Evening finally arrived, Maculata had her best dress on, Calcifer was given a suit for him to wear, of course, the suit is made by the best tailor in Veritus Kingdom.
Maculata was wearing an orange backless dress, with orange gloves, an amaryllis bead design with jewels in the center, she also wore open toe heels matching the dress.
Prince Calcifer on the other hand wore a black suit and tied his hair swept at one side to enhance his charisma, his shoes are so polished that you can even see your own reflection.
"Sister?"
A knock on the door caught Maculata's attention, Prince Calcifer opened the door to see Princess Peachy.
"Where are you going, sister?"
"Rasea Kingdom"
"Without me...?"
Peachy's shoulders slump; she was also pouting, Maculata chuckled.
"We can go next time to Rasea Kingdom, this is private matters Peachy"
"Aw, I understand, buy me a souvenir while you are there"
"What kind do you want?"
"Since, Prince Calcifer is the Prince there, why don't he bring you to town and let you look?"
"Of course! But..."
"Is there something the matter?"
"We will stay there overnight?"
"Why not?"
"I...see"
"Before we return to Veritus Kingdom we still have time to look around your Kingdom, you should bring me to your favourite spots, while we are there, don't bore me."
"Hahaha..."
'Is this really Queen Maculata?'
"You, Penzilvana and Reymond will be left in the Palace, I hope that this place hasn't burned down the moment we return"
"Maculata! You better bring me a souvenir as well!"
"I will bring all of you a souvenir, do not fret"
"Hmp, good, I will be babysitting your dear sister, not to mention Luna"
"How is Luna?"
"She's still annoying and obnoxious"
"Don't say that Penzilvana"
"Take care of Luna too"
"Do I have a choice?" Penzilvana
shrugged, "get going to Rasea Kingdom and safe travels"
"Alright, thank you for looking after the Kingdom Penzilvana"
"Shadow will also go with you, correct?"
"Yes, for the safety of my queen"
"He suddenly pops out of nowhere"
"Reymond is already waiting outside with the carriage"
Calcifer offers his arm and both of them exited the Palace and rode the carriage to Rasea Kingdom.
"..."
Maculata stared at the Prince, who was fumbling with his hands, furrowing his brows deep in thought.
"Something on your mind?"
"Oh...I apologize your majesty"
"Hm?"
"I should keep you company not wander around in my thoughts, I apologize for making you feel lonely"
"I am not lonely, Prince Calcifer"
For some reason, Maculata got hurt by what he said, but she knows that he did not mean to offend her by saying those words.
"Why do you think I am lonely, by you not talking to me Prince Calcifer"
"Well...I did not mean to make you bored, your majesty, I have been thinking about something"
"May I know what it is?"
"It is a bit complicated to say"
Maculata only hummed and looked outside, it was dark outside already.
"There are no stars tonight"
"Indeed"
"..."
Silence engulfed the two.
"Um"
"You do not need to force yourself to make conversation to me, do not worry"
"I...see"
"We will arrive in Rasea Kingdom momentarily, your majesty"
"Well, will your father make a welcome home greeting to you, I wonder?"
"I don't think so..."
"Do not worry, even if you did try to humiliate me, I will protect you if anyone asks about you"
"..Y-You will?"
"You are brave and honourable to try repeatedly until this courting none-sense took place, I guess luck is on your side"
"Will luck always be on my side? I wonder?"
"The stupid is the bravest and luckiest, I know a lot of stupid people similar to you that escaped death multiple times already, it is not possible for you to be one"
"A stupid person...?"
"A lucky one"
'I feel like she is mocking me, but at the same time I feel her warmth'
"Was I too harsh?"
"Hahaha...not at all your majesty, I get the point on what you are saying"
'It does hurt, but she is the Queen of the Veritus Kingdom, known for her sharp tongue and blunt words. She also insulted me every opportunity she gets, I'm used to it. I deserved it for what I've done to her, I'm lucky to be around her right now'
"...!"
"It looks like you are in deep thought once again"
"...I've not noticed...but you look splendid"
"Thank you"
'She's used to compliments like that already, though...'
"..." Maculata stared at Prince Calcifer expecting him to say more, but it only ended there. "Heh"
"?"
"You have changed"
"Uh?"
"We have arrived"
(Rasea Palace)
"I will give you a reward later, it will be given to you if you also do an outstanding job being my escort"
"Reward...?"
Maculata leaned forward, her red eyes gleaming with mirth, the Prince's heart raced at the proximity they were in.
"You'll find out"
"ANNOUNCING THE ARRIVAL OF THE QUEEN OF THE VERITUS KINGDOM, QUEEN MACULATA, AND THE ARRIVAL OF CROWNED PRINCE CALCIFER"
The door opened, the first one who stepped out of the carriage was the Prince, the Queen following behind, the Prince helped her down and they both stood in front of many nobles and Prince Calcifer's Father.
"HAHAHAHAHA YOU HAVE DONE IT BOY!"
"..."
"Welcome! Queen Maculata"
"Greetings Queen Maculata, we humbly welcome you in the Kingdom of Rasea"
"...What a grand greeting, it is already late into the night, I hope you did not wait long"
"Of course not! Please enter the Palace"
Maculata nods and they enter the Rasea Palace.
(Rasea Palace Banquet Hall)
"The Rasea Palace is as elegant as I remember"
"The Veritus Kingdom has a much more spacious and beautiful banquet hall, Queen Maculata"
"..."
Prince Calcifer is uncomfortable with all the states the guests are giving.
"Has my son successfully captured your heart? Queen Maculata?"
"He is getting there, he is also being forgiven for what he has done."
"I'm glad that the bad blood between you and my son has disappeared now"
"It takes process and time"
"By the way, your majesty, I was wondering..."
Maculata and Prince Calcifer's Father talked about politics and trade, Prince Calcifer stood by the Queen all this time.
But Maculata noticed his uncomfortable demeanour, so she told him to get some snacks for her and wine, so he obliged and went to the banquet table.
He was hounded by gossip monger nobles.
"Prince Calcifer, is it true that you have spent repenting for what you have done to Queen Maculata?"
"What kind of business does the Queen do?"
"Do you know what is happening in Veritus Palace?"
"We heard a rumour that the Queen not only has you as a suitor but five of you!"
"..." Price Calcifer was just silent
"Five Suitors?!"
"Isn't that scandalous?!"
"Ladies and gentlemen"
Prince Calcifer cleared his throat, catching their attention with his words.
"The Queen is still young, she has many suitors that are not publicly courting her, but I assure you that nothing scandalous is surrounding the Queen."
"Is that so?"
"I also promised the Queen privacy, so I do apologise but, I cannot disclose anything to you"
"How unfortunate"
"Sir. John!"
John Smith, One of the Captains of the Knights of Rasea Kingdom.
"Is there something the matter here?"
"No, not at all Sir. John, we best be going"
"Thank you"
The crowd of people dispersed, and Captain John and Prince Calcifer were left.
"Thank you, John"
"This isn't the first time you almost got into trouble"
"...Well, I think I've learned my lesson"
They look at Queen Maculata and his father, he shrugs his shoulders.
"How have you been?"
"Surviving"
"Oh? Do they not treat you well in Veritus Kingdom?"
"They treat me like a Prince, of course, but...I feel as if I have changed, John"
"Hm?"
"The Queen even mentioned it"
"Well..."
The Captain looks around the Banquet Hall, he points at a fair maiden talking with a group of ladies.
"Look, a gorgeous maiden, why don't you talk to her?"
"..."
"Well?"
"I..."
He looks down, he realizes his actions, whenever there is a banquet, he always hits up women, whenever he gets the chance.
"I was a wild person back then"
"I guess being Queen Maculata's suitor straightened, you somewhat"
"...Hahaha was I THAT problematic?"
"Yes"
Prince Calcifer was shocked the Captain didn't beat around the bush, when he answered.
"Ouch"
"Apologies, but you are problematic, your highness, not to mention, the King also wants grandchildren, already, you are his only son"
"I understand that...but I wanted to have fun, not bear responsibility already"
"I guess it was the right call for his majesty to Kick you out of Rasea Kingdom so that you will learn, having fun is fine, but you need to bear responsibility sooner or later, you are the Crowned Prince here, not to mention you also need an heir so that your lineage can continue to rule"
"Veritus Kingdom isn't like that, the people decide who to rule..."
"Every Kingdom is different"