The group remained in the imposing throne room, still stunned by the revelation of Raimi's true identity. Each of them absorbed the grandeur of the Royal Palace of Zordis: polished marble columns reflecting sunlight filtered through colorful stained glass, tapestries narrating ancient battles and legendary victories, and crystal chandeliers casting sparkling reflections across the polished stone floors. The silence was almost reverent, broken only by the soft sound of the group's footsteps.
At the center of the room, King Zordis IV sat with a rigid, majestic posture, his golden crown shining in the morning light. To his right, the Queen observed with a calm and calculating expression. To the left, the young woman everyone knew as Raimi — now revealed as a princess — sat with impeccable noble poise, wearing garments that exuded elegance and authority. Her blue eyes avoided Kuto's gaze, blushing slightly, yet her presence was undeniable.
The group, still in shock, bowed respectfully. Kuto, however, remained upright, his gaze fixed on Raimi. There was something in the way she avoided his eyes that sparked a quiet, almost protective attention within Kuto, without revealing any emotion.
— "What is the reason for your visit to the royal palace?" — the king's deep voice echoed through the hall, breaking the silence.
Jack stepped forward, maintaining a firm and respectful posture:
— "Your Majesty, we are currently shelterless adventurers. We come to request your cooperation."
The king raised an eyebrow, his gaze scanning each member of the group with interest:
— "What kind of cooperation?" — he asked, curiosity evident.
— "We only ask for shelter in exchange for our services, Your Majesty," Jack replied firmly.
The king remained silent for a few moments, weighing the words. Then he spoke, thoughtfully:
— "Labor and soldiers are never in excess… But I will only accept if you prove yourselves worthy of my trust."
— "We will accept any task Your Majesty assigns to us," Jack said, his voice steady, reflecting the determination of the entire group. — "This is our purpose here."
The king nodded, satisfied with the answer, and declared:
— "In that case, you may settle into two rooms in the palace. Tomorrow I will take you to the site of the test that will determine your trustworthiness. For now, retire."
As the group began to bow and leave, Kuto, always serene and calculating, raised his hand:
— "I request permission to speak, Your Highness."
A murmur ran through the group. Everyone exchanged worried glances, fearing Kuto might reveal something about Raimi. However, the king responded calmly:
— "What we had to discuss has already been resolved. There is nothing more."
Still, Kuto remained firm:
— "Just a moment, Your Highness."
The king, impassive, gave him the floor. Kuto stood, his eyes fixed on Raimi, and asked in a neutral voice:
— "Who is the girl at your side?"
The king looked at him with a slight smile:
— "She is my daughter, Raimi Zordis IV."
— "I see…" — Kuto replied with a nod, keeping his calm demeanor. His expression remained serious, but there was a subtle spark of interest in his eyes, almost imperceptible.
The others in the group, noticing that Kuto had not mentioned anything about the previous night, sighed in relief. Raimi, meanwhile, averted her gaze, blushing lightly.
After the audience, the group was led to their individual rooms. As they walked through the grand corridors, Selina commented, still incredulous:
— "I can't believe Raimi deceived us like that!"
Gunja, expressionless, muttered:
— "Rich people do strange things, who knows…"
Romeu, always wanting to steal the spotlight, said theatrically:
— "Don't worry, Princess, I will never deceive you!"
— "Enough, Romeu," Selina replied, giving him a serious look. Romeu averted his gaze, making a sad face, but remained silent.
Dimitri, curious, asked:
— "Romeu, why don't you flirt with Sensi, Sonia, or Celia?"
Romeu looked back and saw the three of them smiling with quiet giggles, remembering the night at the pension when he tried to approach them and was playfully threatened. Swallowing hard, he replied:
— "I only have eyes for your sister."
Soon after, the guards accompanying the group arrived in the corridor, assigning each member to their respective room. They settled in, rested, and later went to a special dining hall.
The environment was elegant and welcoming, decorated with tapestries and polished wooden tables. The aroma of hot dishes filled the room, and the group finally managed to relax. Laughter echoed through the corridors, and the minor disputes of the previous day were replaced by an atmosphere of camaraderie.
At nightfall, after returning to their rooms, Kuto was preparing to sleep when he sensed a presence entering his chamber. He rose immediately, ready to react, but a delicate voice stopped him:
— "Stop, please!"
It was Raimi, the princess, entering silently. Kuto, remaining calm, simply acknowledged her:
— "So it's just you. What do you want?"
Raimi blushed, approaching hesitantly:
— "I'm sorry for disappearing without notice. During the night, the palace guards were about to invade the pension, and I had to surrender. If I hadn't, I could have put you all in danger."
Kuto maintained his neutral expression:
— "Hmm… and why were you pretending?"
— "That's why I'm here," she replied firmly. — "I want you to marry me."
Silence fell, heavy. Kuto was surprised, unsure how to respond immediately, but answered calmly and firmly:
— "I cannot. I'm sorry."
Raimi, persistent, tried to argue:
— "I need you. If you don't help me, I'll be forced to marry someone I do not love."
Kuto took a deep breath:
— "Then ask Romeu. He will gladly accept."
Raimi blushed intensely:
— "No, I don't love or want Romeu."
Kuto raised an eyebrow:
— "What do you mean by that?"
— "I will await your answer tomorrow," she said, still blushing, before quietly withdrawing.
Kuto, returning to bed, murmured to himself:
— "I don't have time for this."
The next morning, everyone awoke early and headed again to the throne room. Kuto, attentive, noticed that Raimi was still embarrassed from the previous night. The king, sensing the group's focus, pronounced solemnly:
— "Your challenge to earn my trust begins now."
The group, anxious and tense, felt the magnitude of the task. It would not be merely a test of strength or skill, but also of strategy, intelligence, and loyalty. Kuto, as always, maintained his calm posture, observing every detail and every reaction of Raimi. Every step and decision now could determine not only the king's trust but also the fate of the princess herself.