[GM Post]

Prince Alec seemed to have rediscovered hunger by the time the scent of toasted butter and garlic wafted out, belatedly realizing that he only had breakfast this morning and nothing else. The boy was poised enough not to let it show, though he perhaps finished the entire portion a bit faster than he otherwise would. Being a prince, hunger was something he never became intimately acquainted with. Even his captors had treated him well.

He strike conversation when he could, getting to know the rescue team, even if most of them remained relatively quiet. Tired, perhaps. Some even had signs of injuries still apparent on their person. Exhaustion caught up to him soon enough, but not before committing every single person to memory.

Matilda was Matilda, gruff and straightforward and loyal to the end of the earth. She wasn't talkative, the very act of breathing seemingly causing her pain. Substantial enough, if someone as inexperienced as Alec could tell. He stayed close to her, an extension of complete trust rarely displayed by a member of the royalty.

Jazdia the elf, an enigma that frankly intimidated him a bit. She's clearly a lot older than she looks, though if it's by decades or centuries the prince couldn't quite tell. Thankfully socializing was optional, thus he's spared another awkward conversation considering what had happened earlier in the keep.

Then there's miss Yvonne, someone Alec deem his childhood crush at a point. He had thought of her from time to time, over the years, but the reunion wasn't anywhere close to what he expected. Facing reality without the rose-tinted glasses, he finally could let the whole matter rest. Brave, heroic, and adventurous? From a different perspective, it's running away from one's own responsibilities. He admired her resolve still. Not just anyone can throw away everything to forge one's own path. But that's where they part ways, and if Alec were to be honest? It's an amiable end to their story.

Mister Bear, or Cedar. Alec had heard stories of half-beasts, admittedly rare things but still common enough for one to pop up from time to time. Brutes with the intelligence of man but driven by the desire of their animal half, the story says, but after meeting one he had to redact that particular judgment. There's an inkling of truth to that, of course, but as far as he can see Cedar's fully in control of the bestial instincts. Either he's genuinely good and pleasant, or he's skilled enough to pretend to be. In the end, just another person. For wasn't there plenty of humans who behaved no better than a beast? Never judge a book by its cover.

He didn't get much chance to speak with Doctor Solomon, after the latter broke him out of his cage. Evidently the old man was a mage of some sort, though what school exactly Alec had no idea. So far he had seen shadow-form and summoning a shadowy creature, perhaps something in that line? A question for Duchess Antigone in the near future. And how did it tied to the medical skill? There's a lot of mysteries surrounding the man. Nevertheless, he's grateful for the rescue even if the good doctor's presence felt a bit unsettling at times.

As for the youngest-looking member of the rescue team, Alec failed to get a word out of Veronica. Even her name was heard secondhand from someone else. Matilda seemed familiar with her, but was rather tight-lipped about it. From Alec's own observation, she's out of the way and unassuming in a way that made her presence easily overlooked. There's no sign of scuffle, so either she's highly skilled or did not join the fighting. A scout, perhaps? Though in that case, the horses disliking her would've made it difficult to do her job... oh well. He wouldn't force an interaction if the other party didn't want to.

The last two, one was an unassuming man that seemingly followed Jazdia's beck and call. Kaito was his name, the foreign pronounciation rolled weird in the tongue. Alec had reasons to suspect if it's a real name or not. He looked just like any random man from the street, and his speech was perfect without any accent. Plus, he speak a lot but gave out very little informations. Almost like a noble in the court. The other was apparently a local hunter, who had left for home not long ago. Alec will ensure that the man received his due reward in time.

The ride back was smooth enough. The prince had dozed off, barely able to recall some shouting halfway through, but eventually he roused to the sight of a familiar scene - though for some reason there's an overgrowth at one side of the stable. He hadn't been gone for that long, had he? Rampant vegetation aside, Alec's attention was soon enough taken by the castle staff. A lot of this and that formalities, Matilda asserting dominance, and then the fast-ish shuffle inside.

It soon came a time to part with the rescue team, Alec doing his best to exude the air of a prince despite his rather humble clothing. They'll get the treatment befitting guests of the royal family, as they deserved. Perfect. It wouldn't do to mistreat his saviors, after all. Even if it's strictly business exchange with his father.

[b][color=#d896ff]"Rest well, ladies and gentlemen."[/color][/b] Said the prince with a smile. [b][color=#d896ff]"We shall meet again soon."[/color][/b]

Alec was ushered away after that short interlude, resisting the urge to look back. As he said, they'll meet again soon. Here in the castle, he need to play his part as a prince. No need to show too much attachment to outsiders. It felt lonely at times, but he's long since used to it.

Normally he would've need to clean up and dress appropriately for the occasion, but it was immediately apparent that they're heading to meet his father immediately. Alec smiled to himself, knowing that it's a rare moment where the father won over the king. Otherwise, Matilda alone will suffice to debrief. That suited him just fine. He, too, had missed his father oh so terribly.

Only Alec and Matilda entered the private chamber. There they saw a figure hunched over on a chair, Fredricus seemingly aged ten years backward as he laid his eyes on the newcomers. He stood, striding briskly through the room as Matilda tactfully turned aside and momentarily pretend she's both blind and deaf as the father and child finally reunited at long last.

[b][color=#d896ff]"I have returned, father."[/color][/b]