Tem and I stood in awe as we arrived at our destination. "Woah," we both exclaimed, our eyes wide with amazement as we gazed up at the towering castle gate. It was massive, constructed from sturdy wood that seemed to exude a touch of magic. The gate stood at least 30 feet tall, with a graceful arch overhead, while the surrounding concrete walls soared to a height of 40 to 50 feet. Knights patrolled atop the walls, armed and vigilant, while two knights guarded the gate, eyeing us warily.
Looking at each other, we exchanged nods of determination. We approached the gate, but one of the guarding knights stepped forward, raising his hands, "halt, this place is not a place to frolic". Tem quickly sought refuge behind me, and I addressed the knight uncertainly.
"We were sent here by someone, Umbroken? Umbroven, I think," I explained.
The knight in front of us glanced back at his companion, who nodded in affirmation. With a step aside, the gate slowly creaked open, splitting in half to grant us entry. There, standing on the other side, was the enigmatic figure we had encountered in the alleyway.
The mysterious man nodded, gesturing for us to follow him. Tem and I cautiously approached the Umbroven guy, our curiosity piqued. We continued our journey, passing through a splendid garden adjacent to the main road. Fragrant roses perfumed the air as the trees swayed gracefully, while knights kept a watchful eye on our progress.
After a long walk, we finally reached the imposing main entrance of the castle. The doors swung open, revealing a breathtaking sight that left Tem and me speechless. "Wow," we both exclaimed, our heads swiveling in every direction to take in the incredible interior. The vast space was adorned with marbled walls, and the sound of our footsteps echoed softly.
"So this is what a castle looks like," I murmured to myself, overcome by the grandeur.
"Yeah," Tem replied, equally captivated by the surroundings.
Pausing for a moment to soak it all in, Tem and I marveled at the splendor before us. However, our reverie was interrupted by a discreet, "Ehem" from the Umbroven guy, reminding us of our purpose for being here.
"What does the Prince want with us?" I inquired, my curiosity tinged with a hint of apprehension, addressing the Umbroven.
"I am not obliged to answer that question," he retorted sharply.
"Alright, no need to be angry," I remarked, trying to soothe the tense atmosphere.
The three of us pressed on.
As we entered the castle's main entrance, an expansive empty space unfolded before us. At its center stood an imposing closed door, flanked by two staircases, one on each side. We proceeded towards the grand doors.
Passing through the huge entrance, we found ourselves in the throne room. Three thrones occupied the space: the middle one being the largest, the one on the right slightly smaller, and the one on the left the tiniest of all. Each throne was elevated by a set of stairs leading to the platform. A man with flowing red hair stood beside the largest throne, deep in contemplation.
At the sight of the man, the Umbroven knelt with remarkable speed. "Master, the person you have requested has arrived," he proclaimed.
The man with red hair halted his thoughts and turned his gaze towards us. I promptly bowed, while Tem seemed mesmerized, captivated by the striking figure before him.
Reacting swiftly, I grabbed Tem's arm and pulled him down to kneel alongside me.
"Stand," the red-haired man commanded.
The three of us rose to our feet. He then signaled to the Umbroven, who departed in a flash.
"I apologize for the sudden invitation," he said as he descended from the throne and approached us with graceful strides.
"I am the First Prince of this kingdom, the second in line to the throne. You can call me Noir Legalos," he introduced himself with a gentle voice, his demeanor exuding warmth and kindness.
"What are your names?" he inquired.
Nervousness consumed me, causing my legs to tremble and my body to fidget. "M-My name is A-Aaron Stranezza, Sir, my lord, my liege," I stammered, struggling to maintain composure.
"A-and you can j-just c-call me T-Tem, my lord," Tem managed to say, his voice betraying even more nerves than mine.
A brief silence enveloped us. Then, unexpectedly, the prince burst into laughter, his mirth filling the room.
Surprised, Tem and I exchanged wide-eyed glances.
"You need not worry; you don't have to act formal with me. After all, you did save my sister," he said with a friendly tone, his words like a soothing balm, putting us at ease.
“I truly apologize for the trouble you've faced in the slums. That place is walled off from our kingdom, and our patrols don't often reach that far as it's considered a dead zone," Noir said, his tone sincere and empathetic.
"I-it's alright, Sir," I replied, my voice quivering with nervousness.
"Tsk... Tsk... Tsk... I thought I told you to call me Noir. No need for 'Sir' or any titles. We're friends, after all," he reminded me with a warm smile.
"Y-yeah," I responded, still feeling a bit apprehensive.
Noir proceeded to walk around us, seemingly inspecting our presence. He then leaned in closer to Tem.
"As friends, we should be honest, correct?" he asked, standing up straight.
"Y-yes, Noir," Tem stammered.
Despite Noir's friendly demeanor, his aura carried a sense of caution, and both Tem and I could feel its potent power. It was unlike anything I had experienced before.
Continuing to inspect us, Noir eventually stopped in front of us.
"Will you answer my question honestly, friend?" he inquired, his smile unwavering.
"Y-yes, Noir," I replied, my nervousness still lingering.
"At the time of the incident with my sister's friend, I felt a surge of magical energy. But it felt strange… foreign," Noir's expression shifted from cheerful to sharp and serious.
"Sometimes foreign means trouble," he continued.
His gaze fixated on mine, and as our eyes locked, my nervousness dissipated, replaced by a newfound sharpness and seriousness..
"What do you mean by that?" I asked with a serious tone.
"As a prince of this Kingdom, it is my duty to protect the country from any threat, whether past or future. Let me ask you a question. Are you going to be a threat to this kingdom?" he inquired, and suddenly, his aura burst forth like a gushing stream from an opened dam. Tem fell to the ground, gasping for breath and clutching his chest.
Though my balance faltered, I managed to stand strong, regaining my footing and standing tall. I could sense something growing within me, something familiar—a power, a safety mechanism, an automatic response to a threat. My body emitted magical energy, nearly rivaling Noir's.
Noticing my power, Noir's eyes widened slightly.
"Well, this is something," he commented.
"I will not harm your country," I declared, my eyes sharp and resolute.
Noir acknowledged the person before him, recognizing the seriousness of my words. His smile returned, and his magical power returned to normal. Tem regained his breath, breathing deeply, while I knelt, my power returning to its usual state.
Noir raised his hand and snapped his fingers, instantly summoning a figure who knelt behind him.
"This person behind me is one of my personal servants, the Umbroven. Their sole task is to carry out my orders. They will assist you during your stay here," Noir explained, gesturing to the servants.
Tem and I regained our composure and stood up, though Tem was still catching his breath.
"Assist us?" Tem questioned, a hint of confusion in his voice.
"Yes, you will be staying here for the night as a simple gesture for saving my family's lives," Noir replied with a smile, then turning his back to us.
"You're strong," he remarked. "You possess a power that I cannot comprehend. I trust your word that you will not bring harm to this kingdom. My sister is fortunate to have a friend like you."
Noir walked away, leaving his Umbroven servant in our company.
"Please follow me, Sir," the Umbroven said.
"So, we're really staying here for the night?" Tem asked me.
"It seems that way," I replied, a smile forming on my face as I watched Tem jump around in excitement.
"Neat! I'm going to sleep inside a castle! Let's gooo!" Tem exclaimed, his joy radiating through his movements.
I chuckled and flicked Tem's forehead lightly with my finger. "Enough, behave, Tem," I said playfully.
"Ouch! That hurt, Sir Aaron," Tem protested.
In response, I ruffled Tem's hair and rubbed my knuckles on his head in mock frustration. "I told you not to call me 'sir'!"
"Ouch! Ouch! Awww!"
As we continued walking, the Umbroven led us through the castle, and Tem and I marveled at the pristine surroundings. Everywhere we turned, everything was clean, and knights patrolled the area. Maids and butlers went about their duties, ensuring everything was well-maintained. We made our way towards our room when suddenly, a small dog darted in front of me, causing me to collide with something—and I hit the floor.
Everything went dark. Was I knocked out? I couldn't see a thing.
Meanwhile, Tem stood there, eyes widened slightly as he witnessed someone familiar bumping into me and then sitting on my face. The person happened to be Claire, wearing nothing but a nightgown.
"Ow! My head hurts," Claire groaned as she rubbed her head and lifted it up.
"Miss Claire?" Tem exclaimed, his eyes slightly widened in surprise.
Claire turned her head towards Tem, furrowing her brows and narrowing her eyes.
"Tem? What are you doing here? Who's with you?" she asked, her expression filled with confusion.
Tem pointed downwards, and Claire slowly followed his gesture, only to see me struggling to breathe, my arms flailing. Her dog then runs away
Her face turned from pale to crimson in an instant. Flustered, she jumped back. "Pervert!" she exclaimed, kicking me.
"Ouch!" I groaned, slowly rising to my feet and facing Claire. "It wasn't my fault you bumped into me... Ouch. You suffocated me with your A—"
Before I could finish my sentence, I realized that Claire was clad in a nightgown, accentuating her curves, her bosom, her undeniable allure, her cleavage that was like a portal to eternal happiness. Unconsciously, I found myself staring at her for a prolonged moment.
"Stop staring!" Claire yelled, slapping me and sending me crashing into the wall, knocking me unconscious.
my vision slowly fades, I can see Tem running towards me and Claire covering herself with her hands. Ahh, the sight—I don't mind going out like this, feeling the weight and lightness of her bosom against my face. My life... It feels complete...
"Why does it feel like your friend has perverted thoughts?" Claire asked Tem, perplexed.
Tem shrugged, poking at my unconscious cheek. "I don't know."
The three of us entered the room within that the Umbroven pointed to us, which had two beds—one for Tem and one for me. Claire sat with Tem on his bed, while I settled onto mine.
"Ah, so you've met my brother," Claire remarked, addressing both of us.
Tem glanced at Claire and replied, "Your brother appears handsome, though somewhat scary."
"He might seem scary, but he's genuinely kind," Claire replied with a smile.
"So, uh... Ehem... Claire, why are you wearing your armor?" I asked curiously.
"W-well, some pervert rushed in and bumped into me. Naturally, I wanted to be prepared to defend myself," Claire explained, her face turning slightly red.
"What? Defend yourself? You were the one who bumped into me in the first place," I responded, feeling frustrated.
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"No, I think Miss Claire is just embarrassed about her first outfit," Tem chimed in playfully.
"W-what?!" exclaimed Claire, standing straight and looking at Tem, who smiled mischievously. "That's ridiculous—"
"Why be embarrassed? You looked beautiful," I said casually, interrupting Claire.
She calmed down and sat back on the bed, immediately grabbing a pillow to cover her face. Eventually, she raised her head and peered above the pillow, whispering something barely audible, "You really think so? Then I don't mind letting you see me wearing a ni—Growl
"What was that?" I asked, hearing the growl completely cutting off what Claire was about to say.
I pointed at Tem. "Was that you? Are you hungry again?"
Tem shook his head to deny my accusation.
Growl
We heard it again, but it couldn't be me, and Tem said it wasn't him. Our gazes turned to only one culprit—Claire.
Claire stood up and walked toward me, her face red with embarrassment.
"A-are you hungry, Cla—"
Before her fist could reach my face, a voice intervened, stopping her mid-air.
"Lunch is served, Madam," the voice said, saving me from Claire's punch.
With my eyes closed but twitching, I slowly opened them to see Claire standing next to the butler.
"Let's go, both of you," Claire said with a smile, walking alongside the butler. "Alfred prepares the most fantastic lunch meals in Aurora."
So his name is Alfred. Thanks to Alfred, I survived.
"Y-yeah, let's go, Tem," Then, I rose to my feet, and Tem leaped off his bed. The two of us hurriedly pursued Claire and Alfred, eager not to miss any part of our castle adventure
arrived at the dining room, where the grand doors swung open, revealing Alfred standing by the side. The four of us proceeded inside, taking our seats on the chairs arranged around the table. Claire occupied the seat in front of me, while Tem settled on my right side. Alfred approached Claire with an air of elegance.
"The king and queen, as well as your brother, who is on patrol, won't be joining us today, Princess. They are occupied with their respective duties," Alfred informed Claire, standing tall and composed.
"Patrols? My brother rarely engages in that," Claire responded with curiosity.
"After the incident in the slums, the Umbroven discovered more members of the group responsible for harming you. Unfortunately, after their capture... Well," Alfred hesitated.
"What is it, Alfred?" Claire inquired, her eyes reflecting concern.
"They met a fiery end, not by the hands of the Umbroven, but through some form of self-inflicted demise," Alfred explained.
A moment of silence followed, as Claire absorbed the weight of this revelation, her gaze fixated on the empty table, contemplating the recent events.
Suddenly, Tem's stomach growled loudly, causing Claire to notice and break into a smile.
Meanwhile, I couldn't help but observe Claire closely. As a princess and a knight, she carried a heavy burden. Her responsibilities included handling interrogations, but with everyone absent, and her best friend, Grace, falling ill, the pressure seemed overwhelming.
"It will be alright," I reassured Claire.
She looked at me and managed a faint smile. "I hope so."
Claire shook her head gently, trying to shake off the troubling thoughts. "But before all that, let's eat first."
"Neat! I'm starving!" Tem exclaimed.
A servant opened the door, and a delectable feast was brought in. Tem's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but salivate.
"Tem, mind your manners," I whispered to him.
"Oh... I'm sorry, Sir Aaron," Tem responded, as he wipes the saliva from his mout.
Claire chuckled, and both Tem and I exchanged smiles. With that, the three of us began to enjoy the delightful meal, putting aside worries and immersing ourselves in the present moment.
End of Chapter
Tem and I stood in awe as we arrived at our destination. "Woah," we both exclaimed, our eyes wide with amazement as we gazed up at the towering castle gate. It was massive, constructed from sturdy wood that seemed to exude a touch of magic. The gate stood at least 30 feet tall, with a graceful arch overhead, while the surrounding concrete walls soared to a height of 40 to 50 feet. Knights patrolled atop the walls, armed and vigilant, while two knights guarded the gate, eyeing us warily.
Looking at each other, we exchanged nods of determination. We approached the gate, but one of the guarding knights stepped forward, raising his hands, "halt, this place is not a place to frolic". Tem quickly sought refuge behind me, and I addressed the knight uncertainly.
"We were sent here by someone, Umbroken? Umbroven, I think," I explained.
The knight in front of us glanced back at his companion, who nodded in affirmation. With a step aside, the gate slowly creaked open, splitting in half to grant us entry. There, standing on the other side, was the enigmatic figure we had encountered in the alleyway.
The mysterious man nodded, gesturing for us to follow him. Tem and I cautiously approached the Umbroven guy, our curiosity piqued. We continued our journey, passing through a splendid garden adjacent to the main road. Fragrant roses perfumed the air as the trees swayed gracefully, while knights kept a watchful eye on our progress.
After a long walk, we finally reached the imposing main entrance of the castle. The doors swung open, revealing a breathtaking sight that left Tem and me speechless. "Wow," we both exclaimed, our heads swiveling in every direction to take in the incredible interior. The vast space was adorned with marbled walls, and the sound of our footsteps echoed softly.
"So this is what a castle looks like," I murmured to myself, overcome by the grandeur.
"Yeah," Tem replied, equally captivated by the surroundings.
Pausing for a moment to soak it all in, Tem and I marveled at the splendor before us. However, our reverie was interrupted by a discreet, "Ehem" from the Umbroven guy, reminding us of our purpose for being here.
"What does the Prince want with us?" I inquired, my curiosity tinged with a hint of apprehension, addressing the Umbroven.
"I am not obliged to answer that question," he retorted sharply.
"Alright, no need to be angry," I remarked, trying to soothe the tense atmosphere.
The three of us pressed on.
As we entered the castle's main entrance, an expansive empty space unfolded before us. At its center stood an imposing closed door, flanked by two staircases, one on each side. We proceeded towards the grand doors.
Passing through the huge door in the middle, we found ourselves in the throne room. Three thrones occupied the space: the middle one being the largest, the one on the right slightly smaller, and the one on the left the tiniest of all. Each throne was elevated by a set of stairs leading to the platform. A man with flowing red hair stood beside the largest throne, deep in contemplation.
At the sight of the man, the Umbroven knelt with remarkable speed. "Master, the person you have requested has arrived," he proclaimed.
The man with red hair halted his thoughts and turned his gaze towards us. I promptly bowed, while Tem seemed mesmerized, captivated by the striking figure before him.
Reacting swiftly, I grabbed Tem's arm and pulled him down to kneel alongside me.
"Stand," the red-haired man commanded.
The three of us rose to our feet. He then nodded to the Umbroven, who departed in a flash.
"I apologize for the sudden invitation," he said as he descended from the throne and approached us with graceful strides.
"I am the First Prince of this kingdom, the second in line to the throne. You can call me Noir Legalos," he introduced himself with a gentle voice, his demeanor exuding warmth and kindness.
"What are your names?" he inquired.
Nervousness consumed me, causing my legs to tremble and my body to fidget. "M-My name is A-Aaron Stranezza, Sir, my lord, my liege," I stammered, struggling to maintain composure.
"A-and you can j-just c-call me T-Tem, my lord," Tem managed to say, his voice betraying even more nerves than mine.
A brief silence enveloped us. Then, unexpectedly, the prince burst into laughter, his mirth filling the room.
Surprised, Tem and I exchanged wide-eyed glances.
"You need not worry; you don't have to act formal with me. After all, you did save my sister," he said with a friendly tone, his words like a soothing balm, putting us at ease.
"I truly apologize for the trouble you've faced in the slums. That place is walled off from our kingdom, and our patrols don't often reach that far as it's considered a dead zone," Noir said, his tone sincere and empathetic.
"I-it's alright, Sir," I replied, my voice quivering with nervousness.
"Tsk... Tsk... Tsk... I thought I told you to call me Noir. No need for 'Sir' or any titles. We're friends, after all," he reminded me with a warm smile.
"Y-yeah," I responded, still feeling a bit apprehensive.
Noir proceeded to walk around us, seemingly inspecting our presence. He then leaned in closer to Tem.
"As friends, we should be honest, correct?" he asked then stood straight.
"Y-yes, Noir," Tem stammered.
Despite Noir's friendly demeanor, his aura carried a sense of caution, and both Tem and I could feel its potent power. It was unlike anything I had experienced before.
Continuing to inspect us, Noir eventually stopped in front of us.
"Will you answer my question honestly, friend?" he inquired, his smile unwavering.
"Y-yes, Noir," I replied, my nervousness still lingering.
"At the time of the incident with my sister's friend, I felt a surge of magical energy. But it felt strange... foreign," Noir's expression shifted from cheerful to sharp and serious.
"Sometimes foreign means trouble," he continued.
His gaze fixated on mine, and as our eyes locked, my nervousness dissipated, replaced by a newfound sharpness and seriousness..
"What do you mean by that?" I asked with a serious tone.
"As a prince of this Kingdom, it is my duty to protect the country from any threat, whether past or future. Let me ask you a question, friend. Are you going to be a threat to this kingdom?" he inquired, and suddenly, his aura burst forth like a gushing stream from an opened dam. Tem fell to the ground, gasping for breath and clutching his chest.
Though my balance faltered, I managed to stand strong, regaining my footing and standing tall. I could sense something growing within me, something familiar-a power, a safety mechanism, an automatic response to a threat. My body emitted magical energy, nearly rivaling Noir's.
Noticing my power, Noir's eyes widened slightly.
"Well, this is something," he commented.
"I will not harm your country," I declared, my eyes sharp and resolute.
Noir acknowledged the person before him, recognizing the seriousness of my words. His smile returned, and his magical power returned to normal. Tem regained his breath, breathing deeply, while I knelt, my power returning to its usual state.
Noir raised his hand and snapped his fingers, instantly summoning a figure who knelt behind him.
"This person behind me is one of my personal servants, the Umbroven. Their sole task is to carry out my orders. They will assist you during your stay here," Noir explained, gesturing to the servants.
Tem and I regained our composure and stood up, though Tem was still catching his breath.
"Assist us?" Tem questioned, a hint of confusion in his voice.
"Yes, you will be staying here for the night as a simple gesture for saving my family's life," Noir replied with a smile, then turning his back to us.
"You're strong," he remarked. "You possess a power that I cannot figure out. I trust your word that you will not bring harm to this kingdom. My sister is fortunate to have a friend like you."
Noir walked away, leaving his Umbroven servant in our company.
"Please follow me, Sir," the Umbroven said.
"So, we're really staying here for the night?" Tem asked me.
"It seems that way," I replied, a smile forming on my face as I watched Tem jump around in excitement.
"Neat! I'm going to sleep inside a castle! Let's gooo!" Tem exclaimed, his joy radiating through his movements.
I chuckled and flicked Tem's forehead lightly with my finger. "Enough, behave, Tem," I said playfully.
"Ouch! That hurt, Sir Aaron," Tem protested.
In response, I ruffled Tem's hair and rubbed my knuckles on his head in mock frustration. "I told you not to call me 'sir'!"
"Ouch! Ouch! Awww!"
As we continued walking, the Umbroven led us through the castle, and Tem and I marveled at the pristine surroundings. Everywhere we turned, everything was clean, and knights patrolled the area. Maids and butlers went about their duties, ensuring everything was well-maintained. We made our way towards our room when suddenly, a small dog darted in front of me, causing me to collide with something-and I hit the floor.
Everything went dark. Was I knocked out? I couldn't see a thing.
Meanwhile, Tem stood there, eyes widened slightly as he witnessed someone familiar bumping into me and then sitting on my face. The person happened to be Claire, wearing nothing but a nightgown.
"Ow! My head hurts," Claire groaned as she rubbed her head and lifted it up.
"Miss Claire?" Tem exclaimed, his eyes slightly widened in surprise.
Claire turned her head towards Tem, furrowing her brows and slightly squinting her eyes.
"Tem? What are you doing here? Who's with you?" she asked, her expression filled with confusion.
Tem pointed downwards, and Claire slowly followed his gesture, only to see me struggling to breathe, my arms flailing. Her dog then runs away.
Her face turned from pale to crimson in an instant. Flustered, she jumped back. "Pervert!" she exclaimed, kicking me.
"Ouch!" I groaned, slowly rising to my feet and facing Claire. "It wasn't my fault you bumped into me... Ouch. You nearly suffocated me with your A-"
Before I could finish my sentence, I realized that Claire was clad in a nightgown, accentuating her curves, her bosom, her undeniable allure, her cleavage that was like a portal to eternal happiness. Unconsciously, I found myself staring at her for a prolonged moment.
"Stop staring!" Claire yelled, slapping me and sending me crashing into the wall, knocking me unconscious.
my vision slowly fades, I can see Tem running towards me and Claire covering herself with her hands. Ahh, the sight-I don't mind going out like this, feeling the weight and lightness of her bosom against my face. My life... It feels complete...
"Why does it feel like your friend has perverted thoughts?" Claire asked Tem, perplexed.
Tem shrugged, poking at my unconscious cheek. "I don't know."
The three of us entered the room within that the Umbroven pointed to us, which had two beds-one for Tem and one for me. Claire sat with Tem on his bed, while I settled onto mine.
"Ah, so you've met my brother," Claire remarked, addressing both of us.
Tem glanced at Claire and replied, "Your brother looked handsome, but he kinda scary"
"He might seem scary, but he's genuinely kind," Claire replied with a smile.
"So, uh... Ehem... Claire, why are you wearing your armor?" I asked curiously.
"W-well, some pervert rushed in and bumped into me. Naturally, I wanted to be prepared to defend myself," Claire explained, her face turning slightly red.
"What? Defend yourself? You were the one who bumped into me in the first place," I responded, feeling frustrated.
"No, I think Miss Claire is just embarrassed about her first outfit," Tem chimed in playfully.
"W-what?!" exclaimed Claire, standing straight and looking at Tem, who smiled mischievously.
"That's ridiculous-"
"Why be embarrassed? You looked beautiful," I said casually, interrupting Claire.
She calmed down and sat back on the bed, immediately grabbing a pillow to cover her face. Eventually, she raised her head and peered above the pillow, whispering something barely audible, "You really think so? Then I don't mind letting you see me wearing a ni-" Growl
"What was that?" I asked, hearing the growl completely cutting off what Claire was about to say.
I pointed at Tem. "Was that you? Are you hungry again?"
Tem shook his head to deny my accusation.
Growl
We heard it again, but it couldn't be me, and Tem said it wasn't him. Our gazes turned to only one culprit-Claire.
Claire stood up and walked toward me, her face red with embarrassment.
"A-are you hungry, Cla-"
Before her fist could reach my face, a voice intervened, stopping her mid-air.
"Lunch is served, Madam," the voice said, saving me from Claire's punch.
With my eyes closed but twitching, I slowly opened them to see Claire standing next to the butler.
"Let's go, both of you," Claire said with a smile, walking alongside the butler. "Alfred prepares the most fantastic lunch meals in Aurora."
So his name is Alfred. Thanks to Alfred, I survived.
"Y-yeah, let's go, Tem," Then, I rose to my feet, and Tem leaped off his bed. The two of us hurriedly pursued Claire and Alfred, eager not to miss any part of our castle adventure
arrived at the dining room, where the grand doors swung open, revealing Alfred standing by the side. The four of us proceeded inside, taking our seats on the chairs arranged around the table. Claire occupied the seat in front of me, while Tem settled on my right side. Alfred approached Claire with an air of elegance.
"The king and queen, as well as your brother, who is on patrol, won't be joining us today, Princess. They are occupied with their respective duties," Alfred informed Claire, standing tall and composed.
"Patrols? My brother rarely engages in that," Claire responded with curiosity.
"After the incident in the slums, the Umbroven discovered more members of the group responsible for harming you. Unfortunately, after their capture... Well," Alfred hesitated.
"What is it, Alfred?" Claire inquired, her eyes reflecting concern.
"They met a fiery end, not by the hands of the Umbroven, but through some form of self-inflicted demise," Alfred explained.
A moment of silence followed, as Claire absorbed the weight of this revelation, her gaze fixated on the empty table, contemplating the recent events.
Suddenly, Tem's stomach growled loudly, causing Claire to notice and break into a smile.
Meanwhile, I couldn't help but observe Claire closely. As a princess and a knight, she carried a heavy burden. Her responsibilities included handling interrogations, but with everyone absent, and her best friend, Grace, falling ill, the pressure seemed overwhelming.
"It will be alright," I reassured Claire.
She looked at me and managed a faint smile. "I hope so."
Claire shook her head gently, trying to shake off the troubling thoughts. "But before all that, let's eat first."
"Neat! I'm starving!" Tem exclaimed.
A servant opened the door, and a delectable feast was brought in. Tem's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but salivate.
"Tem, mind your manners," I whispered to him.
"Oh... I'm sorry, Sir Aaron," Tem responded, as he wipes the saliva from his mout.
Claire chuckled, and both Tem and I exchanged smiles. With that, the three of us began to enjoy the delightful meal, putting aside worries and immersing ourselves in the present moment.