Ragnar went to the unnecessarily large dining room, his footsteps echoing faintly through the hollow space. The long marble table stretched almost absurdly far for just one person. He sat near the middle, slouching slightly as his butler quietly prepared his meal in the background.
Ragnar rested his chin on his hand, eyes unfocused.
"And on top of all that," he muttered, "I still have to go to the monster nation."
A deep sigh escaped him, filling the silence.
"…But at least I'll have Light and Yuuki. So I won't be alone, I guess."
He looked down at his hands calloused, yet trembling faintly. The weight of his own weakness, the pressure of expectations, the endless road of trying to get stronger… it was like every problem stacked neatly on top of another.
He clenched his fist.
"Just come back already, Queen," he whispered under his breath, voice soft but heavy. "It's lonely without you here."
The sound of footsteps broke the moment. His butler approached, moving with the calm grace of a man who'd served for years.
"Here's your food, young master."
A warm, savory aroma filled the room. The butler set the tray before him a perfectly seared steak, sliced clean with a tender pink center still steaming lightly. Golden roasted potatoes shimmered under a dusting of herbs, and a bundle of asparagus added a vivid splash of green to the plate.
Ragnar's eyes softened as he looked at the meal.
"Thank you," he said, his voice quieter now. "You did great."
The butler gave a small, proud smile.
"Thank you for your most gracious compliment, young master."
Ragnar chuckled lightly. "You always talk like that."
"It's part of my charm," the butler replied, bowing slightly before straightening again. He then reached into his coat pocket. "Oh, I almost forgot a letter arrived for you earlier. From the king himself."
Ragnar's expression shifted instantly.
"The king?" He sat up. "What does he want"
The butler handed him the letter. "I don't know, sir. I haven't read it."
Ragnar broke the seal and read silently:
"Dear Ragnar Wryd,
You have been invited to the Royal Castle on orders of His Majesty. The reason for your summoning is that the princess wishes to speak with you personally. She has a request."
Ragnar blinked, confused.
"The princess… summoned me?"
The butler tilted his head slightly. "That is quite the unusual matter indeed."
Ragnar folded the letter neatly. "Well, I did want to apologize to her anyway. I'll go this afternoon. For now…" he exhaled, sinking into his chair again, "…I need a moment to breathe."
Just then, a loud and cheerful voice echoed from the front hall.
"I'm back!"
Ragnar turned to see Merlin and Lilly stepping in Merlin with several bags of clothes and supplies, and little Lilly nearly hidden behind a pile of toys and treats.
Ragnar blinked. "Did you really have to buy all that?"
Merlin cleared her throat, lowering her voice a little. "Yeah… maybe."
Lilly giggled and held up a stuffed toy shaped like a cat knight.
"You've been busy all week, Ragnar, and we haven't played dolls yet! So I got this one for you to play with me!"
Ragnar stared at the toy, his expression flat.
"You shouldn't have… no really, you shouldn't have."
Lilly ignored the comment and tugged his sleeve. "Let's go to my room! I already set everything up!"
Ragnar sighed but couldn't hide a faint smile. "Go ahead, I'll be right behind you."
Lilly grinned and sprinted upstairs, her laughter echoing down the hallway.
Merlin raised an eyebrow. "She's got you wrapped around her little finger, huh?"
Ragnar shot her a side glance. "Don't start." He paused, then added, "Also… I've been summoned to the Royal Castle again."
Merlin stopped mid-step. "What for this time?"
"The princess requested an audience. The letter didn't say why."
Merlin walked past him, leaned over his plate, and stole a piece of his steak before he could stop her.
"Do you want me to come with you?" she asked, chewing casually.
Ragnar quickly moved his plate away. "No. It's just the princess, not the king. I'll be fine and I don't need you overreacting again."
Merlin narrowed her eyes playfully. "Oh? Like you did last time?"
Ragnar's face tightened. "That was different. This isn't the same situation."
"Sure, sure," Merlin said, smirking.
Ragnar sighed and started walking toward the stairs. "We'll continue this later."
Merlin laughed softly as he left. "Whatever you say, Master Diplomat."
---
Lilly's room was a soft explosion of pinks and pastels. Dolls and plush toys covered every corner some sitting neatly on shelves, others scattered like they'd just finished a battle. The sweet smell of candy drifted through the air from a small bowl near her bed. A big white cat plush sat in the corner, wearing a paper crown and a crooked smile.
Lilly grabbed a doll and made a voice for it. "Oh! Ragnar decided to join us!"
She grabbed another the big cat and deepened her tone. "I thought he was never gonna show up, Miss Lilly!"
Ragnar sighed but smiled, picking up a princess doll with a fancy dress. He raised his voice slightly to sound elegant.
"Stop blaming Ragnar for being late. He's a busy man!"
Lilly laughed, eyes sparkling. "Thank you, Princess Ariana! You always understand him!"
Ragnar chuckled quietly. "You're too kind, Princess."
Lilly hugged her toy cat and grinned. "See? Even she knows you're a good guy."
For a moment, the world outside the room the pressure, the summons, the loneliness disappeared. Ragnar let out a small laugh and played along, letting himself forget everything else, even if just for a while.
Afternoon sunlight spilled through the windows, painting the Wryd mansion in soft gold. Lilly had fallen asleep on the couch, her small hand still clutching a doll as she mumbled something in her dreams. Ragnar stood by the door, adjusting his cloak, preparing to leave for the royal castle.
His butler appeared from the hallway, as composed as ever.
"Would you like me to prepare the carriage, young master?"
Ragnar shook his head with a faint smile.
"No. I'll go on foot. I could use some fresh air before meeting the royals."
The butler gave him a look that was half concern, half disapproval.
"As you wish, sir. But please do try not to cause a scene this time. Who knows how the king will react if things get… heated again."
Ragnar chuckled softly. "Relax. I'm not that stupid. I'll behave this time well as much as I can."
The butler sighed the kind of sigh only someone who'd known Ragnar for years could make.
"I certainly hope so, young master."
Merlin's voice cut in from behind them.
"You should probably get going, Ragnar. Don't want to keep the princess waiting, do you?"
Ragnar smirked, glancing over his shoulder.
"Yeah, thanks for reminding me."
She crossed her arms. "Try not to cause any trouble this time."
Ragnar grinned. "No promises."
And with that, he stepped out, the door closing softly behind him.
---
The streets of Valtoria were buzzing with life. The city stretched wide and tall stone buildings lined with bright signs, colorful market stalls, and even a few modern-looking shops that felt strangely out of place in a medieval kingdom.
Merchants shouted over one another, their voices blending with laughter, carriage wheels, and the clang of blacksmiths working in nearby forges. The scent of roasted meat and baked bread filled the air, mixing with the faint sweetness of fruit and flowers.
Children ran through the streets, chasing wooden toy dragons, while dwarves and beastfolk mingled easily among humans something rare outside of Valtoria.
Ragnar walked through the lively scene with his hands in his pockets, his reddish dreadlocks swaying slightly as he looked around. Despite everything on his mind, the liveliness of the city brought a faint smile to his face.
He stopped at a small fruit stand, the table piled high with vibrant apples and golden pears.
"How much for a bunch of apples?" Ragnar asked.
"Two silver for three, young man!" the vendor said cheerfully.
Ragnar paid, took a few, and continued walking, biting into one. The crisp, sweet juice ran down his chin as he glanced around at the strange mix of medieval life and modern flair.
---
These changes the clean architecture, the bright shop signs, even the fabrics people wore all existed because of the Other Worlders, the heroes summoned from another realm centuries ago.
They brought with them new ideas, new tastes, and inventions no one in this world had ever seen. Electricity, metalwork, food recipes, even fashion all influenced by them.
But their arrival wasn't without conflict. Over time, the heroes grew distant, refusing to share their most advanced technologies after a massive war with the kingdoms who once praised them. Now, they lived in isolation in a hidden city rumored to be one of the most if not the most technologically advanced places on Earth, far surpassing the capital itself.
Ragnar had never met one personally but he is friends with one of their descendants that being Yuuki Sato, but their influence was everywhere from the restaurants to the lamps that glowed faintly even after sunset.
---
On his way to the palace, Ragnar passed by a narrow alleyway where a homeless man sat against the wall, cup trembling in his hands. Ragnar slowed, reached into his pocket, and dropped a few coins inside.
The man looked up, surprised. "T-thank you, sir… may the gods bless you."
Ragnar just nodded, continuing on. He'd seen too much of what poverty could do how easily people could fall from citizens to slaves. In Valtoria, even with all its wealth, debts could chain a person as surely as iron cuffs.
---
By the time Ragnar reached the Royal Palace, the sun was beginning to dip behind the mountains. The white marble walls of the castle shimmered with a warm orange hue, its golden spires piercing the sky.
Two guards stood at the entrance, spears crossed before they recognized him.
"Ragnar Wryd. The royal family is expecting you."
One of them motioned for him to follow. Together, they crossed the outer gate and stepped into the palace gardens a vast paradise of color and scent. Roses, lilies, and exotic glowing flowers lined the stone paths, some unlike anything Ragnar had ever seen.
He slowed his pace, admiring them.
"Who takes care of all this?" he asked quietly.
"The Queen," the guard replied. "She spends more time here than in her chambers. Says it keeps her calm."
Ragnar leaned closer to a crimson rose, inhaling its faint fragrance.
"It's beautiful."
The guard smiled. "She treats it like her own child."
---
They continued down the polished marble halls, passing maids and servants who moved silently with practiced grace. The air inside the castle felt different heavier, filled with quiet authority and polished perfection.
When they reached the throne room doors, the guard gave a small nod and pushed them open.
Inside, sunlight streamed through tall stained-glass windows, painting the marble floor in colors of red, gold, and blue. The King sat upright on his throne stern, composed while the Queen beside him wore an expression both kind and calculating.
And standing before them, adorned in silk and jewels, was the Princess herself radiant, beautiful… and clearly used to getting whatever she wanted.
Ragnar stepped forward, his expression unreadable, the light catching in his steel-gray eyes.
He bowed slightly. "Ragnar Wryd, at your service."
The King's voice rumbled low and commanding.
"Welcome, young man. I trust my letter reached you without issue."
Ragnar nodded. "It did, Your Majesty."
'But why are you acting like we're cool with each other or something Mr. King?" Ragnar thought.
The Princess smirked faintly, her tone dripping with authority.
"I've been waiting for you, Ragnar. There's something I'd like to discuss… personally."
'I really hope she didn't keep a grudge from our last encounter because that would be quite the bore.' Ragnar thought before answering.
Ragnar's eyes flickered slightly cautious but calm.
"I'm listening, Your Highness."