Luca listened to their tale and when they were done, he shuddered at the thought of having such a dishonest neighbor as the dungeon of lies.

“What are we going to do with the goblins? Should we cut them loose?” Asked Diana. She was against hurting them. Now that there were no spiders blocking the way and Luca had promised to teleport them to the forest of plenty after they helped Theanore, their journey became all the easier.

“I can offer them to stay here. I need more workers in the tunnels. And I will take over the dungeon of lies’ grounds. There is no sense in not doing so. It is best if I don’t allow anyone to move in there. We are in No Man’s Land, after all.” Said Luca, and he helped himself to a chicken leg. It tasted like tofu. Perhaps Theanore would give him a couple of chickens to breed?

“These goblins are all liars. You won’t get much of them.” Said Lucius. Luca had wanted to chase him out of the dungeon when he introduced himself as an Orlock, but his friends vouched for him.

What was more, Lucius had vowed to try to stop the war by talking to his father. But for that, he needed to be teleported to him.

“Do you think it will come to war?” Asked Dereck, worried. He would fight because the apple grotto dungeon was his home, but he would find no enjoyment out of it.

“If Theanore denounces all claim as a royalty and becomes a subject of the Dawn Empire, then no.” Said Lucius. Dungeons were important for their nations. They produced goods that normal people couldn’t. Theanore’s enchantments were a valuable export for the Dawn Empire.

“I think Theanore thought being a princess would be a game. Now, not so much. If we tell her to give it up, she will.” Said Luca. “I think she wants to go back to the grotto and her friends.”

“Let us teleport there and get her out of that place. Her, Esmer and Crassus. And then we have to find Marinus, regardless of where he is.” Said Diana. Everyone nodded.

It was dark out, but they were sure they would find someone up who could guide them. What was more, Luca was a powerful dungeon core thanks to his black crystal. The same crystal he would be taking with him just in case.

Luca touched the crystal and got them all in the Imperial palace. The servants ran to them, with guards following close behind.

“State your business.” Said a guard. Elmar stepped closer.

“I am Elmar Denrivir, court wizard of the apple grotto dungeon. I am here to bring Theanore the nymph and her parents’ home.” Elmar gripped his staff, the guards backed off.

“The little Highness is in her room.” Said the same guard. “Reading a book. Should I tell her to come here?”

“Yes, good sir. That would be most welcomed.” Said Diana with a smile. The guard left, but not towards Theanore’s room. He went to the guard captain’s room instead.

When he entered, he found the captain playing cards with the Emperor. The guard saluted them and waited to be addressed.

“Out with it, man.” Said the captain.

“Captain, there are courtiers from the apple grotto dungeon who want their royal family back. Should I show them to the dungeons?” Asked the guard. He knew that the Emperor would approve of it. And the man indeed nodded. He was about to relay the orders when the captain cleared his throat.

“Casimir, why do you do this? Let the children be happy. Everyone loves the little nymph. Your son most of all. But he is possessive. Do you want that possessiveness to poison his soul?” Asked the captain.

“What do you propose, Len?” Asked Emperor Casimir. “That I lose land to a toddler?”

“A toddler with dragons, Casimir. A toddler who can name grandpa Thinker as an ally. An innocent girl who took your least developed region and promised them the world. Let her try to give it to them. If she fails, then your people will deliver your land back to you by themselves. Let Theanore go, Casimir. Do the right thing.”

Casimir lowered his head and sighed.

“Fine.” He said, and waved the guard off. This time, he went to Theanore’s room. He found her and Cassius curled around a book, reading. The guard cleared his throat and the two children turned to him.

“The little Highness is going home. So are her parents.” Said the guard. Theanore jumped up, a bright smile on her face. But Cassius hid his face in his hands and wept.

She ran out of the room, so exited was she. She didn’t see how hurt he was. How darkness crept into his small heart. He wanted his wife to stay with him. But she refused. And so, there was only one way for them to stay together. He needed to go with her.

Cassius ran to his mother’s room and banged on the door until he was let inside. Then he hugged her legs and wept openly.

“Thea is leaving me, mother.” Cried Cassius in his mother’s embrace. “Father is letting her and her parents go.”

“Oh, my poor boy. You must follow her. She is your wife and marriage is forever. She already likes you well enough. One day, she will like you better than that merman of hers.” Said Orlena. She stopped a servant and send her back to Cassius’ room to pack his things. She, too, will be going to the grotto. The fresh air would do good for her pregnancy.

They found Theanore talking happily with five people, one of them Orlena recognized as Lucius, duke Orlock’s son. The man bowed before Orlena and Cassius, and she extended her hand towards him, so he could kiss it.

“Thea, mother said we can come with you. That is, if you will have us.” Said Cassius. Theanore turned to him and ran up to him to hug him.

“Ok, Cassy. You will always be my friend. My dungeon grounds are your home too.” The not best friend was left unspoken but hanged between them.