Back at Ironside inside the palace, Quinus was looking at a ring box. He was surrounded by his two retainers, the Archmage Hajdah, and Baron Zellin Coldforge.

"I hope they like her," Quinus said as he was looking at a beautiful ring. He ordered it to be made by one of the best jewelers in the city. It was made with a special alloy that made the platinum metal glow and the large blue sapphire was flawless.

"Me too," Percy said.

"I don't know if they would care if you brought a Dark Elf home," Sir George commented.

"Like when you first saw her?" Quinus questioned Sir George. Only for him to look away and play dumb. Quinus shook his head and continued. "I'm hoping they'll overlook her race... But I can see the Marquess having a problem with her..."

"Don't forget the people, Your Highness... They have been hearing all the same stories we have... They may think that you were bewitched," Baron Zellin Coldforge added.

"If I was, then I'm glad to be under her spell."

"Haah... This is going to be an interesting year... Well, the Mage's Guild of Ironside has your back, your Highness," Master Hajdah the fire mage said.

"Thank you."

"And the dwarves will support you," Zellin said.

"What are you going to do about the arranged marriage though? Do you think the Alliance is going to attack us?" Percy asked.

"I hope not. I'll talk to my parents once I get home. But I'll probably have to marry both... I'm not sure that I'm going to like having a second wife whose only purpose is to produce an heir and peace... That's not the way I want to start a family," Quinus looked depressed.

"Oh boy. You're going to have your hands full," Percy chuckled.

"I think it's you who's going to have their hands full," Sir George commented.

"Why's that?" Percy asked with concern.

"You really don't know why?" Sir George questioned.

"No, I don't. That's why I'm asking."

"Percy... Your girlfriend is pregnant."

Percy looked at everyone like they were playing a joke on him. But all their faces were serious.

"What?"

"Percy... She's with child... Congrats, I guess," Sir George patted Percy's shoulder.

"But she said it was due to eating too many desserts and she told me that mating season was happening next month or so," Percy was confused. But deep down he knew something was off when she kept saying she was having a hard time losing weight.

"Mating Season? Hahaha! That's rich! Percy, a wolfkin female gets a little plump when they are pregnant," Quinus laughed.

"And you didn't notice the fact that her chest was bigger and more shapely?" Zellin added.

"Oh course I've noticed. It's hard not to. But she said that she had an ailment where her chest would get bigger and that it would go back to normal... Damn it... I should have known... All the signs were there... And I teased her about it," Percy looked dejected.

"So... How are you going to break the news to her? She's a demi-human and... You know? Your kids will be halfbreeds," Sir George pointed out.

"Haah... I think she's in denial... Lady Rya and Miss Nieren keep telling her that she is pregnant... But she doesn't believe them," Percy said, "And it doesn't matter if they are halfbreeds... They're my kids and I'll love them."

"You're going to have your hands full," Quinus joked.

"Yeah... I was hoping to be a father in a few years... Once things settle down in the kingdom and with the Alliance. But... Things don't go as planned."

"Percy... They never do," Quinus chuckled.

"At least you're happy," Zellin stated.

"Yeah... I'm happy. But I'm a bit scared. I have no clue what to do..."

Sir George was going to chime in with a joke but was cut off by the prince.

"You're not a father yet, Sir George. So, you shouldn't comment on the subject," the prince smirked.

"Gah!... F-fair enough, my lord," Sir George replied.

Just as they were about to have some more tea, a servant knocked on the door to Zellin's study.

"Come in," Baron Zellin called out.

A servant opened the door, "My lords, his Majesty sent a platoon of Royal Knights. They just arrived at the Eastern gate. General Douglas has ordered me to inform you."

"General Douglas is here?" Quinus was surprised.

"Aye, your Highness."

Everyone looked at the prince who was lost in thought.

"Well, if he is here then that means my parents want me back in the capital... Haah..."

"Let's go see the old General. It's been a while," Percy was excited.

"We should probably change into something more presentable," Quinus stated.

"I'll greet the general while you three get ready. Take your time," Zellin got up and left his study.

"Thanks, Baron. We shouldn't be too long," the prince said.

Everyone stood up to leave the study and went their separate ways.

***

The Baron made his way to the palace courtyard and was greeted by a couple of dozen Royal Knights. He was surprised that the General was with the platoon. He thought it was overkill to have a man of his position with such a small force. But then again, the Kingdom only had one heir and a lot of knights died going to the Labyrinth.

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Douglas was given the position of General after his work dealing with the traitors inside the palace's staff. After the events of the first assassination attempt on Quinus' life. He was a captain at the time and was the perfect replacement for General Kane, who retired five years ago. Even if he passed by a few other senior leaders who were expecting the position.

They rode up by horseback and brought a big carriage that was being pulled by four horses. Normally, they would have brought the royal family's carriage, with its extravagant gold trimming and red silk interior. But they did not, since that would bring too much attention as they returned home.

"Baron Zellin Coldforge! It's good to see you." Douglas said as he pulled the reins of his horse and brought him to a halt. Just before the rest of the knights and the guards stopped their horses.

"Well, I see you are as punctual as ever. I didn't expect you and the Royal Knights to get here before the end of the month. You've made great time, General," Zellin was impressed.

"Ah, well, the Prince was a high priority. And..." Douglas was looking around. Making sure the Dark Elf wasn't around.

"And what, General?" Zellin asked.

"And to make sure the rumors about the Dark Elf are true. If it's not, then I was instructed to execute her. Right then and there," the general informed the Dwarven Lord.

"I wouldn't advise doing that, General. She's a very patient lady... Surprisingly so... But the prince?... I think he would destroy half the continent looking for her. So, please don't antagonize her. You'll only bring trouble, not just to yourself, but everyone else... She's done nothing to deserve this treatment," Zellin warned the human General.

One of the general's men was using an artifact and was pointing it at the Baron. It looked like he was using it like a scanner.

"I'm not getting any dark magic readings, sir. Nothing suspicious either," the knight stated.

"What's this?" the Baron was curious.

"A magic artifact that can pick up the effects of black magic like charmed, hexed, cursed, and mind control spells... So, it seems like you haven't been charmed by her," the general said while keeping his guard up.

Zellin was a little annoyed, but he knew that Douglas was doing his job.

"As you can see, I am not under any spell or charm. Frankly, you'll find out firsthand what makes her special. Just please be respectful to her, General."

"I'll take your advice into consideration, Lord Zellin."

The knights dismounted and stood at the ready. They were waiting for the prince to show himself.

"Well, let's go inside. You all can rest and we can have a chat over some ale. My treat," the baron smiled.

"Normally I would take you up on that offer. But we're on a schedule. I would like to get moving as soon as possible," Douglas politely declined the baron's offer.

"I see. Then I'll let the others know."

***

Quinus quickly put on some royal garments and made his way toward the courtyard with Sir George and Percy by his side. They rounded the corner and walked by Lady Fyrella's chamber. Quinus heard Rya's voice and stopped in his tracks.

"What is it, Your Highness?" Sir George asked.

"I think Rya's in Lady Fyrella's chamber," he whispered.

Then they heard Rya's muffled voice coming from the door.

"Yes, Quin. I'm doing my etiquette lessons right now."

"Lady Rya! You don't yell through the door. That's rude," Fyrella scolded the Dark Elf.

"My apologies... But my ears picked up on Quin whispering outside the door," Rya responded.

Quinus grimaced when he heard Lady Fyrella scolding Rya. But he didn't think too much of it.

"Well, don't yell through the door, dear. That's unbecoming of a Lady. Walk over there and answer the door like a proper Lady," Fyrella ordered.

"Yes, ma'am," Rya answered.

Sir George just smirks at the prince. "Looks like you can't have any other women in your life with how good her hearing is."

Quinus glanced at George with an annoyed expression.

"Don't look at me like that, Your Highness. She has the best hearing in the kingdom and can easily tell if you're cheating on her."

The door opened and Rya glared at George, "Like you're one to talk... Tell me how many women have you cheated on again with your girlfriend? Oh!?... What's that? You're a single virgin?..."

George was speechless and humiliated. While Percy was holding back his laughter. Quinus smirked and looked at his girlfriend.

"Rya. Let's not talk about Sir George's sexual escapades and focus on your etiquette training."

Rya just walked over and hugged Quinus's left arm tight to her big chest. She looked up into his golden eyes with her bright azure eyes.

"And what will you do if I don't, hmmm?" Rya said with a devilish grin.

Quinus looked over to Sir George whose pride was hurt. He was trying his best not to punch the wall.

"It was fun at first and I know he was in the wrong... But please, stop picking on Sir George," he pleaded.

"Alright, fine. I'll stop, for you, babe," she agreed and kissed his cheek.

"Thanks."

"But he's still a jerk," Rya pointed out.

Quinus just smiled and looked at George and shrugged.

"That's fair."

Percy was chuckling.

"Gamma? GAMMA!" Dalia yelled from inside the room.

Percy looked and saw his wolfkin girlfriend coming straight for him in a hurry.

"Oh boy," he whispered as the beautiful woman came charging at him before jumping in the air.

Dalia's black hair flowed through the wind and her green eyes sparkled with joy. She had cute ribbons in her hair that matched the color of her red dress.

Percy braces himself as she jumps into his arms.

"I missed you, Gamma," she said while she rubbed her face on his neck while her tail wagged back and forth.

"Haah, I missed you too... Even if it was four hours ago," he replied.

Lady Fyrella and Nieren came walking out of the room as well.

"Lady Nieren... I don't envy you for keeping these two from getting into trouble," Fyrella sighed.

Nieren nodded, "It's not going to be easy. But I'll manage... I hope."

"Hey? I was defending my honor... Back me up here Nieren!... If only you had my sense of hearing. You would understand," Rya said as she looked at the older dwarven noblewoman.

"Sir George did say something inappropriate, Lady Fyrella," Nieren the wood elf admitted.

"That may be, Dear. But, you two have an advantage that no one else has. You have to be careful not to abuse it," Fyrella told the two elves.

"I'll keep that in mind," Rya responded as she hugged Quinus's arm.

"Good," Fyrella smiled and looked at the prince.

Sir George looked like he was going to cry when watching both Quinus and Percy being cuddled by their lovers. He was the only one single and he was the "Love Sage" of the Fiafyr Kingdom.

'Dammit, I want a hug...' Sir George was mentally screaming and Rya noticed it.

'Hmph! Serve him right for implying that Quin should cheat on me with other women.' Rya thought and decided to give George a break. She released her grip on Quinus' arm. That's when she noticed that Quinus was dressed in his Royal attire.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"Hm? Oh, yeah... My father sent a platoon of Royal Knights to be our escorts to the capital. I hope General Douglas isn't going to tell us to leave right away. But, since he is the one in command... We will most likely have to gather our things ready to go."

"Humm... I thought I heard a bunch of horses outside... Is the general out there now?" Rya asked.

"Yeah," Quinus responded.

"Well? Should we join you or let you do your princely duty without us?" she asked.

"I think it would be for the best if you came with me. I'm sure my parents want to make sure that the big scary Dark Elf hasn't put a spell on me," he chuckled.

"Yeah, I'm sure they'll love me," Rya sarcastically replied.

"Haah... We'll get through this," he said as he kissed her cheek.

'Haah... I hope Quin is right.'

Rya looked at Quin and gave him a nod.

Lady Fyrella sighed, "Well, I guess this is the end of your etiquette lessons... Dalia, try not to talk when your mouth is full of food. Rya, please try to be more assertive. And Nieren... Keep an eye on these two."

"I'll do my best, Lady Fyrella," Nieren responded, giving a little bow.

While Rya and Dalia nodded their heads in agreement.

"Alright, let's get going," Quinus said.

"Yeah, let's," Rya responded.

And with that, the group started to head for the entrance to the keep.

"You ready?" Quinus asked her.

"Yeah. Let's get this over with," she responded.

As they reached the courtyard, everyone was standing at attention, with the Royal Knights forming two rows leading to the front gate of the Ironside Barony. General Douglas was the first to see the group walk out into the courtyard.