🐈🐈🐈
AFTER parting ways with everyone, I hurried to the audience chamber. I was actually just about to return to my office when Contard called me back and said I had been summoned to the audience chamber. That meant a summons from the king. I felt a touch nervous. Apparently, Seren had been summoned as well. I hoped to meet up with her just outside.
As I walked, I thought about the future testing plan.
Ultimately, the goal was to construct three magical devices, one of them a spare, but only if we could do so without upsetting the power output of the magical energy source. We would have to be careful and constantly testing at every stage. Otherwise, there might be an imbalance.
I was still thinking hard about that when I reached the audience chamber.
Was Seren already inside? Should I go in or wait for her? I wasn’t sure what to do, but then Seren came around the corner.
I’d walked here faster. I was glad she hadn’t gone ahead of me.
“Lord Viol!” Seren spotted me and came trotting over, looking relieved. “I wonder what this summons is all about.”
I shrugged. I have no idea either, Seren.
“I’m not sure. If it had just been me summoned, it would probably have been about today’s magical device. But with you as well, I can’t say…”
“Indeed…”
“Well, we’ll find out once we’re inside. We shouldn’t keep the king waiting. Let’s go.”
“Yes, of course.”
Seren smiled. We approached the audience chamber doors, which were opened to welcome us. Only, the throne was empty. Instead, Seren and I were led to a small anteroom.
We entered the small room when the door was opened for us, but I stiffened with surprise. Unexpected guests were present with the king—Prince Helios and Borden.
“Are you surprised?” His Majesty laughed mischievously.
Sitting comfortably next to His Majesty was the former head of the Third Mage Guild, Master Kenrude, a man whom I greatly respect.
“Master Kenrude… it’s been such a long time,” I greeted.
“Oh, I’m retired now, so you can just call me Gramps like you did when you were just a sprout, Viol, my boy.”
“Please, don’t bring that up…”
Master Kenrude was my mentor when I was just a young farmer boy. He noticed my magical power and scouted me for the mages. He would often give me candy and treat me like a grandson, and I saw him more as a kindly grandfather than as the elite man he was. I was very attached to him and always called him Gramps.
Now that I think about it, it was quite disrespectful of me.
“You’re like a grandson to me, Viol, my boy. I’d prefer it if you called me Gramps, as always.” With a teasing smile, he beckoned me closer. When I approached, he placed a small box in my hand.
“Can I open it?” That friendly, cheerful smile… It brought back fond memories. Feeling a warmth in my chest, I opened up the little box. “Oh…!”
Inside were bite-sized, colorful, round marshmallows topped with a variety of colorful decorations… So brightly colored and sweet smelling.
“My grandson is mad about these. He said they’re called raw marshmallows. He described them as squishable and wobble-tastic. Weird words to that effect.”
“Wow…”
“Ah, I’m glad you like them. I’ve heard you’ve been working hard, my boy, so I thought you deserved a reward.”
“A reward…”
Master Kenrude’s words took me by surprise.