Koul had to excuse himself to inquire from the system whether the real Koul was a party person.
"Tell me already! Does Koul do such parties? Does he drink a lot? I don't want another penalty so soon."
He'd been asking the system repeatedly but it refused to answer.
[….]
"What's with this silent treatment? A minute ago you were blabbering about the knights and their duties, yet now that I have asked you about something important, you refuse to answer?"
[Host, this is an important question you're asking. One that will cost you money for an sewer,] the system finally responded.
"Money? Why? You've always answered all my questions and never asked for payments. I mean, isn't that your job?"
[Youre wrong, host. Although it is part of my work, I'm not entitled to. Especially if it's a question that might save you from a penalty.]
Koul sighed, rubbing the skin between his brows. He didn't have time for this. He had something to do. An important discussion with king Sestrus.
"How do I pay?"
At this question, the system's eyes shone with greed and enthusiasm.
[At the tabernacle, points are the currencies there. You just have to buy important informations from me with points.]
Koul raised an eyebrow. He had thought paying the system would be a one time thing.
"What do you mean important informationS? Do I have to pay for any information I demand from you now?"
[Yes, host. I've decided to start taking payment. We've reached the points where you started asking such important questions, although not all of them I can answer, I need to charge for it or I myself will face a penalty.]
Tsk! Tsk! They already want to scam me off the points I accumulated.
Stingy fraudsters!
Unable to decide, Koul started tapping his foot out of unsettlement. What if he decide to ignore this and get a penalty later?
And what if he ignored it and doesn't get a penalty later? He was torn on what to do.
But he knew he needed to handle things well. The night wasn't waiting for him.
"Fine! How much?"
[For this question, it'll cost you 50 points,] it blurted aloud.
Koul's mouth almost fell open.
Fif-fifty?!!
He wanted to question the system's dignity and the points' value but he noticed king Sestrus' eyes on him.
Ever since he left he table, he'd been keeping eyes on him.
"Fine, take it. And tell me quickly!"
[Ding!]
[50 points have been deducted from your points.]
[Yes, host! You don't have to worry! Koul parties a lot and drinks a lot, so you're free to drink and party to your heart's content!] the system relayed cheerfully, floating away hastily.
A rip off. This is a damn rip off!!
He wanted to burst up in flames but he had to remind himself where he was and why he was there.
He turned calmly with composure, threw king Sestrus a smile and went back to the table.
They resumed their chatter over drinks and food.
Because Koul had something to discuss with the king, he was mindful not to get drunk.
And he was also unsettled by the occasional glances his knight threw at him.
He wanted to bring up the matter but it wasn't as easy as he thought. Anytime he felt the urge to, one look at king Sestrus' face instantly kills it.
With a frustrated sigh, he kicked up his golden goblet and downed a cup of wine. He poured another and attempted to down it again, hoping it would build his confidence.
But king Sestrus' voice halted him.
"Are you troubled?" He questioned, his go-to smile plastered on his face.
Koul dropped the cup of wine back on the table and tilted to look at him.
"It's just that I sense you have something to say, but can't quite bring yourself to."
Koul's eyes shone wide with the feeling of breakthrough.
Is this a blessing in disguise?
Although he was overjoyed within him that king Sestrus noticed his inner turmoil, he kept his cool.
"Haha, as always, you have a keen sight," Koul complimented with a smile, forbidding himself to falter.
As always my foot! Like I've ever seen you before!
"Please. If there's anything you wish to tell me, do not hesitate. You're like a son to me and I hope you talk freely to me."
From king Sestrus' side, Koul sighted his son's ears perked up. He was quietly eavesdropping and peeping.
Koul picked back his cup of wine and stood up, drawing king Sestrus and his son's attention.
"What say you we go out for some fresh air in the balcony?" He asked suggestively.
King Sestrus immediately understood this as Koul inviting him out to talk, just the two of them.
"I'm in need of some fresh air myself. The noise has started to come off overbearing."
He also picked up his cup of wine and both of them headed out.
King Sestrus' son's eyes could only follow them as they left but he knew he couldn't just join them.
Koul's knight on the other hand, followed them quietly from behind but made sure to stay far enough to not listen in on their conversation.
Outside, king Sestrus breathed in a sigh of relief, basking in the cool wind that brushed through them.
"So now, young king. Will you tell what's been troubling you?"
Koul's demeanor instantly changed. He placed the cup of his wine on the balcony's rail. And his face beheld a soft quietness.
"King Sestrus," he started calmly.
"What do you say we put our rough past behind us and start afresh?" He asked. But before king Sestrus could think of responding, Koul continued.
"My wife…" he paused, realizing something.
Fuck! I didn't even ask for her name.
But he continued regardless.
"How about you release her now?"
King Sestrus kept silent for a moment then a smile bloomed across his lips. He chuckled a bit aloud as if he was amused by this and had also been expecting it.
"She's a stubborn one, do you know?" He chuckled. "She refuses to give in to any commands that question her dignity and prefer the harder way."
Koul's fists quietly clenched behind him at this, but his face remained composed.
"Hmm… but you've really changed a lot," King Sestrus continued.
Don't say that!!! The judges will kill me!
"But I can't say I hate it. Although I have a lot of curiosity about you, I guess I'll hold back. But, tell me this. Have you finally fallen in love with these toys you take in?"
They aren't toys. And I don't know. I haven't met them.
"It is nothing like that, I assure you," he replied.
Even I myself don't know why.
I just..: I just want my wives.
"Then why? Why demand this of me?" Sestrus pressed.
With nothing to respond to this, Koul kept silent. And after a moment, king Sestrus continued.
"I won't dig in too deep. Whatever the reason may be, I won't force it out of you."
Hearing this, Koul's tensed muscles relaxed back.
"Does that mean you wil grant me my request?" He asked enthusiastically.
"Of course," king Sestrus smiled widely.
"But on one condition," he said, wiping the smile off Koul's face.
"Tomorrow, at the event, challenge one of my knights to a duel and win. Only then will I free your wife."