Rosa was certain that the entire cave could hear Dom's screams, at least they sounded extremely loud in her tired ears.

 -  What now?  -  she replied, irritated, already recovering from the initial shock.

 -  Hobin is blind because of you!

 -  What?  -  the queen stared perplexed at the angry face of the man.  -  But... I thought...

- We all thought - said Norori. The dwarf came right behind with Rocco and Zini.

- How could Hobin allow you to wander freely in our group? KNOWING THAT SHE WENT BLIND BECAUSE OF YOU! - Domenic continued, pointing at Rosa's face.

-  Alright, Dom! That's enough…  -  Rocco intervened, holding his partner's shoulder.

- Enough? - the other responded, removing his hand. - The Minstrel, blind!

- According to what Zini said, Val managed to prevent the infection from spreading -  Norori spoke, trying to calm the bat, who was moving frantically from side to side.

Rosa couldn't believe it. She thought the cut had been superficial. Cali had accused her of “almost blinding her” and the gang hadn't mentioned anything until that moment. She looked at the others. Rocco and Norori, despite not attacking her like Domenic, had furrowed brows and avoided looking at her.

- I didn't know... She said it was a superficial cut... I-I didn't know it was her… - Rosa was at a loss for words. Due to exhaustion and the shock of the news, the queen felt her head spinning.

- This is a discussion for another time - Rocco insisted.

- No! It's not! Not only is she a snobbish noble, but this idiot thought she could play house with us! Even after injuring our leader!

- A 'noble'? - Zini's voice was heard. Rocco put his hands on his temples, and Norori retorted, throwing his hands up.

- Congratulations, brainiac!

The dwarf stared at Domenic, and from his expression, the bat had just realized that his impulsiveness would probably jeopardize the group's safety.

- Don't tell me she's one of your abductions? - the woman's friendly face contorted in disbelief.

- No! - Rocco hurriedly replied. - She...

- I am the daughter of a rich merchant! - Rosa said, trying to remain calm, reading the situation. Zini looked at her incredulously but seemed to think very carefully before speaking.

- Should I remind you of the risk I'm taking by sheltering you? I'm putting my life and the lives of my children at stake! - Zini tried to appear calm, but her hands trembled. - My agreement with the Minstrel was that only the gang and the rescued ones would come here, not bringing along problems. 

- But it's not like that! - Nori said.

- I am indeed the daughter of a merchant! - Rosa continued, almost at the same time as the dwarf.

- Oh! Stop it! Soon there will be posters all over the city with her face! Lying to Zini now will only worsen our situation in the future. - Dom said impatiently.

The group stared at each other without saying anything. After a while, the queen slowly approached the bird woman.

- I understand your concern, but I chose to come with them. I wasn't kidnapped. -  Rosa looked deep into Zini's eyes. - My life was in danger, and they saved me. If it weren't for the Minstrel and this group, I don't know where I would be now.

Zini stared at her, suspicious.

- And why did you attack the Minstrel if he saved you?

- Hobin is… - She looked at Dom. - She was a great friend of mine... But when she came to me, she was wearing a mask. I thought I was being attacked. I thought I was defending myself and not hurting someone so important to me.

Rosa's face showed a truth that was hard to question. Domenic, despite his anger, felt a strange empathy, which he quickly pushed away from his mind as soon as he felt it.

- And who are you? Why should I risk my life and the lives of my children by keeping you here?

- Zini, please… - the half-orc spoke again. - You just told us that Hobin is worse than Val had told us, we can't leave now.

- You've broken our agreement! - the woman pointed at Rosa. - This woman is from the nobility, and you brought her here without my knowledge! - She then turned to the others.

The scene could be considered comical. A bird woman, about 1.5 meters (less than 5 feet) tall, scolding criminals. But Rosa didn't let herself get carried away. Apparently, Calandiel's well-being depended on the outcome of that conversation. 

- If I don't leave the cave until we leave, I'm sure you won't have any problems. - the queen said, pondering the possibilities in her mind. - Earlier today, I went to the market with Rocco, and they couldn't recognize me, but it's better not to take any risks until we're back on the road.

Zini looked at Rocco to verify the story, and the half-orc nodded. The woman pondered for a while, but her posture relaxed a little.

- When did we bring trouble to you, Zinie? - Nori said in a soft tone, almost like a seduction. - Besides our broken bones, I mean.

Zini let out a stifled laugh.

- We wouldn't do anything that would harm you. - Rocco added.

Zini looked from one to the other, reflecting on her next words.

- Well, you can stay until the Minstrel recovers. - she said, sighing. - After that, disappear from here! - By now, she had become stressed again, but in a less threatening way, more like a scolding from a mother. - I can't believe I'm allowing a noble to stay here... Heavens! If my ancestors could see me now… - The woman turned to Rosa, who remained with a steady gaze. - Who are you, anyway? - 

-  I am Rosa, Queen of Sunstone. 

****

Gabriel couldn't stand waiting. He fidgeted so much on his horse that occasionally the animal understood it was time to move, and the king pulled the reins and circled around. When the banners of Sunstone finally appeared on the road, he galloped out of the gates to meet them, immediately followed by his escort.

He aligned his horse next to the main carriage so that he was at window level. The former queen wasted no time and began her sermon before he even had a chance to greet her.

- Why all this commotion? People will suspect that something is wrong! 

- And something is wrong, my lady - the king replied. - The queen's disappearance won't be a secret for much longer. At least I'm giving vent to my anxiety. 

- And increasing mine! Couldn't you wait at the castle? What can I tell you that you don't already know? 

- The messenger arrived two days ago. Something could have happened in the meantime. 

- No, we left at the same time as the messenger, he was just faster. I would have preferred to stay in my solar awaiting news. 

- The castle is safer. 

- I know, I know... But I came primarily to accompany the boy -  Iris pointed with the corner of her eye to the young man, who was so gloomy in a corner with the windows on his side closed that Gabriel hadn't noticed him.

- How are you, Henrique? 

- Getting better, Your Majesty. 

- Believe me, he is - commented Iris. - We are. 

- Apologies, my lady, for not asking how you were. 

- Don't worry, I didn't give you much opportunity either - the former queen sighed.

Gabriel nodded and continued.

- I told her it was dangerous.

- Ten years of marriage, and you still haven't understood that it's no use contradicting her? 

He let out a sarcastic laugh and straightened up in the saddle. He looked at the long road that awaited them, pretending that none of those thousand thoughts were passing through his mind. The entourage continued along the road and soon crossed the city gates, where the citizens welcomed them with shouts of greetings and curious looks.

- That's why I didn't want you to receive us - Iris said so softly that he almost couldn't hear her amidst the noise.

Gabriel ignored her, it was better not to continue the subject outside the castle. He could see the faces of Rosa's subjects, not understanding the situation. Some of the bolder ones asked each other in a loud voice if they could see the queen inside the carriage. Most of them had a good sense that the trip to Hyra was long and that she wouldn't be back so soon unless something had happened.

Upon arriving at the castle, Gabriel requested an urgent audience with the advisers of Sunstone and called one of his contacts, who was already on standby with the arrival of the queen mother.

When they were finally alone, awaiting the audience, Gabriel was boiling with anxiety. They were in one of the sitting rooms of the huge castle, made of light-colored stone. In the center, there was a tea table and two sofas, while several armchairs were turned towards the windows in the corners. At that moment when his anxiety reached its peak, Henrique headed with his head bowed towards one of those armchairs, after two polite words to the king and the former queen, it was as if they barely knew each other. This made Gabriel even more irritated. In two steps, he reached the young man and grabbed him by the collar.

- What the hell is wrong with you!  

- Gabriel! - Iris complained in a shrill voice.

- What kind of man are you? YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT HER! 

- I- I, um-  

- He's just a boy! - the woman said, trying to pull the king's arm.

- He's fifteen years old! Next year he'll be an adult! At his age, I had already won tournaments.

- Not everyone is a warrior, Gabriel.

- Tsk. 

He let go of the boy, who staggered a bit but didn't move from his spot.

- I'm sorry, Your Majesty - Henrique was sad, but you could see the furrowed eyebrows of someone considering something with anger. - I blame myself for what happened. If I were better prepared, maybe I could have prevented her from leaving.

- Well, let's make sure something like this never happens again -  the king replied through gritted teeth. - Starting tomorrow, we'll double your training and cut out history and etiquette lessons. The gods know you don't need them anymore.  

- As you wish, Your Majesty. 

- I think it's best if you rest in your room, dear. I will inform the advisers about what you told me -  Iris said kindly.

The boy looked at her and then at Gabriel, but the king made no gesture to suggest that he would contradict her. In fact, he had moved away, massaging his neck.

- Thank you, Your Majesty. With your permission, King Gabriel, Queen Iris.

Henrique bowed and left the room. The woman shook her head, but she didn't have the strength to question the formality of the boy anymore. She looked at the broad back of her son-in-law, who, in turn, gazed at the gardens beyond the window.

- I know you're nervous, but you don't need to take it out on the boy. 

- You spoil him too much - he replied brusquely, cutting through the formality of earlier hours.

Gabriel had never addressed her in such a way, normally, it was the opposite. Being older and the former queen of that kingdom while he was younger and a foreigner, despite being the king now, Iris always treated him informally in a domestic setting. It was strange and amusing, which made her laugh.

- Perhaps we do, but you know why. Henrique has always been different from other children... 

- I know, I know. The boy is a genius and will make a great king. I've heard that a thousand times, Rosa! -  he said irritably, gesturing with both hands.

He stopped when he saw the surprised expression on the woman's face reflected in the window. For a moment, he had forgotten that he wasn't dealing with his wife. He took a deep breath and turned to her.

- I apologize, my lady. It's just that in my kingdom, young men like him are hopeless. 

- Very well, but I hope you won't speak to me like that again. 

Despite the harsh words, her expression showed compassion. Before he could respond, they heard a knock on the door.

- Come in -  the king ordered.

A young servant opened the door and bowed.

- The advisers and marchioness Dante are already in the council chamber, Your Majesty. 

- Excellent - he replied, and then turned, extending his arm to Iris. - My lady. 

The woman rested her hand on the king's outstretched arm and thanked him with a nod of her head. 

Entering the council chamber, a spacious room with a long wooden table in the center, they found three men and four women. For Gabriel, it was still a bit strange to have women in the council, although his kingdom allowed them to fight and challenge men through strength, few reached the high ranks of the hierarchy for the same reason. Despite the unfamiliarity, he had learned to appreciate it in his wife's kingdom. Intelligence, influence, and skills were more important than brute strength.

The council officially consisted of six people, in addition to the queen, but at that moment, the fourth intruding woman was the one Gabriel considered most important. The master of espionage was not an official member and usually didn't attend council meetings, although she knew everything that happened in the kingdom. Her meetings with Rosa were usually held in secret, often in the queen's chambers.

Ms. Dante intrigued Gabriel. She was of low birth, the daughter of a minor baronet, and had managed to marry a marquess. The king believed that even as a young girl, the woman must have had her contacts, and it was not difficult to speculate why the marquess had married her. In addition to the influence she brought him, the man was more feminine than certain women. Such facade marriages were common and widely ignored in Sunstone, which Gabriel had learned on the eve of his wedding.

The woman herself had a very feminine face. Large blue eyes and full lips that didn't need lipstick. Her manners were also feminine, extremely seductive, but depending on the situation, she could swear and gesture more than a drunk dwarf. Her hair was the shortest he had seen on a woman in that kingdom, dark brown and styled back. She wore pants on most occasions and always sported a crooked smile, as if mocking the world just for existing.

And it was with that smile that she greeted the king and the queen mother.