Chapter 96

Vorbuk's body felt heavy as he slowly began to wake. As his eyes opened he could see the crown prince Leo with his arm wrapped around him. The prince was quietly sleeping while holding him. He was not sure when the prince had joined him on the floor during the night. Wanting to scold him for invading his personal space, he started to growl.

"That kids taken a liking to you." Bredret's voice could be heard from the doorway. Following him was the scent of the liquor he was starting his day with.

Vorbuk did not know how to respond to his words. It felt strange how close he was becoming with the group. In his previous life he had never known what it felt like to care for someone or have them care in return.

"Everyone is already up and just waiting on you two. If you don't wake up soon Daryl will probably let Zoe eat his share of breakfast he made today.. I was never here." It began to feel like Bredret was forcing himself to speak in a caring manner towards him.

"What do you want? You're acting strange.." Vorbuk pinned his ears back and growled at Bredret.

Did this bastard eat something strange? Why does he care about something so trivial all of a sudden? Did the sun rise from the wrong side today? Vorbuk pondered why Bredret would come to fetch them so easily. On a normal day for something so simple he would refuse to the very end for something like fetching someone for breakfast.

"Nothing." Bredret clicked his tongue and turned to leave the room before he could be questioned further.

Vorbuk watched as the dragon quickly retreated from the room as if escaping from the embarrassment of being kind towards another. It was obvious that he had no idea how to properly act towards others. For a moment he wondered if it was a sign that Bredret was growing a bit more open towards the others. When he realized the consequences of his own abandonment towards the group maybe it had sparked something that he had not realized he was capable of himself.

"What are you thinking about so seriously this early?" Leo's half asleep voice could be heard.

Snapping back to reality Vorbuk quickly turned his head to glance at the prince. He had been caught off guard by the prince's sudden voice. Thinking carefully he was not sure how to explain that Bredret was acting strangely. As he came to that conclusion he wondered if it was even something to worry about. The dragon could use some more social talent because he was extremely lacking from what he could tell about Bredret.

Slowly the prince stumbled to his feet and stood there while ruffling his hair with his hand. His blue eyes, though he had just woken up, were focused directly on the wolf. The room was empty except the two of them.

It was in that moment that Leo's mind went blank. He could tell that Vorbuk wanted to say something but could not find the words to do so. Without a thought he decided to tease him.

"Are you mesmerized by my good looks?" Leo teased the confused wolf that was staring at him. It was only a joke but he could feel a heavy awkward weight in the room the second the words left his mouth.

The wolf's expression distorted as he took in the joke. He could not decide how to react to such a childish question.

Do I scold him? Do I ignore what he said? What do I do in this situation?! Vorbuk thought to himself in a panic.

"You really- No.. We should get going because you're the last one to wake up. Though I am not surprised." Vorbuk got to his feet and left the room. Behind him he could hear the tired footsteps of the prince following him.

As they left the room and headed for the exit they found everyone resting outside. They were sitting beside the clinic while eating some food that Daryl had bought from local food stalls. If they were going to make a long journey again it was necessary that they come up with a way of travel. The cart they had previously used was lost.

Twitch.

Vorbuk's ears began to flick at the sound of a couple large carriages approaching. They were decorated in the symbols of Cista Royalty. Even the horses pulling the carriages were well kept.

"Aren't they from Cista Palace?" Vorbuk asked Leo as they all glanced in the direction of the approaching carriages.

"The king really works quick. He found us already." Leo did not seem surprised by the sight of someone from the palace.

Vorbuk was not surprised to see someone from the palace looking for them. They had helped the kingdom but in return they had still been the cause of part of the damage. After Bredret had gone on a rampage he had already expected to be targeted by the royal family in Cista Kingdom. The thing that left them all confused as that what they expected was the kingdom's general or guards to come for them.

What was this display? They all watched as the carriages came to a stop in front of them. A man climbed out from the carriage in front as soon as they came to a halt. Making his way over towards them casually with a smile.

"The ones who aided Cista against the undead, correct?" The man asked.

"What is this about?" Leo asked while stepping between the man and his group. Not knowing the man's intentions only made him feel uncomfortable. He did not want him getting too close to the others. At his side he could feel the presence of the wolf standing guard by him as well.

"Under orders of the king.. I am here to take you to the palace. His majesty has requested your attendance to his garden for tea, Your Highness." The man said with a bow to show his respect.

"The king wants to talk over tea..?" They all gave each other glances at the idea.

The invitation felt a bit strange to them but they could not turn down the king. Cista was a neutral kingdom when it came to the war. If they were able to win over Cista to their side in the war it would benefit them later. Leo was tempted by the thought. It was something not easily done because they were the center of all twelve kingdoms and equally welcomed all. But to try and meet the king and ask was worth a try.

"Very well.. Let's go!" Prince Leo smiled brightly and walked over the carriage.

"If he brings it up I am not funding the repairs for damages done." Bredret cleared his throat and went for the second carriage with Daryl and Zoe.

Climbing up inside the first carriage Leo could hear Bredret's complaints from behind. As soon was he was in Vorbuk jumped in with him followed by Isis. Vorbuk lay down across one side of the carriage.

After everyone was settled into the carriages comfortably they set off for the palace of Cista.