Wakfu: Collision

Chapter 24

Corrected by _cocogum_

"Your Highness Yugo," one of the small sadida men said without further ado, after a series of protocol greetings, "we are glad to see that your condition has improved."

The mentioned person contemplated the council member who had spoken for a moment before raising the corner of his lip in an attempt at a polite smile, which instead came out haughty.

"Indeed, I am too. Thank you for your concern."

He didn't need to look beside him to know that his beloved queen remained upright and impassive in the chair she had chosen, adopting that inscrutable expression she resorted to in such situations, which was fine. Adamai had clasped his hands behind his back and was watching behind them with an even demeanor.

Yugo, however, had a storm brewing in his chest and didn't know if he could maintain the same composure as his beloved and his brother.

"Of course, we are concerned," said another small man in an apparently kind tone, "after all, you have dedicated yourself to protecting our queen, our kingdom, and just yesterday you revived our forest."

"At first," another said, "we were incredulous, but soon we were overwhelmed by the evident proof that in one afternoon you achieved what none of us could in months."

"Once again," the next voice sounded a bit more eloquent, "you have demonstrated your exceptional power and that of your people, your highness."

"We are sure that our queen has already expressed it in her own words, but on behalf of us, the Council, and the Sadida people, from the heart," as if synchronized, they bowed their furry green heads at the same time in front of him, "accept our sincerest gratitude, King Yugo."

The king watched them for a moment, but for some reason, he found it hard to feel as moved by the gesture as when the sadida children had expressed it, but he set that thought aside. The flower crown the little girl had given him was still on his head, and he couldn't ignore the sidelong glances several of the green little men cast at it upon arrival, though they were seemingly expressionless.

He raised his head, straightening his back in his bed, imitating the queen's posture beside him.

"Please, rise. As you have said, my actions have been motivated by my devotion to this world, to this kingdom," he looked at Amalia, who looked back at him, "and to your queen."

She managed to hide her smile, but not the blush as she looked away.

"I have properly thanked and congratulated King Yugo for his feat, dear Council members," she said, more relaxed. "While he does not consider it a debt to accumulate, we have agreed that our relationship has always been beyond that."

A brief knowing laugh was exchanged between the two rulers, to which the dragon rolled his eyes.

But it was the tallest of the elders who raised the arch of an eye that mimicked a green eyebrow before speaking.

"Oh, surely it is, you made that very clear during yesterday's festivities."

The three of them tensed up.

"What do you mean?" the queen asked.

"Please, calm down, your highness," the chamberlain raised a hand in a conciliatory gesture, "what we all witnessed was nothing more than the confirmation of an open secret. Those of us who have known you since you were young are well aware of your feelings. Your father and brother also perceived it, and surely would have longed for your happiness as much as these humble servants do."