Getting out through the floating door that appeared in the eastern sector of the tower. I saw Kevin leaning against the fountain waiting for me.
"Did you check up on them? Are they okay?" I asked as I approached him.
"Yeah, Serena was livid though, I had to distract her before getting the chance to leave without her following me," he answered and smiled, recalling the angry expression on our friend's face.
"It is obvious she will be angry and somehow worried." I smiled cheekily and asked, "What of Jafet?"
"That guy is insufferable. He left Serena all by herself and went to a brothel. He is yet to return." Kevin said
I raised a brow, a bit surprised by what Kevin was saying. " he didn't pose as the type to visit such a place."
"I didn't think about that either, I will have to watch his movement around Serena, "he said, kicking a stone in annoyance.
"And who needs your protection? You shameless punk!! A shrill, angry voice belonging to a woman we know so well shouted behind us.
"We froze in place from sheer shock. We have been caught.
"I think I heard you saying that you evaded her," I asked
"I think it didn't work," he answered.
Her small, soft hands grabbed the back of our shirts and dragged us towards one of the shops flanked by the roadside.
I flashed a nervous smile and said, " You should not let small things rattle your emotions. You know it's not good for your health."
"A little shift in emotions can't harm this sophisticated witch of Avagarth, so hold your horses, and let's settle this score. " She said, and a forced smile graced her plum lips.
" This is bad," Kevin said, rubbing the back of his head. Something he normally does when he is caught in any situation with Serena
"You knew I wouldn't fail to catch your trail," she said proudly.
"I thought you said you evaded her," I said to Kevin accusingly.
"I think it did not work," he said quietly
"We are all aware of how you suck when it comes to throwing off this girl to lose her track. So why did you attempt it in the first place?"
"Stop shifting blame here, Iael. You agreed on not wanting her to accompany us on our trip to the palace. I had no other choice. "
"Stop bickering you two and tell me where you spent the night". She said and dumped us in a chair.
"We should tell her, it's no use keeping it a secret anyway. I thought
"We went to a brothel," Kevin blurted out even before I could open my mouth. I looked at him incredulously.
He bit his lip in embarrassment, and Serena's angry face cracked, she broke into uncontrollable laughter.
"You two going to a brothel? Hah.. tell me a believable lie Kevin this one is too lame
"Why are you dumb?" I squeezed his shoulder and shot him a glare.
"Actually, we just went out for a stroll last night, and I found something suspicious, so we obviously went to check it out, and it was an academy that trains young magic practitioners. It's nothing serious
"That alone can't guarantee your night out, Iael, "
"Of course, I met an acquaintance, so we decided to stay there for the night. She is the woman from the drape who came to meet me back in Avagarth.
"That was not hard to say. Why give such a hilarious excuse, "she said, looking at Kevin with mirth.
"Yeah, I know it was dumb " he answered grumpily.
"But Serena, we are going to the imperial palace, and I don't want you there. I said
"Why can't I go ?" She asked
"To keep my identity hidden, I signed a contract as a student of the academy. You are also a witch, so unless you are signed under the academy, you can't go to the palace. It will raise suspicion
She signed heavily, clearly displeased. "It can't be helped then."
Straightening my collar, she turned to Kevin and said, "Take care of him and
yourself too."
"I hear you. Do you want us to accompany you back? He asked.
"No, it's fine, I will browse through the market for some time. Don't trouble yourself. She waved at us and exited the tea shop.
...
Arriving at the stone-arched gate of the imperial palace, a gentle-looking man approached us. He was wearing a black tailcoat with the crest of the royal family etched on his breast pocket. He wore a gentle smile his demeanor was almost human-like except he was not one. I couldn't sense any magic from him either, is either that he is weak or is hiding it.
"I'm the personal butler of his majesty, and I've been tasked to escort you. He said.
'I nodded slightly in acknowledgment of his words.
The palace was enchantingly picturesque. A large garden of sweet, captivating flowers came into our view. It is beauty ushering us into the premises of the palace.
Upon entering the main door, my eyes couldn't help but appreciate the lavish magical luxury inside the imperial palace. The kingdom of Avagarth is the richest among all the neighboring kingdoms and beyond.
So, luxury is not something that really excites me anymore. But the magical semblance of this palace of Lumeris is on another level. The walls are etched with ancient glowing runes. The chandeliers emitting comforting sparks of light instead of a lamp are also something to acknowledge.
Finally, we stopped a few steps before another enormous door that appeared to be the entrance of a massive room.
" Please, His Majesty is waiting. You can now enter without my assistance. The butler bowed and ordered the guards standing by the door to let us in.
The king was a big man. His ocean blue eyes have a sharp and intimidating glint in them, befitting of a king who can rule the land of Lumeris.
"I am pleased to finally meet you," his voice sounded like a deep flowing water over the riverbed, surprisingly gentle despite his intimidating and somehow terrifying aura.
I bowed and greeted him. " The pleasure is all mine, Your Majesty."
After a few exchanges of words about my family and my stay in the tower of terpers, which had already been fabricated before coming here, we proceeded to take a seat as permitted.
A young man with the same ocean blue eyes entered the study. The atmosphere of the room becomes a bit tense. Per the semblance of the young man to the king, I assume he is his son. So what is the weird atmosphere?.