I leaned back in my chair, swirling the last of my coffee and grinning to myself. The world was slowly becoming acceptable again. If I could spend the next few hours stretched out on a long chair with a cold drink in hand, that would make the day almost perfect.

  Oh — and with some music and a couple of dancing minions in the background?

  Even better.

  I turned toward the baron.

  “So when will Tina be allowed to come home?” I asked, neatly changing the subject.

  He sighed and gave me a pained look.

  “Your Highness, it would be best if you agreed to come to Uldaman. That way you could meet the King and his entourage. You would also meet the young lady and be able to bring her home at your convenience.”

  “So she is being used as a pawn to force me to come to Uldaman?” I said flatly.

  He shook his head quickly.

  “Your Highness, please—don’t put it that way. You know very well that considerable resources were spent to free the young lady. She is being treated according to her status, given all honors, and she has already contacted her parents to inform them of her situation.”

  He paused, choosing his words with care. Meanwhile, Grubber’s thoughts started again to barge into my mind like excited puppies: Did I need anything? Was I in danger? Were other dragons bothering me? Should he come defend me? Did I want more food? More bog-pig perhaps?

  He must have sensed my mood and was reacting to it. He couldn’t form actual words, but the intent was painfully clear. I pinched the bridge of my nose.

  Grubber. Please. Stop it. Leave me alone.

  Seriously, what was wrong with the little dragon today?

  The baron glanced my way, utterly misinterpreting the tension in my face.

  “But your Highness, there are still significant expenditures that must be honored under the contract with the Krawag Republic. Since the Guaravian Kingdom has made — and continues to make — considerable efforts, it would be only fair for Your Highness to visit Uldaman, perhaps sign a few accords between our kingdoms, and strengthen our relationship.”

  I sighed and exchanged a glance with Ju. What they were asking wasn’t an exaggeration; the portal from the other continent alone must have cost a four-digit sum in gold, not counting whatever additional fees those blasted dwarves had demanded. I nodded. Of course, I knew they would try to recover the money from me one way or another, but honestly, I couldn’t expect them to bear the cost of her release themselves.

  “Oh well, you’re right. I’ll try to keep the schedule as preliminarily agreed and travel tomorrow afternoon, but I may need to return earlier, depending on how we manage to solve the problems here. As you've seen there are several other factors that I need to keep in balance.”

  He nodded, visibly pleased.

  “Of course, Your Highness. We’ll proceed with the preparations for your visit. The population will be glad to see such a friendly display. It is not every day that the Queen of Hologomora comes with the prospect of peace.”

  “Very well,” I said, lifting my hand in dismissal. “Ju and I need to speak privately. Everyone else, you may leave.”

  The baron rose first.

  “Thank you. I will inform them that we will uphold the agreed date and time. I take my leave, Your Highness.”

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  He bowed and departed.

  Alice stood next, with Lynx following her.

  “Queen Lores, I will return to my duties. As discussed, I’ll tell your followers to gather and wait for you in the library.”

  I nodded.

  “Thank you, Alice. And you know" - I said with a shrug - "when it’s just us, you can call me Lores. As I said, Ju and I need to talk, so I’ll join you in about an hour.”

  “I’ll go check what Grubber is up to, then I may be off until tomorrow morning,” Lynx said. He hesitated, then sighed. “But before I go, you should know what happened to Tom a couple of days ago.”

  “What?” I asked, suddenly alert.

  “He was with a girl from Deraa, and—you know how Tom is—they slipped into a haystack to make out. That’s where a venomous snake bit him. He survived only because Grubber and I happened to be nearby and got him to a healer in time. The boys are way too low-level for that area.”

  “Wasn’t there a guard?” I asked.

  “There was, but Tom asked them to give him some space. The guards avoid most dangerous situations, but they can’t prevent everything if the boys want to move freely.”

  I sighed. “Uh. Thank you, both of you.”

  As the two left, I remained with Yolanda and Ju.

  “Before I go, Queen Lores, there’s one thing I wanted to mention… if I may,” Yolanda said, her tone cautiously inquiring.

  I raised a brow and nodded. “And what would that be?”

  She offered a small smile.

  “As I heard, you almost arrived too late to stop the viscount’s attack the other day, during the orcs’ retreat. The truth is, our boys had known for some time that an ambush was being prepared. Yet Drackar informed you only at the last moment.”

  She shrugged lightly. “In my view, he should have warned you earlier. His delay increased the risk.”

  I blinked, surprised. “What are you implying?”

  Another shrug.

  “He was too slow. Maybe he’s too old and needs everything double-confirmed, or maybe he’s not as reliable as he seems. His hesitation could have cost you dearly. Perhaps it’s simply too much work and too much responsibility for him now. You might want to consider appointing a younger lieutenant as captain of your guard — and granting him an honorific retirement title.”

  I nearly huffed in annoyance. Yolanda, of all people, giving me advice on whom I should appoint as captain of my guard. And yet… the point she raised wasn’t entirely without merit. It had been at the very last moment that I’d learned about the ambush. I tilted my head. Fine. Let’s see what she really wants.

  “Do you have somebody in mind?” I asked.

  My mood dipped again, a wave of discomfort rolling through me. Sweat gathered on my temples. She must have sensed it, because she hurried to finish.

  “I wouldn’t dare presume,” she said quickly. “Any of them might do — they all seem capable. But if you ask me… I think Hordius is the most respected after him.”

  She rose from her seat.

  “But I overstep, my lady. Please excuse me. I only wished to mention what had worried me.”

  She bowed and slipped out.

  Ju placed a gentle hand over mine.

  “Ignore her,” Ju said. “She’s just babbling to make herself feel important.”

  I huffed, uncertain. What Yolanda had said was important, and the matter bothered me… but I couldn’t imagine Drackar acting against me. There had to be a reason for the delay.

  Ju touched my forehead, then pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped my temples.

  “You don’t look well, and you’re running hot. Could it be you’re sick?” she asked.

  I snorted.

  “Any sickness capable of affecting me would devastate you first — not to mention everyone else…”

  She shrugged.

  “That doesn’t mean nothing could get to you. Otherwise your forehead wouldn’t be burning.”

  I tsked. “Nonsense.”

  She smiled softly.

  “Let me take you to a healer. She’s good — most of your subjects go to her. I told her I’d bring one of the girls from the castle. She doesn’t know who you are. Just let her work and listen to what she has to say. What do you think?”

  Well… she had a point. I hadn’t been feeling quite myself lately.