After her acceptance of our deal, with my consent, Sarah asked to lay on me and to pet her head. I accepted. Her long white hair shivered and brushed against me as I pet her head. After around an hour, we realized I skipped Meditating today. Well, I can't be upset about it. I feel like there's another pair of eyes on me when Meditating, but I can't get a read where they are, so I assume it's going to take a good amount of Meditation to finally find the eyes. Besides I still have a few things to test with Paula, but seeing as we haven't moved out of the castle yet, I can't test my other ideas.

  Regardless of my ideas about Summoning, it was hard to think them in the first place. Since I would look down and see Sarah shaking and breathing in rhythm to my hand petting her head. While I watched her, Sarah had finally been satiated with my petting, she lifted her head while still laying on my chest. Our eyes met, the purple of her eyes had changed from a deep dark purple to a lighter shade, and she began to speak to me.

  " Thank you for this, John."

  " The petting? Honestly anytime you want me to, I enjoyed doing it."

  " No, not the petting. But it's good to know I can have this again..."

  Sarah's eyes started to turn a little darker again. But then, like flipping a switch, her eyes went back to normal. She proceeded to talk about what she originally wanted to.

  " I meant for accepting your role as my Fiancé. I understand I haven't been acting exactly normal around you for a while."

  To her words I couldn't help but reply.

  " Do you mean how you have to constantly hold back from touching or doing something more extreme to me? I've noticed. If it just extends to touching like this, I don't mind. I like when you touch me. For the heavier stuff however, I want to wait till we both have proper feelings for each other."

  Sarah looked at me like a kid who got caught with ice cream before dinner. Her face grew red, but she found the strength to speak.

  " Those terms, are acceptable to me."

  Saying that, she put her hand on top of my free one and proceeded to grip it tight.

  " I've been waiting to hold your hand like this for a long time."

  " I've seen you eyeing it from time to time during lunch. Do you want to hold my hand during our lunch dates?

  She looked away from me and grimaced. Seems she thought she was hard to read. At first, yeah, she was. But after fighting with her and speaking to her for so long for a whole month. Even someone as dense as me can pick a few things up. As she hesitated to speak, I pet her head and spoke instead.

  " It's fine to grab my hand during lunch. I won't reject you. Having said all of this though. And no matter how much I enjoy being in this kind of situation with you... Unfortunately, it's time to go, we have to spar Warrick."

  When I took my hand away from her head, Sarah looked like the world was going to end. I couldn't help but tease her.

  " Relax, if we do great against your dad today, I'll even interlock our fingers at lunch tomorrow."

  Safe to say, that promise gave Sarah a good dose of motivation. Unfortunately, we couldn't truly get Warrick again that day. It didn't matter to me much. Meanwhile, Sarah looked like she would waste away before going to bed that day. The look in her eyes when I interlocked our fingers anyway the next day had to be seen to be believed. I can definitely say I love her smile. With that, the rest of the day wasn't too notable. I Meditated, I felt closer to those eyes, but still far away. After lasting longer against him, Warrick thrashed both me and Sarah separately then together. I went to bed and the day of reckoning arrived. I was to meet Prince Thomas and Princess Cynthia.

  " Relax You'll do fine! Tommy and Cyn aren't guard dogs or anything. They're just curious about the person that won my heart."

  I was now in a hallway in the palace. I was with Anna, who was standing beside the wall like a proper Maid. And Sarah who just spoke as she watched me pace back and forth. I started to speak about my feelings of anxiousness.

  " Even if you say that, it's a Prince and a Princess I've never met before. Who's to say it will go well? I mean, what if our personalities don't match and we get into a fight? I don't want to put you, Warrick or Aqua into an awkward situation like that."

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  * Grip! Grip!*

  After finishing my sentence, I was hugged from behind by Sarah and both of my hands were taken by Anna. Anna began to speak to me while staring into my eyes.

  " It is exactly because you are like that, Master, that you will be fine. I cannot speak for Princess Cynthia, as I have not spoken to her yet... But Prince Thomas is an honest man and a kind teacher to his students."

  After Anna's reassurance, I felt my shoulders slack a little. Sarah started speaking as well.

  " Tommy is a good person, I've watched him help Butlers and Maids clean up spilled food and drinks during parties. let alone how well he treats his Family. Cynthia is the sibling I'm closest to as we were both close in age. She loves me dearly and I her. She can be stubborn, but she is also a good girl. The Maids cried when she departed for the Academy."

  / crick. crick./

  * Release! Release!*

  I began to calm down. Hearing the doorknob turn, both girls moved away from me with the speed of lightning. Perhaps my growth is showing as I was able to track Anna's speed. The person who opened the door was Trish. After staring at everyone she spoke.

  " The meal is ready. Prince Thomas and Princess Cynthia are seated. Please join them Sir John, Princess Sarah."

  Sarah and I both nodded and all 3 of us walked through the door. The dining room where I eat dinner with Sarah, Warrick and Aqua still looks amazing to me. I still am struck silly that I eat dinner here with the Royal Family. And at the table, sitting side by side, is a young man with light blue eyes and ash colored hair. Next to the young man, a teenage girl with light pink eyes and dark grey hair. When they saw Sarah, Anna and I enter the room, they both immediately jumped to their feet and ran to us. They both Hugged Sarah while crying. They both started to speak.

  " Ughhhh!!! Big Sis thank the Gods you're ok. I was so worried every day!"

  " Sarah! I'm so glad you're ok! I'm so sorry, none of the research I did had an answer to your sickness. Ughhh!"

  Sarah began to coo them and I saw tears entering her eyes. Anna and I simply smiled at each other and let the family reunite. After around 10 minutes, everyone calmed down. At that moment, all 3 of the Royals turned to me. They started to speak to me. The first was the man.

  " So, you're Matthew the Paladin!? Thank you so much for healing my Little Sister. My Family owes you so much. My name is Thomas Dreadnaught! Older Brother to Sarah and Cynthia! I work as a Teacher at the Royal Academy of Diablos!"

  " Ah right, you haven't been made aware, Tommy! His name isn't actually Matthew! It's John!"

  Sarah corrected her bowing brother. I took this moment to introduce myself.

  " You're welcome for saving your sister. I'm glad I was able to help. As you heard from Sarah, my name is John Ericsson. I am a Paladin from another world. For a few reasons I have chosen to keep my real name hidden for now. So, if you could, please refer to me as Matthew, unless it's someone who I have already told my name."

  " Quite a simple request! I'll happily follow your wish! I'd bring shame to the Family if I didn't!"

  " Thank you for agreeing to it, Thomas."

  " Please! call me Tommy in private!"

  " Can do, Tommy."

  I've grown accustomed to Royals wanting to be casual in private... Perhaps it's a family trait for them? After speaking to him, Tommy and I shook hands. His hands were bigger than mine. Now that I take a good look at it... I'm the shortest guy in the room. I have to bend my neck fully up to see Tommy's face. Anna and Sarah have grown recently and are about 3 inches taller than me. The girl, who must be Sarah's younger sister, Cynthia, was my height. Now that I look at her... She's staring at me with a sharp look in her eyes. I tilt my head. Then Tommy pats her on the back and speaks.

  " Now, now, Cyn. You said you wanted to express your gratitude and thank our Sister's Savior. You can do it! Big Bro believes in you!"

  At Tommy's encouragement, Cynthia takes a deep breath and steps forward towards me. As we stare at each other, her pink eyes stare back at my blue ones, but she quickly looks away. She takes another deep breath and her face is dyed a deep red. She closes her eyes and tries to concentrate. I politely wait for her to speak. Eventually, she gain's the confidence to speak.

  " M-m-m--m My name is C-c--c-c Cynthia D-d-d-d Dreadnaught! THANK YOU FOR SAVING MY SISTER SARAH."

  As I try to stop the ringing in my ears from that yell. The culprit runs behind Sarah's back. Sarah and Tommy look at me with a look of apology. I wave to them to let them know it's fine. Sarah begins to speak to her little sister.

  " Cyn, that's not the proper way to show your gratitude to someone!"

  Feeling that Sarah was about to go into a lecture, I decide to strategically interfere. I want to try something that may work.

  " Ah Sarah, if you don't mind let me try something that might help."

  " Hmm? What might this be, John?"

  " Well, I'm not sure it will work but who knows? Back in my world I've heard of people doing this for different cases."

  I walk behind Sarah and without looking at Cynthia I face my back towards her. Here goes nothing as I open my mouth.

  " Now you see, Ms. Cynthia I'm not sure if it's because I'm a man or because of my eyes. But something was making you nervous! So, allow me to introduce myself like this. Please excuse my rudeness. My name is John Ericsson. I am a Paladin Summoned by your Parents. Nice to meet you."

  I may have messed up. I hear nothing from behind me besides giggling. I know I hear Anna and Sarah snickering... Hmm? I hear something else. Is... Is that crying? I don't want to look back and ruin the effect, so I ask someone for an explanation. Anna answers me.

  " Princess Cynthia is now crying, Master."

  " What! Why!?"

  " If I had to guess, I'd say that she was moved by your actions, Master."

  Anna Replied to me... I hear a nose being blown. And then I hear a very quiet voice speak.

  " thank you."

  I laugh and smile to a wall and just say my next thought.

  " You're welcome, Ms. Cynthia."