As the group enters the room, a servant swiftly approaches Rya, gracefully taking her cloak as she strides in with confidence.


    The Baron looks up and smiles at the group. "Ah, welcome! So, this is Lady Rya, which the Prince was speaking about? She''s lovelier than I imagined." He then turns to Rya. "Pleased to meet you."


    ''Um?... D-Do I bow or something? I don''t know noble etiquette?'' Rya hesitated for a moment, then bowed her head slightly, unsure if she was doing it right.


    "Oh? Ha ha ha! you don''t have to bow to me, Lady Rya. We are equals here. Come! Sit down over here. We have plenty of food and wine!" Baron Zellin said with a smile.


    Rya blushed, feeling a bit embarrassed by the gesture, while she overheard Quin and Dalia sharing a quiet laugh about it.


    The rest of the Minor Nobles couldn''t help but notice the enigmatic Dark Elf and their curiosity was piqued. Despite their initial reservations, they were eager to engage in conversation with the Prince, each one hoping to win the favor of the future King of Fiafyr.


    Rya could hear Quin talking under his breath when he saw all the noble dwarves hovering around them. "Well, looks like tonight''s going to be a long night."


    "It''s not easy being popular sometimes. Hey, if you like, I can play the world''s smallest violin for you?" Rya whispered back to Quin, causing him to shake his head and smirk.


    w


    ''Man... I kind of know why some women hate chivalry, but I like it! Hehe! I wonder what else I could get Quin to do?... If he knew I was a guy, though, that would be a different story... Ah, whatever! I''ll enjoy it while it lasts.''


    "Yeah... Well, the important thing is that Baron Zellin sent a messenger to my parents, and now that we are in the Baron''s castle, I feel a little better. If anyone attacks, then at least we won''t die in his backyard, so to speak," Quin said in a hushed tone.


    ".


    "


    Quinus mentioned this while staring longingly at Rya''s azure eyes as if he had found the person he had been looking for for a long time. She didn''t know what he was getting at, but she had a feeling he was hinting at something, or maybe he was trying to flirt with her to mess with her. Either way, Rya shook it off as harmless, but she wasn''t entirely sure how to react.


    was .


    ""


    ... It''s good to see you again,"


    Rya couldn''t shake the feeling of unease as she noticed the intense and unsettling gaze of Lord Garlon fixed upon her. She tried her best to ignore him, but it was hard not to notice his constant leering.


    re w


    "y


    ''Is he blushing? Did I hear that right? No way, I must be imagining things. He''s just a good friend, nothing more.''


    Quinus noticed Rya frown, but it looked more like pouting, and he had to hold back a chuckle.


    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    cided to redirect her attention to the captivating sights and sounds ofm.


    As Garlon continued to talk to the Prince, Rya''s keen elven senses caught the murmurs and laughter of the other nobles. It was clear that something was afoot, and Rya intended to find out what.


    "What''s so funny?" Rya asked one of the nobles while they were giggling.


    "Oh, it''s nothing." They replied in a hushed voice.


    "You know I can hear you, right?" Rya replied


    .r races like, so we were curious and intrigued," one of the dwarves said.


    ''


    "Ahem!" Hajdah cleared his throat, trying to get Rya''s attention.


    The Guild Master grimaced, but he couldn''t blame her for forgetting his name after everything he had done to her. He was quick to reply, "My name is Master Hajdah, Lady Rya. I-I came here to apologize." He stutters out.


    .


    ", I might be able to accept you apolog


    Hajda


    "Y Guild


    "


    teach you  of my spells element you''re ed to. it fire, ice, or wind?"


    "I don''t see why not?... But we should start with the basics so I can get a better understanding of your skill level. What element are you most comfortable with?" he asked as he combed his fingers through his long white beard.


    "Dark Earth Magic. I feel I understand that one the best... What''s the element do you cast, Hajdah?" She asked the old dwarf.


    "Dead languages? That''s unfortunate. But I would be happy to learn a few spells even if I can''t read them. Do you know anyone who could help me translate the texts into... Um... Common?" Rya asks, hopeful that there might be someone in the city who could read the language.


    "Count me in! I''m feeling pretty hungry, too." Rya said as she started eating a bowl of stew, not waiting for Quin.


    Rya chuckled and said, "Go get ''em, tiger," making Quin smirk as he waved the next noble dwarf over.


    ***


    The night went on like this noble. he.lling to help the prince in any way possible after he stopped the Tomb of the Horde At one point, Quinus yearned to depart, but he found himself constantly ensnared by other nobles detaining him.


    ''Haha! Oh, looks like he needs my help to get him out of this mess.'' Rya thought to herself while getting up from her seat. She then made her way over to Quin.


    "Prince Quinus? There''s someone here who wants to speak with you," Rya said as she pointed to the door leading out of the dining room.


    Quinus glanced toward the doorway, but it was empty. However, he quickly grasped Rya''s intentions, and a smile spread across his face.


    "Well, I apologize for leaving, but I have some business I need to attend to, Sir Jevon," Quinus said to the nobleman standing next to him.


    "Oh! No problem, Your Highness. I''m sure we can continue our conversation later," Jevon replied.


    The Dwarven Lord bowed to Quinus as the Prince walked to the doorway with Rya by his side.


    "You are a lifesaver," Quin whispered to Rya while they made their getaway.


    "Yeah, I could tell you were in a bit of distress. How could I not come in to rescue you?" Rya laughed.


    "Laugh it up now because one of these days, I''m going to rescue you, and then I will have turned the tables on you," he joked.


    "I''d love to see that day. But honestly, I don''t think you could make it up to me after everything I''ve done," Rya laughs.


    "I like a good challenge. And if I do manage to win, you''ll reward me, right?" His words were accompanied by a warm, flirtatious smile.


    "e heis you


    He swiftly regained his composure and beamed with a wide, confident smile.


    "Well, if you do something that gets you in trouble, I''ll just have to come in and save you. Then, I''ll demand something reasonable from you as a reward for rescuing you," He said, giving her a mischievous grin.


    "e hoyou fors," Quinus said while looking at Rya.


    "Well, thank you for noticing... Anyway, I''m feeling it, and I''m ready to crash for the night," Rya told Quinus.


    "Alright, I''ll escort you to your room then," Quin replied with a nod.


    Rya''s face lit up with a smile as she shook her head, clearly amused.


    ''He can be too protective sometimes. Whatever, I''m not sure where my room is anyway, so let him act like a gentleman for once.'' She thought to herself while following Quinus'' lead.


    Upon arriving at their destination, Rya steps into her spacious room, which dwarfs the one they had occupied at the inn. The room is adorned with exquisite linens, adding an elegant touch to the decor.


    "Much more spacious. This will do nicely." Rya said out loud to herself while getting ready for bed.


    ,


    As everything was finally arranged, Rya sank into the embrace of the plush mattress. Exhausted from the long journey, she anticipated that slumber would swiftly envelop her. The moment Rya gently shut her eyes, she succumbed to a peaceful and deep sleep.


    Outside Rya''s room in the hallway, Quinus sighed and then headed back toward his own bedroom.ins