Even the crown's weight can't sink the truth
Home Sweet Home
After breakfast, Titania stood up with her usual grace, her demeanor as composed and aloof as ever.
"It's time for me to leave. I trust your situation here will manage itself without further intervention."
She looked at me pointedly. I looked up. "I thought you might stick around to see how things turn out."
Titania smiled coldly. "I have more pressing matters to attend to. Your little adventure with Crimson is no longer my concern. Besides, I can't waste my time on every trivial family affair."
I raised an eyebrow. "Trivial, huh? I guess not everyone appreciates the drama as much as I do."
"Drama is hardly worth my time. I prefer matters with a bit more substance," she replied with a hint of sarcasm.
I grinned. "Fair enough."
She nodded. "And I'd advise you not to get too accustomed to my presence. I am not like the others. I won't support you or align myself with you."
"Noted. I suppose I'll have to manage without your favor. But if you ever change your mind, you know where to find me," I replied with a smirk.
She gave a brief, dismissive nod. "Goodbye, Shay. Try not to die before we could have a fight."
I blinked, taken aback. It was the first time she had addressed me by name, and for a brief moment, it felt like a small acknowledgment of the blood we shared.
"I'll do my best. Safe travels, Titania."
As she turned and walked away, her regal poise unshaken, I watched her leave. The door clicked shut behind her, and the echo of her voice lingered in the room. It was a departure that carried the weight of finality and a hint of something more—a subtle recognition that I had made an impression, however fleeting.
As Titania's departure signaled the end of her visit, I decided it was time to wrap things up and head back. The mansion, once filled with activity and tension, now felt oddly quiet.
Walking through the rooms, I began gathering our belongings. There was a strange sense of familiarity in the air, despite all the chaos we'd experienced. Mica, who had been resting after his long night of reading, joined me, helping with a somewhat grumpy efficiency.
"I've had enough of socializing for now," Alex said. "Let's take a break when we arrive home."
Rolo, still engrossed in his notes, joined us with a resigned look. "I suppose it's back to the usual routine. I've made significant progress, but I miss home."
I couldn't help but grin as I packed up the last of my things. "I'm ready for a return to normalcy. It's been quite the adventure here, but it's time to move on."
Rolo, glancing at me with a mix of amusement and exhaustion, shook his head. "You seem to have taken quite a liking to this place."
"Maybe I'm just enjoying the contrast," I replied, feeling a bit reflective. "Plus, negotiating with a vampire king isn't something I do every day."
Des and Alice arrived, their expressions a mix of readiness and relief. Des, with his ever-present air of calm determination, nodded at the sight of the packed bags. Alice, ever the supportive companion, offered to help with the last-minute details.
With everything packed, we made our way to the luxurious car waiting for us outside. The sun was setting, casting a golden hue over the landscape. The sleek vehicle was a stark contrast to the grandiosity of the mansion, but it promised comfort for our journey home.
I noticed Crimson standing by the entrance, his demeanor a mix of somber and begrudging respect. He gave me a grim look as I approached.
I grinned, and he sighed in relief. He held out his hand to me.
"I'll send you a notice of our meetings," he announced loftily, "I have a feeling you might 'accidentally' forget otherwise."
"Perhaps," I replied with a cheerful melodiousness in my voice and shook his hand.
He shook his head mischievously, but he couldn't hide from me the barely perceptible curve hiding at the corner of his mouth.
Des helped Alice into the car before climbing in himself. Mose and Rolo followed. Alex made sure everything was in order then sat. I was the last one.
I looked back at Crimson's mansion, the grand structure slowly fading into the distance. As we settled into the plush interior of the car, I felt a mix of excitement and readiness for whatever lay ahead.
The car's smooth ride and the hum of the engine provided a soothing backdrop as we drove away. I glanced around at my companions, their faces reflecting a shared sense of relief and anticipation.
(...)
The luxurious car came to a smooth stop in front of our house, the familiar sight of our abode bringing a mix of relief and anticipation. We unloaded our bags, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement at being back in our own space. After the grandeur of the mansion, our house seemed quaint but welcoming.
Alex was the first to make his way inside, his eyes scanning the place with a mix of weariness and affection. The door swung open, and the familiar scent of home greeted us, mingled with a hint of something… less pleasant.
"Home sweet home," Alex sighed, his voice tinged with both relief and a touch of exasperation.
Rolo and I followed him inside, dragging our bags through the door. The house, though cozy, definitely needed some attention. Dust had settled on the furniture, and a few things were slightly out of place.
The demon cat was perched on a high shelf, observing us recognition flickering in its eyes.
He stretched languidly before jumping down and sauntering over to us.
"Look who's here," Alex said hopefully, but Mao's reaction was immediate: he sauntered past Alex, giving him a disdainful flick of his tail.
Rolo and I both noticed the cold reception. The demon cat's eyes softened as he approached us instead. He rubbed up against my legs, purring loudly. Ew.
Rolo smiled, giving the cat a gentle pat. "Looks like Mao missed us."
Alex sighed, watching the scene unfold.
Mao, noticing the attention, now strutted over to Rolo, purring and rubbing against his ankles.
"It's always the same," Alex muttered. "He's never been this affectionate with me."
I chuckled, watching the interaction. "Seems like this demon only got room for one grudge, and it's firmly reserved for you."
Alex gave a wry smile. "I've tried everything, but Mao's not buying it. I think he's holding out for some gourmet meals."
As we settled into the house, it became clear that while the demon cat's affections were reserved for the two of us, it was entirely disinterested in Alex's attempts to win it over.
Alex looked around the house, his shoulders sagging a bit as he took in the state of things. "Well, it's clear the house could use a deep clean. I guess I know what my evening's going to look like."
As he began his cleaning spree, Alex pulled out his phone and quickly dialed our neighbor.
"Hello? Oh, It's Alex from next door," he said, trying to keep his voice light despite his exhaustion. "I just wanted to thank you for looking after Mao while we were away. He seems to have managed just fine, though he's still giving me the cold shoulder."
He listened for a moment, a genuine smile crossing his face as the neighbor spoke.
"I really appreciate it," Alex said, "If there's ever anything you need or if I can return the favor, just let me know."
After a few more pleasantries, Alex ended the call and turned back to us. "Martha said it was no trouble at all. She's a real gem."
I gave him an approving nod. Yeah, who cares?
Alex glanced over at the cat, who had now settled into a sunspot, clearly enjoying its lazy afternoon.
I sank into the comfort of the living room couch, flipping through channels on the TV. The background noise was a pleasant distraction as I pulled out my phone and opened my messaging app. I located Lil's contact and tapped on her name.
The screen lit up with our baren conversation history. I began typing a new message:
[Hey Lil! Just wanted to say thanks again for the last ride. I might need your services again soon. What's your schedule like these days?]
I sent the message and turned my attention to the TV. The show was a rerun of some detective drama, but it provided a nice, relaxing background noise.
My phone buzzed with Lil's reply.
Trouble's Chauffeur: [Hey Shay. I'm okay, thanks. My schedule's pretty packed right now with various jobs. What's up?]
I leaned back and decided to add a touch of charm to make the conversation more engaging.
[Well, I might have some trouble that only you can handle. Thought I'd check in and see if you're available. It's always good to catch up too. What do you say?😀]
Trouble's Chauffeur: [ I see you're still trying to charm me. What's this trouble you're referring to?]
I chuckled softly. Her reluctance was evident, but she was playing along.
[Just some usual trouble, nothing too crazy. It'd be great to have you on standby. I also wouldn't mind catching up; it's been a while. How about tomorrow evening?🤔]
A few moments of silence followed. I could almost hear her contemplating the offer. Finally, my phone buzzed with her response.
Trouble's Chauffeur: [Tomorrow evening is a bit tight for me. Can't guarantee I'll be free. But I suppose if it's something important, I can try to make time. What's the occasion?]
[It's nothing too urgent, just a possibility.]
Lil's reply came through quickly.
Trouble's Chauffeur: [Alright, I'll keep that in mind. Just let me know if you need me. And don't expect too much; I have a busy schedule.]
I grinned and set my phone aside. Despite her initial reluctance, it seemed like I'd managed to secure a bit of her time.
With that settled, I relaxed into the couch, feeling content. The TV continued its chatter as I unwound.
Later that evening, we decided to have dinner. The kitchen was still in a bit of a mess, but it didn't matter much. We had a delicious homemade meal to look forward to.
Alex did the cooking mostly. I was in the kitchen, setting the table, while Rolo was reading a book and occasionally chiming in with his dry humor. Alex placed the finishing touches on the stew, stirring it with a satisfied nod. The aroma of garlic and herbs wafted through the kitchen, promising a hearty meal.
"It's ready," Alex announced, setting the pot on the table. "Fresh bread to go with it."
"I'm impressed," I said, looking at the spread.
Rolo looked up from his book, giving Alex a nod of approval. "Smells good."
We all sat down, and Alex served the stew with a flourish. The table was filled with the clinking of cutlery and the warm, comforting aroma of a home-cooked meal.
"So, Shay," Alex began, "now that you're a king and all, what's next on your agenda? Any big plans?"
I took a sip of my drink and considered the question. "Well, I'll definitely need to deal with the remaining dark mages from the Shadow Veil Syndicate. There's a lot of unfinished business there."
Rolo raised an eyebrow. "What's the plan?"
"I'm not entirely sure yet," I admitted. "It's a matter of figuring out the best approach. I want to make sure that whatever we do is effective and doesn't leave any loose ends."
Alex nodded thoughtfully.
"By the way, I'll be out of the house tomorrow morning for some business. I should be back around lunchtime," I added.
Alex raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Anything in particular you're handling?"
"Nothing too exciting. But it should be done by noon, so I'll be home by then."
The conversation shifted as we enjoyed the meal.
"I'm just happy we're all here," Alex said with a contented sigh. "It feels like we're finally getting back to normal."
"Agreed," I said, raising my glass. "To getting back to normal."
Rolo and Alex clinked their glasses against mine. "To getting back to normal."
As Alex cleared the table and I settled into a comfortable chair with my drink, Rolo looked up from where he was organizing his notes.
"So," Rolo began, his tone casual but his curiosity evident, "when are we heading to the Sorcerer Lord's court?"
I glanced up from my phone, where I'd been sending a few texts. "Oh, right. I'd almost forgotten about that."
"Do you have a specific date in mind for leaving?" he asked.
"Not yet," I admitted. "I was thinking of finalizing the date later. I have some things to do before that."
Rolo shrugged, clearly not satisfied by my answer.
Alex set down the last of the dishes and wiped his hands on a towel. "Sounds like it's going to be an interesting trip. I'll be here holding down the fort while you two are off."
"Appreciate it," I said.
After our conversation, I excused myself and made my way to my room. As I entered my room, I took a moment to appreciate the calm before pulling out my phone. The day had been intense, and I needed to message Mazen.
[Hey]
I hit send and set my phone down. He has seen it but did not respond. I grabbed my phone again.
[Hey, I need your magical compass.]
My phone buzzed with his reply.
Frosty Darklord: [Why?]
[You know why] I typed.
There was a longer pause this time. I could almost see Mazen's cold, calculating expression as he weighed my request.
Frosty Darklord: [Fine. I'll give it to you tomorrow.]
[Thanks, Mazen.]
Frosty Darklord: [Don't thank me yet. Just get the job done.]
I set my phone down and sighed.