Chapter 12: Royal Inquiry & Forbidden Audience… (Maybe with Captain Vera?)

The luxurious Royal Land Cruiser rolled through the academy gates, gold banners fluttering in the breeze. Jemil's heart pounded—he hadn't expected to be escorted by beast girls and snobby nobles.

His beast harem walked beside the carriage, acting suspiciously normal beneath excited stares. (Lyra's mild flame spark jumps on lunch purses. Sylfa's vines are giving free roses. Ursa is balancing a snack platter. Mira and Aelira chat under a flowering vine umbrella. Nyx glides in serpentine silence.)

Inside, Jemil found himself face-to-face with Captain Vera Langris—the Guild officer who interrogated him—now dressed in regal lines but still exuding authority.

"We have a royal inquiry scheduled," she said formally. "His Majesty wishes to evaluate the so-called Beast Tamer of Iridescent Bonds."

Jemil flushed. "Your Majesty?"

Captain Vera smiled—rigid, but not unkind. "Yes. Victoria the Third. She grants you one audience. And maybe… a vote of pardon."

Royal Audience: The Crystal Court

They entered the throne room, glittering with crystalline chandeliers and marble-carved beast heads.

At the center sat Queen Victoria III, known as the Beast Whisperer Monarch. She regarded Jemil with composed interest. By her feet, two beast insignia lions stalked—a quiet warning.

[System Alert: Royal Aura Detected—Fear, Respect, Curiosity]

[Guild Reputation: Climbing toward legendary status]

[Advice: Show meek confidence. Charisma bonuses applicable.]

Her voice was calm: "You have bonded six unique beasts through something… intimate. Is this your power—or your weakness?"

Jemil hesitated. Then smiled: "My power. But one that comes with wild chaos. And responsibility."

Lyra ignited a tiny flame spark. Mira folded wings. Sylfa rested a flower at Jemil's feet. Nyx bowed her head. Ursa gently growled. Aelira cupped Jemil's hand under the dais.

The court murmured.

Political Tension—and Unexpected Romance

The queen asked about his bonds, his origin, and foes. Jemil answered honestly—he'd been betrayed, awakened a mysterious system, tamed beasts through emotional bonds.

Captain Vera's eyes softened. She stepped forward: "I2Impressed… with restraint. Under lesser men, beast bonds can spiral into tyranny."

Jemil tilted his head. "Another act of mercy… or maybe I just haven't slept in days."

Vera's lips twitched. "A tamer maintains order in madness. Your beasts respect you."

Sparks hovered between them. Jemil's pulse reacted—system popped ghost stats.

[Emotion Detected: Captain's Guard Slightly Lowering]

[Charm Event Triggered: "Gentle Authority"]

[Bonus: Vera's opinion value +2. Hidden romantic variable unlocked.]

A Hidden Crisis: Political Enemies Move

Suddenly, advisors whispered: "The Guild and certain royal factions disagree on your legality."

Queen Victoria leaned forward, serious: "You're granted probation, Jemil Serik. Your beasts may stay… if you serve the crown—open your academy chapter here, mentor students, and retrieve a lost relic: the Crimson Crest of Tamer King Aorus."

Jemil inhaled. "A relic quest?"

[New Quest: Retrieve the Crimson Crest from Forgotten Catacombs outside the capital]

[Compensation: Tamer immunity, official crest restoration, official ambassadorial position.]

[Warning: Factions opposed—this quest is politically razor-sharp.]

Romance at the Banquet

That evening, the kingdom hosted a formal banquet. Jemil sat beside Captain Vera on the dais's balcony overlooking the night sky and beast lanterns.

A hush fell as Vera served honeyed roast. "I've watched tamers for years. Few possess your… balance between submission to power and empathy to beasts."

Jemil swallowed. "I mostly improvise."

She smiled softly. "You do well. Charming in unpredictability."

[System Intimacy Alert: Captain's Guard drops further]

[Intimacy Option: Confess gratitude… or flirt knowingly?]

Choosing to open cautiously, he murmured: "Thank you—for belief. And not arresting me outright."

She paused, then placed her hand gently over his. "Thank you for accepting mercy."

Moonlight glinted on clasped fingers. "This could be forbidden," Vera whispered. "But if anyone teaches me—maybe an irresponsible tamer… how to survive chaos—I'd rather learn from you."

Jemil's chest felt too warm.

✅ Call to Action:

Jemil is officially under royal protection—on probation. A quest to recover royal relics beckons. And potentially… someone powerful and unexpected is softening to him.

💬 Drop a comment and smash that power stone if you're ready for Chapter 13: "Catacomb Crawl & Crimson Crest… and Midnight Confessions" 🏺❤️‍🔥