Leon was shocked when he entered the inn.
'Loret, Hakita, Flux...? Why are they all here?'
The face might have been more modified from when they played games using headgears but he still could tell at a glance, the kimono Hakita would often wear, the calm demeanour Loret had to her, Flux's slant and small eyes and their voices as they chatted in the bar. There was no way he couldn't recognize it. A rush of emotion overwhelmed him as he was forced by the situation to remember their days together. The trio belatedly noticing him stood up and bowed their heads, a player or not they were citizens of the Temper kingdom and before them, stood a Duke of the same.
"These are my mates, we will protect you till you reach the capital city."
"Then we should be leaving," Leon said.
"Uh? I for sure thought you are going to stay the night here." Tara said.
"I can't waste any more time." Leon said and turned outside, 'How am I supposed to stay here without lying to her... I knew she was pretty and kind but that face, How can I lie to that face.'
"But your grace...you are too tired to continue..."
"All I'll be doing is sitting in a carriage and you guys can sit in the carriage with me too, I want that as early as possible, I should be at the capital before the meeting starts." He responded.
"Duly noted your grace!" Knight Daryon said with a bow.
Leon turned towards Flux, Loret and Hakita. "I know there's something you want, let's talk after my meeting tomorrow."
They responded and all went outside. The chariot was not as extravagant as Leon's but it was manageable and wide, enough for four as Leon forced the Knights whom he just healed to sit with him. They watched him pet the sleeping cub all through the journey.
That night Neju and Courtney arrived at Deivy but found nothing. Neju was devasted and angrier, his passion to wipe WhiteOrl guild from existence grew so much that not even Courtney his girlfriend could calm him.
"Let's stay for the night, we'll go to the capital tomorrow," Neju said.
"Are you going cause a ruckus at the capital, you know we are not citizens of Temper, and if word gets to the empire it could spoil our reputation, Glecius is so close to receiving a nobility status nothing should get in the way of that." She said.
"Of course, we'll just check their movement and give them a warning." He replied, drawing her closer with a smile. "Tsk, if only those bastards did not fail." He said as they walked to the bar together to book a room.
... ... ...
Leon arrived at the capital as early as 7 A.M and immediately reported to the queen, who was in her chambers getting ready, she still invited him in nonetheless, and all the maids excused themselves as Leon entered.
"Blindboy, it's a good thing you arrived early." She said, even though she was donned in a slim grin silky gown that showed off her tender shoulders, her hair was flowing freely because it had not been packed and there were no ornaments or jewellery on her, she still looked amazingly stunning and beautiful, the shape of her body which gave the tight dress she wore a delight was every man's dream. However Leon had a strange way of overlooking things even though he noticed them, he was a minor after all.
"Are you going to attend a court meeting with that blindfold?" The Queen asked.
"Can I not?" Leon asked in reply.
"Well, because of what is happening today it'd be favourable if you don't. There will be a lot of opposition, putting on a blindfold will strengthen the opposition, not everyone knows you can see in it." She stated.
"Okay," Leon said and unequipped the blindfold. His bright honey eyes in combination with his neatly packed hair immediately radiated the handsomeness of his face.
[Your bond with the Queen has increased by 50]
'Holy shit...'
The Queen looked at Leon from his head to his feet, her facial expressions distorted upon reaching his feet. "Are you going to attend my court meeting looking like that?"
Leon remembering how he dipped his shoe in mud chuckled shyly. She shook her head, "Let's do you a transformation."
"You don't have to do it yourself though?" Leon said.
"I enjoy doing it myself, do you have a problem with that?" She said, glaring at Leon.
"Of course not," Leon replied upon seeing her piercing glare.
They walked together to another chamber which harboured the most expensive and pulchritudinous outfits.
"So you were saying something will happen?" Leon spoke as Queen Lia looked through the wardrobes.
"Yes, you will be receiving a governmental position." She replied, still searching through.
"Why?" Leon asked.
She paused and looked at Leon, "Why else? To protect you and I also believe you will be on my side, I plan to do a purging within the kingdom." She continued to search through the wardrobe.
"Is that what the emergency is about?" Leon asked again.
"The appointment of a new minister is not a good enough reason for there to be an emergency meeting?" She asked still looking through. "Ah, found it!" She exclaimed and brought out a brown-coloured jacket, she looked at Leon and looked at it. "The colour should make your face shine brighter." She said, throwing the outfit to Leon.
"Meet me at the throne hall." She said, walked towards Leon, raised her head to kiss his cheek and walked out.
[Your bond with the Queen has increased by 100]
'...why is this lady messing with me... weirdly, all I can think of is her even at moments like this'