Aqua's head was pounding like a drum at a rock concert. "Aaahhh! My head? What happened… Oh, right, the memory's coming back. I had a love affair with a bottle last night," he mumbled, finding himself sprawled on a bed that could rival the Queen's.
"Master, you're awake… I'm so thrilled!" Night, his loyal canine companion, was practically doing the samba around him, showering him with wet, sloppy kisses.
"Yeah, yeah, but what's the deal with the royal suite?" Aqua inquired, wiping dog drool off his face.
"Master, you embraced the bottle a bit too tightly and decided to time travel through sleep. You missed a whole day. You really can't dance with alcohol," Night chided.
"What? I time-traveled? And how did I end up here?" Aqua asked, puzzled.
"The receptionist lady turned into your fairy godmother. She carried you here, gave you a massage worthy of a king, and tucked you in," Night explained.
"Umm-hmm… Night, did anything happen between—?" Aqua started, a blush creeping up his cheeks.
"Nope, you were out cold, snoring louder than a chainsaw," Night said with a snort.
"Aaahhh, shoot! I missed the best part…" Aqua groaned, sinking into disappointment.
"Master, you have an audience with the king today. Shouldn't you be getting ready?" Night reminded him.
"Oh, barnacles! I totally forgot," Aqua exclaimed, jumping out of bed and scrambling to get dressed.
He dashed downstairs to find a gaggle of ladies at the breakfast table, all eyes on him.
"Oh, look who decided to join the world of the living," one lady teased.
"I'm terribly sorry, I only paid for one night, and here I am, overstaying my welcome," Aqua apologized, his face a canvas of embarrassment.
"Hahaha, don't be silly! We enjoyed the peace and quiet without your snoring," another lady quipped.
"Indeed, Master! You were as silent as a mime; we didn't want to disturb your beauty sleep," the receptionist added with a wink.
"I'm grateful for your hospitality. It was a five-star snooze, but now I must dash. I have a royal appointment," Aqua said, making a beeline for the door.
"Did he say 'king'?" one lady whispered.
"Yes, he definitely mentioned royalty," the others murmured, their shock echoing through the room.
Aqua arrived at the Red Corp headquarters, where Arthur was waiting.
"Ah, Mr. Shiki, the prodigal innovator returns," Arthur greeted with a raised eyebrow.
"Good morning, Mr. Arthur. My apologies for the tardiness. I had a bit too much fun with the spirits," Aqua chuckled, scratching his head.
"Haha, so even Mr. Shiki has his kryptonite. Delightful to know," Arthur grinned.
Aqua's eyes landed on a carriage that screamed opulence. "This chariot looks fit for a king," he remarked.
"Indeed, let's embark. It shall ferry us to the royal court," Arthur replied, gesturing grandly towards the carriage.
As they settled inside, Arthur's curiosity piqued. "So, Mr. Shiki, I hear you've been shopping… for people?"
Aqua gulped. "Ah, yes, I needed some helping hands for my latest venture, so I acquired a few… helpers," he said, trying to sound nonchalant.
"A few? You practically bought out the entire market," Arthur squinted, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Haha, well, you know, go big or go home," Aqua laughed nervously, beads of sweat forming on his brow.
"For work, of course," Arthur nodded, suppressing a chuckle. "A man of your ambition needs a sizable crew."
Their laughter filled the carriage, but Aqua's was tinged with relief that Arthur hadn't probed further.
As they arrived at the court, they were greeted by a soldier whose beauty could stop time.
"Hello, Mr. Arthur," she saluted.
"Madam Shizu, always a pleasure. How do you fare?" Arthur replied.
"I'm well, thank you," Shizu smiled, then turned to Aqua. "And who might this gentleman be?"
"This is Mr. Shiki, the mastermind behind the market's latest frenzy," Arthur introduced.
"Pleased to meet you, I'm Shiki, a wanderer from distant lands," Aqua said, offering a hand.
"Welcome, Mr. Shiki. I'm Shizu, the knight commander of the court," she replied, shaking his hand.
"Did you know, Mr. Shiki, Madam Shizu rose from commoner to commander due to her extraordinary magical prowess and strategic acumen," Arthur shared.
"Really? That's remarkable," Aqua said, genuinely impressed.
As they proceeded towards the royal court, Aqua couldn't help but marvel at the palace's grandeur, its halls bustling with life and history etched into every stone.
They took their places in the court, awaiting the king's audience, the air thick with anticipation. Aqua couldn't shake off the feeling that today was going to be anything but ordinary.
The court fell silent as the herald's voice boomed, "The Great King approaches! All rise for his majesty!" The room filled with the rustle of robes and a collective intake of breath as the king entered, a vision of regal power. By his side, a queenly figure glided, her gaze sweeping the room like a lighthouse beam, and a young princess, whose age mirrored Aqua's, followed with a curious sparkle in her eyes.
"Commence the assembly," commanded the king, his voice echoing off the stone walls.
"Yes, my lord," the minister bowed, turning to address the court. "First, we have Mr. Arthur of Red Corp, and accompanying him is Mr. Shiki, the ingenious mind behind the products that have taken the market by storm."
The king's eyebrow arched in intrigue. "Ah, the man responsible for the market's latest obsession," the queen murmured, leaning forward with a glint of excitement.
As Shiki and Arthur stepped up, they bowed deeply before the throne.
"Raise your heads," the king decreed.
"Thank you, my lord," Arthur said, straightening up.
"So, Mr. Shiki, you are the craftsman of these delightful products. My wife and daughter have found great joy in them," the king stated, a rare smile gracing his lips.
"I am deeply honored, my lord, that the queen and princess have taken a liking to my humble creations," Aqua replied, his chest swelling with pride.
"And what brings you to our court today?" the king inquired.
"Have you brought new wonders for us to behold?" the princess asked, her eyes wide with anticipation.
"Not at present, Your Highness. I am in the midst of perfecting my next marvel," Aqua responded, his mind racing with ideas.
"Ensure that your next inventions grace our court first," the queen interjected, her voice firm yet not unkind.
"Of course, my queen," Aqua nodded. "In fact, I have brought something special for you today." With a flourish, he unveiled the Dresden Green Diamond and the Crown of the Andes.
The court gasped, the air charged with awe. The jewels sparkled like stars plucked from the night sky, casting prismatic light across the faces of the royal family. Their eyes shimmered with wonder, utterly captivated by the treasures before them.