Chapter 4 – Reunited Friends
The previous day’s experiences weigh heavily on my mind as I perform morning routines. Vivid nightmares haunt me of things that never happened, yet when I try to grasp the memory, they escape my reach. “Well, that’s the nature of dreams sometimes, I suppose.” Everything feels grey, as if I am walking through thick mud.
Likewise, breakfast was quite a tedious ordeal. Lele said nothing to me as she served me a heavy meal. Setara sat across, observing me while chewing on toast with an open mouth… disgusting bird. Doing my best to ignore her, I focus on thoughts of the day to come. Soon enough I will be dressed and meeting King Relchar Dolden and his son, Prince Gelchar.
Gel is the only bearable part of meeting the King. I’m very happy dad has convinced the Goblin King to let his son stay with us. We go back a few years and I’m not stupid enough to think it was a natural friendship. Dad is eying a possible son-in-law and the Goblin King is power hungry. So, no big shock that we find ourselves together on awkward ‘totally not a forced date now hold hands if you feel the need.’
Gel is more like a brother to me. There’s no love between us beyond that strong bond! He’s also two years older than me at 15. Goblins mature quickly but High Goblins, like Gel, are more akin to a human.
My daydreaming and inner monologuing has swept me through the morning hours without notice. Once again I am with Lele, this time she is dressing me for presentation. The silence was painful, though not as painful as Lele pulling the corset together. I break the silence, “Lele, I’m undead but that doesn’t mean I don’t feel pain. Are you trying to collapse my ribs?! Do you expect me to go to the ER over a corset?”
[Preparing Skill: Duality]
Lele pauses and lets some of the tautness escape the lacing. “Princess, my apologies, my mind was wandering. I did not mean to err in my efforts.” Her hands weaved a nice little bow at the base as she continues to dress me. “Are you mad at me, Miss.” Err? I said ER. What’s an ER again?
“Yes, I am, I thought I could trust you, but you didn’t even tell me the doctor was there!”
More silence fills the room as the maid lifts my petticoat into place before securing and turning to the armoire. Without much thought she has removed one of my nicer dresses. Planned that far ahead have you?! I’m not for sale dad! “I’d rather go with the red dress,” I suddenly add to the conversation.
“R-red?! But miss, pink and black draws out your natural features. It would be remiss of me to deny you that when meeting someone you might court.”
“Lele. Same words as last time. Despite what my father thinks, I am not going to marry Gel. He is a friend. Now get me my red dress before I smear the makeup you worked so hard on.” There we go, lets hold her artistry hostage! Now you have to cooperate, Lele! The poor skeleton sighs and exchanges for the red dress. Within moments I am already presentable to the public eye.
Lele speaks up once again, this time less professional and far more like a friend. “To return to the prior issue. I did not betray you for the doctor. Your father ordered it. He knows how you hate her and was afraid you’d act differently knowing she was there. I am sorry it hurt you.”
I turn on my heel with a big grin. “Lele, I can’t be mad at you for long. You have been here caring for me since I was a child. You’re practically a mother to me. Nor can I be mad at Father, he only cares for me. So, I’ll just make Setara’s life hell!” I clap my now gloved hands together eagerly as begin plotting once more.
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The carriage rolls up towards the dark, onyx castle. Within, I remain seated with my father and his advisor. I’m excited to see Loria once more, yet, not in this context. The two adults are deep in conversation about political agendas and issues. I simply stare out the window in pure boredom. “Son,” one of the adults suddenly changes his focus and interrupts my daydreaming.
[https://i.imgur.com/Aw0Kre3.png]
My father, King Relchar Doden, leans across to me with a scowl. “Prince Gelchar, I want you on your best behavior, you know how important it is to make a good impression with the Demon King. You must act more princely. You must do as you are told. Above all else, you must treat the Princess as a marriage prospect and not a playmate. You are both entering your middle years before your grate wane. Now is the time to be making wives, not when you are old and comfortable like me!”
The longwinded rant brings out a slow roll of my eyes. “Father… you are,” I pause and stop myself from calling him a fat bastard. “Correct. I will try my best to do as you wish.”
“Good, good! Here, take this!” He shoves a black box right into my hands. With quite a puzzled look on my face, I imagine, I try to feel its weight. “Inside is a beautiful necklace made with the rarest ores and gems. It’s absolutely priceless! A legendary work of our people.”
“You enchanted it didn’t you,” Advisor Teldor scoffs.
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“What?! Why me? I would never do anything like that…” Like hell you wouldn’t, you only don’t try such dishonorable methods because you know the anti-magic field would remove any curse. “No, no, this is meant to enchant her heart with the one thing every woman loves. Jewelry! The mountains know my wives never stop asking for it. Stupid bitches always kneel for me right away if you know what I mean.”
While clenching my fists, I desperately try to resist patricide. How dare he speak of my mother that way? As if she were an object or a slave?! By the time I am done boiling over, they’ve already turned their attention away towards politics once more. Father is corrupt, a cheat, a liar, and what makes all of it worse? Almost everyone look to him as some saint. Especially the lower goblins.
The carriage comes to a rolling stop. Outside I see throngs of beastkin, monsters, and even some goblins. Trumpets blare, banners are raised, and all the usual fanfare of a royal visiting another royal as we exit the carriage. Throughout the entire thing, I do my best not to fall asleep. I’m only playing this roll just long enough to get through this and spend time with Loria.
[https://i.imgur.com/bfPuyuJ.png]
Speaking of my friend, there she is! Standing in the shadow of the castle with her father. It’s been two years since we last met and – well, ah, she has grown. Quite a lot. She smiles to me and lightly curtseys. Moments of being stunned delays my half bow. Reality comes smashing back down on me as my father whispers, “Bow, bow, don’t look rude.” I do so, and suddenly father shoves me forward.
“Ahem, as I said, Prince Gelchar Doden has brought the Princess a fine gift as thanks for allowing our visit, please open and behold the wealth of our kingdom,” King Relchar bellows out in show for the enthralled onlookers.
Loria offers me a brief look of apologies as I have to kneel and offer this ‘gift.’ With a cordial smile, she receives the black box and responds with a well-practiced snub. “Grateful as I am, King Doden, I shall open it in the privacy of my room so that I might enjoy it in its own moment.”
My face twitches as I nearly laugh. Loria basically ruined my father’s attempt at showcasing the supposed wealth of their kingdom. That box could be thrown in a drawer and forgotten! King Helvair, however, keeps me in my place. His furnace like eyes burn into me as if they are judging my very soul. I bow my head a little lower towards him before standing.
“Ah, well, I’m glad you will enjoy our generous gift,” my father says trying to slightly recover the situation.
“It is welcome,” King Helvair says with a deep voice that drips with regal intent. “Please, come in, we have much to discuss,” he says and then waves to the people around. A vast cheer erupts from his subjects. Cheers that are genuine.
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With a laugh hard enough that my corset practically breaks a rib, I strike up a chat with Gel as we enter my private garden. “Did you see his face? He looked like he might drop dead from shame! I’ve never seen a green face be so red.” I toss the box onto a nearby bench before kicking my heels off to walk barefoot on the path.
“Yeah, honestly, I think if that had been done by anyone other than you, father might try to declare war. He knows his wretched place. I just wish your father didn’t trust him as an ally. If the bastard would hurry up and die I could become a much, much better king.” Gel folded his arms tight against his chest.
“Gel, has he gotten that bad?”
“Yes. Worse even. He abuses his wives and children. Missuses funding. Constantly drunk or stoned. Last month he signed a tax decree while partying. Later he didn’t even remember doing it.”
That earns a blank stare from me. “I can tell my father, he would act upon it, surely?” My mind swims as I try to picture Gel living in that environment.
“And do what? Depose a foreign king because he’s a scumbag? I’m sure King Helvair is aware and only makes do with what he must. Why else would he try to have me get lessons here with you?”
“True. Likely wants you free of that man’s influence. With the war starting to worsen, I suspect he doesn’t want to lose an ally yet.” I muse aloud on my theories while Gel simply nods to me in agreement.
“My father wants us to marry –“ we both say simultaneously. I laugh and hold my hands up in defeat, “You first.”
Gel looks worried, as if a dark cloud came over him. “My father wants me to marry you so he can claim the throne and control both kingdoms through his bloodline. I, uh, well… I won’t lie, Loria, you’re looking beautiful. The thought crossed my mind briefly… but I can’t. I love you like a sister. I want you as a friend, not an arranged wife.”
My heart flutters at his compliments but, likewise, I reject that reality. “As does mine, though I think he wishes to bring stability to your kingdom. Your father realizes that the House of Rall is a direct lineage rulership right? Like, if dad passed away and we were married, it would be me controlling everything. Not you. If he killed me, then one of my cousins would take over. So on, so forth.”
“Loria, I think he believes I would be able to pressure you into certain things.”
“Look at us Gel. We’re talking politics, arranged marriages, and the like. While other kids our age are preparing for war, working to live, or learning at their parents’ expense. We’re privileged to be here… but I don’t feel like a teenager when we talk about this. I want to escape it. I’ll have enough of it when dad cedes to me.”
Gel nodded to my misery. He kicks shoes off before walking off into the grass towards the garden’s pond. “Want to go walk in the mud and be a kid again?”
“Yeah, let’s do that.” I grin and slide off my heels but regretfully have to leave my stockings on. Oh well, I’ll deal with that later. As I step out from under the canopy of plants, I glance up towards the sun and wince as those memories hit me again. I move to cover my eyes with one gloved hand.
[XP Gained 500][LEVEL UP][LEVEL UP] [LEVEL UP]
“Aren’t vampires supposed to be hurt by the sun?” Gel chimes in, “I never really thought to ask before.”
[XP Gained 500] [LEVEL UP] [LEVEL UP]
My head hurts as I hear a chime over and over. “Y-yeah, but my father’s half… helps me. Though, recently, the suns been giving me issues.”
[XP Gained 500, Skill Unlocked: Duality] [LEVEL UP]
A voice yawns in my head. “Why did she have to wake up now…” I grumble aloud. Gel looks at me quizzically and I quickly blush. “Sorry, thinking of something else.” There is another yawn and a sound of stretching. What is in my head, a room?!
[XP Gained 500] [LEVEL UP] [LEVEL UP]
Why is there suddenly expe being gained?! I’m not doing anything to draw that magic to me! “Are you sure you’re alright, Loria?” Gel questions. I shake my head and step back into the shade of the walkway. The dings suddenly stop.
“Good morning Loria, who’s the green dude?” to my horror I find myself verbalizing. To Gel. A pit opens up in my stomach as the confusion over the last few seconds has overwhelmed me.
Gel steps back to me with a stare of concern. “Loria…?”