"Though I believe the First Sword and Duke Silverthorne to be more diligent and trustworthy," The Queen turned towards Damien. "I Would feel safer if you and your soldiers were to accompany me to the palace."
He thought for a moment and turned toward his father, who nodded his head in understanding.
"We can accompany you until the palace gates, but that'll be all the help we can do your grace," he said. "There's a new decree that only the King's chosen guests be allowed inside the palace if anyone breaks the rule, their head be hung on a pike. Hope you understand, your grace."
"That'll suffice, young master." She said. "Hope you don't mind sharing a carriage with me so that I can personally thank you for your bravery."
Damien looked hesitant, but seeing the Queen's expectant face, he nodded in agreement. "Of course, your grace. How could any sane mortal refuse an invitation from you? I'll be more than honored to be around you."
'Of course, there is no way in hell I'm gonna reap nothing from it after all, I just changed an entire plot- no, no! Created an entirely new plot. I wonder what would you play out to be?'
The hesitation and politeness were just a part of his elaborate plan to get laid. After all, he just saved a dead woman just because he wants to sleep with her.
"Duke Silverthorne," she called out to the stupefied man, who suddenly looked like he aged twenty years. "Young master Damien and his soldiers would accompany me to the palace gates. You can travel behind them and, of course, you understand the situation, right?"
"Y-yes, your grace. But wouldn't it be advisable for me to accompany you, or even my son Edward at that, for protection from unforeseen circumstances?" He stumbled with words, trying to grab onto any lash he can touch. The King wouldn't be too happy to hear this, especially about the boy saving the Queen.
He made sure everything between the damned Zadkiels and the King was cut off, but no matter what he did, these damn pests were interfering with every plan of his.
·ƈθm "No need. I may have been distracted that time." A tinge of redness formed on her cheeks. "But it won't happen ever again. Not to mention, you and the First Sword would protect me, right?" Her eyes eerily glowed.
"With my life, your grace. At once." Duke Zadkiel bowed and ordered the soldiers with a salty tongue.
"I'll see you to our carriage, come on." She smiled at Damien and started to walk.
Damien took the invitation with a wide smile and started to follow the Queen, but not before giving a sheepish smile to the sibling duo.
"All hail the hero." He whispered as he passed by them.
"Fucker!" Daemon garnished his teeth.
"Arrogant bastard!" Daerys furrowed her brows.
Like twins having telepathic powers, they agreed on the matter all the same.
Damien caught up with the Queen and walked beside her, she lead him to a luxurious-looking carriage adorned with jewels and precious metals.
"Whoa, when did these wagons arrive?" He was genuinely astonished as he didn't see any wagons coming from the portal, in all honesty, the only thing he remembers is the Queen walking out of the portal with her elegant legs and supple meatballs.
'Control, Damien. You can bury the seed now and reap it later after attending the wedding.'
"I'm surprised, You didn't see them coming?" She quirked up her finely shaped eyebrows at him. "What were you even looking at?"
"You."
"..."
"I'm not gonna lie, the only thing I could bring my attention to..." He peered at her "...was you."
"...Eh?" She was baffled beyond words. "Cough- cough- young master, your flirtation skills are very high but do note that I'm much older than you. You should try it with young ladies." She shook her head, hiding the redness on her face.
"Young ladies are naïve and stupid. All they think about is being married to a handsome young man." He said. "They don't even have any end goals rather than delivering babies and looking pretty. I don't like that type of girl, and it's hard to find the other side of the coin."
There was an awkward silence, and it prevailed until they reached the wagon.
"...It's called "carriages" and not "wagons" from where I'm from." She opened the carriage door. "After you, my hero."
He happily obliged and climbed the steps before sitting on the cushion.
She climbed after him and sat opposite him.
"The "wagon" is comfy." He emphasized the word wagon with a sheepish smile.
"...Ah. It is, isn't it?" She smiled in amusement.
"Mhmm." He looked around and saw various books and other luxurious items neatly tucked on the side.
"You'll get bored after the initial sightseeing. It keeps you company." She said as she looked at the stack of old leathery books.
"Honestly, I don't think I will ever feel bored watching this world." He said, looking mesmerized. "it is truly magnificent."
"And dangerous, too. Don't let its beauty bewitches you from the actual truth." She said. "If you don't have power- you're dead. If you don't have money- you're dead. This world is only beautiful for those who have either of them, for others, it's just another hard-earned day in this hellish road."
He slid back the flowery patterned curtains to the side and watched the endless charade of the soldiers moving crates and walking in an orderly manner for other jobs.
After a brief interval, the ceaseless clanging and hustling sound of the soldiers subsided gradually, and the wagon began to inch forward.
"I don't want to tire you out by talking politics, my queen. I'm sure you've plenty of people buzzing around your ear for that." He said as he finally took his eyes off the road and looked back at her.
"How old do you think you're to lecture me on politics, young master? My rule in that realm dwarfs the time you've known the term "politics"." She looked at him with bafflement.
No wonder you're single!
"I'm sure. I'm sure, your grace," he said. "Should I fetch a book and a quill so that you can teach me those boring matters?" He said with a foolish smile.
"I do not wish to fight with you, young master. Let us enjoy this short journey, shall we?"
"Your wish is my command." He tipped his imaginary fedora. "Let's reintroduce ourselves, shall we?"
"Is that your--"
"Shhhh. " He lightly touched her lips.
"I'm baffled by your foolishness in reading the room, but I'm not going to let that ruin what little time we've." He looked at her expectedly.
She nodded.
"I'm Damien Von Zadkiel, the second son of the Zadkiel duchy." He continued. "People call me 'the disgrace of the golden duke,' as I was born with a rare illness, but that didn't drag me as I'm now a hero who saved the two kingdoms from destroying each other and as well as a hero to a beautiful but naïve lady."
"How delightfu--" she stopped as she saw him shaking his head in disapproval.
"Cough- Cough- " She cleared her throat. "I'm Serielle of the Aurore Kingdom or Island, depending upon where you're coming from. I'm the blood of the old water goddess or they say due to our incredible affinity with the water element and," He looked at her with a rosy cheek. "I was about to be killed, but my hero saved me."
"Wonderful," He clasped his hands. "Let us continue our little date."
"Umm... what is a 'date'?"
Oh hell, this is going to be just wonderful, ain't it?
He helplessly smiled at her.
Fucking hell, she is just too naïve.
For the next half an hour, Damien talked about a variety of things that ranged from the ice elves of the north to the little candy from the street side.
After some more time, they were sitting on the same side with wild laughter and occasional body touchings.
By the end of the one and half hour mark, they were extremely close. They could even feel their hot breaths.
Her face was extremely reddish. She understood what was going on, but the excitement from the young man made her forget her worries and made her senses dull.
To muster up some courage, she glugged down glass after glass of wine, but her magical power had a direct effect on her body, so all the wine she drank had no effect on her.
"Must we do it?" She held her hands on his chest. "I feel like I'm taking advantage of you." She said with a sad face.
Oh, lady, you don't have any idea who's taking advantage of who.
"Don't be. I want it. I feel like we have a deeper connection, something I don't usually get from meeting people." He said. "And I like this feeling. The feeling of being emotionally connected." He leaned in.
"I-I feel the same, Damien."
She seized the invitation and leaned in, fusing their delicate and affectionate lips.