Draconia Offline vol. 1

31.2. Royal Quarters - Part 2

"Oh, I can't use it anymore, can I? It's made for a human brain," I realise. "Do you want it, Erik?"

"Nope, I hate VR," he says flatly. "Maybe we should do some decluttering? We need to squeeze two apartments into more, after all."

"True," I nod. "I'm not giving up my retro games, though."

"Nerd," Erik teases me. "Thank you, Luviael, leave the stuff you're not sure about in the boxes, we'll go through it later."

"As you wish, Royal Consort," the Celestial woman, Luviael, gives me a long inspecting look. How did Erik make friends with her? When? Who is she anyway? And why is she looking at me like that?

"Ehm... is something wrong with my face?" I get flustered.

"I'm just astonished you look exactly the same except for the colour of your hair and eyes, Your Majesty," she says.

"Eh?" I'm lost.

"You don't recognise me, do you?" she sighs. "Thought so."

"Sorry, should I?" I study her face properly. Now that she's talking about it, her features do seem familiar.

"We had Introduction to Contemporary Literature together," she helps me, disappointed that I have no idea. "I was sitting two rows in front of you."

"Oh!" I do recall her now.

I still don't know her name because, knowing my social anxiety, I probably never asked but I can at least tell she was my classmate at university. Her original black locks are dark blue now and she has grey patterned wings but she retained her brown skin and curly hair. She's also wearing a Celestial robe, a very pretty one with flowers.

"Who would have thought that my classmate was my Emperor," she laughs. "What a small world, right?"

"Really," I try to smile back. "So your name is Luviael?"

"Yep," she grins. "It's a bit strange considering I know you from school but I'm honoured to serve you nonetheless, Your Majesty."

"Serve?" I tilt my head, confused.

"Her Excellency named me your adjutant," Luviael announces proudly.

"Ehhh...," I'm dumbfounded. "What does it even mean?"

"Your personal assistant?" Luviael offers an explanation. "Lady Liana has Ingri, you also need someone to take care of your agenda and quarters."

I have to try hard to not to burst laughing. Did she just call our apartment quarters? But wait, is Liana deciding things concerning me without me again? It seems I need to have a serious chat with my Viceroy.

"Anyway," Luviael coughs. "Don't hesitate to come to me with any request, okay? The budget is really generous, it's no problem to order anything for your new home."

"Right, let's make it cosy here," Erik is enthusiastic while I stay confused.

"What budget?" I narrow my eyes.

How many things have changed during those five days while I was indisposed? It's like I've come back into a different reality in which Celestials act as if the skyscraper is the Royal Palace or something. And I'm the only one who doesn't know how to play this game.

"The Royal budget," Luviael answers in a tone indicating it should be obvious. "Money to finance your home, personal guards, servants, clothing and everything else needed for perfect representation."

My wings drop on the sofa. Is she serious?! I was half-joking thinking that but it turns out I might be right? They really are considering our apartment to be Royal quarters? My old classmate really wants to become my adjutant?