ULTRAMagic Interlude

Chapter 18

"Don't worry, Dunja, I'll be right here with you" Englehart reassured as the two stood outside the throne room.

She took a deep breath. "Right... this feels strange..."

"There's nothing to fear. In fact, I went out of my way to keep your seat in tip top condition."

"Really? Did you anticipate me coming back?" Dunja received a look that said "yes" in the most blunt way possible. She opened the doors and was overwhelmed with a wave of nostalgia. "You know what? I missed this place." The two sat down at their thrones, with Dunja letting out a massive sigh of relief.

"Shall we start today's royal court meeting?"

Dunja paused for a second, then nodded. "Sure."

Englehart focused for a second and sent a cloud of blue energy from his hand that went over to a device on the far wall. A bell began chiming with a light calmly turning on and off. It was a neat little system that alerted the royal court to when Englehart wanted to conduct a meeting. This had been implemented after Dunja left, in case an emergency had arisen. It was the brainchild of Radovan and Rose and worked fantastically throughout the years. Soon the Duke and Duchess, the councilors, and Blood-Wraith arrived, taking their seats after greetings were conducted.

"Well ain't this a site for sore eyes; A court meeting with the queen," Drazhan pointed out.

"Indeed, general," Radovan agreed. "The past couple of days have been quite the wild turn of events."

Octavius had a bewildered look on his face. "Honestly I thought the next time we'd see Dunja would be with her and Gratiana storming the tower. I'm glad that didn't come to pass..."

Dunja laughed. "Octavius, trust me when I say Torunn would have never let that happen... Hey, where's Barna?"

"Sorry I'm late!" He announced as he entered the room. "I heard the alarm, but I was in the middle of showing Aureolus a welding technique."

"No worries, brother. We haven't quite started yet either way" Englehart assured.

"Well before we start, since we have a lot to discuss, I have a question for the king," Rose stated.

"Go ahead, Rose."

"In regards to Kresimira and Corentin, will you be presiding over my daughter's wedding?"

Englehart nodded. "Indeed. This has already been arranged. Given that Corentin will be ready to take the throne if anything should happen to Dunja and I, I figured this warrants my presence, haha."

Something occurred to Blood-Wraith. "Wait a second, what about Barna? Couldn't he take over if need be?"

"Two reasons, lad: one, I still don't have a spouse. Two, I'm a blacksmith and a farrier, not a ruler" he replied.

"Englehart has tried to convince Barna multiple times, son," Radovan added.

"On what? Getting married or succeeding the throne?" Drazhan quickly cut in. This made everyone laugh.

While Barna shook his head, Dunja pounded her fist on her arm rest. "OH! Shoot, I forgot about the thing... oh boy..."

"What is it, dear?" Englehart inquired.

"It's that thing I mentioned at the colosseum yesterday..." She took a deep breath. "Everyone? I did something questionable in Shadowland."

This caught everyone's attention. "I don't mean to be rude, your majesty, but hasn't that been the case for at least the past decade or so?" Drazhan pointed out.