The Vice Captain of the Crimson Lions

The Royal Wingman

Mynx glanced at Aphi and Balto as they walked on either side of her,

"So, any guesses?"

Aphi winced and glanced at her,

"To thank both of us?"

Mynx gave him a look and Balto shrugged,

"I'm hoping he gives us something,"

"Who is us?"

Balto rolled his eyes at Mynx,

"Hey, we are a package deal,"

Mynx smirked,

"Sure,"

Ahead of them, the young mage leading the way came to an abrupt stop just outside an ornate pair of gilded doors. The boy gestured grandly for them to enter.

"Here we are. You may enter."

The trio stepped into the opulent room, its polished floors and towering windows glinting in the late afternoon sunlight. Mynx and Aphi immediately saluted, their voices echoing in unison.

"Your majesty,"

King Augustus Kira Clover XIII sat at the head of the room, his regal robes a swirl of white and gold. His chest puffed out with an exaggerated sense of pride. Nearby, Marx was standing to the side, clearly not expecting their arrival. When Mynx's gaze met his, he simply shrugged, his expression as puzzled as hers.

"Ah, Lady Mynx, Sir Aphi! Welcome, welcome! It is such a delight to see you both together."

Aphi inclined his head politely, a faint smile on his lips,

"King Augustus, to what do we owe the pleasure of being summoned by you?"

Mynx's brow twitched ever so slightly at the unmistakable sarcasm in his voice, and she noticed Balto biting back a smirk. The King beamed, seemingly oblivious to Aphi's tone.

"Yes, yes. First, let me say how utterly thrilled I am to have you back, Mynx. I deeply regret the... misunderstanding surrounding the severity of your case."

Mynx straightened her posture, her voice calm and measured,

"The honor is mine, your majesty,"

The king nodded with a prideful look in his eyes,

"But you should be especially thankful to your husband, Sir Aphi!"

The room froze.

Marx choked on his own breath, struggling to keep his composure. Aphi's eyes widened in shock, and Mynx felt as though the air had been knocked out of her lungs. Balto, standing between them, barely managed to suppress his laughter, his tail wagging mischievously. Mynx quickly schooled her expression,

"Husband?"

Augustus nodded emphatically,

"Yes, Yes! As he is your husband, his debt is your debt as well. As he was the one to save me along with a marvelous magic knight who is now my assistant...uh... bodyguard. I granted a full pardon for the crimes that you have committed to repay the two of you."

Beside her, Aphi froze, his eyes blinking in stunned disbelief,

"Your Majesty, I—"

The King interrupted with a dismissive wave,

"Ah, no need to be modest, Sir Aphi! I know it's difficult to speak of your own heroism. As such, I've decided to honor you both with a grand wedding celebration!"

Mynx's calm façade cracked slightly, her mouth opening as if to protest. Balto covered his muzzle with a paw, his shoulders shaking with poorly hidden laughter. Marx was simply frozen in his spot at all the new information.