Hugfia: The One That Got Away

Chapter 24

Hugo stood near the entrance of his castle and stared pensively at the dusty floors and windows.

The castle was only a husk of its former self, empty and abandoned.

He had dismissed all the servants because he couldn't afford to pay them salaries.

Hugo had begun bit by bit, first by apologizing to his people and telling them the truth of what happened.

Most of townsfolk had left, but he knew they would come back eventually, as the place became more inhabitable. 

Hugo heard a knock at the door.

He waited for someone to answer it, but then realized his own idiocy as he was the only one left.

He answered the door. 

"Hildegard, I wasn't expecting you! What brings you here?" asked Hugo.

"I brought a few friends! Is that alright?"

"A few" was an understatement. All his friends from Royal Prep were at his door, carrying gifts.

"What's all this?" he exclaimed in surprise. A group of Freezenburg servants hauled in a giant cart, filled with the inventions and souvenirs Friedrich had collected.

"Here, you can have them. I have no use of them and thinking about my nasty cousin makes me want to retch. This is my gift as a thank you for getting rid of him."

"Aw, Hildegard that's so kind-"

"I mean this genuinely. Freezenburg would have been thrown into a dictatorship."

"Wait, so then who's the heir to the throne now?" asked James, entering the castle.

"Now that we've gotten rid of him there are no more male heirs to the throne, so it's quite unfortunate my sister had to take the role of crown princess" Hildegard replied, with a facial expression that conveyed it wasn't unfortunate at all.

"Me next!" Exclaimed Amber, pushing forward, with 10 servants hauling a ginormous chest. 

"Gold and jewels so you can afford a few maids to clean up this miserable place," she wrinkled her nose. "This is my gift to you, as the future Queen of Enchancia."

"Hey it's from me too!" exclaimed James. 

"And us too," cried Sofia and Desmond, peeking from behind.

"Well, technically it's from all of us from Enchancia," said Sofia. "Our parents thank you as well."

"As the future Queen, of course I am presenting this gift on behalf of all of Enchancia," Amber huffed.

Sofia giggled.

"Anyhow," Amber continued, "We appreciate your bravery and strength. Without you, we wouldn't have been able to defeat Prince Friedrich and stop his troops from attacking Enchancia."

Vivian, Clio, Jin, Jun, Zandar, Khalid, Maya, Leena, and Zoey all piled in, with various chests of gold, jewels, and personal gifts.

"You guys didn't have to!" Hugo exclaimed. "I promise I'll pay you guys back, as soon as I'm able to,"

"No!" several people said at once.

"You're our friend," said Khalid,

"And these are gifts, we don't expect anything in return," said Jun.

"We just wanted to help out," chimed Vivian and Clio.

Hugo looked like he was going to burst into tears of happiness. "I'm-"

"Getting emotional!" hollered James.

"Ah shut up," said Hugo punching him in the shoulder but then pulling James in for a hug. Everyone else piled in, forming a gigantic group hug.