After our conversation, I was led to a giant bathroom with what seemed like a hot spring. Safe to say I had a pleasant bath and slept in a great bed, hell it was better than any of the beds I had slept in before. The next day, I was awoken by a Palace Maid from my sleep. Her name was Anna Mori, she introduced herself and stated that she would be my Exclusive Maid from now on. Looking at the woman before me, I was struck at the number of eyes she had. I thought that I wouldn't be shocked anymore but Anna had eyes all over her body, from her head, to her hands, I could even see them in her socks moving. Even though she had a bunch of them, I didn't feel disturbed by it, I think it had to do with the fact that her eyes conveyed a kindness to me. Maybe that's how all Maids act towards their Employers? Either way, her eyes were very striking to me, the reason being the color of them. The color was a deep, dark green, like an untouched forest, her should long hair that hung to the middle of her back matched her eye color as well. It was a striking sight as it clashed with the monochrome of her Traditional Maid Uniform. I started to wonder what she was exactly, none of the Demons that I saw before looked like her, not even Warrick's Family.

  " Anna what kind of Demon are you? I'm sorry if I sound rude, I've just never seen a person like you before."

  My curiosity was overwhelming me, I couldn't stop myself from asking her.

  " It's okay Master, I understand. I come from a long line of Demons called Dodomeki. We excel at information gathering usually. Through our many eyes and their Abilities, we're great for Scouting, but also, we're good at detailed work. Like being a Maid for instance."

  Anna answered in a surprisingly calm and relaxed tone. I guess my question wasn't as rude as I thought? Or at least, when it comes to Anna it isn't. Maybe because she's my Maid now? With that, another question came to me after thinking about it.

  " Why was Anna made my Exclusive Maid? I'm not a Noble or anything, right?"

  Anna looked at me with a smile and spoke.

  "That is true, Master. But, as for the reason.... The King has said to me that everything will be made clear during the announcement today. Even saying that though, being a Paladin does carry a certain Prestige in Gaia, Master."

  " Master?"

  I was surprised to hear her call me that. Obviously, Anna saw the surprise in my face and began to explain it to me.

  " Yes, I'm your Exclusive Maid, that makes you, my Master."

  " Right..."

  I just agreed with her for now. It's not like she's wrong in the first place... We left the bedroom and entered the living area of this room. If I had to guess, this room was about the size of a 2 story house. I think Warrick mentioned that this room is one of the many in the Palace that they use for visiting Nobility, so I guess I'm being treated like someone important? Regardless of that, the room was comfy, the colors on the walls and ceiling were a mix of different colors, reds, blues, yellows, greens. They all blend together and the give the feeling of a High-Class room and I really got to breathe the atmosphere of the room in while Anna prepared a breakfast of purple eggs and rainbow-colored toast with multi-colored fruit for me. An interesting meal to say the least, I devoured the meal in front of me. My honest opinion was that it was delicious. I then got ready and followed Anna as she took me to the Throne Room where the Royal Family sat.

  / step. step. step./

  Anna proceeded to walk and line up with the rest of the Maids and stood silently next to that Maid named Trish. Afterwards, I was greeted by Warrick, Aqua and Sarah. We spoke about how I slept and why we didn't have breakfast together, apparently it was to make final preparations for the announcement that was happening soon. As the conversation continued, I couldn't help but notice Sarah was staring a hole through me. I felt like I got caught with my hand in the cookie jar, but I don't know why? As I was about to ask the reason for it, Crest, Sandra, Dorothy and Ronald walked into the Throne Room and moved to me immediately after greeting the Royal Family.

  " John, I heard through the grapevine you're going to be my disciple soon! I've never encountered a Paladin before, so this'll be fun!"

  Crest raised the room's mood with his jovial tone. I was then picked up like a teddy bear by a child and bear hugged by Sandra from behind.

  " Thank you for saving our Princess little Paladin! All the work was worth it!"

  Sandra was sniffling as she said it. Feeling a weird chill go up the hairs on the back of my neck, I look at the direction the feeling is coming from and I see Sarah staring again? Dorothy noticing this as well, soothes Sandra to let me go again and the feeling dissipated as my feet touched the ground again. What the hell is going on? My ribs are thankful though, I thought I heard a cracking sound coming from my chest for a second there... After soothing Sandra, Dorothy greeted me, she the turned to the Royal Family with Warrick and Aqua sitting on their Thrones looking every bit like a King and a Queen. Sarah was stood next to Aqua and they wore neutral expressions on their faces as Dorothy bowed to them before speaking to them.

  "Your Majesties, I read the Reports. Words cannot express the sadness I feel at my name being used to harm Princess Sarah."

  Sarah began walking to Dorothy. First down the long steps from the Thrones to the floor we were standing on and before long, she was standing in front of Dorothy's bowed head. Though from Dorothy's size, even with her bowing, she was still eye level with Sarah.

  " Raise your head Dorothy, we know you had no part in this Curse business! Father! Mother! isn't time to tell them!?"

  Sarah speaks in a soft tone to ensure Dorothy knows she has nothing to be sorry for. And then she turned to her parents. This prompted Warrick to speak.

  " After a long night of interrogation and examination, we have found out that Peter was brainwashed by someone or something."

  everyone gasped at the information. I was kind of lost... People can be brainwashed here in Gaia?

  " The quality of the Spell was great, as of last night, Peter has died. It seems once we discovered the Spell, it had a defense mechanism to kill its host to avoid information gathering. I've already instructed the 2nd Covert Squad Leader, Captain Albert to begin investigations. It will take a while, but news will come eventually and clarity should come for this new mystery of ours."

  Warrick spoke in an annoyed tone while everyone was horrified by his words.

  " Everyone! I understand that this news will shake us, but we must remain strong! Remember our goal! This Country is in dire need of protection! We are the first and last lines of defense for Diablos."

  With tears in the eyes of the group of 4, they all responded to their Queen's words in unison.

  " Yes, Your Highness!"

  After calming themselves, Warrick commanded the 4 Demons in front of me to return to their Duties, except for Dorothy, who was told to accompany Aqua and Sarah. They chatted amongst themselves and for some reason Dorothy looked at me, then at Sarah and Aqua. And then Dorothy hugged Sarah with a happy look on her face? I stared puzzled at the interaction... I mean... Maybe she's just overwhelmed that Sarah's finally awake again? Either way, it was good to see them all acting happy compared to how dire they looked yesterday.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  " It's time."

  And just like that, with some passing small talk, it was time for the announcement. We all began to move and I simply followed behind the Royal Family as I was instructed to do. Before I left, Anna spoke to me and she told me that she would go about her daily tasks now that I would be with the Royal Family for the next few hours. And with that, Anna went off to clean the guest room, I guess? Trish and her Maids stayed behind in the Throne Room. Judging by the way the other Maids acted, I think Trish is the Head Maid around here. The guards followed us as we left. As we were walking through a long hallway, Dorothy was walking by my side. She was glancing at me and smiling like a grandmother looking at her grandson. And like a grandmother, she made light conversation to help the walk go by faster. I could feel her kindness for the entire walk.

  / Chatter! Chatter! Chatter!/

  After arriving at a balcony that was overlooking Blackstone City, I looked down to see tens of thousands of Demons all staring up at Warrick and Aqua and talking with each other. Warrick began to speak, silencing the crowd. He began by recounting the tale of Sarah's Curse and how in their despair, they decided to gamble in order to save their daughter. Which led to my introduction.

  " And to thank for it all, is this man here, Matthew Drake! The Paladin we were able to bring to Diablos yesterday!"

  I walked to the front of the balcony as I was called and killing intent rained down on me like a typhoon. Well, I say that, but it's not like I could actually feel it... But something told me that killing intent is definitely what I was feeling from the crowd. After backing away to allow Warrick back into the front of the balcony. At this point, I noticed something... Warrick didn't mention how I was brought here... He only mentioned that I was brought to Diablos yesterday. Not by Summoning, but by... By being kidnapped from a forest? And not only that, but he'd been suffering from a sickness brought on by his worry about Sarah... I was confused for a moment, but then I connected the dots. Obviously, this was just Warrick helping to keep who I was a secret. Along with that, he's keeping how I even got here a secret as well. He's protecting all of us. As I realized this, Warrick gave me a small nod and then he addressed the crowd and started to recount what had happened after my Summoning here to Gaia. The story from that point was 1 for 1 what had happened.

  " Then, he was able to heal me completely! And here I am! Like nothing had happened!"

  " RAAAH!"

  When he mentioned me healing him back to full strength there were some cheers from women in the crowd, Aqua did not looked pleased at that for some reason? then Warrick mentioned how I ended up saving Dorothy and her group. Dorothy spoke to the crowd as a witness to my deed. This time there were many cheers from the men. And finally, we got to the nitty gritty of healing Sarah. The cheers were deafening. Finally, at the end of his speech, Warrick began to talk about what would happen next... Most importantly to me... At least in my opinion it is.

  " After a HAETED DEBATE with My Wife and Daughter. We have come to an agreement over what to give to this Noble Paladin who out of only the Kindness of his own heart, healed Our Daughter with no wish for anything from us. Us, the people who brought him here, not with permission, but by force, but he heard us out, he sympathized with our plight! Despite the fact all that we did was take him from his home, shamelessly asked for Favor after Favor, yet he still chose to help us! To which not only did he agree to grant Our Selfish Request for Our Daughter. He went a step further and healed even me! Who had felt extremely ill from the worry about My Daughter! He saw that and without a second thought, I was healed! After which he put his Life on the line for 5 people who moments previously tried to kill him! We as a Family, have come to an agreement regarding his Rewards! And we wish to announce everything to you, the People! The public! Now with our reasoning established! So that you can stand witness to the type of man that we are dealing with! When it comes to Sir Matthew the Paladin! Taken from his home, yet still showing the Selflessness that goes hand in hand with the job! All of this so that you can truly judge if he truly is worthy of this Great Country's Favor."

  / RAAAHHHH! RAAAAHHHHH! RAAAAHHHHH!/

  Besides the weird emphasis on the 2 words at the start, everything was mostly fine... The crowd started cheering "Matthew" very loudly. Which seemed strange to me considering how they received me earlier... I wondered to myself how the crowd might feel knowing they're actually cheering a false name? Even more so if they were able to see what the character actually thought of Demons, but that's besides the point now. Once the cheering died down, Warrick explained the current situation with Luke and the others and explained about the training I was to receive as well as the Armor and Sword. Finally we reached the Secret Rewards I was kept in the dark about. The first 2 were ones we already discussed, the 1st being that Warrick, Aqua and Crest were going to train me to fight Luke and the 2nd was that I would be granted Citizenship here in Diablos. The crowd didn't seem to disagree with them... Then the 3rd shoe dropped.

  " And the 3rd Boon I wish to grant Sir Matthew, is the Rank of Marquess effective immediately!"

  " !"

  I leaned forward in surprise... And I could've sworn the crowd did too. After the shock wore away, there was silence... Then... Slow clapping began to come from parts of the crowd. Wait? Is... Is one of them Sandra? It is! I look at Warrick and he winked at me. It's finally clicking into place... Oh my God, I'm part of a Demonic Psyop... Despite my realization, the Royal Family had no intents of stopping...

  / Step. Step. Step./

  Aqua approached the front of the balcony and began to speak before the clapping even stopped.

  " MY HUSBAND WARRICK owed Paladin Matthew 3 boons! And I owe him 1 as well! So, after discussing it with My Family, we have decided on the Reward!"

  I feel like she was waiting to say those starting 3 words since the women cheered for Warrick's healing. After getting the annoyance out with those words, she began to smile as she spoke, I looked at Sarah when she was mentioned, and I saw her staring at me... And.... She's licking her lips like a lion salivating over a fresh meal? What the hell are they about to do!?

  "The Reward shall be PRINCESS SARAH'S HAND IN MARRAIGE! EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY!"

  I quickly looked ahead at Aqua and I could see the crowd erupting before any sound made it to us and I didn't know what to do. Sarah rushed to the front of the balcony in the moment that the crowd began to get rowdy. There were cheers... Which I now know is being done by Sandra and her Covert Operations Squad... But the lion's share of sounds were boos and angry shouting. Despite this, Sarah's face showed no hint of the lion from before but a proper Princess ready to address her People. The crowd saw this and quieted down somehow... And Sarah began to speak.

  " I plan to fully support MY FIANCE! I hope you all can give me your full support as well! I promise to do my best as a Wife! And not to bring shame on Our Country in any way!"

  The crowd was silent, Sandra started to clap again, and perhaps it was the absurdity of the situation... Maybe it was temporary insanity? Maybe it was Sarah's words... But somehow, the crowd started to clap as well. This time Aqua and Sarah looked at me and winked. After that, it was kind of a blur for me... I remember turning and walking... I think someone tried talking to me, but I can't remember...

  / Step. Step. Step./

  After heading back into the Throne Room everyone was flabbergasted, except for the perpetrators of the crime! The Royals standing at the Twin Thrones dismissed everyone from the room with a certain amount of Authority in their voices. Everyone left... Except for Dorothy and me... I was staring up at them. Trying to work out what the hell just happened... Feeling anxious, I began to stumble a sentence out.

  " Guys, I understand you're grateful for my help. But forcing your newly saved daughter into a forced political marriage to help my standing is too mu..."

  Before I could finish my sentence Warrick shook his head to me like he was warning me about something. As he did that, Aqua interrupted me. She spoke like she was allowing a dog to eat a treat that was placed in front of them.

  " Get him girl! He's all yours now!"

  " Wha-"

  / Woosh!/

  * GRIP!*

  And like that, Sarah teleported from standing next to her parents on one side of the room, to directly in front of me. She grabbed my cheeks tightly, but gently and she kissed me on the lips....

  * Press. Wet! Insert!*

  " !"

  Oh God! She stuck her tongue in!

  * Grip. Wet! Slimly. Wiggle?*

  After a minute of what felt like being eaten alive, but at the same time like she was toying with me, I started to get lost in the purple of her eyes that I was staring into... Again, after 3 minutes I was in an even deeper daze as we finally separated so we both could breathe. Sarah taking deep breaths with her shoulders moving up and down. Like she just got done running a marathon. She looked at me and spoke with the look of a supervillain that's placed the Hero in a deadly trap on her face.

  " The Marriage was my idea... I pushed and fought for it... My Mother supported My Wish. No one else had a hand in it. Just me."

  " ?"

  I just stared at her puzzled. I think she misread my face... Or maybe a caged beast was finally let loose? Because she stole my lips again. Before the daze took over, I had one final thought.

  " So, this is what the text meant by Demonic Love being heavy."