System Change

Derek stepped out of the void, carrying a crimson-faced Sabrina. In front of them, Ryven, Edwin, Adviser Musgrave, and Sabrina’s maid, Jessica, waited in anticipation—Ryven already had a stern look on his face. With a shake of his head, barely believing where and how he found Sabrina and Elouise, Derek let go of the soon to be queen and closed the void tunnel once again.

“Sabrina!” Ryven spoke loudly to his daughter. “Where have you been? You were sent here those days ago to get acquainted with your possible betrothed, yet we return and find that you’ve been missing all that time. What were you thinking? Did you not meet a single person during this time?”

“I…” the blushing elf started, but couldn’t seem to find any words as she tried to look back at Derek.

“Don’t look at him, daughter. I asked you a question, and you will answer me,” Ryven commanded. “I let your childish behavior slide before, but now, with such an important task, you must grow up. No more embarrassing your uncle or me—or the kingdom. You must do your duty.”

“Father… I… I’m sorry,” Sabrina finally pulled herself together enough to speak. “Even with all that time I spent here in Cydaria before, I never truly got to experience the kingdom—especially with a friend. Elouise and I were mere acquaintances then, but now we have become good friends. I’ve not known what it is like to explore a city or kingdom with a friend, so I thought to do so before I married.”

“Speaking of your friend,” Edwin cut in. “May I ask where my daughter is?” Half of the question was directed at Sabrina, but the other half was to Derek. He had, after all, gone to get the two of them, yet only returned with Sabrina and showed no intent on going back.

“Oh, I figured she wasn’t as needed as Sabrina was, so I left her with Sabrina’s items at my shop… where I found them. She’s a princess, so I guessed that she wouldn’t have any problem getting back,” Derek replied. “Besides, it’s better that way, as I don’t know what kind of items they may have been carrying, and I would rather not leave them at my shop.”

“Your shop?” Edwin asked. “Why would they be at your shop?”

As Edwin asked, Derek saw Ryven’s own stern face began to turn a shade of red—one most likely from either shame or embarrassment.

“Sabrina! Still, with this?” Ryven asked. “You have gotten your answer and you need to move on.” After, Ryven looked past his daughter and at Derek. “Derek… I am sorry for my daughter’s continued infatuation with you. Please accept my apology.”

“Whatever,” Derek said with a shrug. “It’s only a minor inconvenience. Honestly, I’m kind of used to her light stalking by now. Though, she’s gotten a bit more daring since the times when she used to look at my shop from the distance. To think I found her inside this time. Truly brave.”

“Sabrina! Apologize to this man.”

“It’s fine,” Derek said. “Like I said, it’s nothing but a minor inconvenience—much less of an inconvenience than taxi’ing everyone around all the time. You better not get used to that, either. Once all this wedding stuff is finished and the kingdoms are… united… you’ll be traveling the old-fashioned way again. No more free lifts. Either that, or I’m going to have to start charging you. And I’m not cheap.” Just look at Astrus’s treasury. They surely know how expensive I am by now. He thought, but didn’t say out loud.

“That’s…” Ryven started. “Very well. I will drop the matter. And thank you for all your help. Your traveling skill does make this entire process go much smoother.” Derek only nodded in affirmation and chose not to reply. The duke then focused his attention back on his daughter. “Sabrina, we have come back here with a slight change of plans.”

Yeah… Derek thought. A slight change of plans. Instead of just marrying someone for the unity of two kingdoms and it only being for show… she’s going to be marrying for three kingdoms and become a queen of the third one. Just a ‘slight’ change of plans. I’m sure there will be no problems with that.

“A change of plans?” Sabrina asked with worry. “What does that mean? Am I no longer getting married? Oh, no.”

“No, no, no,” Ryven held his hands up to calm his daughter down some. “That’s not it. Actually, you will be getting married sooner than we originally planned.” After that, he went on to explain to Sabrina—along with Phillip and Jessica, who were also in the room—what had gone on and their solution.

“M-me? Queen?” Sabrina stuttered. “I… I… I don’t think I could do that. I wouldn’t make a good queen.”

“But just think of the big, extraordinary wedding,” Derek leaned forward and whispered. “All the guests and food… cake, even. It will be the event of the decade, or even the century. And think of the clothes you will get to wear with all eyes on you.” He repeated to Sabrina all the trope-like things he could remember from the romance movies he’d watched before.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“That…” Sabrina’s eyes went wide as she thought about everything. “I guess becoming queen wouldn’t be such a bad thing. You would be there for me, too? Right, father?”

“Of course, my dear,” Ryven agreed. “I’ll be there every step of the way.”

“And after the wedding? When I become queen,” Sabrina said. “You will still be there? Will you stay in Astrus with me? I don’t want to be alone.”

“That… we’ll figure all that out later,” Ryven said. “Besides, by that time, all the teleporters throughout all the kingdoms other than Vallum will be connected and we’ll all be but a couple of teleportations away from one another.”

“That is true,” Sabrina said. “Then who am I to marry? You said it was Robert Cydaria?” She looked past her father and at Edwin. “King Edwin’s grandnephew? What is he like?”

“If you would have followed your instructions, he would have been the first person you me,” Ryven muttered where almost nobody could hear him.

“Alas,” Edwin said. “We will no longer be able to introduce the two of you like that. I have already sent for him and his family. They will be here soon.”

Not long after, Elouise came rushing into the Throne Room in a huff. She seemed a little put out, but ended up just ignoring and walking directly past Derek and to Sabrina—where she gave the duke’s daughter the storage ring she held for her.

Derek once again got to be entertained as Sabrina told Elouise an abridged version of everything that was going on. Like Derek, Elouise didn’t look one bit jealous. It seemed that the princess was opposite to Sabrina in that way. It also made sense that the princess would choose to take Sabrina exploring the kingdom—eventually leading to Sabrina wanting to ‘explore’ Derek’s shop—instead of to the men on the list they were given.

Another hour or so passed, and another group was let in by the guards at the double doors to the Throne Room. As the doors opened, Derek turned to see the newcomers. First was a middle-aged couple walking through the doors. The man had the same silver hair that each of the royal family members shared—the woman, on the other hand, had her very bright blond hair in a braid.

Behind them trailed a young man and woman—both of which seemed to take after the older woman in front, as they had the same blond hair as she did. The young man wore his hair in an almost buzz cut instead of the long hair usually worn by most people from the royal family. The girl imitated the woman and held her hair in the same single long braid.

Once the four people were far enough into the room, the door closed behind them, and they each kneeled in front of Edwin.

“Get up, get up,” Edwin said to the group. He hadn’t bothered sitting on his throne all this time, either. “There is no need for any formalities right now.”

“Uncle,” the older man nodded and stood. “May I ask why you have summoned Robert to the palace? We were surprised to get your summons. The last we heard, you had flown off on dragon back to finish the war.” Edwin may have told him to not act formally, but his nephew seemed to have a hard time doing so.

At the mention of dragon back, Derek, who was standing to the side of the room along with Ryven, Sabrina, and Jessica, saw the young man’s eyes flash. Definitely another person like Edgar, just like they said.

“Well,” Edwin started. “I had a few questions for you—specifically Robert—that I wished for you to answer.”

“Of course.” The older man in front quickly grabbed the young man and pulled him to the front with him. “Please, ask what you wish.”

“First of all, I would like to know if there is a person you fancy, Robert?” Edwin asked.

Before Robert could answer, the young woman behind them snorted out loud before her eyes widened and she hurried to cover her face. Actually, Robert’s mother had done the same, yet was much better at hiding it.

“No, Granduncle,” Robert answered. “There is nobody.”

“Good! Very good!” Edwin smiled. “That makes this next question easier. Would you be willing to marry for a more political purpose? One that would greatly help me and the kingdom?”

“Yes! Of course he would!” The woman to the side couldn’t contain herself and answered for her son. She looked to have no problem letting her feelings known or carrying on formally—especially with the prospect of gaining a daughter-in-law. “Of course, Edwin. Robert would be more than happy with an arranged marriage.” She seemed thrilled at the prospect. “I could finally get some grandchildren!”

Beside Ryven, Sabrina’s face turned red again.

“Do you also feel this way?” Edwin asked Robert directly.

“I can’t say that I am as excited as my mother, but it has always been my plan for an arranged marriage. As long as the marriage is helpful to my family and doesn’t limit my freedom too much, I am willing.”

“Great!” Edwin said.

He just completely ignored the freedom thing, Derek thought.

“Sabrina!” Edwin gestured to the elven woman to step forward, and she did. “Let me introduce the two of you. This is Robert Cydaria, my Grandnephew. With him are his parents, Hector and Ainsley, and his sister Juliette.”

To her credit, Sabrina bowed properly and said, “It is a pleasure to meet you all.”

“Robert, may I introduce to you Sabrina Elras—the daughter of Duke Ryven Elras and the niece of the King Osian Elras of Indria. With her is her father,” Edwin finished the introductions and Ryven came forward to stand beside his daughter.

After that, Derek, for the third time that day, listened to everyone receive all the information about the marriage and why. However, when Robert heard that he was to become king, his only question was to whether or not it would interfere in his training.

“Of course not,” Edwin said. “In fact, you will have even more control. You will, of course, always have guards with you, but you will also have access to many training aids and resources than you would normally. And most of all, you will have access to all the dungeons in the three kingdoms. I just ask that you also properly do your job as king as well.”

“In that case, I accept,” Robert said. “As long as Ms. Elras is willing.”

Sabrina glanced over at Derek one more time, and Ryven pinched her on her back. She jumped slightly, but then smiled deeply. “Of course I accept,” she said. “Actually, I can’t wait.”

“Oh, this is so exciting,” Ainsley said from the side. “And she’s so beautiful. Come, come.” The older woman walked forward and took Sabrina by the arm. “There is much for us to discuss and so little time.”

Whew… Derek thought. Glad I dodged that bullet. I don’t know what would have been worse. A marriage to Sabrina… or in-laws.