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Chapter 61 -
Meeting Willow Before The Showers
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The doors crumble as three Automatons are thrown through and stop working.

“I have found you, Precious.” An evil laugh echoes around the room.

You see a inhuman hand reach for you, but something blows up and causes the hand to pull back.

Your sight is turned to the small boy. He looked terrified, but he still held a brave stance and held glass vials of different colored substances.

The giant figure laughed and his hand began to glow. This time you now felt panic.

“Demanitus!!!”

The boy is shoved away and his father is hit by a blast of dark magic. You're picked up and all you could do was watch as the boy runs up to the still figure, “Father! Father wake up! DAD!”

Pain floods through you and power is being taken. Suddenly it stops and you see the king stabbed an odd sword through the figure.

The figure held you tightly and holds the melting hole in their side. “I WILL BE BACK SANGHELIOS! TRY YOUR BEST TO BE PREPARED!!!”

You disappear with him and feel other evil things follow him.

“(_____), (_____), (_____)!!!” There's excited banging on your bathroom door.

You jump from the sudden loudness and calm down, sinking back into the bubbles that smelt like your favorite scent which you had made.

“What, Varian? Actually what are you doing here?” You call.

“I have something so awesome to tell you!!” He gets quiet then speaks up again, “May I come in? I hate talking to the door and this guy keeps staring at me.”

You raise a brow, “What guy?”

“Uh…..he's got this thin mustache, lanky, and a very big nose.”

“I do NOT have a big nose!” A annoyed regal voice snapped.

You groan.

Nigel.

King Frederic’s Royal Advisor. You hate him actually and most of the time you had to ‘TOLERATE’ him.

“Come in then.” You pick up a handful off bubble and blow it out of your hands.

Varian quickly comes in and sighs in relief, “Gosh. That guy is so annoying. He wouldn't let me in, until the Princess happened to walk by.”

You hum then raise a brow, “Make sure he's not eavesdropping. I notice he tends to do that and makes bad conclusions on things.”

Varian peeks out then shakes his head, “He left. Thankfully. What's up with him anyway?”

You shrug, “Nigel is high strung and practical man. Honestly, those two traits don't mix well especially for being a King's Royal Advisor.”

It was silent for a while until you glance at Varian, “What did you want to tell me?”

Varian grins and waves his arms happily. “My dad said he's taking us camping tonight and you want to know the greatest part!?”

You laugh, “What's the greatest part?”

“Everything!” Varian does a small dance.

This made you laugh uncontrollably and it was very cute.

Varian blushes in embarrassment, but grins sheepishly, “Hey, I'm so excited about this trip! Especially when my dad plans it!” His eyes widen and he rubs his neck nervously, now just realizing you're in a bathtub.

“What?” You ask.

“Um….you're taking a bath.”

“And?” You raise a brow, not getting what he's saying.

“I didn't realize that.”

You tilt your head sti confused, “And?”

Varian clears his throat and crosses his arms “So hurry up! We're leaving in a little bit!” Varian runs out then a pair of your clothes are thrown onto the floor of the bathroom.

You stare at it then roll your eyes, smiling softly.

Soon, you're heading down the halls after grabbing a card you had made for Arianna. It wasn't fancy, but you put all you had into the work.

“AHHHH! THERE'S MY OLDER SISTER!” A voice screams happily.

You go around the corner to see a woman that looked like Arianna hugging the queen in a bear hug.

Arianna grunts, “Oh Willow! I had no idea you were coming!”

You walk up next to Frederic as Willow, Queen Arianna’s sister, let's go of her sister. “And miss your birthday?”

“Well you have missed the last six, but who's counting?”

“Huh. Has it really been that many?” Willow shrugs and grins at Frederic, “BIG FRED!” She give the king a bear hug and almost cuddles him, “Ooo! You always give the best bear hugs!”

Frederic smiles sheepishly, “Willow!” He grunts at her tight hug and chuckles, “What a delightful surprise.”

You go up to Arianna, “Hey, I'm going on a camping trip so I'll be back tomorrow.” You smile and hold out the card, “And I made you a card!”

Arianna smiles warmly, “Awww! Thank you, Sweetie.” She gives you a hug, “You have a good trip today.” She sigh and looks at Willow a bit irritated.

You chuckle, “It's okay if you need to just let it all out, but make sure to work it out later before she leaves okay?”

“DID YOU HEAR THAT EVERYONE!? YOU GET THE REST OF THE DAY OFF!!!” Willow yells happily.

Arianna sighs deeply.

“Ooooh! Who are you? Aren't you just adorable!”

You yell when you're picked up and spun around by Willow. “(____).....nice to finally meet you, Willow.” You smile still being squished in her bear hug. She acts exactly like Rapunzel.

“Oh and Ari, I got you a present!” Willow hands Arianna a box before turning back to you.

“(____). Awww, that is even more cute! You cutie!” She ruffles your hair.

You blush a bit, “Uh….yeah. I should get going now.”

“Okay! It was a very amazing surprise to meet you!” She gives you another hug.

“Oh!” Arianna grimaces at the small furry creature in her hands, “Uh, what….is….it's a-?”

You look and gasp, gently taking it from her, “Awww! An Uumlaut! Wow, I never thought I'd see one so close!” You pet the hamster like creatures head, “Too bad you get destructive if your rattle isn't with you.” You giggle as it closes its eyes and purrs, ringing its little rattle in its hands.

You hand the Uumlaut back to Arianna, “Just a warning, never EVER take away it's rattle.”

With that, you walk out and meet with Rudiger jumping into your arms. “Rudiger!” You laugh and hug him, spotting Quirin and Varian waiting with a horse.

Varian waves happily and you laugh while waving back. “Hey, you are gonna be riding the horse all the way.”

“Why?” You ask, but slightly panic when Varian picks you up and sets you on the saddle.

“Because I am such a ‘Gentleman’.” Varian bows slightly which makes you giggle. “Besides, we're going to be going up to a peak.”

“Oh.” You don't question it and Varian grabs the reins of the horse, leading the animal along.

Rudiger gets comfy after jumping onto Varian’s shoulders.

It had grown dark once the three of you reach the side of a peak that close to Mount Saison.

“Varian, why don't you scout ahead for a place to settle and make sure it can see the sky.” Quirin smiles softly.

Varian salutes, “Got it, Dad!” He runs ahead with Rudiger.

“The Empyrean Meteor Showers are tonight.” Quirin says, “I don't know when I'll get to see him again if what you said does happen.”

You glance down and clench your hands on the saddle, “I have to try to stop it. Even if it does, I won't just stand there and do nothing.” You frown more, “The only thing is…...I don't know WHEN it will happen. I just have this feeling that it's getting closer.”

“Dad! I found a spot!” Varian pants and chuckles, “This Meteor Shower is going to be so amazing!” He throws up his hands. “Dad, (____), and Varian going on a camping trip!” Varian sings.

You giggle and Quirin actually smiled this time, trying not to laugh at his son.

“Alright son, now where is this spot that you found?”

Varian leads to a spot that was clear of rocks and there were patches of grass here and there. Quirin nods and pulls out a fairly big blanket to lay on the ground.

Rudiger runs around and chases a grasshopper while Varian holds out his arms to you.

Carefully, you slide off the saddle and wrap your arms Varian’s neck. He holds you and smiles tenderly. You smile softly then hug him close before pecking his cheek near his eye.

Varian blushes lightly and leans in to kiss your forehead.

You blush and tap his nose before helping Quirin move the horse to a patch of grass for it to eat and rest.

Quirin ruffles Varian’s hair and sits down on the blanket.

Varian grins and sits down next to him. You sit beside Varian and lay your head on his shoulder. Varian wraps an arm around you, then hesitantly leans onto his dad.

A bright light shoots across the night sky before more follow. The lines flying across had a magical sparkle them almost like someone was shooting streams of glitter.

You felt a hand on your arm and glance toward Quirin. He was holding both you and Varian. Rudiger chitters cheerfully and grins up the sky.

It didn't last long, but it was a good moment that none of you could forget.

“That was amazing.” Varian says.

You hum then lay back on the blanket. Varian lays back with you and you two wait. Soon Quirin falls asleep with his back to you two.

“It got worse.”

You turn on your side to face Varian, “How worse?” You whispered.

Varian turns to face you and sighs, “I know this day was good and all, but my mind keeps going back to what happened.” He glances down, “Those rocks came to the village.”

Your eyes widen, “That fast? It wasn't that long before I left about a week tops.”

“I know. I tried examining them, but I need to do a chemical make up-”

You take his hand, “Varian. Let's just…...wait awhile for that.”

Varian sighs, “Well have you found anything?”

You frown a bit, “No, but there's a book somewhere that might have everything about those rocks.”

“(____), I….I need to do something. We don't know how long it'll take to find the book. Soon these rocks are going to spread around the kingdom.”

“Okay, but you be careful with it.” You gently squeeze his hand.

Varian smiles gently. “I will.” He shuts his eyes and sighs again, “They've popped up where the well is and many homes are off the ground, then the roads….”

You hug him and run your fingers through his hair, “We'll figure it out, Varian.”

He nods and buries his face on your shoulder.

The two of you fall asleep and the whole time Quirin had been listening.

“Sugracha! Force it again to heal!”

The sound of a wooden cane taps against the hard surface.

Pain shot through you as golden power wrapped around the dark figure.

Varian opens his eyes tiredly and sees you shifting in your sleep, like you're in pain. His gloves are off after it annoyed him in sleep, so he reaches over and gently runs his fingers through your hair.

Your face softens and you calm down.

Varian whispers, feeling sleep take over him, “I will never hurt you, (____).”