A few moments later a gathering was held in the throne room. But there was something profoundly wrong with the situation.
Evangeline's gaze was fixed on Ragnar with all her attention and her body tensed and prepared as can be.
Aiden could be seen behind a seat , a solemn expression on his face as his gaze alternated between the person on the seat in front of him and Evangeline.
On that seat was an unwanted guest. Blond hair, blue eyes, typical aristocrat bearing. He almost looked majestic, his gaze gave off a kind of pressure that made the whole room feel suffocating.
Ailsa on the other hand was the perfect picture of calm and warmth. She also stood behind a seat. Ragnar's seat. Her hands on his shoulder, if one looked closely, her fingers could be seen moving subtly, applying little tension and releasing her fingers gently. Ragnar would say this was the most relaxing moment he had ever had for as long as he could remember.
Contrary to the tense atmospere in the throne room, Ragnar was clueless. All he knew was that he was brought here, then a kid walked in almost having a showdown with Evangeline only to be stopped by another kid, then he was dragged to seat there comfortably and receive a free massage from an immensely beautiful girl.
For the first time in an unusual occasion, he felt like the real teenager that he was supposed to be.
"Ha, life sure can be good sometimes." He sighed inwardly.
But of course his expression was the exact opposite of what he really felt.
He looked nervous. Almost unsettled.
He couldn't tell why he did it, it just happened as though it was meant to be so.
His tense shoulders were constantly been kneaded by Ailsa's skillful hands, so he looked rather solemn instead because he couldn't help but relax when she was doing her best to communicate to his body that everything was okay.
"Remind me why you're here again?" Aiden who at some point had bent forward to whisper into the ears of the noble child. He couldn't help himself.
"I perceived the smell of something delicious so I followed it." The captain replied while trying to maintain his noble appearance and resisting the urge to drool.
Aiden was also resisting the urge to attack the child. He had thought of every possible thing the captain would do to put him in trouble but he never expected this. Now they were in a position where their lives were not guaranteed either and the captain seemed oblivious to this fact.
Ailsa alone was a force that could keep the both of them in check if she went all out. His eyes drifted to Evangeline for a moment but he took his gaze away almost immediately, cold sweat dripping down his forehead.
He didn't even dare look at Ragnar.
Someone who Evangeline considered her master. He didn't want that person as an enemy.
The captain ignored Aiden and turned his gaze towards Ragnar.
"So you're also a dreamer." He stated casually, his childishness all gone like it never existed.
Ragnar looked at him, he didn't like the gaze of the captain, he felt as if he was just a meal before the eyes of the boy and he repulsed such a feeling.
"And you are?" He replied with a raised brow.
Aiden who was watching the scene attentively took a step forward but the captain stopped him.
He smiled .
"Ah, forgive my rudeness, I'm Joel. I'm also the captain of our band of evolved teenagers in this city of which little Ailsa was also once a part of." He gave a lengthy introduction.
Ragnar raised an eyebrow towards Ailsa who maintained the same expression and nodded.
Ragnar leaned deeper into the chair, eyes narrowing slightly in though.
He had picked on a little detail in the introduction, but he decided to ignore it for the moment.
"I am Ragnar." He felt he should also introduce himself but the reaction he got made him frown.
The captain, turned to Aiden with a puzzled look.
"You didn't say it has a name." He said, making Aiden shudder, his gaze shifting to Evangeline almost instantly.
Seeing that she wasn't reacting, he sighed in relief.
"Captain, you shouldn't say something like that." He said in a low voice.
The captain, Joel, had already turned back to Ragnar, the smile gone from his face.
"I noticed your intelligence seemed high, hence the conversation, but I wonder what made you think you deserved to be named."
His gaze was cold, the pressure around him increased, he looked like he was going to pounce on Ragnar at any moment.
Ragnar looked at him for sometime, then shook his head.
"Phew... A child would always be a child, especially now." He shook his head again as if he was sympathising with the situation. Small giggles that sounded like the soft jingling of bells could be heard from behind him.
The captain's face turned ugly. Aiden was almost panicking, he didn't want the issue to escalate, but it seemed too late as a massive pressure descended in he throne room, the already unstable structure trembled again under the pressurer, it looked like it would collapse the next moment.
Tap.
A ripple of golden light spread in all directions with Evangeline's index finger which was resting gently on the arm rest of the throne as centre.
The calm returned instantly, the pressure receded. While the captain smiled.
He looked towards Evangeline. "Interesting."
He muttered.
He stood up the next moment.
"We'll be taking our leave."
He looked at Aiden and nodded, walking out of the throne room without looking back.
Aiden looked at the others awkwardly before also walking away.
Evangeline looked like she didn't even notice any changes in the room, her gaze had never left Ragnar since the start of the whole gathering till the finish.
Ragnar also met her gaze. He was confused about many things and his heart was racing with the show of power that just occurred but he maintained a calm and collected front.
"So will you guys tell me what you need from me?"
He suddenly asked. He had been wondering about it since he woke up,but with the unwanted guests around, he didn't want to make the situation more awkward than it had been.
"We'll have to leave this place first, before creepier things starts arriving, they might already be on their way as we speak." Evangeline said unhurriedly, but the implication of her words were much heavier.
"Is that also related to the part of me being a dreamer?" Ragnar asked with a frown.
"Yes." Evangeline replied shortly and he nodded.
With that Ailsa took a step back allowing him to stand up from his seat.
The doors of the throne room flung open and a shy looking maid stepped in.
She bowed curtly.
"Lady Ailsa, Lady Evangeline, everything is ready."
Ailsa looked at Evangeline who just stood up and made her way to the open door.
Ailsa instead turned to Ragnar.
"Let's head out first, I'll explain on the way."
Ragnar nodded but still asked.
"Way to where?"
This time it was Evangeline who answered.
"Into the real world."