Chapter 79 - Royal Invitation

Chapter 79: 79 - Royal Invitation

The meeting ended not long after Adrien accepted Laurent’s final condition. The first to rise were the Valleroys. Osric stood from his chair, with Aurelian and Margaret following almost immediately.

"We’ll leave it here for today," Osric said, his voice more restrained than it had been during the meeting. "Our people can handle the details from here. We’ll remain in contact."

Aurelian gave Laurent and Vael a brief nod before following his father, while Margaret lingered long enough to give Adrien a small wave. Adrien returned with a small wave too, and moments later the human delegation disappeared into the corridor.

They had barely gone far enough for the meeting chamber to fall out of earshot when Aurelian slowed behind his father. "Why did you have to provoke them with that comment? We were in a bad position without giving Laurent another reason to be angry."

Osric stopped and turned sharply, raising one hand and pointing a finger at his son’s face. "Do you honestly think I’m going to sit there and let another king disrespect me in my own castle? Don’t forget who you’re speaking to. I am still the King of Valebrand."

Aurelian’s expression hardened. "And do you understand why we were sitting in that room in the first place? The families that are supposed to answer to the Crown have been doing whatever they want for years, and you’ve let it happen. They’ve hidden things from us and convinced you to make decisions you never should have made."

Osric’s jaw tightened, but Aurelian continued. "Now one of those families almost dragged the kingdom into a war with Sylvamir, and you’re still more concerned about Laurent hurting your pride."

The slap came without warning. Osric’s palm struck Aurelian across the face hard enough for the sound to echo through the corridor, and Margaret stopped several steps behind them as a red mark appeared across her brother’s cheek.

"You would do well to remember your place," Osric said before lowering his hand and walking away.

Aurelian remained where he was, staring at his father’s back as Osric disappeared down the corridor. His expression gradually settled into something much calmer. ’Not much longer. Soon I’ll have that seat. A weak king is the doom of a kingdom.’

Margaret had seen the entire exchange. She and Aurelian had never been particularly close, and neither seemed interested in changing that now. She simply stood there until her brother finally noticed her watching.

"What?" Aurelian clicked his tongue. "Are you waiting to laugh?" Margaret didn’t answer, and that seemed to irritate him more than if she had. "Tch. Forget it." He turned away and left without saying anything else to her.

A pale summoning circle appeared beside Margaret’s feet a moment later, and Nimbus stepped out before pressing himself against her leg. Margaret lowered a hand to his head and started walking, knowing the situation inside House Valleroy was getting worse.

Calling the people inside these walls a family sometimes felt generous. Her father and brother were acting more like enemies than relatives, and Margaret knew she had little power over what would happen when they finally collided. She was the Third Princess, nowhere near the Crown. For now, staying strong and surviving inside these walls would have to be enough.

Back in the meeting chamber, the human guards had left with the royal family. Adrien and Vikir were the humans remaining, surrounded by Laurent’s guards, Vael, Amelia and Lucien.

Adrien glanced toward Vikir. "Looks like that’s everything. We can head back now." Before he could properly rise, however, Laurent left his seat and crossed the space between the two halves of the table. Adrien stood to meet him and gave the elven king a respectful bow.

"Adrien Clairmont," Laurent said once he straightened. "This is the first time we’ve been able to speak properly. Because of the situation during the meeting, I couldn’t say this earlier, but thank you for what you did for my daughter."

Adrien looked at him. "Is she alright?"

"She’s home now. Safe, healthy and currently being punished for ignoring Vael and wandering around on her own when she was told not to." Laurent’s expression softened slightly. "So yes, she’s perfectly fine."

Laurent continued before Adrien could say more. "I’d like to invite you to our capital. What you did deserves more than a thank-you across a meeting table. When you come, I’ll allow you to choose one item from the royal treasury."

Vael looked toward him. "You’re sure about that, brat?"

Laurent turned his head. "You continuing to call me brat in front of my own people is beginning to damage my status, don’t you think, Vael?" Vael showed no concern, and Laurent sighed. "And yes, I’m sure. It’s the least I can offer the man who brought my daughter home."

Adrien kept his expression controlled, but his thoughts moved much faster. ’A royal treasury.’ There had to be something useful inside. A casting focus better than Umbral Root, perhaps, or an item he would never find on an ordinary market. Refusing wasn’t even worth considering.

"I’ll go," Adrien said. "I can’t leave immediately because I still have a few things to handle back home, but once that’s done, I’ll make the trip."

"That’s fine. We’ll be waiting." Laurent gave him a small nod, while Vael glanced toward Adrien from beside him.

"You’ll get lost before you reach the capital on your own. Lucien and Amelia can go with you."

Adrien looked toward the two elves. "That works, but I still need to return to Greymoor first."

"Then it’s settled," Laurent said. "We’ll speak again when you arrive." Adrien gave him another respectful bow, and Laurent left with several of his guards.

Vael rose soon afterward, with Lucien moving with him. "We’re leaving too, boy. Come by Elyndor one of these days instead of appearing when something has gone wrong."

Adrien nodded. "I will." Vael and Lucien headed for the doors, but Amelia stayed behind, and Adrien noticed after a moment.

"You’re not going with them?" he asked.

Amelia shook her head. "I’ve never been to the capital before. Don’t you want to walk around for a while and see what it’s actually like?"

Adrien glanced toward Vikir, who understood. "I’ll return to Greymoor and tell Lady Evelyne what was decided here. There’s no reason both of us need to go back at the same time."

Adrien looked back toward Amelia. "The truth is, I’ve never really seen the capital either. We can go and see what it’s like."