Fresh coffee greeted him as he headed back into the café, making his mouth water. But today, prince had a new mission. Rumour had it that a rare coffee seed could be found in a dungeon on the outskirts of the town. A coffee connoisseur like himself couldn't resist the challenge.
He approached Rosemary, who was busy with the morning rush. "Rosemary, I'm heading out for a bit. Got a rare coffee seed to find."
Rosemary raised an eyebrow. "Be careful out there. Dungeons aren't exactly a walk in the park."
Sabel grinned. "Don't worry about me. I'll be back before you know it."
With that, he set off, his excitement growing with each step. The dungeon was rumoured to be dangerous, but Sabel's skills and magic made him confident he could handle whatever came his way.
As he reached the entrance to the dungeon, he took a deep breath and stepped inside. The air was cool and damp, and the faint sound of dripping water echoed through the stone corridors. He lit a small orb of light with his magic and descended.
The first few monsters he encountered were no match for him. Goblins and skeletons fell quickly to his spells and swift movements. He moved deeper into the dungeon, navigating traps and puzzles with ease. His cat eyes allowed him to see through devious plans and hidden dangers, making his journey relatively smooth.
After what felt like hours, Sabel finally reached the dungeon's heart. In a small, hidden chamber, he found what he was looking for a single, glowing coffee plant. The rare coffee seed was nestled among its roots, and Sabel carefully extracted it, cradling it in his hands.
"Gotcha," he whispered triumphantly.
With his prize secured, he returned to the surface, dispatching any remaining monsters with practised ease. As he emerged from the dungeon, he couldn't wait to return to the café and try the new coffee.
However, as he reached the town, something felt off. The streets were eerily quiet, and unease settled over him. He quickened his pace, heading straight for the café.
But when he arrived, he found himself not in front of the familiar building but in the royal palace courtyard. And there, standing before him, was his father, King Admound.
"Sabel," the king said, his voice a mix of relief and anger. "Where have you been?"
Sabel's heart sank. He hadn't expected to be caught so soon. He took a deep breath and straightened, slipping back into the prince's role.
"Father," he said calmly. "I went on a... personal mission. I needed to find something important."
King Admound's eyes narrowed. "Important enough to abandon your duties and worry the entire kingdom?"
Sabel held up the coffee seed. "It's a rare coffee seed, Father. One that can only be found in a dangerous dungeon. I thought it would be a unique addition to the royal kitchen."
The king's stern expression softened slightly, but he was still clearly upset. "You could have informed me of your plans."
Sabel sighed. "I know, Father. But I needed to do this on my own. I've been feeling... restless."
King Admound studied his son for a moment, then sighed heavily. "Very well. We will discuss this later. For now, return to your duties."
Sabel nodded, feeling a mix of relief and dread. He had completed his mission, but now he had to face the consequences of his actions. As he returned to his quarters, he couldn't help but wonder what the future held.
Just then, Sabel felt a strange sensation, as if he were being pulled away from reality. The world around him started to blur, and before he knew it, he was back in his bed at the café, drenched in sweat. He sat up, gasping for air.
"It was all a dream," he muttered, rubbing his eyes. "A vivid, bizarre dream."
He looked around the room, taking in the familiar surroundings of the café. Everything was normal. He wasn't in the palace, and there was no angry king to answer to. Just the gentle hum of the café and the smell of fresh coffee brewing downstairs.
Relieved, Sabel got out of bed and dressed quickly. He headed downstairs, where Rosemary greeted him with a smile.
"Morning, Mr. Dance-a-lot," she teased. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
Sabel chuckled, shaking his head. "Just a strange dream, that's all."
Sitting down with a fresh cup of coffee, he couldn't help but laugh at himself. Dream or not, his love for coffee always led him on the most unexpected adventures. And today, he was happy to enjoy the simple, peaceful life he had found in the café.