#29

"Now, speaking of Deluca." Oliver says. "We were about to call her to test the phones, but Mistress Rialta's interruption did that quite well. You can still demonstrate that they connect to multiple devices." He gesture for the phone in my hand. "She had the fourth phone, yes? So, all fours. Why did you make the numbers so large?"

"I wasn't really aware of why I was making these, so I suppose I was future-proofing them unconsciously as well." I shrug, embarrassed at not having a better answer. "I don't know how many people are in the Capital, but seven digits should be enough." 'Definitely not because that's just what I was used to.'

"That should be enough for the entire country." He laughs. "Now here's hoping she hasn't taken it apart already."

"Sorrel? Is that you?" Her voice comes out loud and clear.

"He's here, along with The Queen and I." Oliver says.

"Your Majesty." More of those ruffling sounds. "Oh I just curtsied, but you can't even see me." She laughs at herself. "We may need a whole new protocol for speaking to royalty on the phone."

"I'm sure Sorrel will come up with something." The Queen chuckles.

"One curtsy button, coming right up." I make a hologram of a tiny Deluca opening a hatch on the phone, climbing up an ladder and curtsying to the queen before disappearing back into the device.

"Oh, you've got cheek, I like that." She laughs again. "Now, how many of these can you make?" She turns serious.

"How many do you want?" I counter, a bit worried. "With the supplies Deluca gave me, and even subtracting what's needed for the five other towers, I could make hundreds. The only bottleneck would be Mana Stone creation which I'm trying to save up on to dance with my girls at the gala." My voice is firm enough to let her know that this is not something I'm willing to forgo. "The Embiggen spell takes a lot out of me."

"He used it in the lab before you got there, Oliver." Deluca backs me up. "Drained him dry in three minutes flat."

"Really, are you capable of demonstrating again?" The Court Wizard asks.

"Oh, just for a minute, I guess." I levitate Mittens over, and scratch him behind the ears. "Hey buddy, wanna get big again? Embiggen!" He turns tiger sized, and I scratch him even harder, his purrs filling the room. I have to release the spell pretty quick, or risk dropping the movie too. "Sorry, started running low there. And, sorry for bugging you Mittens, you wanna go back to momma now?" I float him back over and he snuggles into her shirt.

"That is one remarkable spell." Oliver gulps involuntarily.

"And he can hold it for three minutes without falling on his ass." Deluca interjects. "Sorry, Ma'am." She adds after remembering her audience.

"That's quite alright." The Queen replies, somewhat awed herself. "Even I felt the power he used, and I have almost no sensitivity yet. I don't see any problem with waiting a couple days. It'll be more than worth it to see the rest of the Nobles faces when you pull that off in the middle of the dance floor." The gleam in her eyes makes me glad I haven't done anything to annoy her. "Should shut the mouths of anyone who might complain."

"Ah, if I might make a suggestion." I add a bit sheepishly. "I don't know exactly just what sort of politics I'm getting into here, but would prefer not to be seen as just a threat. So, perhaps a bit of the Carrot and the Stick?" I pull out my last bar of chocolate. "I just need to know how much to make."

"Oh, I do like you." She chuckles darkly. "We had actually planned to serve your trifle recipe for dessert. Can you make enough for five-hundred?"

I just smile wickedly. "If you thought angel food cake was good, wait until you try devil's food." I conjure an image of a single serving death-by-chocolate trifle topped with chocolate shavings, a chocolate covered strawberry, and three bite-sized bars of white, milk, and dark chocolate.

"The kitchens are at your disposal." Her pupils dilate at the image.

"After the movie, if that's alright? It's just getting to the good parts, and I'd hate to disappoint the Princess." The kids are all lined up outside the gates waiting for Wonka to appear. Plus, I need the chance to recover my strength again.

"Hey, don't forget about me." The forgotten Deluca adds. "I don't know what either of those are, but I want to try some."

"Heh, I'll bring you some next time I'm at the Guild. Promise."

"So, just what is this movie about?" Queen Vivian asks.

"Well, it's about this poor boy named Charlie..."

***

"You are such a showoff." Amelia sighs once we're settled into the carriage on the way back home. "Did you really need to make five-hundred glass dishes, with the royal emblem, in full color, at the same time?"

"What? Trifle is meant to be served in a glass dish. They were going to use stoneware." I defend my actions.

"Hah!" Apricot barks. "Ilikeditwhenhemadethechefcry."

"Heh, that was kinda funny." I agree with the pixie.

"Hush you." Amelia tries being stern, but her lips are starting to curl up. "Oh, fine. I guess it was a bit funny. I still feel sorry for that poor man though."

"He'll be fine. I left him the recipes for what I made, and enough cocoa powder and chocolate to try them out." I wave it away. "I'm more worried about Apricot's new addiction."

"I'mnotaddictedtocoffee."

"Mhm. What was that liqueur you made called, again? *Callwah?*" Her brows furrow. "Tasted weird, but went great drizzled on the bottom layer of the trifle."

"*Kahlua*, It goes great in that recipe, but I was never really a fan of that, or just plain coffee to be honest. Well, there are these one coffee candies I like, and the ice-cream is good, but I doubt it's safe to try making them, not now." I let out my own sigh.

"Guys!IsaidI'mnotaddictedtocoffee."

"Apricot, sweetie." Amelia sighs again. "You're talking so fast we can barely understand you, and just look at yourself. You're literally vibrating."

"Just wait until she crashes." I shake my head. "Just glad I kept an eye on her, and only let her have a little bit. I feared she might have a reaction, never thought it'd be that bad though."

"Whatareyoutalkkiiinnnnggggg about... Ooof, my head." She starts rubbing her temples.

"And there it is." I shake my head. "Try the Conjured water again, hopefully it'll help."

"What happened?" Apricot moans. "I remember trying that bitter coffee booze, and then... Oh, no. Dammit Sorrel! Quit making drugs that only affect pixies."

"Sorry, sweetie." I use an air spell to rub her neck. "But, I did warn you beforehand that it might have an effect. just be glad you didn't drink more than a thimbles worth."

"Not for lack of trying." Amelia Mutters under her breath. "At least the Princess got a kick out of watching you blur around trying to catch a blob of liqueur while Sorrel finished up the rest of the deserts. And, luckily you calmed down after he gave you some of that chocolate syrup he made for her trifle."

"Yeah, that stuff was good." She gets a dopey smile. "Dammit, I'm still mad, quit distracting me. Why did you let him give me that stuff?"

"I'm sorry Apricot." I apologize again. "You've had alcohol and tea before with no problems. I honestly didn't think it would be a problem. Not with such a small amount, at least." I explain. "My only guess is that coffee and cocoa beans evolved in a Mana rich area to develop a Magical stimulant, as well as a more mundane one."

"So, it's the plant's fault. Is that what you're trying to say?" She gives me a really tiny stink eye while chewing on some Magical ice.

"Sorry, that's all I've got." I shrug. "Hey, at least you gave us a good excuse to skip out of there before Faye asked for another movie."

"Speaking of drugs and movies, what were the people that made that thing taking?" Amelia says with a concerned look on her face. "Please tell me your world didn't have those strange orange people. And, what the hell is a snozzberry?"

"I'm sorry, but all questions must be submitted in writing. Okay, okay." I raise my hands at the look she gives me. "I don't really know what they are, but you can suck them and suck them and suck them, and they'll never get any smaller. Never!" She starts hitting me while Temmie *Dings* her head off.

"Don't just stand there, do something!" I beg Apricot.

"Help. Police. Murder." Apricot deadpans before she and I break up laughing, causing Amelia to huff. "Amelia, don't you know? A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men. And pixies!"

"Impossible, my dear lady! That's absurd! Unthinkable!"

"..." Amelia's sitting there with her arms crossed now.

"The suspense is terrible... I hope it'll last." Apricot sets us off again with that one.

"You two are the real bad eggs." Amelia finally lets out a small smile.

"That's our girl." I snuggle up next to her. "You really are the best."

Apricot lands on her shoulder and says. "Now remember, no messing about. No touching, no tasting, no telling." Even Amelia chuckles at that one.

***

"Your parent's are here." I warn Amelia from the kitchen, where I'm preparing the Queens gift. "Want me to lead with the trifle?"

"No, I'll lead with the trifle; you back me up with a box of chocolates." The front door opens. "Mommy! Look what I had Sorrel make for you."

"Taking credit for my hard work." I shake my head and mutter under my breath.

"Don't you 'Mommy' me, and don't think you can distract me with sweets. That does look lovely though, thank you very much Sorrel." She stresses my name, causing apricot to start giggling as a look of consternation crosses Amelia's face. "First you cut me off and then, when I call back later to see what you were doing for lunch. Do you answer like a good daughter? No! You leave it to poor Sorrel while he's in a meeting with the Queen. The Queen, for goodness sake. Do you know what that did to my nerves? Are you trying to ruin your mother's heart?"

Amelia's worming in place, trying to shrink in on herself while Kaitlyn berates her. Turner and I catch each other's eyes, and almost lose it. Apricot's titters aren't helping as we stand there trying not to crack up.

"Katey, dear." Turner tries stroking her arm. "Isn't that a strawberry covered in chocolate? You do love strawberries?"

"Yes, it is." I add, trying to help my love before she's swallowed whole by a dragon. "I was just working on a selection of fruit and chocolate pairings. I plan to present these and a selection of different chocolate treats to the Queen in thanks for raising us to Nobility." I drop the bomb to derail her train, and boy does it work. Kaitlyn's just standing there, frozen now, with her mouth hanging open mid-castigation. "I wonder. Does the mother of a 'Baroness' get a special title? I think their children can be called 'The Honorable', but I'm not sure about the other way around."

"Baroness? My little baby Amy-girl is a Baroness?" She does a complete one-eighty and rushes over to embrace her daughter. Forcing me to levitate the dessert out of the way when Amelia almost drops it.

"When did this happen?" Turner walks over and asks me.

"Technically at the gala tomorrow, but we heard a rumor yesterday, and Her Majesty confirmed it when we met earlier." I offer him a chocolate with some nuts that I know he likes.

"How?" Is all he says before taking a bite.

"The grasslands are ruled solely by the crown-" I start.

"And, instead of upsetting the balance by granting the dungeon to someone else..." He continues

"She chose us. Exactly!" I finish.

"I think I'm going to need something stronger than chocolate." He sighs.

"The trifle has a little bit of coffee liqueur in it, and I still have some of the spirits I used to make it." I offer before turning my attention to a certain pixie that's been flying closer and closer to the trifle. "Apricot! I am not dealing with a coffee fueled manic pixie twice in one day." My voice is as stern as I can make it. She just 'Eeps' and flies off into the kitchen.

"Too early for spirits." Turner sighs. "Maybe just some wine. Yes, definitely some wine." He follows the pixie into the kitchen after one glance at his wife and daughter, who are now clutching onto each other with happy tears running down their faces.

"Hahaha. Oh, Apricot." I can't help but laugh at the scene that reveals itself once I follow after the two of them. "I didn't mean to go drown yourself in chocolate, again, either. If you really want some coffee we just need to work out a safe dosage."

"Umm, what is that?" Turner stares at the display I created earlier.

"That is a chocolate waterfall-" I try to explain.

"No other factory in the world mixes its chocolate by waterfall. But it's the only way if you want it just right." Apricot hiccups after flying through the flow again.

"Yes, quite." I sigh. Even I'm getting sick of the constant quotes by this point. "I came up with the idea of a 'fountain' while I was making chocolate trifles for tomorrow's gala, but we had just watched a movie with a waterfall. And well, Apricot and the Princess said it had to be a waterfall. So, here we are. I'm just test running the runes to heat and pump the chocolate around to make sure they'll last the whole event."

It's a large glass sculpture in three parts. Crafted to look like a natural, three part, multi-tiered waterfall complete with glass trees surrounding them. White on the left, milk in the middle, and dark chocolate on the right. The whole thing is almost a meter tall and almost three times as wide, but only a fraction as deep. In other words, it's as big as I could make it and still have the pieces fit in my inventory.

"Sooooo, you said you had some spirits?" Turner asks me with a bit of hope in his eyes.

"No you don't." His wife comes up behind the lost looking merchant. "It's far too early for that. Oh, my." She gasps. "Sorrel, dear. You do not do things by halves, do you?"

"Only one chance to make a good first impression after all." I shake my head at the thought of it all. "And, we're going to be stepping on a lot of toes tomorrow. I'd rather they leave with at least, a somewhat favorable impression of us."

"I don't know if I'll be able to make it through this gala." She fans her face with her hand.

"Mom, just treat it like any other dinner with a prospective client, and you'll be fine."

***

"Mom, Dad, are you ready to go? The coach will be here any minute now." Amelia calls up stairs as her nerves get the better of her. She's been getting worse and worse as the day progresses.

We dropped off the fountain and my gift this morning; after swinging by the housing agent, who still had no leads on any possible sellers. Following that, we stopped by the Guild to hand out treats, since I made far too much last night. But, ever since then she hasn't had anything to occupy her time, and it started getting to her.

"Relax." I walk up behind her and massage her neck, careful not to mess up her hair. "We have time, and everything is going to be fine."

"Relax? How can I relax?" She nearly whines. "I don't know how you were able to play with your runes all day. I tried to sit and read, but I just couldn't concentrate. Not even practicing my magic worked. Ooh, right there." She moans as I work on a knot in her muscles.

"You and your mother are just the same." Turner says from the foot of the stairs. "She was a mess all day at work. You'll be fine once we get there"

"He's right, dear." Kaitlyn joins him. "Even if he could have said it with a bit more tact. And remember, you just need to treat it like any other dinner with a prospective client, and you'll be fine." She parrots her daughter's words from the night before back at her.

"Here comes the carriage." I warn everyone. "You ready Apricot?" She's rubbing Mitten's belly. "Don't worry about the little guy, he'll be fine on his own for a night. I'm sorry, but cat hair and formal clothes just don't mix. No matter how many times I cast Cleanse!" I clean us all up, again.

"I know, I know. He's just so cute though." She gives him one last scratch before flying to join us. "Alright, let's do this."

We walk outside when the coach stops in front of the house, dressed nearly the same as we were on our first night in the Capital. Turner and I didn't change a thing, because men can wear one suit their entire adult life if they want to. Apricot only had me lengthen the gown of her dress so it would reach the floor when we dance. Kaitlyn wanted the back of her dress closed up, said it was too drafty.

But, Amelia. Amelia had me go all out and tweak all the hems slightly, change the neckline entirely, and shift the pattern just enough to be recognizable as a new fabric, while still matching my suit.

A short ride later and Oliver greets us just outside the castle. The courtyard is full of carriages and nobles in their best finery. And every last one of them has their eyes glued to us, eager for any detail they can get. I hear more than a few jealous comments about our clothes, and just manage to catch a shocked gasp of "starweave" from one eagle-eyed observer as the Court Wizard, as I like to think of him, guides us in.

"Alright, now. Tonight's fairly simple, despite all the pomp." He informs us as we walk into a large, magnificently decorated room. "Just dinner, dancing, and dealing with idiots all night." He grumps.

"Not a big fan of parties?" I raise an eyebrow at his attitude.

"Outgrew them a century ago." He snorts out a laugh. "Much rather stay in my room with a good book, but somebody has to keep the drunken fools from falling off the parapets." He raises his voice as we pass an elderly man. "Alright, Her Majesty will be out in a few moments. Just stay around here until she motions for you. I would say have some chocolate, but look at that line. Hah!" He barks out, before departing.

After a few minutes the lights dim, and a golden beam highlights an entrance at the rear of the room, not too far from where we are standing. The room stills as The Queen enters. She's a wearing a flowing, off the shoulder, sleeveless, white and gold gown, with a long train. Her bodice appears to be made from a flock of golden birds that have flown up from lower on the dress.

"My loving people." She opens her arms wide, as if to encompass all of the room's occupants. "We have called you all here tonight to introduce this young man." A spotlight hits Amelia, Apricot and I causing her parents to take a quick step back.

"He is the ArchMage who discovered and named Circle Orchard, and Awakened my own magic." She holds her hand up to highlight the magical tattoo on her wrist. "The man who revolutionized Enchanting overnight when he invented a device that will soon allow us to communicate with anyone, anywhere in the country, instantaneously" She takes a breath and a wicked smile flashes across her face.

"And last, but certainly not least. And, what many will consider his greatest contribution." She lets out a chiming laugh. "He is responsible for the invention and introduction of chocolate." Oliver casts another spotlight, revealing the triple chocolate waterfall. Just visible on either side are half-empty stacks of dippable treats.

"The new Count of Circle Orchard, Sorrel Rumex and his brides to be, the Countesses Amelia Rialta, and Apricot the Pixie." She motions us forward, and produces three golden circlets, though one looks too small to even wear as a ring.

She then uses her own Magic to place them on our heads. Her control is quite good, as they don't even wobble, and even Apricot's lands perfectly. She pulls a ceremonial sword to her hand, before stepping forward and clipping it to my belt.

She then steps back, and we bow and curtsy, while doing our best to keep our faces straight. Meanwhile, the lights come up and the entire room breaks into applause.