He presented his arm to her, “Well, my soon to be bride, shall we?”
Taking his arm Stacia smiled softly, “Aye, master of me heart and soul.”
They went down the stairs together arm in arm, pausing when they got to the bottom of the stairs. The room had gone silent as everyone caught sight of the couple. Alburet felt his lips twitch up. “Pardon us, gentlemen and ladies. We will not interrupt your drinking for long.”
Alistern blinked as his daughter in an exquisite gown seemed to float along next to Alburet. She turned her head to smile broadly at her father as she stayed in perfect step with Alburet. Stewart had been waiting by the main door and opened it for them as they approached, then followed them out.
“Be on your guard up there, Alburet. Those peacocks will test your patience.” Stewart warned him softly while the footman for the carriage opened the door for them.
“Grimgar told me the same thing, Stewart. Rest assured I will be careful,” he replied just as softly before helping Stacia into the carriage. “No idea when we’ll return, so don't feel a need to wait up.”
Stewart chuckled once, “No promise.”
The footman shut the door, going around the back of the carriage and climbing onto the running board in the back, before ringing a small bell. The driver nodded to Stewart before starting the vehicle moving, “Good night to you, sir.”
Stewart watched them go, his lips pursed in thought as the carriage went down the street at a steady, if sedate, pace. “Maybe he is the right choice for her, after all,” he mused to no one before heading back into the inn. When he opened the door, the only topic of conversation was Alburet and Stacia in their fine clothes and where they might be going. Stewart was soon surrounded by a few of the older patrons wanting to know more.
Alburet sat across from Stacia, not wanting to ruin the way the dress lay. He took time to just drink in the sight of the beauty across from him while she seemed to do the same to him. He watched as she kept folding then refolding her hands.
“Nervous, Kitten?”
“Aye, it never been in me head tha' we would be ever goin' to the castle, master. Even when ya talked to Vladimir about it, it seemed nay real. Now here we be in fine clothes and in a carriage on our way.” She bit her lip slightly, “I be worryin' I will embarrass ya.”
He leaned forward, laying his hand on hers as he met her eyes. “You will never embarrass me, Kitten. I am proud to have you by my side. No matter what anyone there says, you are the most perfect woman I could ever have hoped to meet.”
Stacia turned her face away from him her cheeks flushed, “Even though I be a demon now?” She obviously still held some fear that he would reject her.
He tightened his hand on hers, making her look at him. “I love all of you, Stacia. You could be half goat and I would still love you as much as I currently do. I fell for the woman who brazenly threw herself at me, refusing to take no for an answer. The fact your race has changed does not change who you are at heart. So please, put your fear behind you. I will not reject you or send you away from me.”
Stacia sniffled her eyes wet, “Ya always make me love ya more.” She hurriedly wiped away the single tear that escaped her eye and sniffled again. “This is bad. I do nay have a handkerchief.”
Alburet handed her one from his belt pouch, “Always try to be prepared.”
Stacia smiled gratefully as she dabbed the tears from her eyes and gently blew her nose. She carefully folded the handkerchief before handing it back to him. “Thank ya, master,” she said as he took it and put it away.
“Of course, my precious Kitten. Now get your smile back in place. We have to make a good impression.”
The rest of the trip was in silence as the carriage wound its way to the castle. Eventually the carriage came to a stop. Alburet waited for the door, but a moment later the carriage started forward again.
“Ah, must have been the first gate,” Alburet muttered.
Stacia leaned over nudging the window curtain aside to glance out. “Another wall just before us with the castle behind that, master.”
“Yeah, makes sense. Two layered defense helps out. So there will be another pause for the next gate then the final stop at the doors.” He smiled at the detail the game had put into the design of the castle. Most other games with castles never had closed gates and inner walls to contend with. The again, most games didn't have AIs so interwoven to make everything seem so real. Shaking his head, he came back to his senses as the carriage paused at the second gate.
A few minutes after that it came to rest for the final time. The footman quickly came around to open the door for them. Alburet got out first, taking in the scene quickly before turning to help Stacia out, much to the shock of the footman. Once she was down he took her arm, turning towards the stairs leading to the doors. As they walked away the footman shook his head as he closed the door and resumed his spot so the carriage could be parked.
A man in the king's colors was standing by the foot of the stairs. “You are Alburet the two-souled and his companion Stacia Crowley, correct?” The attendant had a clipped, polished voice that spoke of training to his station.
“We are indeed. We have an appointment with Ioaniss Jones, the Royal Historian.” Alburet replied with a touch of humor to his voice. “Are you the one to take us to him?”
“Indeed, sir. You may call me Berk. If you and the lady will follow me, Sir Jones has requested you attend him in one of the smaller dining halls.” Berk turned with precision and led them up the stairs.
As they approached the ornately carved double doors of the main building, Alburet studied the carving. It showed the same God, Justice, holding aloft his sword on one door and a different man striking a similar pose on the other. Berk nodded to the two guards in half plate on either side of the doors, who opened them for the trio. The oak doors were pushed back, opening onto a hall with a rose marble floor that gleamed with light from the gold chandeliers that hung from the vaulted ceiling.
Alburet tried not to show any expression at the sheer amount of wealth that was on display here. Stacia couldn’t hold back her shock, though. Her mouth was open while her wide eyes darted around. Alburet gave her arm a small squeeze which got her attention. He met her eyes levelly, hoping she would understand that she needed to mask her awe. Blinking, she took a calming breath before putting on a smile. He leaned over to kiss her cheek as they followed Berk.
The halls were easily twenty feet wide, with many paintings and tapestries decorating them which helped break up the plain stone. As they turned a corner they passed a small group of very richly dressed men and women chatting. One of them called out to Berk, which stopped them, as Berk paused to address the noble.
“Yes, Sir Gilden, what is it you need?” Berk addressed a man who must be Skippy Gilden, as he wasn’t wearing a guard uniform.
The young man glanced at Alburet and Stacia, his lips curling into a sneering smile. “I see we are showing the lowest of the nobles the court tonight. Since you are here being a tour guide, is Sir Jones available to speak with me about the issue I have put before him?”
Berk seemed to stand up straighter, which was hard considering how stiffly he had been walking as it was. “Sir Jones has blocked out all of tonight for important guests. I can let him know you asked about the previous issue if you would like, sir.”
“If he is so busy, Berk, then why are you not attending him? Why are you showing these obvious impostors of nobility,” the words dripping with scorn, “the inside of Stormguard Castle?” Skippy asked, his voice even more haughty as he finished asking the question.
“I do not question why Sir Jones asks me to do things, sir, as that is not my place. Should I advise him that you are questioning his wishes?” Berk replied levelly with just a hint of condescension.