Chapter 35

Dwayne appeared for every one of Alexis' magic lesson after attending the first one. And he was always uncannily kind despite all her sarcastic remarks. Most people would get fed up and burst, but if she had to give the scumbag a compliment it'd be his sheer determination.

She had a hunch about why he kept appearing around, but going by it, it was better he kept showing up.

"What's the matter Agathus?" Alexis asked as the small man interrupted her lesson. He looked rushed and tired, Alexis gathered it must have something to do with the how elves are maximising their cleaning efforts and increasing the glamour of the palace, which in all honesty was already very glamorous.

"Ark- Ambassadors- The Arkalian ambassadors have arrived and with them the royal princess has also arrived unexpectedly. As the royal mage you must prepare", he gasped out and Alexis who sat in the garden with her hair an absolute mess stood up in a hurry.

She realised this might be important and quickly went to prepare.

"I'll get ready now! Angela, Rosy and Andrea, lets go!" She quickly understood what was happening and threw Hector a wave which he returned. She ignored the prince who seemed to follow after her despite Agathus warning him against it.

"Miss fairy, you don't have the slightest of manners, how will you be able to welcome them in a way they won't feel threatened in?" He coaxed her, hoping that her frenzied mind might be a bit vulnerable but he was wrong. She was much too busy cursing out the Emperor who gave her no warning.

"Stupid bastard!" She spat and Dwayne double took at her words.

"Excuse me!" He said, due to his short distraction he fell over a stray rock and since Alexis and the dwarfs were preoccupied nobody noticed him. He grit his teeth.

'She's just one bloody girl! Why is this so difficult!'

Alexis was thrusted into a fine red silk dress and with that she wore a black hooded cape that was apparently the official attire of a royal magician. The hood had the emblem of the family on it which she had seen, but never questioned. It was embroidered in gold thread into the shape of a lions head, surrounded by roses.

It looked a bit tacky.

"You're ready Miss Alexis", Angela beamed, "his highness is waiting for you in the greeting room while he awaits their arrival, please join him on master Agathus' orders".

"Okay".

She wasn't at all nervous before, but with everyone so nervous around her she couldn't help but absorb their emotions as she was lead to the greeting room that wasn't even in the main palace.

It was in the palace which nobles often rented out, thanks to its beautiful architecture and simplicity it was always a hit for celebrations from what she had heard. It was also inconveniently far from the main palace so her feet complained dramatically.

'What was the palace called again?... ah yes, the marble palace' it was made primarily of marble. It was definitely beautiful as Alexis neared it and spotted Alastair's back in the greeting area.

He turned towards Alexis' footsteps and Alexis stared at him in awe. His face was much brighter and his hair which usually was just combed down was now gelled back revealing his full face, which was, if one could say unbelievably gorgeous.

His brows were so beautiful and thick. The shape so perfectly arched and his eyes that were fully exposed looked amazing in the sunlight. She almost forgot to greet him.

"A-Alastair, you never told me that people were visiting" she stuttered out, trying her best to look past his bewitching appearance.

"If it were just people it wouldn't have been a problem, but it's a royal as well", he looked bitter as he spoke. In contrast to him Alexis grinned.

'This is another opportunity to help his image'.

"Well Alastair lets make a good appearance and make them think you're the nicest person they could ever meet" she spoke as she stood beside him.

"Right... how might I possibly do that?"

"Smile, shake hands, compliment, inquire about light topics concerning them and lastly give a tour of the gardens" Alexis held four fingers towards him, "it's only five things, so it shouldn't too hard".

"You have a list prepared?" He asked with a frown, "how dare you assume I don't know how to welcome my guests?"

"And he's back".

Alexis always had a list when it came to these sort of things, otherwise she would say something offensive without realising or make things uncomfortable. She wasn't naturally a social butterfly, it took work.

"Your highness, the princess and the ambassadors have arrived", a human knight informed them as he entered the room.

He was tall, with red hair and a strong tan. A large scar, made by a sword marked his face. The thing that made Alexis be intrigued by him was the unintimidated stare he gave Alastair. Normally, soldiers cowered in-front of Alastair, but he didn't seem to care that he stood before the notoriously violent king.

"Let them in Roger" Alastair also spoke comfortably to the soldier, despite the fact that he was human.

Roger left and just as he did Alexis stared at Alastair with curiosity, he gave her a glare and she quickly looked ahead at the door that opened, she didn't notice the blush on Alastair's face.

'Why does she stare at me like that, damn it'.

When the doors finally opened, three men walked in, all young with extremely fair complexions. They all had blue hair, not normal plain blue, but aqua. Their eyes were the same colour.

Behind them was a head of flowing blue hair, the hair was just barely off the ground and when they parted to allow the girl behind them to step forward Alexis almost gasped.

A beautiful girl, with the lightest skin and pink eyes stood before them. Her gaze was trained on Alastair.

Alexis gave a frown, wondering how she managed to hold his gaze and glanced at the tyrant. Her eyes widened at the sight she saw.

Alastair... smiled. He smiled at the ambassadors and the princess. And he looked enchanting as he did it.

Alexis looked back at the princess who held a blush and a dazed look as she curtsied and spoke.

"I an princess Felicia Mendon of the Arkala country. It is a pleasure to meet you Emperor of the Kaedmen Empire", her voice was elegant, and despite her shaking fingers she carried her voice smoothly.

"Rise, princess" Alastair's voice sounded down right unrecognisable. It was kind and soft, "It is an honour to be acquainted with you, I hope my humble castle will be satisfactory for you", Alexis questioned if he was the same man.

"And who might this lady be?" The princess, with caution, glanced at Alexis who noticed hostility in her gaze.

Before she could reply, Alastair spoke.

"This is Dirt, my royal mage. You don't need to bother with her", Nope... he was the same man, but Alexis for once didn't care about the awful nickname she had, or the mocking giggles from the princess, instead she stared at the princess with wonder.

'The princess might just be my ticket out of here'...