Reincarnated as a Princess's Pet: With Trash Stats, but SSS-Rank Skill-Chapter 44: A Strange Request From the King

Max woke up to the sound of wheels rolling over stone from the courtyard.

Carriages.

Many carriages.

He slowly opened his eyes as the morning light slipped through the window.

From outside came voices, horses snorting, and the constant noise of nobles preparing to depart.

Max sat up in bed and scratched his hair.

’Are they all leaving already...?’

He got up and walked to the window.

When he looked down, he saw several carriages lined up in front of the castle.

Servants were loading luggage.

Nobles were saying their farewells.

And in the middle of all that—

Gawain was arguing with Bertha.

Max leaned his elbow on the window frame.

’I have to see this.’

Below, the birdman spread his arms dramatically.

"Bertha! Come with me!"

The giant woman looked at him with a completely serious expression.

"I already told you no."

Gawain smiled confidently.

"You could come to my lands."

He leaned slightly toward her.

"I would show you my natural hot springs."

Bertha narrowed her eyes.

"I’ll pass."

Gawain didn’t give up.

If anything, he leaned in even closer.

"At least a goodbye kiss."

Bertha dodged him casually.

And—

Smack.

She slapped him hard across the face.

Max couldn’t help shouting from the window.

"Bertha, don’t do that!"

The giant looked up.

Max grinned.

"That just makes him like it more!"

For a second, there was silence.

Then Moon burst out laughing behind him.

"Papa!"

Down below, Gawain slowly lifted his head.

His eyes went straight to Max.

He stared at him.

Then he broke into a wide grin.

And raised his hand in greeting.

Max waved back.

Gawain turned, climbed into his carriage, and gave the door one last slap.

The horses began to move.

One by one, the nobles’ carriages started leaving the castle.

Max rested his chin on his hand as he watched them go.

But something else caught his attention.

Castle guards.

Many of them.

They were talking to servants and escorts.

Checking luggage.

Inspecting carriages.

Max frowned slightly.

’They’re looking for Taniel...’

He remembered the green dust.

The knife.

Maybe...

Maybe it hadn’t been a good idea not to mention what he saw.

While he was thinking that, Moon gently tugged on his shirt.

"Papa."

Max looked down.

"Yes?"

The little dragon girl stared at him seriously.

"I’m hungry."

Max laughed.

"Of course you’re hungry. It’s breakfast time."

Moon crossed her arms proudly.

"I’m sure Sophie and Abby already left breakfast by the fountain."

She smiled.

"Like every morning."

Max nodded.

"Then let’s go."

He walked to the door.

Turned the handle.

And opened it.

Right at that moment—

Knock.

Don was about to knock.

The two of them stared at each other.

Max blinked.

"Don."

The butler inclined his head slightly.

"Sir Max."

Max raised an eyebrow.

"What are you doing here?"

Don calmly adjusted his gloves.

"His Majesty wishes to have breakfast with you."

Max blinked again.

"...With me?"

Don nodded.

"After all."

He paused briefly.

"You are now the princess’s chosen suitor."

Moon suddenly lifted her head.

"Is it a trap?"

Max looked at her.

Moonlight continued very seriously.

"Do I have to go with you to cover your back in case the king decides to kill you?"

Don fell completely silent.

Max burst out laughing.

"Moon."

He ruffled her hair.

"Don’t worry."

He crouched down slightly to meet her eyes.

"If you want to have breakfast with Elanor, go ahead."

He smiled.

"I can handle a conversation with the king by myself."

Moon looked at him for a few seconds.

Then nodded confidently.

"Okay."

Max stood back up.

’Or at least... I think I can.’

And closed the door behind him.

***

Don walked through the hallway with his usual calm elegance.

Max followed him.

The castle was still full of movement. Servants running. Guards patrolling. Nobles finishing their farewells before leaving.

As they moved through one of the side corridors—

Don suddenly stopped.

Max nearly bumped into him.

"What’s wrong?"

Don sighed lightly.

"A small detour."

Max peeked down the hallway.

And then he saw her.

Abby.

She was pressed against the wall, hiding behind a column.

When she saw Max, she immediately raised a finger to her lips.

"Shhh."

Max raised an eyebrow.

A few meters away, a tall figure was walking.

A man with reddish skin.

Two curved black horns.

An elegant black suit perfectly pressed.

And a long demonic tail slowly swaying behind him.

The man looked around curiously.

"Abby...?"

His voice was soft.

"I know you’re around here."

Max looked at Don.

Don didn’t even seem surprised.

"Please ignore the situation, Sir Max."

Max whispered.

"What’s going on?"

Don replied with complete calm.

"Miss Abby has spent the entire week escaping from that noble."

Max looked back at the demon.

"And shouldn’t he be getting into a carriage to return to his lands right now?"

Don adjusted his gloves slightly.

"I assume Miss Abby captivated him in some way."

He paused.

"And something happened that now makes him want to convince her to travel with him."

Max blinked.

But at that moment—

The demon saw them.

His eyes lit up with interest.

He approached with an elegant smile.

"Ah."

He made a slight bow.

"A pleasure."

He placed a hand on his chest.

"My name is Azael."

He looked at Max curiously.

"You must be the famous royal pet everyone is talking about."

Max sighed internally.

Great...

Azael smiled even wider.

"Excellent fight against Taniel."

Max scratched the back of his neck.

"Thanks..."

The demon looked around.

"By any chance..."

His eyes returned to Max.

"Have you seen Abby?"

Max pointed behind him with his thumb.

"At this hour she’s probably with the princess."

He paused.

"In the fountain courtyard."

Azael nodded with a kind smile.

"Thank you very much."

He adjusted his jacket.

"If you see her, please tell her to come back with us."

Max frowned slightly.

"With you...?"

But Azael was already walking away down the hallway.

His tail disappeared around the corner.

Max looked toward the column and raised his hand.

"You can come out now."

Abby peeked out.

She looked both ways down the hallway.

Then quickly stepped out of hiding.

"Whew..."

She sighed in relief.

Then looked at Max with a mischievous smile.

"Thanks a lot, little mascot."

Max crossed his arms.

"You’re welcome."

Abby was already heading the opposite direction, almost jogging.

"I owe you one."

And she disappeared into the other wing of the castle.

Max watched her go.

Then looked at Don.

The faun was already walking again.

"Sir Max."

Max sighed and followed him.

"Let us not keep His Majesty waiting."

Max swallowed.

"Right..."

That’s probably the most dangerous thing happening this morning.

And they continued down the hallway.

***

Don guided him through several quiet corridors.

Finally, they stopped in front of enormous carved wooden doors.

Two guards opened them without a word.

Don made a small gesture with his hand.

"After you, Sir Max."

Max took a deep breath.

’Alright... let’s see if I survive this.’

He entered.

The table had been prepared in one corner.

Full of food.

Fresh bread.

Fruits.

Cheese.

Meat.

Steaming teapots.

And sitting in front of it all—

The king.

He was leaning back in his chair with a relaxed expression, watching the steam rise from his cup.

When he saw Max enter, he smiled.

"Ah."

He gestured with his hand.

"Come. Sit."

Max walked cautiously to the table.

Don stood beside the king like an elegant statue.

Max sat down across from him.

The king lifted the teapot.

"Tea?"

Max nodded.

"Sure."

The king poured him a cup.

Then grabbed a small glass bottle.

"A little liquor?"

Max immediately shook his head.

"No, thanks. I... actually never drank alcohol before."

The king looked at him.

For a second.

Then smiled.

"Then today will be your first time."

And without asking—

Glug.

He poured a generous splash into the tea.

Max stared at the cup.

’Great...’

The king raised his own cup.

"Cheers."

He took a long drink.

Max hesitated.

Then took a small sip.

The strong taste almost made him cough.

But he managed to hide it.

The king looked amused.

He rested his elbow on the table.

"Tell me something, Max."

Max looked up.

"Yes?"

The king studied him with genuine curiosity.

"The truth is, you fascinate me."

Max blinked.

"...Me?"

The king nodded.

"I wonder if everyone from your world is like you."

Max frowned.

"Like me?"

The king took another sip of tea.

"You’ve accumulated several achievements in a very short time."

He raised one finger.

"You won a bet against the king himself."

Another finger.

"You saved a noble from poisoning."

He paused slightly.

"With two drops of a potion."

Then he smiled.

"And you defeated Taniel in combat."

Max scratched his cheek.

"Well... some of those things were more luck than anything."

The king shook his head.

"Never underestimate that."

He leaned forward slightly.

"That’s why I believe that even without lands..."

His eyes shone.

"You are the perfect candidate to stand beside my daughter." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Max almost choked on his tea.

The king continued calmly.

"In fact."

He took another long drink.

"I must admit something."

He leaned back in his chair.

"I envy my own daughter."

Max blinked several times.

"...Excuse me?"

The king pointed at Max with his cup.

"I want one too."

Max froze.

"One...?"

The king smiled widely.

"A human."

Don remained perfectly still beside the table.

The king continued with growing enthusiasm.

"I’m thinking of performing the same ritual."

He waved his cup slightly.

"Summon a being from another world."

Max frowned.

"Why are you telling me this?"

The king opened his mouth to respond.

But—

His head slowly tilted forward.

Silence.

Then—

Thunk.

His forehead hit the table.

Max blinked.

"...Did he fall asleep?"

Don sighed very softly.

He leaned toward the king.

"Your Majesty."

He shook him slightly.

"Your Majesty."

Nothing.

Don sighed again.

Then looked at Max.

"Allow me to translate what the king was trying to say."

Max raised an eyebrow.

Don adjusted his gloves.

"In a few days, His Majesty plans to perform a summoning ritual."

He paused.

"When his new pet arrives..."

His eyes rested on Max.

"He wishes for you to train it."

Max blinked.

"...Train it?"

Don nodded.

"So that it becomes like you."

Max stared at the sleeping king.

Then at the liquor tea.

Then at Don.

’I thought we were going to talk about the duel...’

’Or about the fact that I’m now courting his daughter.’

Max sighed.

’But no.’

’Turns out I’m a trainer now.’