Dungeons & Disappointment

Chapter 40: Royalty

The uncomfortable silence grew between us and the royals after the announcement, but thankfully, both King Bahamut and Princess Alocertha gave us a smile. Well, Bahamut gave all of us a smile, but Alocertha smiled at ME specifically.

"Welcome to the Palace of Alavaar." Bahamut said in a soothing tone. "We understand that you were taken without notice to our city, so thank you for making it here post haste."

"Of course, your Highness." BahnBarr replied. "But, why are we here, sire?"

Alocertha smiled. "Well, truthfully, we need just him for now." She said, then pointed right at me. "We may summon the rest of you later today, but we've heard quite a lot about all of you. Defenders of Proskur. Slayers of Mahila the Wise. Good one there, by the way. She's been giving our fleets a lot of trouble."

Finana shifted a little bit uncomfortably. "Th-thank you princess. She wasn't easy to kill."

"I figured that part." She replied with a laugh. "But, we felt that we should reward you for the help you've done around Alavaar, and a little bit for Tharnaheim as well. Candlekeep was rather thankful for you defending Tol-Tokeel and his merchants."

It felt pretty good to get recognition for our deeds over the last month, and Alocertha stood.

"Please, take a stay at our palace as a token of gratitude. We also have quite a few gifts for all of you, but for now, clear the hall. My father and I must speak to Trevon alone."

My friends and I looked at each other, but I gave them a confident nod. "Guys, I'll be alright. Trust me."

I met Finana's eyes, and she looked like she wanted to protest, but she bit her tongue. And, to my shock, she threw herself forward and wrapped her arms around me, hugging me as she whispered in my ear.

"Don't do anything stupid." She whispered as BahnBarr gave me a small smirk.

"When have I ever?" I whispered back.

She scoffed with a little giggle, and Alocertha cleared her throat from her throne, giving us a rather forced smile.

"If you would." She suggested, motioning to some of the maids and servants that led my friends off into another hall.

And that left me in the throne room, alone with Bahamut and Alocertha. She gave me that sweet smile yet again, and after exchanging a few glances between us, Bahamut stood.

"Alright, I am off." He said. "I have business to attend to in the city. I will let her explain everything."

"Thank you, father." She replied, earning a smile from him.

"You are welcome. And please, Trevon, do make yourself at home here."

"Thank you, your highness." I replied, and, with a single snap of his fingers, he was gone.

Alocertha sighed at the fact that her father had left, then turned to me.

"Sorry about all of that. And I understand that Mathala wasn't allowed to tell you much, which was probably very confusing, but strict orders of silence, you know?"

"Y-yeah." I said, just starting to realize that I was alone in the hall with a beautiful princess. "I mean, I wasn't sure what was going on, but it isn't as bad as I thought. I thought you might turn me into a hamster or something."

She laughed softly, then met my eyes again. "I understand, hero. Let's stroll though the gardens, and I can fill you in on everything."

"The gardens?"