Wow!
Oswald trailed behind the violet-haired maid in a grand hallway, looking at large paintings of former monarchs hung above white, ornate vases. Their gilded frames glistened in the light of the suspended candlelit chandeliers.
It's beautiful! The walls, t-the portraits. Absolute Picasso! But… It looks like it ends here.
The last portrait, a queen with magenta, braided hair tied behind her back and a three-lapis-lazuli-embedded golden crown.
Last portrait, huh. My guess—I'm meeting her.
"Here we are."
She stopped by a large blue-gold door, twelve feet high with a golden door handle.
Holy giant door! It screams 'throne room'.
She pushed open the door. A long blue carpeted path with golden patterning lay before him with fluted pillars on either side. The carpet ended before a two-step stairs and the king and queen's golden thrones—the king's being the biggest.
Walking on the carpet toward Her Majesty, he smelled a mix of rose and lavender.
Look at these pillars! It has that flat cup-lanterns in gold like ancient Greek. Don't know the word but it's pretty sick!
His head swiveled, each turn bringing a childlike marvel.
"Your Majesty, here is the individual in question." The maid bowed, then stepped aside.
He looked at the queen, his throat immediately dried up.
Bro, she's just… looking at me—smiling. Her head rested on her fist. But her gaze…
"Welcome to my throne room, O savior."
Savior?
His legs trembled as he knelt. "T-Thank you, Your M-Majesty for um… calling me? In your presence."
What was that, bruh?!
The queen straightened, chuckling behind her palm. "Oh, there is no need for such formality."
"Ahahaha. T-That's easier said than done i-in my position, Your Majesty."
"Very well. Let us proceed at once, to bestow upon you your due reward for saving the future heir."
So that's what she meant by savior… Hold it! I SAVED A PRINCE!
"Indeed, and such a deed shall not go without its reward."
WAIT! She read me!?
His head lowered.
I don't care about money, women, and land. I don't want anything. Haaah.
He rubbed his temple.
… Hold on! YES! Aelindor's debt!
"My reward is gold..."
The queen's eyes squinted. "Hm. How much?"
I don't know! Only thing I know is dollars and yuan.
"Uhh… Five… hundred gold coins."
"Then it shall be don—"
"Wait! Not me! It's for an inn. It's owned by my friend's family. He's an elf—Aelindor Thalorian—so I guess it's owned by the Thalorian family."
After a pause, Her Majesty dipped her head. "So be it, consider it done."
"Thank you, your majesty. I'll be uh," he pointed behind him, "taking my leave."
He bowed and headed for the door. About halfway, he turned around, scratching the back of his head.
"Um, can you… tell me where the exit is?"
* * *
"Thank you for helping me." Oswald bowed to the violet-haired maid, who stood in the open doorway.
"It is us who need thanking you."
"But you did, and I appreciate it." He raised his hand to wave. "Alright, see you la—"
A yell from inside cut him off. Both their gazes shot toward the source.
"HALT!"
A boy's voice yelled as he ran toward the entrance. He wore a white, collared frock coat with gold lining and embroidering, black lapels and cuffs.
Who's that? Baby Claudio Serafino?
His eyes flashed in recognition. "Wait, you're—"
The prince jumped and clung onto Oswald. The force threw him off-balance, sending him stumbling backward toward the stairs.
"Whoa!"
CLAP!
She clasped his extended hand, saving him from a royal headache—literally.
"Jes—Heavens above, Your Highness! I was about to go back into the castle when I just left!"
The prince looked up to him while clinging. "I command you! You shall take me with you, savior! I would be pleased to become better acquainted with you."
Oswald's neck jolted backward. "Take you? To where?! Kid's park? Shouldn't you be resting like I did—twice?"
"But, I insist."
"Insist what?! Your safety? I don't even have weapons." His hand met his forehead. "I didn't even get paid from my last quest for cleaning the dam. My entire plan has gone extremely off course."
I'm getting a headache.
He took a deep breath through his nose, his gaze shifting to the maid. "With your permission…"
She gave a single nod. "His safety is assured. Our eyes are already upon you."
What a creepy way to say 'our spies are watching'.
"I guess you're coming after all."
The prince beamed back.
Look at that smile, you'd think everything that happened yesterday was a bad dream.
"Welp, time for me to head to school."
I bet they're waiting for me there.
"See you later." He waved to the maid before turning on his heel.
He began walking down the stairs to the castle's courtyard, stopping at the last step.
"You can stop clinging, y'know."
* * *
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