Looking up at Liane, all I got out was, “I can use wine in cooking?”

  “Trevor, that’s great, did you hear me?” Liane said, frustrated with the response.

  “Oh sorry, I’ll cook another steak. It’s okay,” I said, waving it off, still looking at the plate that Lily was now clearing off.

  Liane just looked at me, mouth open.

  “I’m no fan of the royals, but just a steak, really?”

  “Yeah? It’s what I’m making tonight,” I responded, a bit confused why Liane was surprised by this. Luis is a prince, sure, but he’s invited himself to dinner, so he clearly wants what the others want… right?

  “I don’t know why I’m surprised by this, but you’re right. I’ll let everyone know you’re getting it all ready then,” Liane laughed.

  Not having anymore skywolf cut up for an extra steak, rather than butchering more, I pulled out one of the buvul chunks, and after getting a look from Lily, I proceeded to cut two thick buvul steaks as well.

  Seasoning them the same as before and using a grill that Crisplet created, I put them on, taking the others out to the people sitting at the table. Now, I could have stored them all and then brought them out all at once, but I figured I’d buy myself time if I took it out slowly.

  What I didn’t expect was that when I came out with the first two plates, the house staff went to enter the kitchen to get the other plates.

  “Careful when you go in there, Lily is eating,” I said, watching them all halt in their tracks.

  In the end, only Archie went inside and helped bring out plates of food.

  Everyone was already seated with Luis, George, and Darren all looking a little roughed up, but still smiling despite it.

  “Apologies, just basic meals tonight,” I said, setting down the food.

  Heading back into the kitchen to find Crisplet had already finished the two steaks, I quickly finished it with a small bit of jus, then for Lily’s piece I added the last of the sauce, infusing it again just to be sure, which she happily ate.

  I took my seat at the table and felt bad because I hadn’t prepared food for the staff. Was I supposed to feed them?

  “It smells great! Thanks for having me; it’s such a relief to leave the palace grounds sometimes…” Luis happily said.

  He was interrupted by the kitchen door opening, as Lily made her way out.

  Luis leaned forward. “Is she always so terrifying?”

  I was about to protest when Jen spoke up. “Yes.”

  “It’s not that bad,” I muttered.

  Hari laughed. “You only say that because you cannot feel her presence like the rest of us, but she’s not bad compared to the others.”

  “This sauce is so good, Trev!” Liane said.

  I had been feeling that it had been odd that the prince stuck around, even going as far as to join us for dinner. I had to ask.

  “So why didn’t you want to go back to the palace? Surely you’d get better food there?” I asked Luis.

  He seemed to consider the answer for a moment. “Honestly, I assume they sent me because they want us to get along, but truthfully, I just enjoy leaving the palace. I’m rarely allowed, so if I don’t return quickly they’ll think we hit it off, and I’ll get more freedom,” Luis said with a chuckle.

  “So I apologise for using you like that. I did actually have a blast training today, though. It’s nice to train with someone other than palace guards and my tutors.”

  I waved off the last comment. “It’s fine. What do you mean they want us to get along, though?”

  Luis shrugged. “I’m not really involved in a lot of decisions, but delivering those documents is something my sister would normally be tasked with, which means they had another goal, so it was my best guess.”

  “Politics,” Liane muttered.

  “Exactly, that’s why it’s refreshing to come to a place where your every move isn’t under scrutiny—well, not as much anyway,” Luis said with a laugh.

  “Sorry, I’ve not had a good run with people in power,” I added, feeling embarrassed.

  For some reason, Lily’s attention was drawn towards the foyer, where she was gazing at the wall.

  “No, no, you’re fine. I half expected you to kick me out hours ago,” Luis added, his eyes drifting to Lily, who was moving.

  “I’d like to spar with you again if you come back!” George added happily.

  “I’d like that, but it’s not my choice normally,” Luis said.

  “What can you tell us about this shop they got for Micca?” Milo asked.

  Lily got up, sitting right behind my chair. She was now staring at the door. Attracting everyone’s attention at this point.

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  “Uh… I’m not really sure, honestly. It’s in the upper noble district, so depending on what you’re selling, it might not be much help,” Luis said, shrugging, clearly very distracted by Lily.

  A moment later, Archie rushed back into the dining room.

  “Uh, I’m sorry to bother you during dinner, Trevor sir, but, well, there is another guest. She’s rather persistent in seeing you, and she said her daughter as well?” he said, sounding confused and worried.

  “Daughter?” Hari asked, looking around.

  A moment later the door opened again, and a lady walked in so gracefully it appeared that she wasn’t even walking on the floor. She wore the most elegant emerald green dress I had ever seen; it looked to be lined with emeralds.

  As for the lady herself, her skin was pale, almost ghost-white, and her eyes held the same weight as Lily’s.

  Lily, who was now approaching the lady.

  “Hello Lily dear, I thought I felt you in the city here,” she said, her voice sounding ethereal.

  She reached down, patting Lily behind the ears, and had everyone in the room stunned.

  “Trevor, you wouldn’t mind if I stayed? I won’t be a bother,” she said softly.

  Again, silence. I just looked on, not sure who this was or what to say, but something was familiar, and the only person I had seen call Lily daughter was…

  “Sylverith?” I asked.

  “Oh good, you recognised me,” she said gleefully.

  “Ho… how?” was all I could get out.

  Luis was looking at us all, confused, and it seemed the name didn’t register with George or Darren either, but everyone else was just staring, shocked.

  “Illusions, dear. Now I see there are new people, and introductions are in order,” she said, still scratching Lily.

  “Uh yes, sorry. Well, this is Prince Luis, and my friends Micca, George, and Darren,” I said hastily.

  “Yes, I remember the girl. She was there when you gave me the tail,” Sylverith chuckled.

  “Uh, this is Sylverith, the dragon protector of the Dark Forest,” I said to Luis, George, and Darren.

  Their eyes went wide as Luis sputtered out, “Dragon?”

  Sylverith ignored him, turning to me again. “You didn’t answer my question. You wouldn’t mind if I stayed, would you?”

  “No, of course not,” I said quickly, trying to remember if we had a spare room or not. “I don’t know whether there is a room free or not.”

  Looking around at the others.

  “The room next to mine is free. It’s just across the hall, near the library,” Milo said.

  “Thank you. I don’t think I need a room, but having somewhere to read would be very helpful, and it has been some time since I have been in a city. Much has changed in the last few centuries,” she said, taking a seat next to Micca, who just froze.

  “You said Prince Luis? One of the phoenix line. So you lot are still in power, I see. I once met your ancestor. Polite man, rather obsessed though,” Sylverith reminisced.

  Luis just looked between me and Sylverith, mouth open, not saying anything.

  I supposed I should be interested in the history she had with the royal family, but I was amazed at how solid the illusion looked. When I saw her in the forest, she was semi-translucent, and she was close by when she did it.

  But today she looked like a pale elf, which was rare on this continent as it was, although not unheard of. Amanda went to the Temple of Life in Elarith Vale, run by an elf there.

  All this time, Archie had been standing by the door, shocked.

  “I shall go and prepare the room then,” he said, bowing, and leaving the dining hall in a flash.

  “Sylverith? What are you doing in the capital anyway?” Jen asked, Milo nodding as if agreeing with the question.

  She interrupted her one-sided conversation with Luis. “Oh! Research, and I was curious to see what had changed during my nap. The humanoids and their cities change so quickly,” she exclaimed.

  “How are you here? I know you said illusions, but you must be several weeks’ travel away…” Milo asked.

  “I set off shortly after the tail, needed to visit some places before I came to the capital, I specialise in illusions, so I am able to take this form while my body sleeps in my den. It’s very useful,” she answered, turning to face me.

  “It is a pity though. I do wish I could try some more of your cooking. Lily was right; it was certainly interesting, some aspects of it especially, which I didn’t notice at the time.”

  I had to assume she was talking about the permanent stat bonus and was glad she didn’t say it out loud.

  She looked briefly towards Lily and let out a chuckle.

  “Lily says the old fire bird has taken an interest in your companion. For as old as she is, she has absolutely no tact when approaching humans. It’s how his ancestor got so caught up,” she gestured to Luis. Then her gaze turned to Lily.

  “But you’re just as bad,”

  Ignoring her Lily paced away and came back behind my chair.

  “Several thousand cycles old and you’re still as stubborn as a child,” Sylverith giggled.

  Luis stood up from his chair. “Uh… I thank you for dinner, but I think I should be going. I have intruded on your hospitality long enough,” he said, bowing.

  “No need to leave on my account,” Sylverith said.

  “It’s not that. I don’t want to overstay my welcome,” Luis said, already making his way to the door.

  “Bye,” I waved.

  “I hope to see you again shortly, Trevor,” Luis said, waving from the door before heading out.

  “Strange family line, that one,” Sylverith said, watching him leave. “The System has adopted his ancestors’ obsession and given them unique classes as a result.”

  The rest of dinner was spent answering questions for Sylverith about what had happened since we last visited. Hari was the first to leave, heading to sleep when the topic of his family came up.

  Darren and George, who had not said a word since Sylverith’s arrival other than to confirm their part in the march down south to Portland, both took their opportunity to leave as well.

  Before long, the night came to an end as Milo took Sylverith to show her the library.

  I was pulled to the side by Liane. “You understand this is going to cause chaos when that prince tells his father about this?” she whispered.

  “I mean, yeah, but what can we do?” I said, shrugging.

  She just sighed and walked away, laughing.

  Only Jen and Micca were left, both looking at me with a grin.

  “What?” I asked, knowing a remark was coming.

  “Oh nothing. Just wondering when the next mythical creature is going to show up after this? Is there by chance a leviathan you’re friends with waiting in the ocean?” Micca said with a laugh.

  “There is said to be a giant kraken who resides far in the southern oceans, though very few have ever survived contact. At this stage, it wouldn’t surprise me if he showed up to say hi and have tea with Trevor,” Jen added.

  Both got up after saying goodnight and headed to sleep.

  I was left in the empty dining room, Lily asleep behind my chair.

  This really was going to be interesting, and I had completely forgotten to ask Milo about the wine!