Help! I Think We Summoned A Demon King-Chapter 16: Hero Banquet III

Elowen Starfall. POV

Elowen. The kingdom’s only princess and the last living child of the king and queen.

Both of the king’s sons had died to demon attacks at the kingdom’s borders.

The exact nature of those attacks remains a mystery to this day; now the kingdom is left with just her as the heir apparent to the throne.

Though not all people support that.

Her father, King Helion Starfall, has been progressively indoctrinating her into the responsibilities of leading a kingdom, so she could grow into her role as a monarch.

A dinner banquet such as this, where she would properly welcome the heroes in her fathers sted, and introduce them to the nature of their existence in this kingdom, was one of such events she had been diligently preparing for and had been really excited about, since getting the heroes on her side could ease her ascent.

She had hoped to showcase her skills in leadership by properly directing this generation’s heroes, since half the ministers of the royal court had been openly opposed to her inheriting the throne. Getting these heroes in hand would be a massive boost.

But today, while she had come early and prepared for the banquet, as a representative of the throne. One of these newly summoned heroes has actually arrived more than an hour late.

She had been prepared to overlook this small infraction, seeing as they were new to this world, provided that the Hero appeared remorseful and gestured courtesy of acknowledgement of their wrong, so she wouldn’t lose more face in front of these stuck-up ministers who were already planning to poach some of the other heroes to their faction.

But what does this hero do ?.

He strode in like he owned the place, an infuriating grin on his face. Completely ignores the gathered masses, including herself, and proceeds to sit and start up a conversation as if he had done nothing wrong.

And to make matters worse still, it wasn’t even one of the important heroes whose positions could greatly influence the trajectory of the kingdom going forward. No, it was no other than the Hero of item-box.

The weakest and most useless Hero of the Kingdom.

How was she, as a princess of this great kingdom, supposed to stay still and let this complete disregard fly ?.

She had to put him in his place. Better yet, use him as an example for the rest.

End Of POV.

"You!. Hero of item-box"

Zorat parried his gaze onto the princess as he smiled in response, "Yes, Princess. How might I be of service?"

The entire banquet hall had descended into sudden silence. Both the ministers and other heroes had paused their activities, staring at the visibly annoyed Princess and the smiling item-box Hero.

"You have shown this gathering a great discourtesy," the princess began.

"Not only did you arrive more than an hour late, when I’m sure your maidservant must have informed you of the timing of the banquet..."

"You also offered no apology or acknowledgement to that regard."

"I had prepared to explain to you heroes some vital information and how your schedule would be handled going forward, but I was unable to do so since there was one hero unaccounted for."

"What do you have to say for yourself, hero of item box ?" Elowen finished in an aggressive tone.

As Elowen spoke, some of the ministers nodded, while some kept quiet. The heroes, on the other hand, were just looking around, not knowing exactly what to do.

Zorat was about to give a response of his own when a tiny voice from the side cut through the already tense atmosphere.

"No.... that’s... that’s not right." Ava stammered.

The whole atmosphere shifted as everyone turned in her direction. Even Zorat was curious what this lady had to say.

"Em...at the throne room... didn’t the king say this was a banquet ?" Ava began.

"Who ...who sets time on a banquet and penalizes the latecomers ?’ she added as most of the heroes nodded in agreement. Most, that is.

"Ava. Because of his tardiness, the princess didn’t get to inform us of the vital things she wanted to. It’s clear Caleb is in the wrong here." Jacob interjected mechanically from the side as he adjusted his glasses.

The princess, whose face had turned sour at Ava’s response, brightened at Jacob’s retort.

"But.... Jacob. It wasn’t mentioned at the banquet that there would be a speech from the princess. So ... " Ava muttered as she cast a blushing glance in Zorat’s direction.

"Caleb.... He did nothing wrong," she added before burying her head back down. And this time, Jacob also kept quiet while the other students nodded in agreement.

None of them knew Caleb well, but they knew and liked Ava, so they would at least support her when she made a sound argument for his case.

Though some still pondered why the quiet girl would go out of her way to defend this Caleb.

Elowen, seeing how the situation had turned, was flushed red and was about to resort to her only final move. The only move that could not be countered.

The ’how dare you question royalty’ move.

She hated to pull such a move, but she was pressed for options and was losing more face by the second.

However, she was saved by a velvet-smooth voice that suddenly spoke up, sounding like the voice of an angel there to usher her salvation.

"Guys...... I think the princess is right," Zorat commented as he again garnered the attention of everyone in the large hall.

"Not only did I keep the beautiful princess and next ruler of this great kingdom waiting, but I also did the same to my fellow heroes and ministers..."

"She has every reason to be angry. And thank you, princess, for calling out my wrongful acts. Just as a leader should." Zorat offered endearingly, but his thoughts were anything but.

Elowen Starfall...

Into the book of Zorat you go. Hehehe.

Elewon smiled; she never expected this item-box hero to be such an understanding young man. If she did, she wouldn’t have come at him so harshly.

"Ok...okay. It’s good you’ve realised your wrongs," she spoke flustered.

The item-box hero had not just saved her face; he had also declared her publicly to be the next ruler of the kingdom. This puts him directly opposed to the grand vizier and his faction.

So, as long as she’s concerned, the item-box hero was now on her team.

Zorat would have called bullshit on the princess’s fantastical thoughts if he were privy to them. He had only chosen to blow smoke up her juicy ass because the plan was always to use her against the grand vizier.

After that’s done, well.... She’s already in the book of Zorat.

"Okay, now... can I have everyone’s attention?" Elowen bellowed, bringing the room to order as she quickly regained her lost aura.