11 Chapter 11: Woman In The District

POV: Lucas Khisfire

I made it back to the castle safe and sound from my trip to the red light district. It was a rather adventurous night but I guess it was worth it not worrying about unwanted attention and my doting father and mother trying to set me up with women as usual.

I then drank a potion to reverse the effects of the polymorph potion. I wish I could just be a normal civilian and not be worrying about this royal business but alas I wasn't exactly given the choice to choose where I was born from. As I'm strolling around the hallowed halls of the castle, I hear a skittish scream behind me, probably from one of the maids, that's looking for me.

"Prince Lucas! Where have you been!? The queen and king are requesting you on the throne immediately." The worried maid came to me to lead me to the throne room. I sighed in disappointment but I didn't really have the choice to refuse.

Opening the door to the throne room, I was already expecting a barrage of lectures, what to do and what not to do, unsolicited lessons and advice that I always dread hearing every day, night, or day, my parents talk a lot...

"Lucas! Where have you been?! Your mother and I have been waiting for you here for a very long time. Just what on earth were you doing?" My father asked in confusion.

"You should be getting ready for the ball. Don't waste your time doing anything useless." My mother suggested to me, I just sighed and secretly rolled my eyes at her. I guess she thinks trying to vent and cool off is useless. Not even a minute and I'm already being interrogated like I committed a great crime by these people I call my parents. It's bad enough that they do this but it's even worst when they do it every day.

"I was just strolling around the castle, father. Trying to clear my mind so I can make good decisions for tomorrow's ball." I answered politely so they won't go off and try to scold me once again. Just being in a room with them is suffocating enough.

"Oh.. alright then. Go to your room and make sure to get some sleep so you'll feel refreshed to pick a wife got it?" My father ordered me and like a puppet, I had to obey him.

"That's right! The other women from the royal families didn't like you because you lacked energy. Perhaps if you get good sleep you'll feel better." My mother suggested. Though it wasn't the truth, I honestly wasn't on board with marrying someone that I just met and someone I don't exactly like. That's why I was the least bit entertained when I talked to those women. So that they won't be able to put up with my attitude and I can avoid getting married.

"Good night, father and mother." I did a bow before sighing my disappointment at what awaits me tomorrow. Great.. I'm going to have to prepare myself to spend time with these people I don't like.

Defeated, I walk back to my bedroom but before that, I decided to head over to my friend Claire's witching room so I can have a talk with her about what happened when I was disguised as someone.

I opened the door to her brewery and she was busy as always. She's standing on top of a stool while mixing something that smells like morning dew and fresh-cut grass, not exactly the most appetizing smell but I could manage to endure it at least.

"Claire! You won't believe what just happened when I was roaming around." I tried to talk with her, but she was focused on mixing her potion.

"Good for you I guess. What did you do exactly? Don't tell me you got into some trouble or something." She looked at me and asked with curiosity.

"I met a woman today. She was being chased by this group of men and she has this bubble in her head as she was yelling for help." I started to tell the story of what's happening but Claire didn't seem interested one bit in the story I'm telling. "Are you even listening?" I crossed my arms.

"Yes. I am listening. I'm just busy with my brewing you know, besides you should be sleeping now since tomorrow is the ball, Mr. Royal Pain." She teases me, punching me gently on the shoulder before getting back to her work. Damn.. just what is she doing that's so important? She's just ignoring me.

"I'm telling you, Claire! This woman I met in the district is really something. She made me feel this feeling I haven't felt before. It was warm and fuzzy like I was hypnotized.. am I sick or something?" I asked her seriously but she's busy concocting something in that cauldron of hers.

"Shouldn't you be getting ready for the ball instead of trying to tell me about this girl? It's getting annoying at this point." She scoffed me off, with a scowl and I flicked her nose, making her lose balance in the stool she's standing on to drop the ingredients.

"That's what you get for being a jerk, Claire. I'm clearly trying to have a serious conversation here and you're just busy with.. what are you even trying to do you, midget girl?"

"For the love of all that is holy! Stop trying to move my stool! It's already hard enough as it is to mix ingredients in this height and now you're going to be here? Stop trying to annoy me royal pain." She gave me an attitude. "Also it's a height potion. I need to at least be tall when I'm in the ball so I can dance.

Oh right. That ball. It's going to be tomorrow..I'll have to put my best foot forward for this one.. but I'm not expecting this to be a good experience either. Time will tell I suppose.