The Reborn Witch had a nice 'Tea Time' with the Dragon Queen today
Chapter 85: Woof Woof Diplomacy: Hero’s Collar > Hero’s Staff

Chapter 85: Woof Woof Diplomacy: Hero’s Collar > Hero’s Staff

"Please raise your head, Protector of Rouen. Your efforts to protect the town were..."

The Queen glanced up at the objects forzen mid-air. "...dutifully noted."

"It is an honour to be praised by the Queen of Alakarans for my effort in relieving such a...disaster." Adil’s stern eyes peeked down at the collar around the ’doggie’, before facing the Queen’s violet gaze once more. "I only wish for the fairest and most generous blessings upon the destroyed Rouen."

"That you will, Lady Adil." Elsara didn’t miss the request for ’compensation’ implied, unfortunately, she had no plans to play along.

"I also expect a sufficient explanation behind the scenes in my office, Lady Adil. I’m sure the carefully stoic protector won’t remiss any details for mere trinklets." The Queen petted Alice who huffed and looked away. "But I’m open to more discussions, particularly regarding your plants that survived the harsh...winter by our puppy."

"...I understand. For my new form and the responsibilities regarding Rouen, I will fully report without any mistake." So there was room for negotiations, the protector of Rouen heaved a sighed in her frosted heart as she nodded with respect.

"And yet, I do think there will be circumstances that will...benefit from more knowings." The Queen’s sharp glint reflected upon Adil’s silvery eyes. "Would you care to tell us more now, about the Runes, Lady Adil?"

The Queen’s cuatiosuness knew no bound. The stern Adil gulped down her nervousness upon facing such an authority as she answered steadily. "I understand. Then, allow us to travel somewhere more quiet..."

"No, speak about it here." The Queen raised her head, her smiley gaze never leaving Adil, even as her violet eyes shaded upon the protector’s shadow.

For the first time, Adil raised her brows, as she glanced at the sighing Demond and frownng Adrei, then to the pedestrians still walking on the street before advising. "My Queen...I’m afraid secrets are better left...private, should we alert our enemies."

"With our puppy’s endevour, they should have already known. Besides." The Queen tilted her head. "The protector of Rouen won’t suggest to avoid responsibilities in the name of secrets, won’t she?"

The Queen’s finger glided over Alice’s collar, as an unembarrassed Alice, now used to the touch, merely stared at Adil’s shuffling figure.

Perhaps the Druid was not used to shivering under the cold, for how she desperately clung to the Queen’s eyes like a vulture with snowed, frosted wings bowing to a lion.

But...should she reveal all of it? Adil hesitated as she finally nodded away from the Queen’s eyes, her silvery stillness shaken under considerations for the town.

After all, the powers that are involved for the town’s construction...would perhaps be ignored by the Royals. Adil couldn’t trust anyone, even the Queen or her old friend, for she could not risk the church’s wrath for secrets blown and the destroyed Rouen unprotected.

"Adil." Demond clentched Adrei’s scales as she furrowed into her old friend who bound herself in a dilemma she merely theorised. "It is my daughter who was personally involved. The...Church won’t be a huge concern in comparison."

"Woof woof!" Prideful howling from the hero’s dog echoed through the tension, as Alice was rewarded with more headpats from the smiling Queen.

"M-mother....?"

Adil’s contemporary gaze met Selene’s shivering violets, a similar resolve compared to the Queen’s, albeit like a small animal attempting to pat the lion’s back. "P-please...our town just got nuked so...I think the church won’t wish for the same, right?"

As Adil glanced back over to the doggie who swayed her head to brush her hair against the Queen’s touch, then to the Queen’s knowing look, the Druid sighed.

"As the Protector of Rouen, I would fully disclose the details, under the condition that the town would be protected no matter the course."

"You have my promise, Protector." The Queen nodded as her finger traced over Alice’s cheek, her eyes never leaving Adil. "Now, speak."

With a frown in return, Adil’s lips moved as she detailed. "It was a deal initiated by a scientist, or a Dragon Elder by the name of Coriel. However, neither of us have the means to conjure runes of divinity, so..."

"So as one of the leading alcolytes, you contacted the church." The Queen tilted her narrowing eyes. "Am I correct in that presumption?"

"You are, my Queen. My first contact with the church..." Adil glanced at the Witch who embraced her husband, the icy eyes urging her to be honest without worries. "...dated back to when my home is destroyed."

"Mmm. I seem to recall an old document twenty years ago, how the church sent relieves upon the destroyed home of Rouen upon the knowledge of the vampires’ influence."

"I’m honoured to have the Queen remembering our humble abode." A solemn smile curled up on Adil’s expressoin, spending all her efforts not to glance upon the witch and Selene as the only survivors of the incident.

"For this former Druid Elder who lost her position, I contacted the Church and told of my intent to build a town of holiness against the vampires. They gave me the Leading Alcolytes position as an honour, and...Coriel arrived and facilitated our deals afterwards."

"So, it is your idea in the first place to carve such runes upon the town, am I correct?" The Queen glared at Adil. "I was fully willing to allow some of the Church’s influence for diplomacy, but a Dragon Elder’s involvement and this incident have completely soured our trusts, Lady Adil."

"May I fully apologise for this, Queen Elsara." Adil bowed with her waist down. "You have the full permission to appoint a new officer in charge of Rouen, for its safety and our shattered relationship."

"Shattering bonds are meant to be mended instead of escalated, our Protector." The Queen retracted her glare for another gentle smile, like a predator offering apples after a knife. "I won’t dismiss you. Please do not worry."

"...pardon me?"

"Your sincerety, ironically, remains the greatest asset of my Kingdom against the Holy Church in the North." The Queen’s touch left Alice, as her hand petted a frozen, mid-air purse near her.

"The Holy Kingdom is not a foe I am willing to underestimate, especially paired with the veiled threat from a Dragon Elder. And any officer would be...under risk of not being affiliated with my Kingdom"

The Queen’s ear perked up upon a steaming coil, along with some voices of comfort from the witch wife to her husband, as she chuckled. "After all, I trust a protector won’t make the same mistake in the name of vengance twice, or perhaps you would insist your daughter to take over for you?"

Adil’s silvery eyes darted towards the shivering Selene, whose shoulders shook before shaking her head fiercely, before sighing. "I understand. I shall adhere to your command, Queen Elsara."

So, she even knew what I built this town for in the first place before I even mentioned it. Adil gritted back her shuttering fear of being smiled upon like a caged seed.

Perhaps...the town of Rouen is safer than she ever could have imagined, under the kind carrass of the Queen and her puppy.