Queen Boss

Walking towards the grand palace, I was struck by a sense of déjà vu, again. It looked eerily similar to a digital drawing I had created long ago when I had my pentab.

I would use some pre-made assets, but tried to draw the challenging parts myself - the golden spires, vast walls, intricate gateways and towering castles. Crafting those architectural marvels had been both a joy and frustration.

Ah, those were the days!

Selling my pentab to pay the bills after moving out had really stung. It was a necessary sacrifice, but one that left its mark.

Now, the memory of that drawing gave way to the imposing reality of the palace before me. Each step closer reminded me this was no mere sketch, but a real place with living, breathing people. My journey had taken unexpected, winding turns, as if I'd drawn it myself in a burst of midnight creativity fueled by caffeine.

As we approached, Pyu darted around with infectious energy, easing our nerves despite the grave challenges ahead. Her innocence lifted our spirits - a pure heart's gift.

Ahh... Glad that she snuck into that barrel!

Putri turned to me with a soft smile, her eyes gleaming. "Nanang, thank you for everything. To me, you're a true hero." Her voice was tender and sincere.

"Hero? More like a doodler who stumbled into fortune's favor." I let out a chuckle, my mind instantly painting myself as a traditional comic superhero—that couldn't be me. "Besides, it's the least I could do. I mean, I should thank a plane for giving me a one-way ticket here, right?"

I nudged her playfully, my eyes twinkling with mischief, but beneath the jest, there was a connection to this land, something that weaves me into its tapestry.

"Putri laughed, her face glowing with warmth. "You know Nanang, you always know how to make light of things. But truly, your strength and courage have inspired me so much."

We walked in companionable silence for a moment, the palace growing larger with each step. A sudden thought crossed my mind, and I couldn't help but say it aloud, "You know, Putri, from a distance, we probably look like a husband and wife taking our daughter Pyu for a stroll."

Putri blushed, her eyes wide as she stammered, "W-what were you thinking?"

Ah, damn... what did I do? 

Now, I feel embarrassed too. 

"Okay, nevermind." 

I scratched the back of my head, my foot lodged firmly in my mouth. The previous banter turned into an awkward silence, filled with unspoken thoughts. Even Pyu seemed to pause, looking back at us with curious confusion.

The intricately carved gates creaked open ominously as we neared the palace, guards eyeing us with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. Inside, the cold, lavish grandeur seemed to engulf us, a world so different from the warm village we'd left behind.

As we passed through the entrance, Putri's reassuring squeeze on my hand melted away my unease. Our footsteps were steady, but our hearts pounded with anticipation and uncertainty. In that moment, I knew we were on the right path.

The path of friendship, adventure, and perhaps... something more.

-o0o-

We followed corridors with vaulted ceilings that echoed our footsteps. Priceless artifacts and tapestries adorned the halls, each carrying untold tales of the kingdom's rich history.

At last, we reached towering doors that slowly swung open to reveal the throne room—a sea of polished stone and precious metals glimmering in the light from long stained-glass windows. Upon a jewel-encrusted throne at the far end sat the Queen. My heartbeat quickened as her eyes locked onto mine. Intense, piercing, as if she were peering into the very depths of my soul.

Captain Selar, who had escorted us through the palace, cleared his throat and announced, "Your Majesty, Queen Seraphina Alarisse of Eiralia, I present Nanang, a key witness to the mysteries of Mystic Peaks."

Eiralia. So that's the name of the kingdom.

Why hadn't I thought to ask Putri?

Probably too busy dodging monsters or scribbling away at my art. Such crucial information, and it slipped my mind like a bar of soap in a bathhouse.

Typical.

Queen Seraphina Alarisse was a figure of elegance and grace, her poised demeanor reflecting the very embodiment of royalty. Her gown, adorned with sparkling gems, captured the splendor of Eiralia. But her eyes, those sharp, penetrating blue eyes, seemed to see right through me. The sensation was akin to being caught doodling in class by a fascinating yet strict teacher. A mix of awe and intrigue.

"Nanang," she began, her voice resonating with concern, "I received word from the village of Eldenridge that their people were venturing into Mystic Peaks. I could not fathom their reason, so I sent my guards to investigate."

She stared at me, a glint of curiosity in her eyes, and a thought crossed my mind—could she read my thoughts? The idea seemed absurd, yet something about her gaze unsettled me.

"By the time they arrived, the villagers had vanished, leaving only you and your companion, Pyuan," she stated, letting the words hang in the air for a moment.

"What were you doing there?" she finally asked, her gaze boring into my soul. Her voice was calm, yet the question felt like a gentle probe, pushing me to reveal what I knew. "May you explain what happened?"

I bowed respectfully. "Yes, your majesty."

Her imposing aura pressed down on me. I chose my next words carefully, recalling Nabilah's advice. I began slowly, telling her about...

Well, where to start?

"It is true, I accompanied the group to investigate the Heartstone," I stammered, searching for the right words. "But what we discovered was...beyond any of our comprehension."

I proceeded cautiously, revealing only snippets of the attack by strange shadows and the mysteries surrounding the Heartstone's potential failure.

But, as if the Queen could see right through me, she began to ask things that hinted at deeper knowledge, tapping into details I had not yet shared.

"How long have you been living in Eldenridge village?" she inquired, her eyes never leaving mine.

"A few days." I answered, trying to sound casual. Not even a week, even. Time flies when you're dodging mystical monsters, I suppose.

"Ah, I see... where are you from, exactly?" Her question hung in the air, as heavy as one of those thick fantasy novels with too many appendices.

My heart skipped a beat. There it was, the question I'd been dreading. How could I explain to a queen of a fantastical world that I hailed from a place where the biggest concerns were traffic jams and WiFi signals?

I cleared my throat, buying time to craft my response. "Well, Your Majesty, I'm from... a very, very distant land. So distant, you might say it's out of this world."

Her eyes narrowed, and I could almost feel the room temperature drop a degree or two. Perhaps my flair for creativity had just sketched me into a very tricky corner.

"Out of this world, you say? Fascinating." Her tone was filled with a curiosity that was as sharp as her crown's jewels.

"And your... talents?" she continued, her eyes fixed on me like a hawk eyeing its prey. "You said you were an artist?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "I painted. Hence, the art supplies that I brought, that Captain Selar so generously held."

I couldn't help but add a hint of sarcasm there.

She glanced at Captain Selar, her eyes filled with an unspoken understanding. "How come, for such a perilous journey, one would be occupied only by art supplies?" Her voice held an edge that sent a chill down my spine. "Perhaps... there's more to it?"

I gulped, knowing that the next few moments would define the course of my adventure in this world. The truth was strange enough, but could I make them believe it?

"Your Majesty," Putri interjected, her voice firm yet respectful. "I apologize for interrupting."

Queen Seraphina Alarisse held up her hand, silencing the room with a grace only royalty could muster. "Speak, young lady. Your words bear weight."

Putri bowed her head briefly before continuing. "My name is Putri, daughter of the leader of the expedition from Eldenridge. I'm a healer, and I have reason to believe the villagers might be trapped in a pocket dimension. With the sources I've studied and a plan I've formulated... I'm certain we can reach them through the Heartstone. However, we can't do it alone. We need your assistance and the support of your guards. Time is of the essence. Please, will you help us?"

Putri's plea hung in the air, a tangible force pulling at the heartstrings of everyone in the room. The Queen's face remained inscrutable, her eyes fixed on Putri. In a kingdom I'd only just learned the name of, we were in the hands of that queen-boss, facing a challenge more real than anything I'd ever drawn.

The silence that followed was a canvas, and I couldn't predict what would be painted upon it.

"Your plan is audacious, young healer, but I cannot heed it without careful consideration." The Queen replies, "Mystic Peaks has always been a place of... what should we say? Enigma. To send more of my men there, without knowing the true nature of this pocket dimension, could spell disaster. We will investigate further before committing to any course of action."

Putri's face fell, but she nodded in understanding, even as her eyes betrayed her frustration.

The Queen's gaze then shifted back to me, and something in her expression sent a chill down my spine. "And as for you, Nanang, a traveler who survived an incident that claimed so many others?" Her tone grew icy. "I find that...convenient."

"I believe I have an explanation for that, Your Majesty," I stammered, my heart pounding in my chest. "I was helped by my companion, Pyu. She's... she's got a pure soul, and—"

"How come such a little girl was brought on such a dangerous journey?" The Queen interrupted, her voice dripping with scorn. "Shouldn't you adults have been more responsible?"

I felt my face flush with embarrassment and frustration, but before I could reply, the Queen's raised hand stopped me.

"I've seen enough," her eyes narrowed.

"Your Majesty?" I asked, confusion evident in my voice.

"We can't let the prophecy come to pass," she said cryptically. "Captain Selar, please escort Nanang to the West Tower where he will await my questioning."

Prophecy?

The West Tower?

The words hung ominously in the air as the guards closed in on me. My heart sank as I realized what was happening.

"Wait!" Putri cried, stepping forward, her eyes wide with shock and concern. "You can't just take him away! What has he done to deserve this?"

"Your Majesty, please don't take him~pyu!" Pyu added, her voice tinged with desperation, her eyes pleading.

"I have made my decision," the Queen said coldly, raising her hand to cut them off. "And you two will be escorted from the palace."

"No, please!" Putri shouted, tears welling in her eyes, but the guards were already moving, their grips tightening, their handling rougher than I'd anticipated.

I stumbled along, doing my best to keep up, even as my mind raced with questions and fears. Putri's cries rang in my ears, adding to the chaos and uncertainty.

The guards merely continued to march forward, their faces set in stony silence, one of them shooting me a cold glance. The West Tower? The words hung ominously as I stumbled along, trying my best to look graceful—and failing miserably, I might add.

"What's this West Tower?" I asked, my voice breaking.

"Am I getting jailed?" The words tumbled out before I could stop them.

But the grim procession continued. All I was left with were the ominous echoes of my own questions and the looming uncertainty of my fate. Putri's distant cry added to my anxiety. Somewhere in the distance, Pyu might have been protesting in her unique way, but it was all drowned out now.

Ah, just my luck, isn't it?

From airport mishaps to royal incarcerations, truly a life of grace and elegance.

Anyway, the Queen knew more than she let on.

She's shady, you know...