“I know that among girls, holding hands and hugging are common things, but since you’ve publicly admitted you like girls, you need to be more mindful of your interactions with other girls.”
The moment His Majesty the King spoke these words, Liyakade already understood his meaning.
He wanted her to stay away from Field.
Even if this time the scandal was just Eric spreading rumors, even if there was no forbidden love between Liyakade and Field on the surface, His Majesty the King still didn’t want Liyakade getting too close to Field.
Although this was all because Eric was stirring things up from behind, with Liyakade having already stated her feelings, if she and Field continued to act close in public, it would still spark gossip among others, especially with the scandal now circulating.
Therefore, for the sake of Field and the Royal Family’s reputation, His Majesty the King could not allow Liyakade to remain close to Field any longer.
“Father, isn’t this a bit much?”
Before Field could protest, Sistem hurriedly spoke up, seizing the chance to argue first.
“Liyakade and the others were good friends even before the Cultural Festival. They lived together back then and nothing happened.”
Whether or not anything happened, Sistem didn’t know, but for now, it could only be said that nothing did.
“Besides, their exams and battles have always been as a Three-Person Team, and they run the Yorozuya together. Their coordination in combat has reached perfection. Liyakade’s combat power is also the strongest in the Academy.”
“When the Demon King revives in the future, Liyakade will be an important force for us. Isn’t it unreasonable to suddenly say this now?”
Sistem spoke calmly and reasonably to His Majesty the King, making a case for Liyakade and the others.
“Of course I know all that.”
His Majesty the King replied unhurriedly.
“I never said they couldn’t see each other at all. Just that, outside of battles, Liyakade shouldn’t get close to Field in daily life anymore.”
“If Liyakade hadn’t publicly revealed her orientation, of course I would have allowed you to be as close as any normal girls. But now that everyone knows, for Field and the Royal Family’s honor, you should reduce the number of times you meet.”
His Majesty the King still held firm to his stance.
“/Tsk…”
“Wait, Father.”
Sistem quickly pressed down on Field’s shoulder, trying to speak up and argue with His Majesty the King, but it was clear Field couldn’t accept such an arrangement.
“How can you tell me not to see Liyakade!”
Field shook off the hand on her shoulder, glaring stubbornly at His Majesty the King.
“Field, enough!”
Sistem slapped her palm over, trying to calm Field down and make her be quiet, but Field tightly grabbed Sistem’s wrist, blocking her attack.
“Tch…”
Sistem sighed inwardly, thinking her useless little sister still couldn’t keep her cool.
She had already explained that it was Eric spreading rumors, and was doing her best to fight for Liyakade and Field’s right to continue being together, but Field just couldn’t bear it, not even a shred of patience.
Even if she couldn’t convince His Majesty the King, she could just keep secretly meeting with Liyakade after today. His Majesty wouldn’t send people to monitor them constantly just for this, and besides, they all lived in the Academy, where nobody cared about their private meetings.
Even if there was a risk of exposure later, as long as they prepared in advance, it would be fine. They just needed to grow strong enough to be unrestrained, build their own power, and become so formidable that not even His Majesty the King could object to such a forbidden love.
If worst came to worst, they could elope abroad together. With the Prophecy and the Demon King’s existence, His Majesty the King would probably compromise in the end.
Right now, Liyakade and the others weren’t strong enough; exposure would only lead to greater restrictions and oppression—nothing good would come of it.
However, Field’s thoughts were different from Sistem’s.
If they claimed Eric’s words were rumors and there was nothing between them, then what would it mean if they publicly acknowledged their feelings later?
Actually, when His Majesty the King first brought up this issue, Field was already torn.
She had just confessed her feelings, yet now she had to deny them. Even if it was a lie, even if it was a delaying tactic, Field didn’t want to deny it.
Denying her feelings to hide them from her father felt like deceiving herself, sullying the purity of her emotions.
Therefore, Field was willing to admit that Eric’s intent was to spread rumors about them, but in reality, they truly had feelings for each other.
So, when Sistem answered for Field, Field remained silent—neither agreeing nor denying.
It wasn’t until His Majesty the King continued that Field couldn’t hold back any longer.
“Hmm? Field, what do you mean by this?”
The King looked at Field’s defiant gaze, confused.
Was the friendship between the three of them really so deep as to make Field react like this?
“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with Liyakade saying she likes girls!”
Field met His Majesty the King’s eyes without backing down.
“What do you mean? I never said there was anything wrong with Liyakade liking girls, did I?”
His Majesty the King was baffled by Field’s sudden words.
“Everyone has their own orientation—it’s normal. I don’t discriminate against your friend. In fact, I think your friend is very brave to express herself. But for the sake of reputation, I asked you to limit contact…”
“Then…”
“Don’t say anymore, Field!”
Sistem activated her magic, trying to forcefully cut off Field’s words, but it was too late. Field’s words had already left her mouth.
“Then I like girls too! So what!”
At that moment, the entire classroom fell silent, with only the sound of breathing remaining. Everyone froze, as if the whole world had been put on pause.
“Didn’t you just say there’s nothing wrong with liking girls? Didn’t you say expressing yourself is brave? Why aren’t you saying anything now…”
“Pa –“
A sharp slap echoed.
A red handprint appeared on Field’s face.
His Majesty the King’s face was flushed with anger.
He didn’t know if Field’s words were true, or if it was just spite because he wanted Liyakade to stay away from Field.
Regardless, His Majesty the King could not tolerate either.
“You see… It’s all just empty words.”
Field pressed her burning cheek, gritting her teeth.
“You clearly think liking girls is wrong, always talking about Royal Family honor. You only care if I tarnish that honor, not about what I truly want!”
With that, Field ran out of the classroom.
“Field!”
Only then did His Majesty the King realize he’d struck his own daughter in anger.
He wanted to chase after her, but Sistem gently stopped him.
“Sistem? What are you doing now?”
His Majesty the King turned back in confusion to the Sistem who had grabbed him.
Sistem shook her head, signaling His Majesty the King not to go after Field just yet, then glanced at Liyakade and Alice.
“Your Majesty, we’ll excuse ourselves for now.”
Liyakade bowed simply to His Majesty the King as she watched Field’s fleeing figure, then chased after her with Alice.
“…What on earth does Field mean?”
His Majesty the King was left baffled by the sudden turn of events.
She looked to Sistem for answers.
“Didn’t you all just say this was a rumor Eric spread?”
“Mm… It’s a rumor, but also not.”
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