Yuuta quickly walked to the conference room he was trying his hardest to think of a way to get the prince to sign the statement. Yuuta knew there was no way he was going to sign it without forcing him to do it. (Fuck it I'll force him to do it and be done with it I've wasted enough time here anyway.)

As he decided on his plan the footsteps of knights could be heard echoing through the hall. Yuuta tensed up his adrenaline pumping. The footsteps suddenly came to a halt a moment later the door was flung open. The arrogant prince standing on the other side looking Yuuta up and down his disgust evident. Yuuta kneeled in front of the prince.

"Ohh so it's just us two." He said a twisted smile in his face. " A peasant like you should never have an audience with me make it quick I need to find Gildi."

"Yes, Prince although Gildi is no longer here," Yuuta said knowing it would piss him off. "Speak up low born scum where did Gildi go I told her I would find her today that bitch." The words got harsher as his anger took over.

"Well after she left my room early this morning she said she needed to go to Celis for some personal business." (Take the bait!) Yuuta was screaming in his head.

The princes' eyes shot open for a moment before he regained his calm. He was smart enough to not be caught off guard and keep control of the conversation. "What a farce no need to lie, like she would give herself to some low-rank adventurer who couldn't protect her." The Prince shot back he was confident Gildi wasn't a loose woman. He would know he's tried for longer than he would admit doing the same thing.

"No offense prince but after I saved her life a while back she and I have become very close. She also really gets along with Ria if you understand my meaning." Yuuta said with a wry smile and giving the prince a knowing wink.

The infuriated prince stood up rage burning in his eyes. "How dare you try to tarnish Gildi's name like that. She would never fraternize with a mutt like your fiancé. Gildi is a proper lady say one more word about her and I'll have your head!"

Yuuta calmly stood up now staring directly into his eyes. He was smiling internally but on the outside, he was cold and emotionless. Then a tiny smirk rose up. He had him exactly where he wanted him." I'm sorry my prince I didn't mean to offend you with such talk. Gildi is indeed a proper lady but when you get her into bed she throws her morals out the window. Oh, what she lets me do to her perfect body. You should hear the way she moans when I..."

Before he could finish Ronin charged him full force. Yuuta quickly opened a gate behind him and got ready to take the tackle. Allowing himself to be pushed back they fell through the gate. Yuuta quickly grabbed the princes throat and covered his mouth with his other hand as they passed through the gate.

The princes' eyes grew wide with shock at his new surroundings he tried to talk but Yuuta's hand was crushing his windpipe. He couldn't tell where they were but they were surrounded by mountains with no road or path close by.

"Be quiet or I'll snap your neck," Yuuta whispered coldly into his ear. The prince's whole body froze with those words he could tell Yuuta wasn't bluffing. "Take a quick look over there can you guess what those are?" Yuuta said with a little chuckle. The prince followed his eyes before they looked onto something truly terrifying. Ronin let out muffled screaming at the sight trying to break free from Yuuta's grip that was only getting tighter.

Yuuta gave a quick jab to Ronins' stomach knocking the wind out of him and denting his beautiful gold armor. The prince started gasping for air as his eyes started to water. After a couple of seconds, he could breathe normally again but he was certain he would be throwing up blood.

"I'm going to let go but if you make a sound those two dragons over there will kill us both do you understand." Ronin nodded slowly as he felt the grip around his neck loosen. At the same time, Yuuta grabbed the princes sword from his waist and placing it on the ground quietly.

"Why did you bring us here are you insane!" The prince frantically whispered to him. "I said be quiet or ill feed you to them myself," Yuuta whispered back his emotionless face was making Ronin tremble.

The two sleeping dragons were not more than 100 meters away. Yuuta was feeling a little anxious as well he wasn’t quite ready to fight those beasts again. "Now that you've settled down we can get down to business. Firstly, I brought you here so you understand the seriousness of the situation."

"I understand I understand please let us leave before we both die." The once arrogant prince was now begging for help from the low born peasant.

"Yes yes, We will leave right after you sign this. Yuuta pulled out the rolled up parchment handing it over to the prince. He quickly read it over his face went pale, a grim look replacing the terrified one.

"I can't sign this are you stupid this would get my father killed." His voice filled with nervousness and fear.

"Exactly your life for his I'm sure you knew about this, that's why you were sent here right. You expected us to be dead and you were to rule Yuart until suitable arrangements where made do not lie." Yuuta said a little louder than he meant too one of the sleeping dragons let out a screech and stretched its legs before curling back up into a ball.

The prince seemed to be having an inner battle trying to make a decision. Yuuta was getting impatient after five minutes passed Ronin was still shaking with the parchment in his hands. "Hurry up and decide either sign it or die you have 10 seconds." The prince started shaking harder as he looked up at Yuuta and then to the dragons. "10"

Ronin went back to staring at the paper he wanted to beg for another way. He had to pick between death and betraying his father. If he was truly a loyal prince he would give his life without hesitation."6"

Yuuta continued the countdown the prince looked at him with pure hatred. ( This goddamn worm should know his place thinking he can control me. Just wait as soon as I sign this and we get out of here I'll kill you where you stand. All I have to do is tell the nobles I was coerced into signing. Yes, I was tortured that will work don't worry father I won't fail you.) "3"

"Ok, I'll sign just be quiet we don't need to die because you can't hold your voice." The prince said with a fake smile.

"I apologize for my father's actions he told me of his plans after he already sent the assassins or I would have convinced him not to. He never thinks things through once I sign this and father is dethroned I promise to do a better job as the next heir." The prince tried to butter him up with false promises and lies. The truth was he couldn't wait to kill Yuuta he couldn't stop imagining it. Watching Yuuta's head be severed from his body was on a constant reel inside his head.

Yuuta opened a small portal pulling out a quill and some ink. The princes shaking hands took it signing it without hesitation. He tried handing it back to Yuuta but was quickly stopped. "The royal seal as well it has to be official," Yuuta said calmly but he was glaring angrily the crimson in his eyes seemed to shine bright at the cowering prince. "Now hurry before one of them wakes up. Trust me you don't want to see them pissed of once was enough for my lifetime."

The prince laid the parchment on the ground. Placing his hand on the paper. A crescent moon in a circle started to glow on the top of his hand shinning brightly for a second before dimming then disappearing shortly after. The prince rolled the paper up and handed it over to Yuuta. "It's done now let's go do whatever you did last time and get us out of here." The prince looked at Yuuta with pleading eyes. No matter how strong he was he knew he was no match for a dragon no one was even S rank adventures had to group together to defend against one. They were practically gods that did what they wanted. Humans were just lucky that they didn't stray far from there territory and kept to themselves unless they were provoked.

"I said let's go hurry up" the prince was getting more frantic fumbling with his hands trying to calm his nerves. Yuuta just stared at him with an icy cold expression.

"You're so naive I thought you were supposed to be the smart one. Did you actually think I was going to let you live?" Yuuta said loudly, his laugh bellowed through the mountains. The dragons started stirring one let out an almost cute screech before settling down again. They seemed to be deep sleepers for the most part.

"I did what you asked I have not harmed you or anyone else it was my fathers doing. I promise if you take me back you will be handsomely rewarded."

"That all might be true but there's something I care about more than any of that more than money, power, or status and you disrespected and talked down to her, almost got her killed along with my little sister. I'm sorry but your father marked you for death, to begin with. You sealed your fate the moment you disrespected Ria I’ll show you what happens to people I truly loathe.” Before the prince could debate Yuuta grabbed him by the throat lifting him off the ground.

His gargled cries for help were pathetic as he started crying. He couldn't chant to use magic and his sword was gone. His vision started to fade as he punched and kicked wildly at Yuuta. His punches had power behind them each one connecting with Yuuta's face, blood was pouring out of his nose and mouth but he never loosened his grip. The wild kicking was digging into his knees and shins but still, he didn't move or loosen his grip. "Watch out for their tails they hurt like a bitch." Yuuta opened a gate underneath the hovering Prince. With a wicked smile, he let go watching the yelling prince disappear then reappear not that far ahead directly in front of the slumbering monsters. A haunting wail echoed throughout the mountains as the prince fell on the ledge.

An ear-piercing screech followed making Yuuta smile as he disappeared into a gate. Landing back in the conference room he felt a weight lifted off him.

The knights guarding the prince were easy to get rid of. They were skilled warriors against any normal person but with a quick gate, they became dragon chow. (those dragons should be thanking me I take one tooth and they get a nice lunch.) He snickered to himself while walking back to Emery's study. He needed to hurry hopefully Ria was still sleeping. Explaining this was going to be troublesome, to say the least. ( She’s been through enough I’ll let He relax and just be happy and look forward to tomorrow.

Emery almost jumped when Yuuta knocked on his door his nerves where on edge. He got permission to enter and slowly walked in. "I'm assuming it went well if you're standing here," Emery said nervously trying to hide his anticipation.

Yuuta stood there with no expression before a smirk crossed his face. "It went ok a little anticlimactic if you ask me people talked the prince up making him seem like a devious mastermind whose smarter than the king. But he was a weak crybaby he didn't even try to fight back." While Yuuta was talking shit about the prince he pulled out the rolled up parchment handing it to an almost shaking in excitement Emery.

He hastily unrolled the paper and looked towards the bottom he started laughing like a maniac a big smile on his face. "I don't know how to thank you Yuuta this is everything. With this well have no interference from other lords and nobles you have saved thousands of people's lives." He had already started writing on paper seemingly coordinating the coming battle.

"I have a couple of requests before I leave." Emery looked up and nodded his head.

"What will you do with the King's family and relatives?" Yuuta asked seriously.

"That depends on them if they cooperate they will be treated with respect. The queen and princess will lose there status but will be allowed to live in the castle if they want. If they refuse they will be exiled from Hartford with enough coin to live comfortably for a couple of generations. As for relatives, I assume you mean the duchess and her daughter they will also lose their noble titles but will be allowed to stay in the castle as well." Emery was a fair man he saw no reason to become a tyrant on his first day. They won't hold any power but will live a comfortable life.

"That sounds fair my request I was going to ask you to let them live I saved May the duchesses daughter she's a good kid doesn't deserve to have her life ruined. The other favor I was going to ask is to get a message to the academy apologizing for my absence and that I'll be gone for a while."

"Of course I'll send the message but there's a good chance class will be canceled. With Starphylla being the headmaster I'm sure he will be one of the first to know about what's happening. The academy is filled with nobles so I'm sure they will be sent home until everything is worked out." Emery explained the situation still writing letter after letter.

"Ok well like I said me and Ria will be leaving for Palmes most likely tomorrow we might come back to say goodbye to Milly but after that, we're gone till this is all over," Yuuta said plainly.

" I understand goodbye Yuuta I'll send word to my diplomat in Palmes when everything is settled." Yuuta opened a gate to his home in Celis.

Trying to be quiet then he stepped out quietly in the hallway. Apparently not quite enough. "Yuuta is that you?" Ria's voice reached into the hallway. Opening the door she was sitting up in bed rubbing her eyes.

"Yea sorry did I wake you up?" He asked quietly. "No, I woke up a couple of minutes ago. I figured you woke up already did you go somewhere?"

"Yea I had to go back to the castle for a little while you looked like you needed rest so I let you sleep." Ria got out of bed heading straight for Yuuta wrapping him up in a hug.

"I did I was really tired for some reason." She groaned loudly into his stomach. " I need to get ready for dinner but I feel so tired I just want to sleep."

Yuuta picked her up making her gasp a little at the surprise. He walked back to bed and laid down with her. " We don't have to go if your not up to it I'm just as happy staying here with you." He said seriously.

Ria almost fell asleep again cuddled up to him enjoying the warmth of his body. "Ugh, no we can't we already planned all this out and Rohan is closing early just for us." She said before pushing him away before he convinced her of staying in the warm bed."

"That's fine also if you're ok with it I'm ready to leave tomorrow for Palmes if you're ready?" Yuuta said casually before he heard loud footsteps approaching him fast then the weight of her body fell on top of him. " Are you serious, of course, I'm ready I've been ready since the day you told me!" She said happily attacking him with multiple kisses and hugs.

"Well, that settles it we will leave tomorrow morning. I've been thinking about it and I want just us two to go nobody else spend some alone time on the way there. What do you think?" He asked her hoping she would like that.

"Really? I would like that a lot just like old times!" She said happily getting Yuuta all to herself for a while.

**

They arrived a little late all the guests were waiting for them when they showed up. Three tables were pushed together for everybody to sit together. A giant feast was displayed on the table Gio had made for the party. They all welcomed the two and the dinner officially started everybody digging in talking happily and some of their friends meetings each other for the first time. Rohan was drunk before desert half asleep in the ground. Gildi, Ria, and Emmy were in a group talking every once awhile they would look at Yuuta and giggle madly before going back to there secret conversation. Cerona and Gio were catching up she apparently knew him from when he was an adventurer. Yuuta was alone in his thoughts a small smirk on his face as he observed all his new friends and fiancé having fun and laughing. He couldn't help but think he was truly blessed in his new life and hopefully was going to get better.

Ria knocked him out of his daydream asking if he was ok. "I'm fine just thinking how lucky I'm am to have you and our friends." He said happily pulling her into his lap.

"Everybody I would like to say something!" He spoke up catching all their attention.

"We called our closest friends together for two announcements. The first is me and Ria are leaving the country for a while and we'll be departing tomorrow." The group erupted in whispers before Cerona spoke up.

"I don't mean to pry but why are you leaving us something wrong?" She asked seriously.

Yuuta looked down to Ria still in his lap. "Do you want to tell them?" A bright smile formed as she nodded her head.

"Yuuta found my brother and father in the neighboring country and we're going to find them and hopefully bring them back!" She screamed in excitement.

"They all started congratulating her and saying how happy they were for her and to be careful on their journey." Yuuta let her bask in the glow before starting in on the more serious topic.

"The second is something a little more serious it shouldn't affect you, but I thought you all should know so you can tell you're loved ones. In the coming days, the king will be dethroned and a battle may happen at Referia. I know it sounds crazy but Lord Vermillion has proof that he tried to assassinate him, Milly his daughter, and Ria. Luckily I was there and was able to intervene and stop the attack. Today I interrogated Prince Ronin and he confessed to all of it even signing his statement with his royal seal. Anyways the king will be dethroned it is inevitable and will happen soon. If you have people you care about in Referia I suggest you give them an excuse to leave please do not tell them the real reason it will only cause panic if it gets out and many more lives will be at stake. I only told you guys because you're my closest friends and you deserve a warning." Yuuta let out a sigh as he finished knowing he was about to get bombarded with questions but the opposite happened.

He looked but everybody was quiet while Ria was staring at him clearly annoyed that she wasn't told the whole truth when she asked her where he was. Another half-truth Yuuta was becoming famous for. Then Cerona spoke first again. "Thank you for telling me Yuuta I need to warn my family they live in Referia." She said with a thankful smile in her face. Gildi made a comment about telling Avenci but she was frowning the whole time. The mood took a serious downswing for a while.

Gio clapped his hands loudly together before his loud deep voice echoed through the room. "Let's get back to the party no use worrying over something that inevitable." His loud laugh made the guests snap out of their thoughts.

The party quickly went back on track with Gio being the center of attention clearly trying to lighten the mood telling dad jokes and forcing people to take shots with him. Ria had gotten out of his lap and was ignoring him talking to Gildi and Emmy again. Yuuta talked with Gio for the rest of the night what they had been up too and his upcoming journey to Palmes.

The party ended a little after midnight with everybody outside the inn saying their goodbyes. Lots of hugs and tears where exchanged knowing they would be gone for a couple of months at the least maybe longer. Gio was the last to say goodbye he gave each of them a bear hug. He thanked Yuuta once again for the money he had given him saying he was about to start construction on expanding his inn and the next time they stopped by it would be twice as big.

With that, the party was over and the two made their way back home. Ria was walking a couple of feet ahead Her mood turned a little sour. "Are you still mad at me?" He was met with the scary silence only she could produce. "I didn't tell you because I know all you would do is worry and you already looked so worn out. Then you fell asleep and I could tell how much you needed it so I took care of it while you slept I wasn't trying to keep anything from you." Yuuta tried to explain why he didn't tell her. In all honesty, he kind of slipped up at dinner telling everybody about the prince it was supposed to be a secret for the time being but he thought they deserved to know.

Ria mumbled something before turning around and facing him. "Of course I would worry about you it's my job. No matter how much you try to convince me my heart always tightens and my stomach churns when I know you're doing something dangerous. You almost died Yuuta and now every time you leave that image of you torn to shreds is going to be a permanent fixture in my mind. But that doesn't mean you can keep things from me or do things behind my back because it's easier for you. That's selfish what if you didn’t come back today and I was alone and had no idea what happened to you." Her full-on mom voice came through lecturing him. (It’s kind of scary how mad she is over something so minuscule.) He shook his head at that thought obviously it wasn’t minuscule to her or she wouldn't be reacting this way. It was very serious to her, so it should be to him.

"I'm sorry I should have told you it won't happen again." He said trying to show her he took her seriously and correct his mistakes.

"You’ve been saying that a lot but it doesn't seem to work things keep happening you promised wouldn't." She said coldly. Yuuta shuddered at her icy tone only hearing it one other time. When he asked her if she was going to leave him now that she was free.

After she finished she turned around and headed for their house once again. Yuuta couldn't tell if he should try the usual lovey-dovey stuff he usually pulled to get back in her good graces. With him almost dying and now keeping things from her it seemed she had been holding in a lot of her feelings and needed to vent. He watched her carefully, her shoulders were pushed back and her steps heavy she was clearly pissed so he decided to give her space. It made his stomach knot up knowing how upset she was but his hollow promises weren't going to make her feel better this time. She had to accept he did dangerous things almost all the time and at any moment he could "die" or be exposed for who he really was and be hunted down like a monster.

They made it inside the house, Ria quickly walked up the stairs leaving Yuuta on the lower floor by himself. He honestly had no clue what to do he would usually follow her up the stairs help her undress and lay down to together. But not this time, this time he sat quietly in the kitchen staring at the ceiling he tried to think of a way to argue back with her to get angry like she did but he had nothing. Every time he saw those big blue eyes he melted into pudding. There was also the fact that she never did anything to make him mad like ever. He couldn’t think of one time he was angry with her.

It was always the other way around he would do something stupid or say something stupid and she would get mad then makeup. It seems they hit a tipping point this time just when things were getting good. He felt horrible making her sad the day before they set off to find her family it wasn't the way he wanted to start the journey. He gave a hefty sigh before deciding on going to sleep tired of all the depressing thoughts. ( I’ll try again tomorrow hopefully she’s cooled off by then.)

Ria was upstairs already in bed waiting for Yuuta. She was already feeling terrible for her last comment to him. (How could I say that to him he only does those things to protect me and Milly and I throw it back in his face.) She was mentally berating herself, instantly regretting what she said but was too proud to apologize immediately so she kept up her pissed off persona.

She knew how much those words hurt him and now he was downstairs torturing himself. (I'm such a bitch he even said he was keeping it from me because he knew I was emotionally exhausted and was only looking out for me. When he comes to bed ill give him my best puppy dog eye apology and then I'll make it up to him!) she thought to herself with a small smirk happy with her plan.

when she heard his footsteps coming up the stairs. Her anxiety kicked in the closer he got. The footsteps stopped in front of the door her heart pounding in her chest. The silence was deafening as she waited for him, the squeak of the guest room door almost broke her heart.

Yuuta walked up the stairs making it to his door before taking a peak in Ria looked to be curled up already asleep. He looked at her form under the covers and gave a small smile before heading for the guest room. Stripping from his clothes he crawled into the spare bed trying to get comfortable. He already knew no matter how hard he tried it wouldn't feel the same without Ria but he thought she needed some alone time no matter how bad he wanted to wrap her up in a hug and apologize over and over again.

Ria leaned up in bed. ( Good job Ria you just shut out the man you love. Why am I like this I just want him to be careful and not keep me in the dark. But I have to go on a rant and act coldly. Why can’t his stupid brain just realize what I want!) She snickered to herself at that last thought. “If only”

She tiptoed out of bed and slowly opened her door with a high pitched squeak making her cringe. Walking as lightly as possible she used the moonlight to look inside the guest room.

Yuuta smiled widely hearing Ria get out of bed to spy on him. She tried her best but his mana picked up on her movement not to mention his enhanced senses hearing every step and squeak of the floorboards and door.

Ria stared at him intently not sure how to start her apology. An unknown amount of time passed before his voice called out to her making her jump.

"Are you going to stare at me all night." Yuuta chuckled as he rolled out of bed and headed for the nervous looking Ria twiddling with her thumbs like a child who just got caught. When she noticed him walking towards her she looked up to meet his eyes and her mouth opened to say something. Before she could Yuuta closed the distant kissing her deeply while picking her up. He carried her back to their room before breaking the kiss. "You don't have to say anything I'm the one who screwed up I deserved everything you said. No matter the reason it wasn't right let's just be happy again I hate when you're mad at me." Yuuta said as softly as he could before jumping into bed making her giggle.

"Yuuta I was still too harsh, I'm really sorry I know you do it all for me I just let my emotions get the best of me. These past few days have been hard and the stress of almost losing you made me go off the deep end, and one more thing." She said before punching him in the chest. He let out a fake grunt pretending it hurt.

"No matter how pissed I am, I'll always want to sleep in the same bed with you I felt my heart breaking when you didn't come in!” She said tears running down her cheeks.

"Understood, I thought you needed some alone time. We never fought like that before other than that one time I won't mention, I've never seen you as mad either. Let's just put it behind us we have a big day tomorrow. " He said awkwardly wiping the tears from her eyes.

She smiled wrapping herself around his body. " I’m so excited for tomorrow it can't come fast enough. I can't wait for you to meet my family it's like a dream is coming true!" She said bubbly the grim mood instantly changing back to normal. No matter how bad they fought it didn't take long for things to go back to normal. Yuuta was eternally grateful for that.

Ria looked into his red eyes before a devious smile formed. "Are you ready for your apology gift?" She asked with her best seductive voice. Yuuta made an audible gulp nodding his head quickly.