As the royal family ate with Regulus, King André had engaged in a conversation with the young king.
"So, Regulus, tell me about your kingdom. I've only recently heard about it. It would be a pleasure if you would inform me more about it, as it would be beneficial for both of us to be allies."
"Mhm, my kingdom is called Eldorin. I named it Eldorin as I read a book when I was a child where I encountered the word 'Eldor', which meant 'Beginning'." Regulus stated as he took a spoonful of paella.
"Ah, 'The Chronicles of Arthur Leywin', wasn't it? It is a wonderful piece of literature." King André replied as he took a bite from a Raptor Bison leg.
"Who are your allies currently? You should have at least one, now that times are changing…. Just yesterday Battleborne declared war on Eryndor for the reason being that their fish supplies were growing low. And they accused King Rhun for using elven magic to steal their fish. Which I think is an absolute disgrace, considering how great Sigurd's father was." King André explained.
"They declared war on Eryndor? Didn't they just finish the war against Darcke?" Regulus asked.
"Well yes, but northernmen, specifically Battleborne, as their name suggests, live and breathe for battle. They would rather die against an overwhelmingly powerful opponent knowing they have no chance to win, than die rich and on top of the world." King André replied.
"Now, I'm currently allied with Eryndor. If it were you, would you support them and send your soldiers? Despite risking having bad relations with Battleborne?" King André asked, testing the young king.
"Well…. Yes, you did sign an agreement to be allies. Then that would automatically mean you should support them and they would support you in times of war. And I wouldn't worry about Battleborne, they are too far from you to be a threat. Plus, who even likes Battleborne?" Regulus answered.
"Hahaha! I like you! You are right, everybody in this God damned continent hates Battleborne! Especially that inward nosed bastard Sigurd!" King André blurted, laughing.
"So! Do you fight!" André ll interrupted, asking Regulus with curiosity.
"Andre! Don't be rude!" The other queen, Melissa yelled, silencing Andre.
"It's alright your Grace." Regulus said, comforting the young prince. "Actually yes, I do. I'm a licensed mage and formerly, before I became a king, I was an AA class adventurer."
"An AA class adventurer! And you're also a licensed mage! Did you have any titles or nicknames as an adventurer!" The young as he gushed with excitement.
"Hmm….. I think they called me, what was it? 'He who dances with Lightning?' I believe?" Regulus answered as he invoked small sparks of lightning from his hand.
"I believe that's enough, so tell me Regulus. Have you received any marriage proposals from other ladies?" Queen Gloria asked as she leaned to Regulus' direction.
"Surprisingly no, I've heard that there are a few girls interested in me but I've yet to receive any sort of marriage proposal." Regulus admitted, wiping off any stains on his mouth as he finished his meal.
"Mhm…. Let's say someone sends you a marriage proposal, what factors would you consider to accept?" Queen Melissa added.
"Well….. I would first take a look at their background, are they from a well known family? Is she a princess? Countess, Duchess or Baroness? Secondly, I would meet her, get to know her a bit, her personality, how she acts and how she composes herself in public."
Regulus answered, with both queens then looking at Olivia who was slightly blushing.
"Lastly, I would want to see their beauty. Not just on the outside, but also on the inside." Regulus said smiling.
"So someone like Olivia." Queen Gloria added.
This made the princess blush into a very deep shade of red. Meanwhile Regulus was taken aback as he started slightly blushing. Making the adults in the room, including the king, erupt in laughter.
Soon after the dinner, Regulus and the royal family all headed to their respective rooms. As Regulus left the bathroom, as he had just taken a hot plunge, he encountered Olivia. Who blushed immediately from the sight of seeing him. Regulus immediately noticed this and wondered why she was blushing all of a sudden.
"Why are you blushing?" Regulus straightly asked.
"I-I-I, w-well…. Your shirt is quite…. Revealing, since I can see the inside of it…. But it's not like I wanted to look at your chest okay! The first thing my eyes landed on was on your upper body! So naturally I saw your visible abs- But that doesn't mean I wanted to!" The young princess stuttered as she tried explaining herself.
"You already saw me half naked, why would you still be embarrassed seeing me barely clothed?" Regulus teased, wanting to see her reaction.
"I-I-I-I, no I- well obviously since I don't get to see it enough- But that's totally normal!" Olivia insisted as she was now as red as a tomato.
Suddenly Regulus stretched his arm out and patted Olivia's head.
"It's fine, I was just teasing you hahaha." Regulus chuckled as Olivia playfully punched him, getting an "ouch" from Regulus.
"You're such a bully you know!" Olivia murmured as she suddenly embraced Regulus. Though he was surprised, Regulus didn't try to move her away.
"Mhm, I can be your bully anytime." He whispered.
After a few moments Olivia let go.
"It's getting late now, we should head to our rooms." Olivia stated as she was fidgeting her hands.
"I know… Let me bring you to your room." Regulus suggested.
"S-Sure." Olivia replied, agreeing to his suggestion.
As the two walked across the aisles, the moonlight dazzled across the castle.
"The moon is beautiful, isn't it?" Olivia asked.
"Yeah…. Every time I look at it, I'm mesmerized by its beauty." The young king answered. Eventually they reached Olivia's room, they stopped.
"Mhm, this is your room? It's quite far from mine, well it does make sense considering I am a guest." Regulus questioned as he looked down the aisles of the castle.
"Thank you…" Olivia mumbled.
"What was that?" Regulus asked.
"Thank you…. For today. It wasn't really an eventful one but being with you made me happy." Olivia admitted.
"Oh, so seeing me shirtless made you happy? I see, now I know." Regulus teased, erupting into giggles as Olivia angrily pouted.
"Good night princess, I too had a great day with you." Regulus said, ruffling Olivia's hair.
Walking away, he was some distance from the door when Olivia called out to him.
"Regulus!"
REGULUS POV
'Huh?'
I stopped as Olivia called out my name. Turning back confused, I was surprised to see her running towards me, her face just as red as a tomato.
Suddenly I felt her hand pull my collar down to her, and then, she leaned forward as our lips met.
My heart started beating rapidly, my face felt hot, my feet trembled. My hands moved in to try and separate my lips from hers, but they stopped mid way. I wanted to separate the kiss, I knew it was wrong, but my body didn't want to.
As my legs trembled, I felt my back lean against the wall as she still kept her lips pressed against mine. A second, two seconds, it felt like an eternity.
Finally she let go, her face was even redder than before. She then left immediately, running back to her room, slamming the door shut, I heard the lock twist.
I slowly sat down, my back against the wall, trying to steady my breathing and heart. Contemplating on what just happened. I covered my face with my hands, I tried contemplating what just happened, but my mind was somewhere else.
"Her lips tasted like cherries."