"What do you mean? I am just a normal maid-servant." Lillian said nervously, trying to divert his suspicion on her.
Sh*t. Sh*t. Sh*t. I didn't mean to say that. I really didn't. What do I do now? We are still in another Kingdom's territory.
"Wait. After all the noise, shouldn't people be coming out to investigate? And, seeing the condition of our carriage, I think it's safe to say we didn't make a very silent entrance." Lillian said, trying to draw their attention away from her.
"Well, our carriage became surrounded with red smoke and blew up," Roman answered, deep in thought.
"But how did this happen?" Jasmine finished fixing her hair and looked at the three of them, stopping at the mysterious man.
"Who are you?" She asked him.
"I do not have any obligation to tell you of my identity." He huffed, crossing his arms and turning away.
"We came here to meet with the royal family. Specifically the princess of this kingdom. If yo-" Roman said, trying another approach.
"Princess? What business do you have with her?" He burst but quickly composed himself again, "Never mind, I could be least bothered of your purpose. You should leave now."
"I think he likes the princess," Jasmine whispered to Lillian who scoffed.
"It's not the princess he has a crush on. And I doubt it's anything about crushes. But if he has a crush, it wouldn't be on the princess."
"How do you know that for sure?" Jasmine frowned.
"Obviously I know. Now," Lillian walked to the man, arms open and eyes full of compassion, "will you be willing to speak to me? I have this feeling that you and I may be able to relate to some things."
They stared at each other for fifteen long seconds before the man got teary-eyed and Lillian went embraced him.
"There, there. It's ok. I understand." She patted his back.
"It's hard you know?"
"Yes, it is. But it's ok. You must have had a rough childhood."
"I did. Even until now, it still hurts."
Lillian continued to pat the man's back as Roman and Jasmine watched them.
"What is happening?" Roman asked Jasmine who looked with a slight smile on her face.
"It's nothing, your Highness. Let's leave them be, for now, I will see what I can do about the carriage."
"Alright. I will help."
"Guys! He is the royal magician of the court and he said that he will help introduce us to the King. Oh, and we are in a barrier he created so everything is an illusion, maybe not the carriage though." Lillian ran to them, the man behind her.
"You will?" Roman raised an eyebrow, this seems too easy.
"I just want to say that I am sorry. I was the one that blew up your carriage. I am normally very hospitable but I felt so angry today that I took my anger out on you. I was out of line! I'm sorry!"
The three of them looked at each other, then at the wreckage around them.
This all came about because someone was angry. He really shouldn't be left unsupervised.
"It's ok. It's not like we almost died anyway. So all's well that ends well right?" Jasmine said, her frightening smile coming back.
"How can such a cute creature emit such a scary aura?" The man cowered under her gaze.
"What is your name?" Lillian asked, stepping in between them.
"Arthur."
"Like that legend? Is your last name Pendragon?" Lillian asked, her eyes sparkling. "You have his presumed hair colour as well."
"Pendragon? I don't believe I have heard of this surname before. A lowly servant like me has no right to have a surname."
"Well, it was worth a shot. And what do you mean? Everyone has a surname. It comes from your family."
"I do not know about that but only those of high social standing or those who have been an exceptional asset to the kingdom may get a surname to pass down to their family. Not only that, but those with surnames may also own and buy lands, build houses, all that." Arthur said, a wistful look on his face.
"That's why the people are working so hard to be recognized and allowed to pick a surname. Without it, there is no guarantee for them or their family as everything they own belongs to the King. He can take what they have away, anytime he wishes. Many people have lost their homes and lands over a simple displeasure from the King. But with a surname, what's ours is ours."
"That's got to be the most B.S. thing I have ever heard in my life and I've heard a lot of B.S. We need to go talk to that … King. It makes me so angry! Excuse me." While Lillian walked off to release her anger Jasmine continued to talk to Arthur.
"But you are the court magician, shouldn't you have been given a surname just getting there?"
"No, it is still not a high enough position in society."
"What? The job of a court magician is extremely important. They are on par with the army. OK, so the soldiers have surnames right?"
"No. Still not a high enough rank."
Jasmine sucked in a breath and looked into his eyes, "So who are the ones with the surnames?"
"The royal family."
"Son of a-. Lillian! Get over here. We are meeting with the King."
"Yes." Lillian ran back to them at top speed. But something was missing. "Wait, where is our one?"
"Wasn't he here a second ago?"
A loud croak caught their attention and they looked to the ground. Sure enough, there was the King. A frog again.
"How did this happen?! Didn't he just turn back to a human?!" Lillian screeched to the high heavens.
"Um, Miss? I know that I have created a barrier but some sounds can still escape and may unsettle the common people." Arthur said a weak smile on his face.
"Don't worry. I doubt they will hear me."
"… Right."
____________________________________________________
Outside the barrier, the peasants were finally waking up and getting ready to begin their work for the day when they heard someone shouting.
"What is that?"
"I don't know."
"Should we report it to the King?"
"Do you think he will listen to you?"
"He may not but it's frightening. It sounds like a woman in intense pain."
"Maybe it is an omen. Let's stay in today. Who knows what this means."
"Yes. I'm not risking anything."