8. Repercussions
Eryndor rode back to the castle in silence, the weight of his actions still hanging heavily in the air. Elantha, ever the vigilant and composed princess, said nothing, but the concern in her eyes was palpable. The bandits had been a mere distraction compared to the storm of emotions swirling inside him. His magic, his rage— he couldn't quite shake the feeling of power that surged through him in that moment.
But for now, the most pressing issue was his family's reaction.
As they entered the castle gates, the tension was thick, the air almost suffocating as their knights escorted them to the royal hall. The familiar scent of polished stone and regal tapestries was somehow less comforting now, as though the walls themselves were whispering secrets. The royal family was already gathered for an urgent meeting. King Altharion, his father, sat at the head of the table, his expression grim, while Queen Lysithea, his mother, looked concerned but composed. Their eyes turned toward Eryndor the moment he entered, and the room fell into a heavy silence.
"Elantha," King Aldor began, his voice low and authoritative, "are you alright?"
Elantha nodded, though her face betrayed the worry she'd been holding in since the bandit attack. She turned to Eryndor, her gaze softening just a little. "I'm fine, Father. But it's Eryndor..." Her voice trailed off, unsure of how to explain what had happened in the woods.
The king's sharp gaze shifted to his son. "Eryndor. You're late. And from the looks of it, you've been... busy. Care to explain yourself?"
Eryndor opened his mouth, his usual cheeky smile on the tip of his tongue, but the weight of his father's stare made him hesitate. He had no idea how to explain what had happened in the forest. The rage that had bubbled up inside him felt almost foreign. A part of him had wanted to lash out and destroy everything in his path; the system had only urged him on. He could still feel the heat of that power, that uncontrollable urge.
"I... I overreacted," he said finally, choosing the easiest route. "There were bandits. I... didn't want anyone to get hurt."
The queen looked at him with a mixture of concern and confusion, but it was his father who spoke next, his tone stern and certainly furious. "Eryndor, we've spoken about this time and time again, when will you put the needs of others before yourself. You are the prince of the elf empire, you will be held to higher standards. Do you understand?"
Eryndor nodded, his gaze dropping to the floor, avoiding his mother's eyes. The last thing he wanted was to disappoint her. His mother's kindness and wisdom were qualities he admired, but his actions had just proven how little he could control himself in the heat of the moment.
"Good," King Aldor said, satisfied for the time being. "Now, you and Elantha will begin your lessons in the royal court tomorrow. Politics. Diplomacy. These are the skills you need, Eryndor. Magic alone will not serve you well. Do you understand?"
"Of course, Father," Eryndor replied with a forced smile. "I'll be on my best behavior."
The king's stern gaze softened slightly, though there was a flicker of something darker behind his eyes. "You'll need to be more than that, Eryndor. People will watch you. Everything you do now will set the tone for your future. I hope this experience has thought you a thing or two."
Eryndor swallowed hard. He could feel the weight of those words sinking deep into him. The pressure to be perfect was unbearable sometimes, especially when his every instinct was to rebel against it.
As if the tension from his family wasn't enough, Eryndor was suddenly bombarded by his system's usual, unsavory antics.
[New Task: Win the Affection of a Maid. Task: Use Any Means Necessary. Reward: +5 Affection Points, +1 Charm.]
Eryndor blinked in disbelief as the familiar task window appeared before him. He had almost forgotten about the lewd side of the system in the wake of the bandit attack and his family's reaction. It had been so much easier to focus on grander goals like mastering magic or political maneuvering, but now... the system was back to its usual antics.
"Really?" he muttered under his breath, glancing around the room to make sure no one heard him. "After everything that happened today, this is what you give me?"
But the system didn't seem to care about his mood. It just kept offering its usual absurdities.
[Subtask: Find a Maid's Personal Items. Bonus: If Her Personal Items are Found in a Private Area, Extra Points Will Be Awarded.]
Eryndor groaned inwardly. He could already feel a migraine coming on. His body still hummed with the aftereffects of his magic, but his mind was becoming more and more frustrated with the system's unrelenting nature. Every time he thought he was making progress— every time he thought he could put his degenerate inclinations aside— the system pulled him back in.
He looked at the royal family, still seated at the table, all discussing the details of the upcoming diplomatic mission. His father and mother were wrapped in their duties, completely unaware of the insidious influence the system had over him. How could he keep this side of himself hidden while facing the weight of his responsibilities?
"Perhaps I should just do the task and get it over with," he thought to himself, scratching his head. "It's a stupid goal anyway, right? Who cares if I flirt with a maid or steal her panties? It's harmless fun. Probably."
Just as he was contemplating the absurdity of the situation, a knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. His father turned, his expression turning serious as the door opened, revealing a messenger in full armor.
"Your Majesty," the messenger said, bowing low. "There is something urgent. The border patrols report strange activity from the western lands. The reports indicate sightings of creatures unlike anything we've seen before. They're calling them—"
The messenger paused, catching his breath.
"They're calling them monstrous elves."