Chapter 8: A Royal Refusal
Lirian paced the length of her chambers.
"Why won't he let me see the crown prince?"
With each step, her jaw tightened, and her fists curled, nails started biting into her palms.
The ground seemed to pulse beneath her, showing the heat rising in her cheeks.
She quickened her pace, breath hitched, "idiot Gabriel. I just wanted to see the crown prince. He might be my escape from death."
Gabriel had been distant ever since the incident with the monster, and now he was shutting her out completely.
-Last Night-
"You're not going," he had said, colder than the frost that lined the castle windows.
"And why not?" she'd demanded, frowning.
"It's not safe for you."
"Safe?" she scoffed. "I just fought a slime monster with a mirror, Gabriel! I think I can handle a visit to the crown prince!"
But Gabriel hadn't relented, and now, as she paced, she could feel the hot water in her veins boiling over.
The next morning, Lirian stormed into the hall where Gabriel was preparing to leave.
He was standing by the door, adjusting the straps on his leather armor.
Gabriel looked fine, but Lirian could see the tension in his jaw.
"You're really going to leave me behind?" she demanded once again, planting herself in his path.
Gabriel didn't even glance at her. "Yes."
Her mouth dropped open. "You can't be serious! You're going to see the crown prince, Gabriel. I should be there!"
"No, you shouldn't," he said evenly, brushing past her to pick up his sword.
'Not after that dance with him...' Gabriel thought silently.
Lirian followed him, "Why not? Give me one good reason!"
Gabriel turned to face her then, "Because you'll be a liability. This isn't some grand adventure for you to tag along on, Lirian. It's politics. Dangerous, complicated politics. You wouldn't understand."
The words hit her like a slap. "I wouldn't? Why because I'm a woman?"
"No, you wouldn't and yes," he said, strapping the sword to his hip.
"You're impulsive, reckless, and you don't listen. The last thing I need is you causing a scene in front of the crown prince."
Her pupils narrowed, but she refused to let him see how much his words hurt.
"You're unbelievable," she said, shaking. "After everything we've been through, you still don't trust me."
"This isn't about trust," Gabriel said, pulling on his gloves.
"Then what?"
"It's about keeping you safe—and keeping me from getting killed because you can't follow orders."
Lirian stared at him, her chest tightened from this ridiculous humiliation.
"Fine," she said finally. "Go by yourself. But don't come crying to me when you realise how much you needed me."
Gabriel snorted, as if the idea was absurd, and turned toward the door.
And that's when she snapped.
"Gabriel!" she shouted, and before he could react, she launched herself at him, clinging to his back like a monkey.
"What the—Lirian! Get off me!" he barked, stumbling under her weight.
"Not until you agree to take me with you!" she shouted, wrapping her arms around his neck and kicking her legs wildly.
"You're insane!" Gabriel growled, trying to pry her off.
"You're an idiot!" she replied back, smacking him on the shoulder with her fist.
"Lirian, I swear—"
"Swear all you want, but I'm not letting go!"
"GET HIM, BESTIE!" Pedro squawked from the chandelier.
Gabriel groaned, twisting around in an attempt to dislodge her.
"Lirian, you're making a scene!"
"I'll stop when you take me with you!"
"For the love of—fine!" Gabriel shouted. "You can come! Just get off me!"
Lirian grinned and slid down from his back. "See? Was that so hard?"
Gabriel glared at her, brushing off his coat.
"If you so much as breathe out of line while we're there—"
"I'll be on my best behavior," she said, while forcing a fake smile.
Pedro swooped down from the chandelier, landing on Gabriel's shoulder. "BIG MISTAKE, BUDDY!"
Gabriel glared at the bird. "Shut up, Pedro."
The way to the crown prince's palace was uneventful, save for Pedro's endless comments.
"ROAD TRIP!" he shouted as they passed through the gates of the palace city.
"Do you ever stop talking?" Gabriel muttered, adjusting his grip on the reins.
"NEVER!" Pedro declared proudly.
As they approached the palace, Gabriel turned to Lirian. "Remember what I said. Let me do the talking."
"I'll be silent as a grave," she said sweetly, though her grin didn't inspire any confidence.
Gabriel sighed and dismounted, helping Lirian down.
Pedro flapped to a nearby tree, looking at the palace with a critical eye.
"WOW," the bird said. "THIS PLACE LOOKS LIKE A KNOCK-OFF BUCKINGHAM PALACE. ZERO STARS."
Gabriel frowned. "What's Buckingham Palace?"
"Uh, nothing," Lirian said quickly.
Pedro, however, wasn't done. "OH, YOU'LL SEE. 2026, AI INVADES AND BUILDS BETTER CASTLES THAN THIS DUMP!"
Gabriel's head whipped around to stare at the parrot. "What did you just say?"
Pedro puffed out his chest. "IT'S TRUE! HUMANS CAN'T COMPETE. GOODBYE FEUDALISM, HELLO ROBOT OVERLORDS!"
Lirian's stomach sank. "Pedro, stop."
Gabriel looked genuinely alarmed. "Is this another prophecy?"
"No!" Lirian said quickly. "It's nonsense!"
But Gabriel wasn't listening.
"If Pedro saw something, we need to take it seriously. AI... What does that mean? Is it a new kingdom?"
Pedro cackled. "KINGDOM? NAH, IT'S A MACHINE REVOLUTION, BABY!"
"Machines... revolting? That doesn't make sense. Are they enchanted?"
"THEY ARE JUST SMARTER THAN YOU," Pedro said smugly.
"Gabriel, please stop listening to him," Lirian begged.
But Gabriel ignored her.
"If what Pedro says is true, we may need to prepare. A machine uprising could threaten the entire kingdom. What is the machine?"
"THREATEN? HA!" Pedro squawked. "THEY'LL TURN YOUR CASTLES INTO STARBUCKS!"
Lirian buried her face in her hands. "I'm going to kill that bird."
Pedro hopped onto Gabriel's shoulder. "NAH, YOU'LL THANK ME WHEN THE WI-FI HITS!"
Gabriel frowned. "What's Wi-Fi?"
"Don't ask!" Lirian shouted. "Just... focus on the crown prince!"
Gabriel nodded, "Fine. But after this, we're discussing Pedro's visions."
Lirian groaned. "You mean his nonsense?"
Gabriel shook his head, "I don't think that's nonsense."
"PALACE!"
"Don't worry," he said as they approached the palace doors. "I'm sure you'll fit right in."
Lirian glared, "You're lucky I didn't bring the mirror."
Pedro squawked from a nearby pillar, "BIG MISTAKE, SLAY!"
"Pedro, shut up!"