“It’s a rumor… but actually, it’s not.”
“What do you mean?”
His Majesty the King still couldn’t quite grasp Sistem’s ambiguous words.
“Was what Field said earlier the truth, or just something said out of anger?”
“Father, please don’t get too worked up, calm down first. Whatever I say next, don’t get too agitated. Prepare yourself mentally, and I’ll explain it slowly.”
Sistem persuaded His Majesty the King, signaling for him to calm down.
“Hu—”
His Majesty the King closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and steadied his mind.
“Sistem, go ahead. What exactly is going on?”
“Eric’s intention was indeed to spread rumors, because there was some conflict between Liakade and her group with Eric during the Cultural Festival. Eric held a grudge and wanted revenge, so he used Liakade’s speech at the festival and secretly took photos to fabricate rumors.”
Sistem slowly explained the sequence of events to His Majesty the King.
“Then why did you say earlier that it’s not a rumor? What does that mean?”
“Because… Eric tried to slander Liakade and her friends without knowing the truth, but in reality, their private relationships are the same as what Eric fabricated. So, it’s not exactly a lie, either.”
Sistem paused, but ultimately decided to reveal everything. Things had already come this far—there was no point in hiding it anymore. It was better to tell His Majesty the King the truth directly.
“Wait… you mean…”
As he listened to Sistem, His Majesty the King gradually sorted out the relationships in her words, and once he understood, he nearly couldn’t breathe.
“Liakade likes girls, and then with Field… having ambiguous relations with my daughter!?”
“That girl earlier was Alice, right?”
His Majesty the King recalled that the rumors weren’t just about Liakade and Field, but also about Liakade and Alice.
“So the rumors about Liakade and Alice are true too?”
“Yes.”
Sistem nodded.
“Even though it’s a rumor, it’s also true.”
“So that Liakade, the Festival Flower of this year, is really playing both sides!? Do Field and Alice know about this?”
“…They both know.”
Although she didn’t want to admit it, Sistem had no choice. After all, Liakade’s actions now were indeed two-timing.
After thinking for a moment, Sistem finally decided to add,
“They’re not just ambiguous. In private, their relationships have already been confirmed. Both Alice and Field like Liakade.”
By this point in the conversation, His Majesty the King’s vision had gone black.
A forbidden love was one thing, but a love triangle?
He never imagined that Liakade, who appeared so harmless and delicate, could have such charm—enough to capture the hearts of two girls at the same time.
“Liakade…”
His Majesty the King’s tone was a bit menacing as he muttered Liakade’s name.
“Father! You can’t lay a hand on Liakade! Field really likes—loves Liakade. If you do anything to her, Field will definitely be furious.”
Sistem hurriedly stopped him, seeing the dangerous look in His Majesty the King’s eyes.
“Sigh… Who said I was going to lay a hand on that girl?”
His Majesty the King let out a long sigh, gently patted Sistem’s head.
“I’m just a bit curious. What kind of charm does this Liakade have to make my daughter so willing to be with her?”
“Eh? You’re not angry? Weren’t you just opposing Liakade and Field meeting?”
Sistem looked at her father’s expression in surprise. His Majesty the King’s face looked a bit bitter, but also very calm. Seeing him like this, it seemed he had accepted Field’s feelings for Liakade.
“I did object to Liakade getting close to Field just now.”
His Majesty the King shook his head helplessly and explained.
“But that’s because I always thought Field’s orientation was normal. For a girl to pretend to like another girl under false pretense would be disrespectful to both sides—not just a matter of reputation.”
“Mm-hmm…”
After hearing His Majesty the King’s explanation, Sistem understood his reasoning. But if Field also liked girls, and the one she liked was Liakade, then from Liakade and Field’s perspective, there was no problem at all.
“So… Father, you accepted the fact that Field likes girls so easily?”
Sistem was still a bit confused, seeing her father adjust so quickly from rage to resignation.
“Sigh.”
His Majesty the King sighed again.
“Accept? Of course, I can’t completely accept it. Even though I never arranged a marriage for Field, I always hoped she would marry into a good family and never planned to have her form a political marriage with another country.”
“But if I don’t accept it, what can I do? Forcefully lock Field away so she can’t see Liakade? Or exile Liakade to another country? I don’t believe Field wouldn’t go looking for her. Didn’t you just say how much Field likes Liakade? Field has always been a stubborn girl. She’ll never give up on something she has her eyes on.”
“Father, are you saying reputation doesn’t matter anymore?”
Sistem continued to ask.
“If it’s a false rumor, then of course you have to defend your honor. But this is the truth. Field likes Liakade. What’s left to damage?”
At this point, His Majesty the King seemed to understand Field’s feelings from earlier.
“Since Field has already decided, then in the end, their relationship will have to be made public. You were trying to cover for them just now, right?”
“Yes, you saw right through me.”
Sistem admitted without hesitation.
“I only just realized it myself.”
His Majesty the King paused, then continued.
“Field doesn’t want to keep her feelings hidden underground forever. She wants my recognition—and also wants others to recognize her love. So, whether the rumors exist or not doesn’t matter anymore.”
“That’s exactly as you say. Then…”
Sistem glanced at the Magic Detector, and tentatively asked His Majesty the King,
“Does that mean you approve of Field and Liakade’s relationship?”
“No.”
His Majesty the King replied firmly.
“Maybe Field really likes that Liakade girl, but I don’t know much about Liakade. Besides, isn’t she also involved with Alice? How could I possibly approve of my daughter being with someone so fickle without a proper investigation?”
“So… you don’t have a particularly strong objection to this?”
“I suppose not. If this is what Field truly wants, then I won’t stop her.”
“Father, shall we go after them as well?”
Sistem raised the Magic Detector in her hand.
Just now, Sistem had already switched the detector’s tracking magic to Field’s.
“Let’s go.”