After a long and uncomfortable amount of silence, Queen Vestalis finally opened her mouth, though only after forcefully suppressing most of her emotions.
"You say the one responsible for Grandaunt's death, but she was a powerful Adventure that frequented Dungeons; how do you know that the poison wasn't from a monster within said dungeon?" Asked Violet softly with an indifferent gaze as she looked at Alexander, prompting everyone to do the same, while several wiped their tears, attempting to remain professional.
"It's difficult to explain… I have no physical or even solid information to further justify my statement. As a matter of fact, Master had told me nothing regarding her inevitable death, not until two weeks before her passing, and during that time, she refused to elaborate on how she was poisoned." Replied Alexander softly as he raised his head and looked at Violet with an awkward expression, his words causing her and everyone else to furrow their brows.
"I suppose you'll just have to trust the words of a stranger who was more hurt at Lavender's death than all of you combined." Added Alexander with a wry smile as he gazed at everyone, prompting Violet to glance at Scarloc, who shook his head.
"He's telling the truth, Queen, but it matters not since, to us, it's merely a belief… A belief he genuinely believes in, but a belief nonetheless." Replied Scarloc lightly as he glanced at Violet, who gently nodded before shifting her focus back to Alexander.
"Since you've relayed your information, what items have you come to return?" Asked Violet with a raised eyebrow as she calmly looked at Alexander, who could clearly see her hidden emotions deep within her eyes.
"Y-Yes, everything she's mentioned belonging to her younger days is in this space pouch… Including this object." Replied Alexander as he gestured to the pouch in his hand before reaching into it, only to retrieve a staff, which shocked everyone.
"A-Aunts staff!?" Exclaimed Dahlia in shock as she gazed at the Staff of Ethos within Alexander's hands.
"Master had mentioned this staff was a family heirloom received from Goddess Eywa for doing something long ago; I figured it would only be right to return the object she initially stole. I'm also no Mage." Remarked Alexander lightly as he carelessly swung the staff around, causing everyone's eyes to twitch at his behavior
While twirling Masters staff, it suddenly vanished from my hands, causing me to furrow my brows in confusion as I looked around, only to see Scarloc holding her staff as if it were a precious item while approaching Queen Vestalis's throne.
'Well, I suppose it is considered a precious item. I would've liked to use it at least once or twice, though.' Thought Alexander lightly with a slight pout as he eyed Scarloc, only to shrug his shoulders.
"The Staff of Ethos, Queen Vestalis." Said Scarloc softly as he dropped to one knee just before Violet's throne, prompting her to lean forward and grab it.
"Just as I remember…" Muttered Violet with an ever so faint smile as she held the Staff of Ethos within her hand and pointed it to the sky.
After a few more moments of admiring the staff, Queen Vestalis handed it back to Scarloc, who promptly stood up.
"Store it where it belongs; that pedestal has been empty for far too long." "At least we know it was put to excellent use." Stated Violet and Scarloc, respectively, as the latter nodded before turning around and walking away from the throne.
While walking past me, Scarloc didn't say anything, but he did give a slight nod, which I could only assume was of gratitude. However, before I could think about it further, Queen Vestalis cleared her throat, grabbing my attention as I looked at her.
"On behalf of the entire Kingdom, we appreciate the act of returning The Staff of Ethos to us… Its value trancends mere coins." Declared Violet solemnly as she looked at Alexander with gratitude while everyone nodded in agreement.
"You're welcome, but it's not that big of a deal; I was never going to sell it or anything. It's my late Master's weapon, after all, nor would I ever use it… Well, other than maybe playing around with it a little bit." Replied Alexander lightly as he looked at Violet before dismissively waving his hand, only to sheepishly smile.
"Anyways, since I've fulfilled my duty, I'll be taking my leave as I am not supposed to be here in the first place; besides, I'm sure you all will need some to process Masters passing, and I would want to possibly interrupt." Declared Alexander softly with a slight bow as he glanced at Violet before gazing at everyone else.
"Oh, I almost forgot this." Added Alexander as he reached into his pocket, grabbing the medallion of the royal family before outstretching his hand., only to furrow his brows in confusion.
"Um, can I just set it on the ground? Or do I hand it to one of you?" Asked Alexander in slight confusion as he gazed at everyone, only for three men and two women to suddenly walk past him.
"Ah, perfect, here you go, Sir." Said Alexander with a faint smile as he handed the medallion to the oldest man in the group, prompting him to furrow his brows in pure confusion.
"Um, I'm sorry I'm late, dear, I was grabbing our children… Did I miss something? Why is a human handing me a medallion of our family?" Asked the man in confusion as he gazed at Violet, who suppressed her amusement while shaking her head.
"While it was a short, it was a pleasure, Queen Vestalis." Stated Alexander as he bowed again before turning around and walking away, further confusing the man while Violet sighed before raising her hand.
"Stop, Alexander." Ordered Violet, her words causing Alexander to do as told while he turned to gaze at her in confusion.
"I can't allow Grandaunt's disciple to just leave like that; stay with us for some time." Added Violet lightly as she looked at Alexander, who raised an eyebrow in slight surprise.
I would honestly like to refuse her request; I have nothing against the royal family; it's just I'd like to return home as soon as possible. I'm beginning to miss my muscular teddy bear and adorable yet plump lovers. However, I could tell she wasn't really asking me; it was more like she was telling me to stay, and I couldn't refuse her words, so with a slight sigh, I nodded.
"If you are okay with having a human within your palace, Queen Vestalis." Said Alexander with a somewhat forced smile as he nodded while gazing at Violet, who faintly smiled.
"Your race hardly matters; us Dryads have been isolated from the rest of the world for so long, most of us haven't ever seen a human in the flesh." Remarked Violet lightly as she dismissively waved his hand, only to shift her focus to the group that had just walked into the throne room.
"Since my children wish to ignore my summons, Amaryllis, show Alexander to the room he shall be staying in." Added Violet sternly, her words causing the shortest one among them to click her tongue before scoffing.
"Never mind, I change my mind. Instead, I'll have your Brother do it and eliminate your allowance." "N-NO! I-I Apologize, Mother; I-I'll show him to the guest rooms." Stated Violet and Amaryllis, respectively, as the latter quickly shook her head before dashing to Alexander with a large, friendly smile.
"Follow me, Alexander; I shall show you to your room!" Said Amaryllis with a lovely voice as she looked at Alexander, whose eyes had been drawn to her bouncing chest, only to nod.
"Thank you, Princess Amaryllis." Said Alexander with a friendly smile as he slightly bowed to Amaryllis, who nodded before walking past him, only for his eyes to suddenly widen.
"Oh, I almost forgot, I didn't travel alone–" "They can stay as well." Said Alexander and Amaryllis, respectively, as he glanced at her while she nodded in agreement without even letting him finish speaking.
Following Amaryllis, we exited the throne room, with me behaving like a gentleman and opening the door, though just as they closed, her joyful excitement promptly vanished.
"Haa, thank goodness, I can't have my allowance vanish given how low it is now." Muttered Amaryllis softly as she sighed in relief before shaking her head, only to glance at Alexander, who was staring at her, causing her to frown.
"Can you not stare at me like that?" Ordered Amaryllis with a slight frown as she folded her arms and eyed Alexander, who apologetically nodded.
"Sorry, I was just surprised by how similar you and Master looked." "Master?" Said Alexander and Amaryllis, respectively, as the latter raised her brows in confusion.
"Ah, Princess Lavender, your Great-Grandaunt. She's my Master." Replied Alexander, his words slightly surprising her before she flicked her hair behind her pointy ears.
"Oh, her. I'm always getting compared to her, saying I look just like her and whatnot; it's a little annoying. After all, if anything, I'm more beautiful… Wouldn't you agree?" Remarked Amaryllis with a click of her tongue as she folded her arms with a look of annoyance only to glance at Alexander, who quickly averted his gaze.
"I-I already have a lover, and I wouldn't feel right if I complimented another woman no matter how beautiful they looked." Stated Alexander quickly, his fast thinking causing Amaryllis to raise an eyebrow before shaking her head.
"Whatever, it doesn't matter whether you agree or not. Anyways, let's get your partner and then find your guest room… Wherever it's at." Said Amaryllis lightly as she ignored Alexander while walking past him down the hallway.