Chapter 5: The king

"Greetings to you your majesty," Syfyn said taking a bow of courtesy.

"You two seem close already….good." He nodded his head.

The king had a sharp but welcoming voice.

"I am glad that the kingdom of gale and Aufri are now acquainted as allies. We have been through tough times, but we are all thankful that your father heard our cry for help."

Syfyn held her breath in while he talked. Although he was old and seemed harmless she could feel a powerful her presence is. Aufri used to be a kingdom with the most mana and the strongest warriors. As a princess of gale she did not know much about the outside world, but Aufri made a name in every kingdom. The king who had to step up again as a ruler used to be one of the greatest warrior, he's even written in books. Everyone who has held a sword would know of his name. He was the great warrior, king Celeste.

"Do you have anything to say to me little Gnox?" Celeste teased his grandson.

Gnox panicked in place besides Syfyn.

Staring up at his grandpa who was sitting on the throne he fumbled his words. "uhhh…I…"

"…..yeah, Thank you for your kind words my grandson," Celeste said laughing out loud.

Syfyn let out a little giggle.

Celeste continued, "I don't know what happened to my dear grandson but he's in a phase where he's shy and bashful…how absurd, is it cause little Syfyn's beside you?"

Gnox face was flushed with red. His eyes were strictly looking at his grandfathers gesturing him to stop.

"Well….I don't have much time left, but this is enough to prepare you as future ruler, I'm sure you haven't eaten yet, you may take your leave." Celeste said to them with melancholy eyes.

Syfyn could sense that Celeste, although with his playful words was hiding a lot of pain. "Thank you for your time your majesty…."she looked at him straight in the eyes. "don't worry I will protect you all."

Syfyn's word of reassurance made Celeste burst into another round of laughter. "Ha ha, thank you, I'm sure you will. I know you will."

They headed out the throne room feeling lighthearted. There was not much to talk about but the meeting was brief and Syfyn enjoyed the kings company. She still wondered why the king laughed when she said she was going to protect them, Syfyn was very serious about it. She wondered if it was because of her small figure. It did seem like the wind could swoop her away in one blow, "hmm…maybe I look weak…I am kind of…but I'm not that weak….well whatever"

Syfyn walked along side Gnox who was leading her to the dining room, the smell of food filled her heart with ecstasy. Since her time in Aufri, Syfyn could acknowledge that the food in Aufri was extremely good. Syfyn's mouth was watering, she couldn't wait to eat.

"Do you like the food here?" A soft voice questioned her.

It was Gnox, Syfyn could barely pick up his voice with all the smell of spice.

"Yes. The food is spectacular!!" She swayed her hands around showing how much she liked the food in Aufri.

Gnox gazed at her tenderly, "I'm glad."

They sat from across each other in the huge table filled with food. As she ate, she couldn't help but express her feelings of love for the food, "mmm…yummy!" She closed her mouth immediately realizing that she could have been a bit impolite. It was a silent dinner, but the food was filled the room with a voice of its own. It was spectacular.

Although the taste of the food was different from what Syfn would normally have at Gale, she could not bare to contrast the two or choose between the two, both kingdoms had good chefs.

Syfyn threw a thumbs up at the chef. He was delighted by the princess's thoughts on his food. "Chef this is amazing, you are so talented," with Syfyn's kind words his ego was boosted immediately. The maids around him rolled their eyes at him, his posture changed with her compliment he was taller than ever before. Gnox still had the gentle smile on his face as he enjoyed the food. He was just glad that everything was going well.