Day 53:
9:00 AM – Woke up to a loud commotion in the courtyard. Spark was darting around, screeching in excitement. When I looked outside, I saw a group of strangers at the castle gates. They were adventurers, but they didn't look like the usual band of heroes; they seemed more like... tourists?
Interlude – Morning Mystery:
Seraphina: "Are those adventurers?" Vortax: "More like adventurer-wannabes. They've got selfie sticks and matching t-shirts."
10:00 AM – Went to investigate the situation. The group introduced themselves as members of an Adventurer's Club, here on a tour of famous dungeons and lairs. Apparently, our castle had made it onto some sort of "Top Ten Must-Visit Lairs" list.
11:00 AM – The club president, a boisterous man named Reginald, asked for a tour. I hesitated, but the minions seemed excited about showing off their home. We decided to give them the grand tour, with Grog as the guide (after making him promise not to mention any of our more embarrassing moments).
Interlude – Tour Talk:
Reginald: "We've heard legends about this place! Is it true that dragons live here?" Vortax: "Well, not just live. They occasionally help with the gardening."
12:00 PM – As we walked through the castle, the tourists marveled at everything: the throne room, the armory, even the kitchens. Spark followed us, delighting in the attention and posing for photos.
1:00 PM – The adventurers were particularly interested in the hidden chamber we discovered yesterday. We showed them the treasure, and they oohed and aahed appropriately. One of them even tried to buy the glowing amulet, but I declined. It's probably cursed. Or at least, it looks like it should be.
Interlude – Treasure Talk:
Tourist: "How much for the amulet?" Vortax: "Not for sale. Unless you want to turn into a toad. Then maybe."
2:00 PM – We took the group to the courtyard for a demonstration of our dragon-training techniques. The dragons, including Spark, performed admirably, much to the tourists' delight. Grog attempted to showcase his "taming" skills, but was promptly knocked over by a playful dragon tail.
3:00 PM – The adventurers decided they wanted to try some of the castle's legendary traps. We deactivated the deadly ones and let them have a go at the milder challenges. Watching them navigate the maze and dodge harmless arrows was surprisingly entertaining.
Interlude – Trap Trials:
Seraphina: "Do you think they know the arrows are made of foam?" Vortax: "Let's not ruin their fun."
4:00 PM – As a final treat, we set up a small market in the courtyard where the adventurers could buy souvenirs. The minions sold trinkets, potions, and even offered to cast minor spells for a small fee. Spark managed to sell a "dragon scale" (which was actually just a shiny rock) to an overly enthusiastic tourist.
6:00 PM – The tourists left, thanking us profusely for the unforgettable experience. They promised to spread the word about our "awesome castle" and vowed to return next year. The minions were thrilled with the success of the day and the extra gold coins in their pockets.
Interlude – Farewell Fun:
Reginald: "This was the best stop on our tour! We'll definitely be back!" Vortax: "Next time, bring snacks."
8:00 PM – We had a relaxed dinner, discussing the day's events and laughing about the tourists' antics. The minions were already planning ways to improve the tour for the next group. Spark was particularly pleased with its role as the unofficial mascot.
10:00 PM – Ended the day feeling amused and slightly bewildered. Who knew our castle could be such a popular tourist destination? Seraphina and I sat by the fire, reflecting on how our home had become a place of joy and wonder for so many.
End of Day 53