Inside the safe house, Ben and Alexander were happily chatting away.
"So you're telling me demons held you captive?" Ben asked curiously, "They didn't… try and eat you did they?" The concern Ben felt was laced in every word he spoke.
Alexander shook his head as he chuckled, "no," he replied with a smile, "they eat animals, like everyone else."
Ben raised an eyebrow, "Huh… do they cook it?"
Alexander frowned, raising a hand to his chin. "Kinda," he answered, "they cook the skin and sizzle the fat, but the meat is pretty raw."
"Ew," Ben said with a laugh as he scrunched his face up. "Did… you eat it?"
Alexander nodded, "Oh yeah, and hey, it's pretty good."
"You're pulling my leg," Ben replied with a hesitant chuckle, waiting for Alexander's admission to joking.
But it never came, Alexander just stared at Ben with a smirk.
Oh yes Ben, I ate it all!
Ben chuckled as he pushed Alexander's chair back. "Unbelievable," he said with a shake of his head.
Alexander laughed, happily enjoying familiar company after so long. "Oh come on, you should try it!"
Ben joined in on Alexander's laughter, the two enjoying their shared presence.
But that atmosphere quickly dissipated as the front door opened, revealing Antoinette walking in with a faint smile on her lips.
As she closed the door behind herself, everyone in the room froze, unsure of what to expect.
As Antoinette walked in, her boots hitting the wooden floor with a soft thud, all eyes were locked on her.
Alexander was especially curious, he knew he'd be fine if anything were to go down, but he wasn't sure about Ben.
I must be the sacrificial lamb, to give Ben his freedom.
Glancing at Ben, Alexander gave his loyal pathfinder a thumbs up.
Ben gave him a confused look.
Alexander nodded, before turning towards Antoinette. "You look beautiful Ms. Antoinette."
Antoinette glanced at Alexander, her smile growing. "Mhmm, I know your little tricks, lord Alexander, I don't need flattery, I'm not mad."
Every pathfinder in the room let out a sigh of relief.
Alexander turned back to give Ben another thumbs up and this time Ben returned it, realizing what Alexander had done.
"But," Antoinette continued, "that doesn't mean you all can loiter around, pack your bags, get some sleep, prepare to wake at dawn."
The room sprang into action, chairs scraped across the floor as boots shuffled around. The pathfinders gathered their loose belongings, bags, and weapons. All while grumbling and whispering.
Ben stayed by Alexander's side, his expression seeming thoughtful.
Alexander glanced at him, his expression turning curious. "You okay?" He asked, tapping Ben's leg.
Ben snapped out of his thoughtful expression, "Huh, oh… yes, I'm fine my lord," he answered with a smirk. "I'm… I'm wondering whether I should put you on a leash or sleep outside your room."
"What?" Alexander exclaimed in disbelief.
Ben chuckled briefly before becoming slightly serious. "It's just… I don't want you to get kidnapped again," he replied, "we still don't even know how it happened the first time."
Alexander immediately frowned, wanting to answer the question.
It was Béatrice, that bitch!
But he couldn't just say that, despite how much he despised Béatrice she was both Ben and his benefactor.
If Alexander were to point the finger at her, they'd either be put on the streets or worse, killed.
And so, Alexander simply sighed. "I'm sorry Ben, but all I remember is waking up on the demon continent."
Ben frowned as his brow furrowed, "yeah, I know." He replied, "But I won't stop searching, someone is after you and I will find them." Ben then tightened his fist, "…and kill them."
Alexander nodded in agreement, "Yeah, I believe in you." He said with a reassuring smile.
Their moment of camaraderie was interrupted by Antoinette grabbing Ben's shoulder, her touch strangely gentle. "If you're done babysitting, we need to have that talk." She whispered, her voice barely audible.
The color drained from Ben's cheeks as he slowly turned to face Antoinette. "Heh… I almost forgot about that." He said with a nervous chuckle.
Alexander couldn't help but grin sheepishly, Antoinette and Ben were adorable in a strange way.
"Come on." Antoinette ordered as she rose, "We'll chat in the basement."
Ben nodded, giving Alexander one last look of reassurance before following after Antoinette.
As Ben walked away, Alexander sighed deeply. He was thankful for Ben's loyalty and friendship, but there wasn't much he could do to help him.
Béatrice was a powerful influence with friends in high places and the Queen's ear.
Of course, that's not even mentioning the army of pathfinders she commanded, Ben and Antoinette among them.
He hated to admit it, but he was just in too weak of a position to stand up to her.
He had no allies and no one to trust.
He couldn't even protect Ben if Béatrice decided she wanted to kill him.
It was then that Alexander realized if he was going to survive he had to not only get stronger physically but politically.
He had to be smarter with his words, cautious with the people he lets close, and most importantly build a base to stand on.
In other words, he had to rebuild House Daname.
And make it stronger than ever…
— — —
The next day at high noon, Alexander found himself docking in port on the Novas' private island.
The dock was lined with pathfinders from both the royals and the nova house, numbering in the low tens.
They were lined in a tight formation on the dock's edge, their expressions stern and posture stiff.
Along with those pathfinders were the women they respectively served.
Queen Charlotte, and Lady Béatrice, along with their daughters Louise and Princess Elizabeth.
Looking out from the deck of the ship, Alexander was surprised to see such a crowd waiting for him.
Had his disappearance caused so much of a stir that even Her Majesty had to see him return?
"Is that the Queen?" Ben whispered curiously as he leaned over the rail, dressed in his freshly pressed uniform and cap. Its red color was a deep crimson.
Alexander turned to look at Ben, an eyebrow arched. "You didn't know about this either?" He asked.
Ben shook his head. "I had no idea, my lord."
Alexander felt his stomach churn as the ship slowly docked.
I got a bad feeling about this….
When the ship finally dropped anchor and its gangplank lowered, Antoinette was the first to take the lead. She marched with a confident sway of the hips, her crimson uniform gently blowing in the sea wind.
Alexander followed behind her, his movements slow and cautious as he kept his gaze on the Queen and Béatrice.
Ben stayed close behind him, hand on the hilt of his sword as he kept his expression steady.
Watching the group make its way down, Charlotte's piercing gaze locked onto Alexander while a subtle smile crossed her lips.
Her daughter, Elizabeth, looked as if she was about to explode with excitement and impatience, her eyes filled with longing as he tightened her grip on her mother's hand.
Meanwhile, the other mother-daughter duo had opposite reactions.
Béatrice had an indifferent expression on her face as if she knew everything that was going to happen and did happen.
And her daughter, Louise, had a subtle expression of disbelief and surprise. Like she didn't expect Alexander to be alive.