We'd earlier planned not to spend more than a night here in this village, however, since, we helped save their kids and having recognized who Regalis was, through his hair and Gift, it was unlikely that we'd be leaving this place any moment soon.

The drums continued beating. The zithers, strumming so fast. Everyone was jubilating. Had they feared stories of the Dark Lord in the past? Now, it seemed as if, all they've ever heard of their future King and Prince, has been nothing, but good things.

The drummers and every other person, remained outside, celebrating with foods, wine and drinks, while Regalis, Cederic, Ashton and I, were led into the Village Chief's home.

The door closed. Yet, the sounds of screams and laughter, still followed us. They've been celebrating all night, till this morning. And honestly, I don't see their celebrations ending any time soon.

"Your Majesty" an elderly man, I believed to be the Village Chief greeted. Beside him, was an attractive elderly woman, two young men and a lady holding a child. The child, was one of those rescued from the carriage last night.

Regalis smiled and said, "no need for excess formality".

He still felt uncomfortable being referred to, as anything beyond, "Your Highness" or "My Prince".

The Village Chief smiled in understanding. "I'm Ladislas, My Prince, the Village Chief. And this is my wife -" he touched the charming woman beside him, "Aurora".

Aurora's skin was covered from her neck to her toe. All her fingers and hands covered too. And the cloak, she wore, even had a wide hood, that I bet could completely cover her face.

Perhaps, in this village, it was a tradition for the women to be this fully covered. However, thinking of it, other women I've seen weren't this clothed. Or perhaps, it was just Aurora’s thing. Or a rule for the wife of the Village Chief to follow.

"Welcome" Aurora said. And her smile? Damn! It was almost as beautiful as that of Regalis's.

"Thank you" she said, "you saved our grandson last night".

Wow. That meant, this young lady holding the child, was her daughter. Looks, were really deceiving. She absolutely did not in any way look like anyone’s grandma.

"It's our pleasure" Ashton said.

And Cederic put his hand in Ashton's hair, roughening it, to playfully caution him from talking too much here.

Ashton glared at him, and Cederic pretended not to notice, smiling. "Go on" he nodded at Aurora.

And Aurora's daughter said to Ashton, "I like you. Very friendly. Nearly every girl in our village wants to go out with you. I could set you up with -"

And Ashton nearly choked on the cup of wine he'd been drinking. "No girls, please..."

Ladislas "forgive my daughter, Beatrice. She can be quite forward, when she's excited".

And he quickly completed the introduction, "my nephew, Hazlitt and my son-in-law, Beatrice's husband, Sedgewick".

Moments later, we were seated on the dining table. All laughing and chatting. Surrounded by a few fire torches. None of the windows were open to let sunlight or fresh breeze in, yet the room didn't feel stuffy. It felt well-ventilated. Excellent magic, at work.

On entry here, Ashton had attempted to open a window, and I watched as Aurora put on her hood instantly, covering her entire face, with the other members of her family looking uncomfortable.

Ashton being Ashton, he smiled. Making it seem, like a joke and shut the window.

Was no one apart from Aurora's family allowed to see her face? It can't be. Regalis, Ashton, Cederic and I, were obviously not family. Anyway, I let the thought go, as the aroma of the prepared meals on the table filled my nostrils.

"This is delicious" Regalis said, "thanks" as he gracefully avoided a bowl of shrimps, every other person on the table was also evading.

The shrimps looked appealing to the eyes. However, upon having a taste, you realise the salt in it was excess! And not just that, the pepper was so hot.

That, along with the kuklica. Had problems.

Regalis, took one of the big spoons and dished out an extra spoon of rice unto my plate, "eat more" he said, "we still have a long journey ahead of us".

I nodded, "thank you" and continued eating. But then noticed, as Hazlitt, the Village Chief's nephew, comfortably ate from the bowl of shrimps.

Was that how much he loved salt and pepper?

He kept eating more of the shrimps. And then, took extras from the bowl of kuklica.

It's not possible! I thought. The kuklica, was tasteless. The complete opposite of the taste of the shrimps. It was either Hazlitt liked excess salt and pepper or he loved neither. Or he just loved eating, without minding the taste of the food. Or...my mind sped!

He could not taste!

His taste buds, could not feel anything.

Usually, this was as a result of an ailment he once suffered from.

I ate more of my food. And joined in listening to the joke being shared on the table. I laughed. While Regalis laughed even harder, as Ashton actually stood on one of the dining chairs to demonstrate a joke he was telling.

"Ha-ha!" My lungs burst from laughter.

Regalis beat his chest, trying not to choke on the water in his mouth.

I looked at him and smiled. Since Nadia's death, I have not seen Regalis so happy.

And I was glad to know, that aiding his people could restore his joy.

And I loved him for that, it meant, a part of his happiness came from his people. If his people were happy, then, he too was happy. If they were sad, he was too.

And in my opinion, that made a great King. Their pains and joys, all what his heart could feel.