Trying to Save my Favorite Character from His Tragic Fate

Lemuel feels the jabs of the grand duchess's words towards him and wilts on his seat, keeping his mouth shut. The grand duchess turns her attention away from Lemuel and toward the paladin, who could keep his neutral face after hearing the small family argument. 

"Sir Paladin… As you can see yesterday, that unknown creature has been terrorizing my lands for almost half a year. Never have I expected that even my own daughter had fallen victim to such brutality. Before the end of the examination, Sir Paladin… Could you please stay in my duchy and look over the safety of the participants? They will come from different kingdoms, but they still have the inherited bloodline in them. I fear that the creature is targeting those who have that unique bloodline."

Kyrie silently ponders over the matter and nods, "Of course, your majesty. However…"

"Sir Paladin," The grand duchess cuts in, "I will make sure you will get the compensation that you deserve, and we could even negotiate for a trade agreement with your guild that is advantageous to you."

Kyrie lifts his hand to stop the duchess from rambling on, "Your majesty… That would be great, but even with the trade agreement, I only wish for a fair one. I would like to ask a unique request."

"Please do tell."

"I would like to ask Prince Lemuel Halinas to join my guild."

Lemuel lifts his head in shock from the news and looks over to the paladin and then to Federline and Laurel. However, none of them are shocked as if they have come with that reason.

"Are you perhaps interested in the unique ability of our bloodline?" The grand duchess asks.

"I will not beat around the bush and tell you straight, grand duchess. At first, I had the intention to ask Princess Fiona, but since she, unfortunately, passed away. I would like to ask Prince Lemuel to assist us."

The duchess stares into Kyrie's eyes for a good minute before sighing, "Is this for the so-called gates? Even if I would like to, Lemuel cannot keep his state for more than a couple of minutes before becoming exhausted enough to collapse. Maybe it is due to his unique existence… He is a male with the ability."

Lemuel looks down while feeling the inadequacy. Kyrie sadly nods while leaning back to the couch. 

[It would be dangerous if Lemuel cannot hold the activation of his ability for long. Guess there is no way out in this… I would have to find the entrance some other way…]

"That is not a problem!" Federline shouts, "Headmaster has taken in all kinds of people, and now they all can stand proudly with their developed abilities!"

Kyrie almost spits out from the imaginary tea that he has drunk. He sharply digs his eyes into Federline, but this dense man smiles at him with pride, puffing it up to the head. Lemuel widens his eyes as he looks at Federline, beaming with confidence, while Kyrie lets out a sigh of defeat.

[That is for picking up wild animals to domesticate…]

Federline even gives him the thumbs up, and Kyrie feels his blood pressure rising.

"Is that so," The grand duchess picks up the advantageous situation, "Then, I will leave Prince Lemuel in your care. You have quite a loyal and cute subordinate…"

The grand duchess chuckles at Kyrie's helplessness toward Federline. Federline takes in the complement and laughs as he blushes. 

[Why the heck are you blushing for?]

Laurel's shoulder shakes as she also tries to hold her laugh. Kyrie continues to curse at Federline in his head throughout the meeting when the grand duchess talks about some details.

After the meeting, Kyrie dismisses himself for breakfast with Laurel and Federline. Lemuel can feel his heart beating with excitement as he looks at them leaving. 

In the hallways, the second princess, Diane, blocks his path. She looks at him with contempt and deep-seated hatred.

"Don't think you are something just because of those pitiful powers you have. You are still nothing… A disgusting weakling that is not fully a woman or a man… You are just Prince Nobody…"

Princess Diane turns to walk away after unloading her nasty tongue. Lemuel angrily tightens his fists as he gets overwhelmed by the pressure of her words. He might have deluded himself, thinking that he is needed. 

"Hey…"

Lemuel looks up to see Federline standing in front of him. He opens his mouth to greet Federline, but something gets placed in his mouth. He slowly savors the sweetness that gently releases from the caramel. 

"Aren't they good?" Federline smiles, "By the way, the headmaster wants to see you. Are you free?"

Lemuel nods as he tries to speak with the caramel inside his mouth, but oddly enough, he cannot coordinate from the nerves. He looks over to Federline's back as he follows, wondering if Federline has pitied him enough to give him another candy. He enters a guest room where Kyrie and Laurel have already started eating. 

"Did you eat?" Kyrie looks over to Lemuel, who shyly walks into the room.

Lemuel nods and remains standing. Kyrie uses his fork to point at a seat by Federline, telling him to sit there. Lemuel follows Kyrie's instruction and stiffly places himself on the couch. 

"You don't need to be so nervous," Kyrie smiles, "Can I call you by name? You can call me Kyrie in exchange."

Lemuel nods energetically, and Kyrie points at Laurel with his fork, "This is Laurel, chief of my guild," Then, he points at Federline, "I think you already know him. This is Ernest… But I call him Federline."

Lemuel nods at Laurel and then to Federline.

"Do you like desserts?" Federline pushes his serving in front of Lemuel.

Kyrie almost drops his fork seeing that and looks over to Laurel, who is also surprised. He lets out a smile while looking at Federline, who is so stingy with his sweets. 

"Lemuel… After the dessert, could you show us your powers?" 

Lemuel rubs his hands together nervously.