The throne's armrest dug into my shoulder. I shifted, trying to look regal instead of asleep.

"Uhh… husband… play…?" Emelia tugged my sleeve, eyes bright, already losing the battle for patience.

"Can't," I murmured. "King is thinking important king thoughts."

She frowned. "Like… naps?"

"Especially naps."

Somewhere below the dais, a woman whispered far too loudly, "Look, the king must be thinking very deeply about us."

I felt my lip twitch.

A small voice followed. "Mom? Why are the king's lips moving?"

"Shhh!" The woman grabbed the boy's shoulder. "Don't talk about the king like that!"

They both dropped to a knee. "Please forgive my idiot child, Your Majesty."

I opened one eye and grinned at the boy as he was pulled away. He pointed back at me, scandalized. "Mom! He's smiling!"

She did not look back.

Behind the throne, curtains rustled. Aria stepped into view, one hand braced against her belly, the other smothering a laugh.

"You traumatized him," she said, voice low, but I could hear the amusement in it.

"I inspired him," I countered. "Big difference."

She leaned against the throne's edge, eyes scanning the scattered tourists and bored-looking guards.

The banners smelled faintly of incense from yesterday's execution. "Still think opening the castle was a good idea?"

"After that?" I yawned. "Absolutely."

"Don't thank me," she said. "Thank Sarah. She said people needed to unwind after such a bloody display."

I nodded once. "True."

A guard appeared, boots echoing on marble. "My king."

I straightened. "Report."

"We've located the Supreme Empress," he said.

Aria's hand tightened on her spear. "Where?"

"Dusk Port City. An inn near the eastern docks. Witnesses confirm her presence."

I ran a hand along the back of my robe, dragging it across the floor. "And you think she's… just waiting?"

The guard swallowed. "N-no, Your Majesty."

Aria's gaze flicked to me. "It's bait."

"Or arrogance," I said. "Top ten on the continent. Either she wants us to come… or she underestimates us."

Lucy flickered beside the throne, hovering cross-legged in midair. "Either way, sounds fun. Want backup?"

I shook my head. "Not yet."

She pouted. "You never let me punch the scary ones."

"I have a better idea," I said, letting my grin spread.

They all tilted their heads at me.

I froze. "Wait. I seem to forget something…"

A finger tapped my shoulder. Maria stood behind me, smiling in a way that promised consequences.

"You did," she said.

I winced. "Our date."

"Mm," she said, "you promised me a romantic date~"

I turned, hands on her shoulders. "Today. Outdoor dinner. Perfect weather."

She considered. "Mistra City. There's a restaurant everyone keeps praising."

I froze. "Mistra?"

Lucy's grin turned feral. "Sophia's city?"

"Yes," Maria said. "Why?"

Lucy clapped. "What a coincidence! We told her yesterday we'd visit soon."

I stared. "We did?"

"We can visit her on the way," she said. "Shall we go?"

"Only if you teleport us," I said.

Lucy floated closer. "Say the magic word."

I leaned in, kissed her.

She hummed. "Acceptable. Maria, come closer for the spell to work."

Maria hesitated, then stepped forward. "You need to give me a good explanation, Ragnar~"

Light flashed. The throne room vanished.

Mistra hit me with heat, spice, and noise. Vendors shouted; iron bells clanged. I swapped my royal robe for casual clothes from my inventory while walking.

Lucy grabbed one hand, Maria the other. "I'm joining," Lucy said lightly.

Maria didn't let go. That was enough.

The restaurant door chimed. Warm bread, citrus oil, sizzling oil from the kitchen.

An old woman with red hair looked up from the counter. "You look familiar," she said.

I muttered before thinking. "I get that a lot~"

Her younger daughter emerged, wiping hands. "Mom, I thought those were the last, "

Her eyes widened.

I crossed in three steps, clamping a hand over her mouth. "Shh. Don't expose my real identity."

Sophia blinked, nodding furiously.

Her mother's gaze slid between us. Slow, delighted. "Oh?"

Sophia choked. "Mom!"

"As far as I know," her mother said, unfazed, "you don't let men touch you, let alone put hands over your mouth."

Lucy snorted. Maria tapped the floor.

"No!" Sophia said. "It's not. You're misunderstanding!"

Her mother waved and turned back to the kitchen. "Enjoy your date."

The door swung shut. Silence.

Sophia looked at me, mortified.

"It's over. My life is ruined. Mom's gonna tell the whole city by tomorrow evening."

I smiled helplessly. "Isn't that good? Getting such a handsome boyfriend~"

She sighed, glanced at Maria and Lucy. "Sit down before someone notices who you are."

We took our seats. My heart was still racing, not from danger, but from the uncomfortable truth that the Empress was out there, moving freely.

"Nice reaction~" Sophia said, checking our faces.

Then she turned to the food. "Mother's special dish. Rarely cooked. Lucky day, guys."

The dish arrived: golden chicken breast, crisp at edges, caramelized carrots, savory sauce pooling around the plate.

Lucy cut a piece, tasted it, eyes flickering. She turned to Sophia.

"This cooking resembles an old friend of mine. How did you make it?"

Sophia smiled, shaking her head. "Family secret. Recipe passed down from an ancestor. He helped a stranger once; it became our trademark."

Lucy nodded thoughtfully.

We stopped and looked at her. She's lived a long life; that old friend must have been remarkable.

I kept staring at her, then suddenly my eyes snapped back to the dish, my eyes popped out comically,

"Where's the food?!"

But looking at Sophia's bulging cheeks, I already knew.

And then, with a gulp, I watched the food disappear down her throat.

"Hehehe… guys, I thought you didn't want any," she said, grinning.

We shook our heads and resumed eating. I felt sorry for Maria, what should've been a romantic date had become a four-person outing.

But seeing how much Maria enjoyed the mood made me smile.

Then, suddenly, Lucy's eyes snapped from her thoughts. She shouted, "Could it be!" and vanished from her seat.

I stared dumbly at her empty spot. "Welp, our only way to get back is gone now."

Sophia chuckled. "You guys can stay here, you're welcome."

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