Chapter 133: The Royal Pet Rescue Mission Begins
The carriage waited at the castle entrance. Wheels still. Horses snorting impatiently. The cool air carried dry leaves across the stone ground.
Max, Dorian, Neros, and Seraphine were already prepared.
They wore dark cloaks, plain and unadorned, made by Sophie. Muted colors. Nothing eye-catching.
Or at least... that was the idea.
Because even so, there was something about them that screamed we are not common folk.
Don adjusted himself in the driver’s seat, holding the reins.
"I’ll drop you off in the middle of the forest," he said. "Halfway to the Grand City. From there, you’re on your own."
Seraphine nodded gracefully.
"That sounds perfect."
Dorian crossed his arms, looking at the group gathered in front of them.
"And please..." he added, "try not to draw attention."
His gaze shifted toward Neros.
"If it weren’t for his cut ears, it’d be obvious he works—or lives—in the castle."
Neros didn’t respond. But his brow tightened slightly.
Elanor stepped forward. She approached Max. Without saying anything at first, she raised her hands and adjusted his hood, making sure it covered his head properly. She fixed the fabric at the sides, hiding his ears.
"Please..." she murmured. "Keep your ears covered. We don’t want you attracting attention."
Her fingers lingered a second longer than necessary.
"And be careful."
Max looked at her. He felt something warm in his chest. A soft smile formed on his face.
"Thank you," he said. "I will."
He smiled and kissed her on the forehead.
"I promise."
His eyes shifted. Toward the king.
"And I also promise I’ll bring Chloe back."
The king didn’t smile this time. But he looked at him with a different intensity.
Concern, hope, and trust.
"I trust you, young Max," he replied simply.
Moonlight stood a few steps back, arms crossed. Frowning. Clearly... upset.
"It’s not fair..." she muttered under her breath. "I could help too... besides, there are four of them, and you said five could go."
Seraphine looked at her. Then walked over with a faint smile.
"If you master the spell I left you to practice..." she said, "by the time we return..."
She paused briefly.
"I’ll give you your own mage hat."
Moon’s eyes widened. Sparkled. All her frustration vanished as if it had never existed.
"Really!?"
She nodded repeatedly.
"Then I don’t have any time to waste!"
She turned almost immediately, ready to run off.
Seraphine let out a small laugh.
Max and Elanor looked at each other. And smiled softly.
Sophie approached Neros. Looked him up and down. One eyebrow raised.
"I’ve never seen you like this," she said. "What’s wrong? Are you scared?"
Neros looked at her. Straight into her eyes.
"I am not afraid of the mission."
His gaze softened slightly.
"I am afraid my ex-wife’s presence will interfere with me."
Silence, for a second.
"But..." he added, "deep down... I’m glad I get to spend time with her again."
Sophie blinked. Then laughed.
"You’re a great knight, little brother."
She gave him a small punch on the arm.
"With that tough guy face, no one would dare mess with you."
She smiled.
"Don’t worry so much."
From the side, a curious laugh.
"Besides..." Abby chimed in, clearly having been listening, "Miss Seraphine seems pretty happy to be going on a mission with her ex-husband too."
Silence.
Neros turned red. Again. He looked away without saying a word.
Max couldn’t help but smile.
Dorian neither.
And Seraphine...
Simply watched.
With that same calm smile.
But this time...
A little softer.
Don cleared his throat, breaking the moment.
"If you’re all ready..." he said, adjusting himself in his seat, "we can depart for the Grand City."
Neros stepped forward. Without a word, he placed a hand on his sword. He drew it. The shine of the metal was clean. Perfect. Freshly repaired by Frida. His eyes traced along it carefully. Testing the weight. The balance. The edge.
He picked up a small log from the ground... and tossed it into the air.
A second of silence.
And then—
SHHK—SHHK—SHHK—SHHK—
The movement was so fast it was barely visible. Precise cuts. Fluid. Impeccable.
The log fell...
Split into ten exact pieces.
Max raised his eyebrows.
"Okay..."
Sophie crossed her arms, watching him.
"I don’t get it," she said. "Why are you testing the sword I gave you? You already know it perfectly."
Neros froze.
"I..."
He glanced to both sides. Leaned slightly toward her.
"I’m trying to impress my ex-wife," he whispered.
Sophie looked at him. Then laughed.
"Ah... right."
Neros straightened up, letting out a slow breath. He made a small gesture with his hand, as if he had just dodged an arrow.
’That was close.’
Because clearly... it wouldn’t be a good idea for his little sister to find out he had broken her gift.
Seraphine stepped forward. Effortlessly, she climbed into the carriage. She settled in elegantly before turning back.
"Take care," she said with a soft smile.
Her eyes rested on Elanor. Then on Moonlight.
Moon raised her hand.
"I want my hat to be black! Like yours!"
Seraphine tilted her head slightly.
"First learn the spell."
She laughed.
"Then we’ll discuss it."
Her smile widened just a bit.
Moon nodded firmly.
"Yes!"
Dorian was next to climb in. He leaned on the edge of the carriage with ease and pulled himself inside. His expression... was curious. A smile on his lips.
But his eyes...
There was something there.
"It’s been a while..." he murmured to himself.
An old friend was waiting for him. And that... wasn’t always a good thing.
Neros went next. He climbed in without looking at anyone. Entered. Sat in the farthest corner possible from Seraphine. Absolute rigidity. Back straight. Like he was preparing for war...
An emotional one.
Max was the last. He paused for a second before climbing in. Looked at the group.
"We’re coming back with Chloe," he said. "Don’t worry."
He smiled.
"Everything’s going to be fine."
The king nodded.
Moonlight raised her fist with determination.
Elanor looked at him with that mix of worry and trust.
Sophie and Abby smiled.
"Good luck!" they said almost at the same time.
Don snapped the reins.
"Let’s go!"
The horses neighed. And the carriage began to move.
Slow at first. Then steadier. Faster.
Leaving the castle behind. The road. And those who stayed.
Max settled by the window. Looked outside. The scenery began to blur.
Trees.
Stone.
Light.
Shadows.
And his expression changed.
’I was an idiot...’
He lowered his gaze slightly.
’I thought Chloe could take care of herself...’
His fingers tightened faintly.
’With such an important system mission... and still...’
He exhaled.
’I hope she’s okay...’
His eyes shifted inside the carriage.
Dorian. Leaning back, his staff at his side.
And his gaze...
Definitely not unfocused.
Very focused.
Too focused.
Right on Seraphine’s cleavage.
Max blinked.
"..."
Seraphine, on the other hand, was trying something completely different. She kept looking at Neros. Trying to catch his gaze. Again and again.
But Neros...
Was a statue. Sitting in the corner. Back straight. Eyes closed. Jaw tense. Completely nervous.
Max rested his head against the wood. Closed his eyes for a second.
And thought...
’I hope this goes well...’