**Narrator:**
The morning sun had barely risen when Sir Edward approached Sai's quarters. The soft echo of his boots against the marble floor signaled his arrival before he even knocked on the door. Sai, already awake and expecting the visit, opened the door with a slight smirk.
**Sai (raising an eyebrow, his voice light):**
"Oh, I didn't expect you to come personally, Sir Edward."
**Narrator:**
Sir Edward, as stoic as ever, gave a slight bow, his expression unchanged.
**Sir Edward (firmly, with formality):**
"It was Princess Yumehime's order. She insisted that I accompany you today."
**Narrator:**
Sai's smirk widened slightly as he crossed his arms, clearly intrigued by the mention of the princess.
**Sai (in a thoughtful tone, more to himself than to Sir Edward):**
"Oh, I see… so it was her order. Interesting."
**Narrator:**
There was a brief pause before Sai straightened his posture, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.
**Sai (casually, glancing at Sir Edward):**
"So, where are we heading? The Treasure Room, I assume?"
**Sir Edward (with a curt nod):**
"No. First, you are to meet with His Majesty."
**Sai (surprised, but quickly masking it):**
"Oh? Alright, lead the way."
**Narrator:**
The pair walked through the grand hallways of the palace, Sai's mind racing. He hadn't expected to meet with the king before their trip to the Treasure Room. Something about the sudden shift in plans made him cautious, though he remained outwardly calm.
When they arrived at the throne room, Sai's steps faltered for a moment as he took in the scene before him. King Henry sat at the head of the room, but this time he wasn't alone. Queen Eleanor sat beside him, her expression unreadable, while Princess Yumehime and Prince Leo stood nearby. The entire royal family was present, and Sai couldn't help but feel the weight of their collective gaze on him.
**Sai (with a slight chuckle, bowing his head politely):**
"I wasn't expecting such a gathering."
**Narrator:**
King Henry smiled, though there was a calculating glint in his eyes.
**King Henry (with a hint of amusement):**
"Yes, well, we are heading to the Treasure Room, as promised. But I thought it would be fitting for this occasion to also involve Princess Yumehime."
**Sai (raising an eyebrow, intrigued):**
"Princess?"
**Narrator:**
Yumehime stepped forward, her demeanor calm but friendly. There was a certain air of confidence about her, one that hadn't been present in their previous interactions.
**Princess Yumehime (with a lighthearted tone):**
"Yes. Since I'll be joining the Academy next month, I'll be needing an artifact of my own. Father thought it was a good opportunity to select one today."
**Narrator:**
Sai's eyes flickered with understanding. The Academy—of course. This trip to the Treasure Room was not just about him; it was about the royal family as well. He couldn't help but feel a strange shift in the dynamics at play. This was no longer just about his mysterious request—it had become a family affair.
**King Henry (nodding with approval):**
"Shall we proceed?"
**Narrator:**
The king rose from his throne, his movements steady and deliberate. Queen Eleanor stood beside him, her expression softening slightly, though her eyes remained cautious as they landed on Sai. Prince Leo, with youthful excitement, was clearly eager to see the Treasure Room as well.
**Sir Edward (bowing slightly):**
"Yes, Your Majesty."
**Narrator:**
As they all prepared to leave, Sai couldn't shake the feeling that this visit would be more complicated than he had anticipated. The presence of the entire royal family added an extra layer of pressure. He was no longer just hunting for the strange energy he had sensed beneath the palace—now, he had to navigate the expectations of these powerful figures.
**Sai (inner thoughts, calculating):**
*This isn't just a casual visit anymore. They're watching me closely… especially the queen. I need to be careful.*
**Narrator:**
Sai kept his face neutral as the royal family led the way, but his mind was already turning over potential strategies. He couldn't afford to make a wrong move, not with so many eyes on him. Whatever he was looking for in the Treasure Room had to be found quickly and without raising suspicion.
With that thought in mind, Sai followed them through the grand hallways of the palace, ready for whatever was to come.
Narrator:
The group walked through the vast corridors of the palace until they arrived at a massive set of doors, towering above them like a monument to ancient power. The doors were covered in intricate carvings, depicting dragons, kings, and long-forgotten magic. It was clear that this was no ordinary vault—it was the entrance to the Treasure Room, the most sacred place in the kingdom.
Sai stood in awe for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he examined the structure. Something about this place made his skin tingle. There was an undeniable sense of ancient energy emanating from behind those doors.
Narrator (Sai's thoughts):
What kind of treasures lie behind these doors? I can feel the pull of something powerful… but it's deeper than I expected.
King Henry (stepping forward with authority):
"I, Henry Hawthorne, King of Thalorias, order you to open."
Narrator:
As soon as the king finished his command, a low rumbling sound echoed through the hall. The massive doors began to shift, groaning as ancient mechanisms turned. Slowly, they swung open, revealing a faint glow from within. Sai watched in amazement, unable to mask the look of awe on his face.
Narrator (Sai's thoughts):
Incredible. This place holds magic I've never seen before.
Narrator:
Behind the doors was a large circular platform, etched with magical symbols. Everyone stepped onto it, and with a soft hum, the platform began to descend. The floor beneath their feet moved smoothly, and as they sank deeper into the earth, Sai couldn't help but compare it to the technology of elevators from his world.
Sai (in his mind, with fascination):
So this is the "elevator" of this world…
Narrator:
After what felt like an eternity, the platform reached the bottom, revealing the underground Treasure Room. The moment the doors opened, Sai was greeted by an astonishing sight. Hundreds of items—artifacts, weapons, jewels, and relics—lay neatly organized, each emanating a faint aura of power. The room was bathed in a soft golden glow, creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere.
Sai managed to remain calm outwardly, but inside, he was in awe.
Prince Leo (eyes wide with excitement):
"Whoa! Look at all this stuff! There are so many!"
Queen Eleanor (cutting through the awe, her voice sharp):
"Well then, Sai, where is this 'artifact of your kind' that you claimed existed?"
Narrator:
Sai, feeling the weight of her words, smiled slightly and gestured toward Princess Yumehime.
Sai (calmly, bowing his head):
"Let the princess choose her artifact first."
Princess Yumehime (smiling warmly):
"Yes, Mother, I'll choose first."
Queen Eleanor (softly, with a gentle smile):
"Of course, my love."
Narrator:
Princess Yumehime stepped forward, her eyes scanning the vast array of treasures before her. There were swords, shields, amulets, and countless other artifacts, each radiating its own unique energy. She looked a bit overwhelmed.
Princess Yumehime (smiling, half to herself):
"What should I choose? There are so many beautiful things here…"
King Henry (with fatherly wisdom):
"Choose carefully, Yumehime. A weapon or artifact must resonate with its wielder."
Narrator:
Princess Yumehime paused and then turned her gaze toward Sai, a glint of mischief and curiosity in her eyes.
Princess Yumehime (teasing, but serious):
"Sir Sai, you're a dragon, right?"
Sai (nodding slightly, a gentle smile playing on his lips):
"Yes, that's correct."
Princess Yumehime (more intrigued now):
"Dragons can sense all kinds of energy, can't they? I've read about it before."
Sai (calm and composed):
"Yes, it's one of our abilities. We can sense magic and energy from all living things and objects."
Princess Yumehime (smiling brightly):
"Then choose for me! If anyone can find the right artifact, it's you."
Narrator:
Sai was momentarily surprised by her request, but he couldn't refuse. Closing his eyes, he allowed his dragon senses to awaken, reaching out to feel the flow of magical energy in the room. His mind was flooded with various auras, some ancient and strong, others faint and fading. After a moment of silence, he opened his eyes and walked toward a pedestal holding two delicate rings.
He returned to the princess and placed them in her hands.
Princess Yumehime (baffled, tilting her head):
"Rings? This isn't a sword."
Sai (smirking slightly):
"Trust me. You'll understand their power once you've learned more about mana. These rings will resonate with your magic in ways a sword never could."
Narrator:
Yumehime gazed at the rings thoughtfully before slipping them onto her fingers, still a bit unsure but trusting in Sai's judgment. She smiled at him, though she still didn't fully grasp the significance of the rings.
With the princess settled, Sai turned his attention back to his own mission—the powerful energy he had sensed since entering the throne room. It pulsed faintly in the far corner of the vault. Wordlessly, Sai walked toward it, his instincts guiding him to an old, almost forgotten bracelet resting on a dusty pedestal.
Narrator (Sai's inner thoughts, cautious but intrigued):
This is it. But what is this? This isn't from my kind… yet it's calling to me. There's something strange about this artifact.
Narrator:
As Sai reached out toward the bracelet, the rest of the group followed closely behind him.
King Henry (curious, stepping closer):
"A bracelet? Is this the artifact you spoke of?"
Narrator:
Sai nodded, but deep down, he felt an unsettling tension within himself. The bracelet was powerful—too powerful to be a mere trinket, and something about it felt dangerous.
Queen Eleanor (raising an eyebrow, still skeptical):
"So, this is the legendary artifact of your ancestors?"
Narrator (Sai's inner thoughts, slyly):
Obviously, this is a lie. But I need this bracelet. Whatever it is, it holds incredible power, and it's calling out to me.
Sai (calm and composed):
"Yes, it's the one that called to me."
Narrator:
Without further hesitation, Sai reached out and grasped the bracelet. The moment his fingers touched the cold metal, a violent surge of energy exploded from it, causing the bracelet to latch onto his wrist with unnatural force.
Narrator:
A sudden burst of blinding light filled the room, and the bracelet's magic came alive, spiraling up Sai's arm. His eyes widened in shock as he felt an unimaginable pain shoot through his entire body, like fire coursing through his veins.
Narrator (Sai's inner thoughts, panicked):
What… what is this? This power… it's overwhelming!
Narrator:
Sai's muscles seized, his body convulsing as the bracelet's magic forcefully fused with his essence. The pain was unbearable, causing him to grit his teeth in an effort not to scream.
King Henry (alarmed, stepping forward quickly):
"Sai! What's happening?!"
Narrator:
As the magic continued to surge through Sai, King Henry's eyes widened. He recognized the energy—it was familiar in some unsettling way. Before he could react further, Sai's body went limp, and he collapsed onto the cold stone floor.
King Henry (urgently shouting):
"Sai! Sai!"
Narrator:
The king's voice echoed in the chamber as Sai lay motionless, the bracelet now glowing dimly around his wrist.
King Henry (yelling with authority):
Raynard! Raynard, get him to the royal physician immediately!"
Narrator:
In the shadows, the king's personal knights appeared, moving swiftly. They lifted Sai's unconscious body with care and rushed him out of the Treasure Room, making their way to the royal infirmary. King Henry, Queen Eleanor, and the rest of the royal family watched in a mixture of confusion, concern, and unease as they wondered what had just happened—and what the future held now that Sai had bonded with the mysterious artifact.