Sovereign Folly: Part 2
The new car arrived faster than expected, possibly because they thought it was their beloved prince waiting for them. Compared to the sorry wreckage that was once the merchant’s humble carriage, this one was an actual, motorized vehicle. It was lightly armored, enough to stop enchanted arrows or bullets, with tinted windows to prevent a clear view of those inside. Clearly, whatever sort of family they were about to extort-I mean “receive compensation” from, was in possession of much more if an armored car is the least they could do to bring back their prince (and friends).
“We’re almost there, everyone!” one of the guards called out to the rest of the group, who were in the middle of lazing about after a long night of aimlessly walking through a forest. Leon, feeling a little worried that Gilford’s little scheme would backfire like he expected, decided to probe the guards for some background information about the prince. Maybe he could have something to work with.
“So, Mr. Guard, Gil-I mean the prince here never really talked about his royal status. What was he like back home?”
“Oho! Not once did he mention this? Ah that’s just like our Prince Desmond, always so humble about his origins!” the guard laughed.
“Haha! Yes! You know me! Secret’s out, I suppose!” Gilford chimed in. Cassandra struck him with a quick elbow as a means to shut him up, but to no avail.
“Oh! Your royal highness! Why don’t you tell your friends a story right now, in that case?” the guard continued. His words sent a signal into Gilford’s brain to release a single sweat drop from the brow of his forehead. “I’m sure they would be delighted to hear of your exploits in preventing a famine during that time our crops were destroyed by a slime outbreak! Or perhaps even my personal favorite: the time you volunteered at the new orphanage to help out the young children!”
Kaiyo, being all too familiar with how much of a swinging bag of dicks Gilford usually is, began to stifle a chuckle as she turned to the car’s window. “Y-yeah prince...I wanna hear all about the...pfft...the orphanage-” she said, already covering her mouth to hide her laughter.
“Is the miss going to be alright?”
“Y-yeah, she’s had a long night in that forest, you know?” Leon attempted to salvage the situation, but he was already cracking a smile himself.
“Well, alright,” the guard said, apparently buying the excuse. “Go ahead, your royal highness, I’m sure your friends would love to hear the stories.”
“Ah! Well, you see,” Gilford said, having an internal panic alarm blaring in his mind. “I..have had quite a night as well! Had to find a way out and what not! I’m much too tired to tell such a tale, why don’t you give us a summary?”
“Of course, of course, your royal highness. You see, Prince Desmond over here funded Bright Hope Orphanage himself! He personally made them toys, played with everyone and supplied them with great living conditions! It looks wonderful and it’s hard to miss when we’re in the city, perhaps you can visit!” The guard was clearly happy with his reminiscing. “And we cannot forget that even when his health was at his worst, he still used every ounce of mana he could to restore all the food our people lost and then some!” His grin grew from ear to ear.
“My! How heartwarming and selfless you are, Prince Desmond! You have painted such a better image of you in my mind than I already had!” Cassandra said, faking a smile with the years of experience she has gained being a princess. Kaiyo, meanwhile, was still holding back how much she was relishing in this delicious, savory irony, claiming her leaking laughs were simply sneezes.
“Oho, and don’t think I don’t recognize you, Princess Cassandra Freyja! I know you haven’t been here, but please, enjoy your stay here!” the guard politely gestured to the city gate. “It seems we’ve arrived! Welcome to the kingdom of Carus! We may be a single, independent city state, but rest assured, we’ll make your stay worthwhile. Allow me to park so we can show you to the castle.”
The Windwell guild marveled at the city. Regardless of social status, the citizens seemed to be living comfortably. Although the slums were, of course, in a very dilapidated state, they showed signs of repair and attention, allegedly because of the prince’s personal orders. Lavish decorations adorned various buildings, especially government operated structures and orphanages. Even the soup kitchen was rather flashy, and the same went for the soup they handed to the poor!
The car parked at last and the guards lead the “prince” and his allies to the castle hall, where the king awaited the guild, sitting on a large throne.
“Welcome home, Desmond! I trust your journey to the eastern village went well? Surely, your charity was welcomed, yes?”
“Why yes, father! The villagers were very kind to me!” Gilford proudly claimed. “They have all fallen under such harsh times with the Lunar Crusades raging on, but I helped them back on their feet!”
“Ohoho! Why, Desmond!” the king smiled as if he had a son return to him from a war. “That’s the first time you’ve called me father ever since your mother, the queen, remarried!”
“Eh?”
“Yes, ever since I married her, you haven’t once called me father! I’m so glad you’re finally warming up to this old man!”
Leon and Natalie began to smirk, with Cassandra giving a smug sneer as if to say “Wow, not two minutes into the castle and you’ve already fucked up, huh?”
“I...yes!” Gilford quickly said, saving the conversation and disappointing Kaiyo’s expectations to fail. “I apologize for not doing it sooner...but surely...whatever reasons I had are in the past now…?”
“No need to apologize, Desmond! I’m just glad you’re home once more! Now please, rest up! You still have much to do tomorrow.”
“I do?”
“Of course! You’re the one who said you could do them ‘as soon as I return’, yes? Now, young adventurers over there, our cooks have prepared a reward and a feast for you in the dining room! Especially you, Princess Cassandra! Please, take them until your heart’s content!”
With Gilford supposedly having a busy day ahead of him, he rushed to “his” room after grabbing a plate of food. The rest of the party headed to the dining room to grab some food before going to bed early.
It was only 10 am, but to them, it may as well be midnight after how long they’ve been awake.
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Author's Notes
A story based on my Etrian Odyssey party that I wrote to vent out steam. Not much framework was used here, I just decided to flow with whatever I thought of first. I hope you enjoy the stupidity as much as I had fun writing it!