Keith watched as thousands of tiny pink mana particles rained [Void Damage] down on his defense. His high-tier [Dragon Shield] was eaten away by the shattered bits of Void, with only a few shards passing through to land on him.

[You have taken 18 Void-based Damage. HP 382/400]

Keith didn’t wait; he rushed forward and caught Henrietta in an embrace.

And then they were kissing.

She felt amazing in his arms. He eventually broke the kiss and buried his face in his princess’s fluffy brown hair, breathing in her cinnamon spice and sugary scent. There was still so much to do before the night was over, but it could all wait until they were done.

So what if Gerda was there to watch them hug it out. Let her.

When they broke apart, they found half-dozen royal guards standing around them. Gerda lay sprawled out on the floor, exhausted from the major magical working.

“I brought them as requesssted.” Lieutenant Franni stood to attention.

“Alright, everyone,” Keith started, then glanced at the hole in the wall. “This is everyone?”

“Yesss, Your Viciousnesss.” Franni stated. “With about twenty of Grand Duchesss Calisto’s best adventurerss.”

“Then they can help us cart everyone back to the palace. I’m sure the council will be very interested to know about an interkingdom ring of slave traders.” Keith squeezed Ria’s hand in support, knowing that her parent’s would be punished with the group.

“That everyone already knew about,” Gerda snapped. “Madame Potts cast about them months ago!”

“Then I think it’s about time we head back.”

After rounding up everyone, it was well past midnight.

It was dark outside, but a full-moon illuminated the overgrown and poorly managed estate. The entire place was in need of repair, and probably purchased recently for nefarious intents.

The only one worse for wear on their side was Gerda, who simply needed time and a mana potion.

He owed the bridge troll, and would reward her handsomely for her assistance. And after that? He needed her magically audited yesterday. He needed all his kingdom’s trolls audited yesterday! How had he never been warned about them in his lessons?!

Keith wanted a nap. Badly. Right now. But it would have to wait. They had a three-hour ride ahead of them.

And another problem to solve. Henrietta would never last riding a horse the whole way back.

“I guess there is nothing for it.” Keith smiled. “I’ll just have to carry you.”

“Do you have enough mana left?” Her concern didn’t stop her from reaching her arms around him and letting him pick her up in a princess hold.

“I’ll summon fifi to meet us halfway.” He reached out to the construct then and there, pleased to note the willingness he felt from his dark mare. He wasn’t surprised – Henrietta had a way of befriending all of the beasts of the Dark Enchanted Forest. He hugged the princess closer, until her head rested comfortably on his shoulder.

After tonight, he didn’t want to be separated from her side for even a second, and travelling with the Heroine of Justice gently snoring in his arms was a perfect way to keep him awake.

There was so much to think about. And plan. Three hours was more than enough time to get it done . . . and to satisfy his greed for cuddles.

Chloe and Julia met them at the city gates three hours later, escorting them back to the palace. Mostly because Chloe was too impatient to politely wait for them in the parlour. Usually, only the watch and the bakers would be up this early, but Duchess Calisto’s palace was vibrant with life. Hostlers prepared transport for any of the previous night’s visitors hoping to get back home early, and many a man-at-arms hustled to load carriages with luggage. That wasn’t even counting those in North Sumbrian colors. The grand duchess had hired many attendants to be ever ready for her guests, especially during the festivities.

Everyone watched wide-eyed as they rode onto the palace grounds. They were an interesting sight, to be sure.

At the front, the Dark Lord held the Heroine of Justice, who was snoring, in his arms. They were accompanied by the Paladin of Light, Countess Julia von Slyke, and her fiancée, Necromancer Chloe Watercress. Next, two dozen of the duchess’s royal guard rode with a bridge troll. And everyone was still dressed in their finest.

Third, Chadwick, a Servalt marquess not worth mentioning, and his attendants were tied together in pairs and riding a few heavily guarded horses. The marquess had woken up partway through their trip and had tried to escape. It hadn’t gone well for him.

And of course, the king and queen of Drendil were there. But they were thrown over a saddlebag like luggage and hardly worth mentioning.

And finally, Lieutenant Franni took up the rear.

Everyone had gone quiet, watching them ride up. Keith didn’t want to wake Ria, so he activated his powerful [Flight] spell to get down and gently princess-carried her inside. The grand duchess met them halfway up the stairs.

“You’ve made it back! And all in one piece; how splendid.” Calisto noted her attendants carrying in the sacks full of royals and made a disapproving tsk. “Or, at least, everyone important made it back in one piece. Shall we go in? It’s cold.”

“Before we do,” Keith said quietly, conscious of his sleeping princess. “Can I confirm how many of the council are still in residence?”

He would make sure that as many as possible would be there for his morning audience, if he had to unpack their carriages himself.

“All of the ones who attended the Spring Ball are still here,” Calisto assured him. “We decided to add tonight’s events to the meeting. Head off any wars, rally the forces for a continental search and rescue, so on and so forth. Luckily, you rescued yourselves. I have it on good authority from the Council that there would have been much lording-it-over-thou from whomever helped you specifically. Not to mention requests and favors.”

Keith shivered, imagining just what kind of favors Their Royal Highness Rowen of Peldeep would demand if they’d managed to rescue him.

“Before you go,” Duchess Calisto waved at their baggage. “What am I doing with those?”

“We’ll raise King Simon and Queen Thalia when the council meets,” Keith replied. “The marquess is tied to a horse outside. He’s good with portals and is subordinate to someone very powerful, so be sure to keep him locked up safe.”

“I see.” Calisto shared a nod with Keith before bidding them all a polite good morning.

Keith went and took his princess to bed.