutes of silence, she finally released a quiet breath.

"I didn’t think I’d feel this anxious."

Charles glanced toward her. "About seeing your family?"

"Partly."

A faint smile appeared on her face before quickly fading.

"It’s strange. I created them, but at the same time, they’re real people now. They have memories, emotions, and lives that exist independently of me. I know who they are on a basic level, but that is it."

Charles understood what she meant.

Although Charlotte had written this world, the changes brought about by her arrival had long since transformed it into something beyond her control.

The people she had once imagined now possessed their own histories, their own relationships, and their own experiences.

Most importantly, they loved her.

As far as they knew, Princess Charlotte had merely returned home after years away, her location unknown.

Charles thought for a few moments about what to say. He had never been the best with words.

"It will be fine."

Charlotte looked at him for a moment before nodding.

"Thank you."

...

The carriage continued to the capital, and eventually the towering gates of Elurion Palace came into view.

Even from a distance, the palace was an impressive sight. White stone walls surrounded the towering building, while silver banners with the royal crest on them hung from towers.

As they passed through the gates, however, Charles immediately noticed something that the cheering crowds outside might not be aware of.

The kingdom was preparing for war.

Soldiers moved throughout the palace grounds in organised formations, while messengers hurried between buildings carrying reports and orders. Officers stood around large maps discussing troop movements, and supply wagons.

Everywhere Charles looked, preparations were being made.

The carriage eventually came to a stop near the main entrance.

Prince Cain dismounted first and personally opened the door.

His expression remained stern.

Charles couldn’t really blame him.

From the prince’s perspective, his missing sister had suddenly reappeared after years away, accompanied by a strange, unknown powerhouse.

"The king is waiting," The prince said bluntly.

Charlotte swallowed before stepping out of the carriage.

Charles followed immediately behind her, and together, they entered the palace.

...

The throne room was exactly as Charlotte remembered writing it.

Towering silver pillars lined both sides of the chamber. Large stained-glass windows allowed sunlight to shine inside. At the far end of the room sat a single throne.

Upon that throne was King Brandon Silverblessed.

The man looked powerful. His silver hair flowed to his shoulders, and a crown rested upon his head.

Despite being well into middle age, his physique remained powerful. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

Not to mention, he was of the Master Grade.

This was a powerful king who had earned the loyalty of his people. Everyone who was beneath his rule agreed with that.

The moment Charlotte entered the chamber, King Brandon froze.

For a brief second, the powerful ruler simply stared at her. Then he stood up.

The movement drew startled looks from the gathered nobles, many of whom appeared shocked.

The king didn’t seem to notice, or care, that it was unnatural for a king to stand first.

"Charlotte." His word echoed throughout the throne room.

Without another thought, Brandon descended the steps leading from his throne and crossed the room. He stopped directly in front of her, his eyes searching her face as though trying to convince himself she was truly there.

"My daughter, after so many years..."

Charlotte couldn’t help but smile softly.

"I’ve come home, Father."

For a moment, all traces of the king’s power went away, replaced only by the relief of a father whose oldest daughter had finally returned to him.

When he embraced her, not a single person in the room dared speak.

Charles remained silent as well.

He knew the memories connecting them were fake, yet the emotions they created were undeniably real. Whatever the truth of Charlotte’s origins might be, King Brandon loved her as his daughter, and nothing could change that.

Eventually, the king stepped back and regained his composure.

Only then did he look at Charles, and the atmosphere changed immediately.

Several nobles straightened in anticipation, while Prince Cain folded his arms and watched carefully from the side.

King Brandon studied Charles for several seconds.

"You must be Charles Abraham."

"I am, Your Majesty."

"The solo adventurer who cleared Elurion Tower."

"..."

"And from what I just heard from my son, you are also the man who intends to marry my daughter."

Charles noticed more than one noble nearly choke at the statement.

He kept his expression calm.

"I am, your majesty." He said, making sure not to speak too much.

For several long seconds, the king said nothing. Then, to everyone’s surprise, he laughed.

The deep sound echoed throughout the chamber, leaving the nobles completely stunned.

Even Charles hadn’t expected that reaction.

"You have courage," Brandon said with an amused shake of his head. "Few men would admit such a thing so directly in front of a king."

Charles considered several possible responses before settling on the safest one.

"I’m a man who likes to get straight to the point."

The king laughed again. "I like that answer."

A number of nobles looked horrified.

Brandon ignored them and returned to his throne before gesturing toward a large map positioned beside it.

The amusement gradually left his expression.

"Tell me, Charles Abraham." His eyes squinted. "Can you save my kingdom, like you so confidently told my son?"

The question silenced the entire room.

Every eye immediately turned toward Charles.

The kingdom’s situation was hardly a secret. Three nations were preparing to invade, and many believed the Silverblessed Kingdom would fall before the year was over.

This was not a question anyone could answer lightly.

Charles studied the map.

Three armies... and behind them all was Dante. The mastermind who was responsible for everything.

When Charles finally looked up, his answer came without hesitation.

"Yes, I can."

The reaction was immediate.

Outrage erupted throughout the throne room as nobles began speaking over one another.

"Absurd!"

"Does he understand what he’s saying?"

"Three kingdoms are preparing to invade!"

"He’s only an Adept! A bloody second grade!"

The protests continued until King Brandon raised a single hand. Silence returned almost instantly.

The king’s eyes never left Charles.

"Then tell me how..."

Charles considered his words carefully.

There were dozens of possible explanations, but only one mattered.

"We put me on the frontline of the first battle."