After the boisterous public celebrations in the streets finally subsided, official word was instantly sent to the palace of the King of Everleaf regarding the undeniable presence of the Freesia bloodline heiress, accompanied by a human prince and a legendary beast. Wasting no time, the King issued an immediate decree to bring Dalirina, Fairo, and the dragoness Elinor to the royal court under the heavy cover of night.
The King received them in the towering, torch-lit courtyard of his palace, but his royal composure instantly shattered the exact moment his eyes fell upon Elinor.
The King stumbled back a step, staring at the white dragoness's colossal, glowing form in absolute awe and astonishment. He clapped his hands together, resting them against his head as he let out a comically distressed groan: — "Good heavens! Where on earth am I supposed to harbor a dragon of this terrifying magnitude? The entire throne room wouldn't fit her, and she might bring the high roofs crashing down if she tries to step a single claw inside!"
Dalirina offered a proud, subtle smirk at his reaction, while Fairo bowed with a refined, flawless princely etiquette.
The King sighed deeply, turning to his guards: — "Take the dragoness to the palace's rear oasis. Provide her with the finest meats and sustenance for now... it is the only vast sanctuary in the entire province capable of containing such a massive creature."
The King then turned generously to his two human guests, a warm, welcoming smile gracing his regal features: — "As for you, you are our guests of honor tonight. Please, walk with me. I have ordered a grand royal banquet prepared that is truly worthy of your presence."
Over a lavish dining table piled high with the realm's finest delicacies, a deep political conversation quickly ensued. The King listened intently to the dramatic tale of their escape and discovered that they hailed directly from the Nairon Kingdom.
The King nodded slowly, turning to his Grand Vizier to issue an immediate, commanding order: — "Tomorrow at dawn, dispatch an official envoy bearing gold and bounties to the Kingdom of Nairon. Formally request a political alliance and a peaceful union between our realms. As long as these heroes belong to that land, we desire absolute peace with them."
The King continued to converse with Prince Fairo about the neighboring realms and complex war politics. Then, noticing the undeniable chemistry and lingering glances between Fairo and Dalirina, he leaned forward with a mischievous, knowing grin: — "Young prince... tell me, is Dalirina your wife?"
Fairo instantly choked on his food, his face flushing a deep crimson color as he gasped in sheer, unadulterated panic: — "No! No... absolutely not!"
The King erupted into boisterous, booming laughter that echoed off the high ceilings, teasing the young man: — "Oh? So you two haven't even confessed your true feelings to one another yet?"
Fairo cleared his throat loudly, trying desperately to regain his rigid composure as he shot a frantic sideways glance at Dalirina: — "She is my childhood friend. She was raised alongside me in the palace, and with my sister, Nazar, who was born on the exact same day. It is nothing more than that."
Before the King could comment further on the matter, the heavy wooden doors burst open, and the Grand Vizier rushed in with a solemn expression, bowing deeply: — "Forgive the interruption, Your Majesty, but an urgent matter requires your immediate attention. Our perimeter border guards have just apprehended a highly suspicious intruder sneaking past the kingdom's gates!"
The King knit his brows in sheer annoyance, unwilling to ruin the perfect evening. He commanded coldly: — "Detain them in the lower dungeons and place them under heavy guard until our dinner with our esteemed guests has concluded."
Once the magnificent banquet finally came to an end, the King instructed the servants to escort Dalirina to a luxurious royal suite so she could rest, ensuring all her needs were meticulously catered to. Fairo bid her goodnight with a reassuring nod, remaining behind with the King to personally oversee the matter of the spy.
The King signaled to the armed guards: — "Bring the intruder forth."
The heavy iron doors groaned open, and the guards pushed forward a bound, struggling figure clad in a tattered travel cloak covered in the dark dust of the night. When the guards violently pulled back the hood to reveal the intruder's hidden face under the flickering torchlight...
Fairo froze completely dead in his tracks, his eyes widening in absolute, earth-shattering shock. He cried out in a voice filled with pure disbelief: — "Nazar?! My sister?! What on earth are you doing here?!"