Okay, I was wrong. Seliph definitely wasn’t kidding when he said it would be an eye opening experience. I was swamped with gossip and fashion talk I could barely keep up with. They kept trying to invite me to join the conversation, but I couldn’t join them due to my ignorance.

So I ended up faking paying attention while I ate lunch and sipped on the tea that was being served. The tea was good but by the end, I noticed I was getting fidgety. I was unknowingly tapping my fingers on my lap fiercely as I contemplated.

When the girls said that they had to leave I felt a wave of relief. We parted ways and I made my way to the exit of the garden were Felicia was waiting.

“How was your lunch miss?”

I don’t know why but I’m glad she’s still calling me miss. I guess it hadn’t crossed her mind that I was effectively queen.

“I was a little lost in their conversation, but it was an enjoyable experience.”

“That’s good to hear. I finished getting your new quarters ready for you. Follow me and we’ll get you changed for tonight.”

What was it with women needing to change their outfits so much. Especially since it took so long to do so. Maybe it was only because of the occasion but it was a bit much in my opinion.

After a couple of minutes and some greeting from some passing nobles, we made it to Seliph's room. My guess is that he had put me in a remote area of the citadel to limit my contact with others. But with this, I guess it’d become a common thing.

His room was little more normal than I expected. There was a large king bed in the back of the room and off in the corner was a small twin bed which I guess is mine.

“They’ll bring a better bed in later but on such short notice this was the bed we could do.”

“It’s fine Felicia, it’s not a big deal to me.”

She then led me into a side room that had a massive wardrobe connected to a huge bathroom. My clothes were taking a small corner of the wardrobe. Felicia picked up a black and blue dress that I guess was going to wear tonight.

My guess was Seliph was going to be wearing a similar suit. That way it would show that though we were different we were also similar I bet.

After half an hour I was now dressed up to Felicia’s liking. She then took me back to Seliph’s study where he was still writing. He looked bored out of his mind and unsurprisingly he was wearing a matching suit to my dress.

When he looked up though he looked happy to see me and his boredom seemed to disappear. He pushed away from the stack of papers in front of him before standing up stretching as he walked over to me.

“You came at just the right time. I need a break from those papers they seem to never end.”

“You could delegate and get someone else to focus on it. You don’t have to do everything yourself.”

“I’m not my workload has just spiked for the moment. How was lunch with Julia.”

“It wasn’t bad for the first half-hour but then when they started talking about fashion and gossip I became quite lost. Lunch was good though how was yours?”

“I didn’t have any. I wasn’t hunger and we have a large enough dinner ahead of us. For now, there is someone I would like us to meet.”

“Who?”

Seliph leads the way out and I follow him maybe it’s someone who can help me get back home.

“Pent, he’s the best mage in my kingdom. Though I could never convince him to be a general. He prefers to spend his time researching magic and spending time with his wife and daughter. You might have met his daughter. She’s a friend of Julia, I believe her name is Clarine.”

“I did, she seemed nice. So why do you want us to see him?”

“He has been researching summoning rituals. He’s been trying to summon heroes as well. So he might be able to help you.”

“But I thought only the humans have been able to summon heroes?”

“They are, but Pent is still researching it. He thinks that it still might be possible to summon things other than heroes.”

“So how successful has he been?”

“He summoned some kind of animal. They keep it around as a pet. Apparently, Clarine formed a familiar contract with it.”

I wonder what kind of animal they managed to summon as he knocks on a door.

“Come on in Seliph, Louise just finished brewing some tea.”

We enter the room to see who I had to guess was Pent who was reading a book while a woman was stirring something into a kettle. She set some teacups out on the table before pouring us all a glass.

“It’s a pleasure to see you, your majesty. You and Diana look lovely today.”

Seliph returns her welcome with a smile before pulling out a chair for me. I take my seat as Seliph takes his.

“It’s a pleasure to see you too as well Louise. I hope Pent hasn’t been giving you too much trouble.”

“No more than usual I’m afraid.”

She then set the kettle back on some square metal box before taking her seat as well. As I took a sip of the tea I looked to see Pent staring at me having put down a book that he had been reading.

“So you’re the human hero? Tell me, what was the summoning like? What did you see when it was happening?”

I unconsciously leaned back as he leaned ever closer forward. Louise then lightly grabbed his shoulder pulling him back.

“Take it easy dear. You're scaring the poor girl.”

“Oh sorry about that, I just never thought I’d be able to meet a hero like yourself. Your knowledge could offer me new insight.”

“You’ll have plenty of time to compare notes, old friend. She’s actually looking for a way to return home you see, and I believe you could help her.”

“I think you have it wrong Seliph. It would be of mutual benefit to both of us. But sadly as you know my knowledge is still quite lacking. I’ve only ever been able to summon Bandit.”

That had to be the animal they had summoned.

“Is Bandit here? I’d love to meet him.”

Louise gave a little chuckle.

“Yes, he’s right behind you.”

I turned to see a raccoon on the headrest of my chair.

“Bandit’s a raccoon I see.”

“You know what it is! Is it native to where you are from?”

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Bandit jumped up on my lap and started rubbing himself against me. I reciprocated him by petting him. He was a lot calmer than I’d have thought.

“Yes, they are varmints in my world. I’ve even killed a couple.”

Bandit seemed to understand me and jumped over to Louise who began to pet him. Pent looked conflicted but seemed to brush it off. He must have thought he had found some rare creature from Earth, not a varmint. Seliph then spoke up to break the ice.

“So do you think you could help her get home?”

Pent thought about it for a while taking a sip of his tea as he pondered before answering.

“It might be possible, but it will take years. It took me ten years of trying just to summon Bandit. So I’d say it’s not impossible but it could take decades.”

I was afraid of this. I looked down dejected at the news. Everything seemed to be trying to prevent my return. If it took me decades to get home would my parents be alive by the time I returned?

Seliph hugged my hand returning me to reality. When I looked at him I saw him smiling trying to reassure me everything would be okay.

“Do you miss your world?”

Louise looked at me with the concerned eyes of a mother properly sympathizing with my emotions.

“Yes, that’s why I’m asking for your help Pent. Please help me get home.”

“No Pent, help us get her home.”

He looked saddened probably running our numerical odds of success, but he put on a smile before addressing us.

“You have my full support you two. I’ll get her home in no time.”

“Thank you Pent, this means a lot to me.”

“Our interests coincide Seliph, and it'd be my pleasure to help you.”

There was a knock on the door and soon Flora walked in bowing to us.

“I’m sorry to interrupt your majesty, but the party is about to begin.”

“It’s no problem Flora we’ll be there soon. As always it’s been a pleasure to see you both.”

We all made our way to the door trading goodbyes. Louise grabbed my hand as I was about to exit.

“It’s been a pleasure to meet you Diana, I wish you the best of luck.”

“Thank you Louise”

Flora then led us through the halls to what I guessed was the ballroom.

“So how do you know them? They seemed like relatives to you.”

“Pent was a friend of my father and taught me a lot of what I know. He’ll do his best to help us I’m sure of it.”

He then took my hand as we walked down the hall giving it a reassuring squeeze. I didn’t know why but I was enjoying his warm touch. I felt a need to be repulsed by his touch but I couldn’t bring myself to relinquish his hand.

“Now for the fun part dealing with the political masses. Are you ready?”

I squeezed his hand back trying to steal his confidence.

“Ready as I’ll ever be.”

“Relax, it’s supposed to be fun. We might be swamped by people tonight, but this is a party for us you know. So try to enjoy it okay.”

“Thanks.”

I smiled at him as Flora pushed open doors to a large ballroom. There were people everywhere and ballroom buzzed with energy. The second people saw us through the room arose in new conversation. I could only bet the girls were gossiping about us as we walked.

The first part of the night flew by with introductions of what felt like hundreds of nobles all coming up to see us. By the end, I was mentally exhausted. I couldn’t keep up with all the names and title and they started to melt together.

I just stood there with a smile as Seliph talked to them all. I was basically relegated to a trophy wife of sorts. Which I was perfectly olay with. I hated politics why not let Seliph bear the brunt of all that right now. I wasn’t in a hurry to completely immerse myself in that mess.

We then sat down and enjoyed some appetizers to start the night’s dinner off. I chatted with the people around us and enjoyed the food served to us.

What came next was quite a surprise. I heard, music. I turned to see a band performing along one of the walls. The music permeated the hall and people started to dance in the middle of the ballroom which was dancefloor I realized.

I don’t know why but something seemed to resonate with me when I looked out upon the floor. I loved to dance and I just realized that for the entire time I’d been here I had never indulged in it. The weight of everything had been so much that I couldn’t relax and let loose (footloose).

“Would you like to dance Diana?”

“Yes, it’s been so long since I’ve had the chance.”

“Then would you join me in a dance?”

“If you can keep up?”

I then dragged him out upon the floor. I then let the music flow through me and carry us across the floor. Seliph smiled as he mirrored my movements as we sped along the floor. I felt euphoric as we let the music flow through us channeling it into our movement across the floor.

I’d never had a partner who was able to keep up with me. I’d always limited myself to my partner, but with Seliph we both seemed to break those limits. The floor seemed to part for us as we danced across the floor.

We seemed to become one as our steps were in synch until finally the final chord was struck. When it was finally released I came to my sense and looked around to see us surrounding us applauding our performance. Julia then came towards us making her way through the audience around us.

“That was amazing you two were in perfect sync! Did you both practice that?”

“We sure did sis. A host must entertain their guests after all.”

We hadn’t though. How were we able to do that then. I couldn’t think of anything.

“Now how about we have the main course. I’m quite famished after all that exercise.”

We then ate the main course which was the best food I’d ever had. I was saddened when I could eat no more yet there seemed to be a waterfall of new dishes to try.

The sun started to set and the candle chandeliers were lit casting a ambient light over the ballroom. Couples then slowly danced to the slower and more romantic music.

People started leaving and heading out retiring for the night signaling the closing of the ball. It had flown by so quickly I had trouble registering the day was ending.

“Would you care for another dance Diana, or are you to full?”

“Let’s just keep it slow and I should be fine. It is supposed to be romantic after all.”

“How else did you think we’d dance.”

We then returned to the floor dancing leisurely across the room. Our movements as one as we flowed along the floor. Our bodies coming closer and closer together.

I stared into his face and him into mine. We read each other and for some reason, I feel some kind of connection with him that wasn’t there previously. Should I allow myself to fully embrace my new sex.

Should I allow this relationship to progress further. It could be decades until I could go home. What was the risk of allowing myself to love him until then?

I tried to come closer to him but as I drew closer he stopped us.

“Are you okay Diana? You seem sad.”

“I’m okay why did you stop?”

“Well, we’re one of the last couples here. How about we call it a night.”

I looked around and realized he was right. There were only a dozen couples left.

“Then lead the way.”

He then guided us back to his room. As soon as he closed the doors I threw myself at him. He seemed surprised at my assault barely catching me in his arms.

“Diana?”

He didn’t seem to know what to say at my assault. I had to take him while he was surprised. I dove straight at his lips throwing everything to the wind. We kissed and his eyes widened in surprise before he pushed me off of him.

Why had he stopped it had felt so good and we had only just started. I was his wife wasn’t I why was he holding himself back.

“Diana? How much did you have to drink?”

Drink? Why was he asking me that? Why wasn’t he enjoying my embrace? Was I not good enough for him?

“Why does it matter, do you not love me?”

I’d only had a couple of glasses I wasn’t intoxicated, probably.

“I do but I will not take advantage when you are officially impaired.”

“Impaired? I’m not impaired. Why would you say that? Come on let’s get back to kissing it’s a lot better than I imagined it’d be.”

He then grabbed me and pushed me against the wall. He towered above me and I could only imagine throwing myself at him.

“I know you're going through a lot but you mustn’t give up. You can still get home it isn’t impossible and I won’t allow myself to go further tonight. Only tomorrow when Your mind has cleared will I allow us to continue.”

“It is though, you heard Pent it could be decades. Didn’t you want me as your wife? Why won’t you accept me!”

“Because you look like you’ve given up. I know you Diana, you aren't a quitter. You fought through some of my strongest troops to get to me. Don’t give up now.”

“What makes you think I’ve given up?”

“Your crying Diana.”

That couldn’t be right these were tears of joy, weren’t they? I wanted this. YES! I wanted this.

“Diana I told you this before and I’ll tell you again. I’ll always be there to support you and help you. But now all I see is you making a rash decision.”

He hugged me against his chest and before I could realize it I was bawling into his suit. His warmth flowed through me and thawed my frozen heart.

I had felt so pressured into this role that I had let it control me. Seliph didn’t want that. He wanted me to stay me.

“Now come on let's get you to bed. You must be exhausted.”

He picked me up in a princess carry and set me on the bed. I continued to bawl into him as I started to calm down.

He stroked my hair which helped me calm down and before I knew it I could feel sleep take me and my breathing steady as I listen to the steady rhythm of his heart.

“Sweet dreams Diana.”