"Even so . . . it's our only way. I don't want to be separated from you." You're very useful, after all. Ren said. His attention was on the scroll, reading its contents, so he didn't give much thought to what he said.

A warm and hot sensation made way on Elena's body. She also felt her heart rate increased, her palms getting sweaty, and for the first time, she felt like she wanted to escape the current situation.

Ren had signed the deal, and all but the Princess remained rooted on her spot, looking at him with a red face, unblinking.

Ren was weirded out and asked, "What?"

At his voice, Elena snapped from her trance, and she looked away with a stubborn face and coughed between fists to get that big lump out of her throat. "Nothing," she said.

Ren didn't give her any more attention while Queen Floraia held the scroll, saying, "Don't worry. My tasks are simple enough but daunting to a woman of my status."

Ren could only imagine.

"The first task," she said, eyes shining and voice livelier than before, "I want you to recover my slippers."

". . . Huh?" Both Ren and Elena said at the same time.

Ren seemed to be hearing things since he was having a hard time digesting at how the Queen would put herself into national trouble by shutting her mouth in return of . . . slippers?

[Recover the Royal Slipper!]

Great. He wasn't hearing things.

"Before you judge me. Here me out." Queen Floraia started, "I ordered a pair of custom slippers made by my favorite cobbler in Hedgegrove. The slippers should be finished by now, but the cobbler has become evasive in his replies to my summons.

"I want to know what exactly has happened and why my slippers haven't been delivered yet. I have a ball tomorrow, and I need those slippers. Now. You will fetch them for me . . . right?"

Something told Ren that failure wouldn't be tolerated based on the Queen's tone.

Anyway, it was just a simple task of retrieving some slippers. How hard could it be?

The Queen then informed them of the situation. "I want you to find out what's taking my slippers so long to be finished and delivered. More than that, I would like them to be found and delivered straight to me."

She described the undelivered slippers as she expected them (silken, rose pink, with Princess cut gems set into the heels) and described Frendamus's appearance and mannerisms to them ("short, nervous, fidgety, has a high pitched laugh such a silly little thing"). She also provided rough directions to Frendamus' shop.

The Queen was in the middle of her explanation when a guard burst in.

"See? Even my men have no respect. They just brazenly come in here without even a knock or announcing themselves."

"I'm sorry, my queen, but this is urgent." The guard came trotting inside, disregarding Ren and Elena from his sight.

The Queen took a big breath. "Pray tell what it is."

"The noble Archfey Aelarion has been slain, your majesty."

"Did you catch the perpetrator's face?"

"Yes." The guard handed a scroll to the Princess. On its parchment were Ren and Elena's portrait printed in sepia ink.

Elena stared at Ren with an 'I told you so' kind of face. Killing a noble fey would definitely get them in trouble.

The guard was about to shift his attention at Ren and Elena when the Queen spoke.

"Such trivial matters." The parchment went to dust when acid pores consumed it in the Queen's hand. "Every feys became Archfeys, and every Archfeys became a noble at some point."

"But your Highness!"

"We don't run out of nobles here in Hedgegrove, Sebas. Now if you are so kind, I still have a guess here."

Sebas looked confused and startled at the Queen's declaration. He then shifted his attention to Ren and Elena, and the two quickly looked away, hiding their faces.

Sebas narrowed his eyes. "Their clothes . . ."

"Sebas!"

Sebas flinched, and he straightened his back from the edge of the Queen's tone. "Y-yes!"

"Leave. NOW."

"Right away, your Highness."

When the poor guard sauntered out, Elena said her gratitude, "Thank you so much, your highness."

Queen Floraia merely smiled. "Oh. Don't thank me just yet, Princess. My task has just gone from three to four."

"What?" Elena asked, confused. "But why?"

"Why? You killed a noble right under my nose. That at least warrants death by trial. But since I'm kind enough, I will let this matter go with just another task for you to complete."

"You said that the nobles are plenty here. So a death of one wouldn't pose a problem," Ren argued.

"I don't care about those nobles, true. But I can't just let outsiders trample my name like that. After all, this is still my kingdom. What kind of a Queen would I be if I just let you go, right?"

Ren sighed inwardly. "Then what is it that you want."

"Bring me the slippers first, and we will talk about the rest of the task I have for you."

"Then, by your leave, your Highness." Elena turned and pulled Ren by the arm.

"It would be easier if you use the teleportation crystal beside the door." The Queen pointed out.

"Thank you." Elena touched the crystal, and they arrived at the block from where the cobbler was located.

The cobbler's hut was a quaint little structure nestled within a lush meadow filled with vibrant wildflowers and chirping birds.

The place was rustic and charming, blending in seamlessly with the surrounding natural environment. The hut was small and cozy, with a low-sloping roof made of thatched straw and woven reeds, giving it a fairytale-like appearance.

The walls of the hut were made of sturdy logs that were hewn by hand and smoothed to create a weathered yet inviting look. The logs were intricately carved with patterns of ivy leaves, delicate flowers, and twisting vines that wrapped around the entire structure. The wood was stained in rich earthy tones, which highlighted the natural beauty of the wood and gave the hut a warm and inviting feel.

At the entrance to the cobbler's hut, there was a whimsical little wooden door with a brass doorknob that sparkled in the sunlight. The door was adorned with intricate carvings of fey creatures, such as fairies, sprites, and gnomes, all of whom were depicted in their natural element, surrounded by flowers and animals.

Above the door, a small window allowed light to flood into the hut, and it was decorated with a colorful curtain made of woven wildflowers.