Deceived.

The greatest part about telling my parents about everything was now when I got things from nowhere they just automatically explained it away by Cassie. First thing I did? Bought proper shoes and clothes nothing expensive just some shoes that aren't made of beast leather and are wayyyyy more comfortable. I bought some nice store brand comfy t-shirts not woven out of weird cloth I can't recognize and then some slightly baggy jeans.

Of course this brought about my mother staring at me like a hawk until I got her what she says is the most comfortable clothes and shoes in her life.

My dad also got new clothes and boots. he tried to complain until he put them on and loved them.

Anyway I'm no longer wearing burlap or whatever it was I was previously wearing.

It looked nicer than what nobles wore. They had all their stuff still weaved by hand or something.

That was followed by new blankets and pillows and little futons. I had been sleeping on a bed that was basically a big sack stuffed full of cotton. Most people had beds stuffed with hay as its cheaper. Now futons suck but they are much better than cotton sacks my man let me tell you and they are cheap.

So new beds for everyone. Best day ever. I'm not itchy from clothes, I have a great nights sleep with my nice pillows and blankets.

However I had a bad feeling for some reason. This was confirmed when my dad walked in wearing his new clothes and carrying the last bottle of moonshine.

"We just got invited to go and see my old adventure partner he has some stuff he wants to discuss with us." he tells me.

I'm about him probably wanting to buy and sell moonshine or something so I'm all for it.

"Sure I'll go along I'm already dressed." I hop out of the bed putting down my book i was reading and throw on my shoes.

"Alright we will be taking a carriage he lives a bit away." my dad says as we start walking outside.

I'm fine with this I've never ridden in a carriage here before. Most that we had is a cart frank the bear pulled to haul stuff for shopping.

We hop into the nice closed carriage which is being pulled by a big horse and soon we are on our way.

I figure I might as well get a little shut eye and nap as the wind on my face is nice and comfortable.

so here I am snoring in the seat when I feel the carriage come to a halt. I wake up and look around all groggy eyed.

We are surrounded by knights in fancy armor with big white capes with the sigil of the kingdom which is a silver wolf head.

I lean over and ask my dad. "Did the driver run over a noble or something?"

My dad just laughed. "No we are at the castle and these are knights checking the carriage for assassins."

Castle? Assassin's? My eyes started to widen.

"Where are we right now?" I ask in a hurry.

"The royal palace." he replies stepping out of the carriage.

All i can think at this point is. Motherfucker I've been tricked. Nothing good ever comes from the royal palace.

Soon enough there is a old man in knights armor who gives me my final shred of hope that we aren't meeting royalty and are just here to meet the old man who looks like a war veteran.

"Clyde welcome the king has been expecting you please follow me." Fuck my hopes where crushed right there.

I somberly follow behind my dad and the old knight. We make our way into the massive beautiful white stone palace. There's knights everywhere and beautiful gardens and fountains maids walking around doing whatever it is maids do.

We are led to a pair of giant pair of doors and told to wait while the old knight walks in to inform the king of our arrival.

I'm just staring at my dad hard.

He starts sweating a little as my stare intensifies. Finally he can't take it anymore.

"What?!" he asks.

"I was expecting an old drunk to sell moonshine to not the king I feel as if you have deceived me and there's going to be some annoying task I'm going to be asked to do." I say with narrowed eyes as he starts sweating more profusely.

"Haha now why would you think that?" he straight up lies.

"What did you do?" I ask with narrowed eyes.

"Nothing nothing..." he says sweating even more.

At this point the door opens and the old knight walks out.

"The king will see you now." he tells us and my dad practically runs through the door leaving me behind with the confused old knight.

I slowly make my way into the magnificent throne room. Sitting on the throne is a middle aged beast man with silver hair and wolf ears with a crown on his head. He doesn't look like the fat kings of the stories he looks absolutely ripped he has massive bulging muscles and he is looking at me curiously.

He looks at Clyde and gets up off the throne with a serious look. Before breaking into a huge smile.

"Clyde my brother how have you been we haven't seen each other in a few months." He walks forward hugging my dad with a classic bro hug.

"Good good. I've heard you've been busy with trade deals and such lately and I didn't have time to drop by as I've been busy preparing my son for the academy." dad says with a laugh.

"So I've heard one of the few magic swordsmen of this generation. He will make a perfect match for my daughter if he can beat her in combat." he says as my dad starts to sweat once again.

My mind grinds to a halt.

"Excuse me but may I ask what you mean by match for your daughter do you mean like a sparring partner?" I ask.

"Well of course I mean marriage partner me and your dad have been adventurer buddies for years before I took the throne from my father. We made a pact under the gods to have our children married long ago. The wolf tribe takes pacts very seriously." he says with a laugh.

My head slowly clicks towards my father who doesn't meet my eyes and I ask the only thing that could make his thick skin crack.

"Does mom know?"