[@ineffable]
The princess's laugh made him feel like a million dollars. "I used to do the same thing when I was younger and I visited my sister here," she commented. "Used to go to the library lots too, poked my head into a lot of forbidden books. Sadly, I found nothing."

Her hand grazed Byron's shoulder. If he didn't realize she was flirting earlier, he did now, and he had to resist the urge to say something romantic and stupid. No one flirts with the princess except an equal. So he kept his mouth shut while she continued. "Sounds impressive, all those statues. Though, I suppose I never had a large affinity for them. Unless they carry secrets." Her lips stretched into a half-smile. Byron mirrored her expression and dropped his gaze, where he noticed the attractive sway of her hips. He found his own gait to be a tad more uncomfortable.

A nearby guard snorted at him. He glanced back just in time to see Sir Nero and Sir Quint snap back to their positions. Byron pushed down his anger and feigned a laugh as he turned back to the princess. "Seems the statues aren't the only ones with secrets," he joked.

They arrived at the throne room, where Byron pushed open the great doors to find King Dragan standing before a strange purple summoning circle. The King had his hands clasped together as he uttered a spell in a low, ominous chant. He paused to look up.

"Welcome at last, my daughter. Come hither."