Reincarnated as a Phoenix

Chapter 83 – Penultimate Meeting

So then, what happens next? Simple really, we need to head back to the capital and discuss what's happening with Jekyll, there still are some finale details that need to be discussed since just sneaking in and killing who we need to would prove extremely challenging. That's not to say it isn't possible, it's just that me and Petra only plan on using our invisibility we gained back from that undead dungeon to escape since attacking anybody with it would cause it to stop and commence the daily cooldown. We've got to be careful, that should be obvious when planning to assassinate an emperor, the prince, the princess and the mage.

The bastard apparently has his own contacts and will know when the people we're hunting down die so the specific timing on the day isn't really needed, obviously we're now planning to do it on the day of the princess's birthday. I dread to think how bad she really is if Petra dislikes her but hopefully I don't have to find out, she is probably going to be worse than the mage if that's the case, always take Petra's opinion seriously so she's got to be pretty bad.

Notice that I haven't mentioned Zeki or Ariza in this, that simply is because they aren't involved, at least in the current situation. Zeki could prove to be a brilliant distraction for something like an ongoing assault but for something subtle like an assassination, it might be too much of a red flag. Ariza could be useful for mind controlling any guards we come across but alas, we're not involving her since she doesn't like using it.

They are still coming with us to the capital, Zeki clearly wants to watch the carnage that might happen afterwards and I think Ariza wants to use her healing to help anybody in the chaos as well, there is going to be drama from what me and Petra do regardless if the bastard takes his rightful seat or not.

The prediction is there might be anarchy in the streets after this goes down, people are going to get hurt regardless of what happens, it's another reason why me and Petra plan on sailing into the sunset so to speak, we're not dealing with the mess that comes after. Obviously Ariza wants to help as many people as possible even if it risks phoenix exposure, she'd get on quite well with the priestess thinking about it.

You could say that's pretty irresponsible for us two just leaving but that's how Petra has always done things, save or kill, then move onto a different place since sticking around isn't her style. I agree with her for the most part but there has to be a point where you settle down at some place, I'm pretty sure she'd do it for me though but we'd obviously need to find somewhere to go. I do have a little idea what we could do afterwards but that's not a thought for now, things could still go terrible with this assassination attempt so planning too far into the future is pointless.

"Once we get to the city, we're going to a dessert shop brother"

"Really Zeki? Uh huh then"

'I guess Zeki really wants some sweets, my stock is pretty low as well now'

(Petra) "..."

Up in the sky on Ariza's back this time, we're not far off the capital now.

I skipped a good portion of the trip, nothing much happened so there was no point bringing it up, it has been three to four weeks getting back though. I guess there was a few intimate moments with Petra when resting for the night, mostly hand holding, lap sitting and hugging, that sort of thing but we already do that a bit so it's nothing new.

That's not a complaint, the more we do stuff, the easier it is and the less flustered I get from it all, I really like how our relationship is going but if I keep trying to force myself, it will only make it a little uncomfortable for me. Like usual though, Petra completely understands my issues, everything can just be a little too much to handle, I really don't deserve her though.

I'm definitely going to kiss her again once we deal with the empire, it won't be as forced as last time and kissing after dealing with the bad guys is such a movie cliché but I'm still doing it regardless. Clichés can be good as well as bad sometimes, we'll end up holding each other in our arms and then sharing our souls together. When I put it that way, it sounds stupid but it still makes me feel flustered, I will overcome this someday, mark my words!

Anyways, I'm getting distracted once again, the capital is fast approaching, Ariza needs to find a place to land and then we can enter the city again, no idea when Zeki and Ariza were here last, their cave is around a week's flight away so it's not that far, you'd think they would have visited quite a bit throughout the years, even if they can lack in human interaction.

'We're getting closer now...'

__________

"I'll come in with you this time Ikarus"

As I'm waiting outside the palace in the courtyard, Petra says this to me and it honestly surprises me a little, she's actually willing to come inside the palace this time around? It's not exactly like she needs to scout the place out, she's been in it undercover more than once so planning out a route in shouldn't be that difficult for her. Maybe she might've forgotten about it but her memory seems to be more long-term forgetfulness and I know she's been undercover here pretty recently considering her age so it shouldn't be that.

Why I'm waiting outside here is because obviously the prince awaits, I've been cured so it kinda makes sense to share the information with him, it wouldn't surprise me if he already knows since I sent the priestess and the knight away but we'll get to see how this is turns out shortly. He seems to always get a little exited when father's reward was brought up, it's a shame he won't be around to see it take full effect though.

After this, the plan is to go find the captain, we had some time to kill before meeting up with him so I thought this would be better doing this sooner rather than later. If I really wanted to, I could probably avoid meeting him before we finally decide to enact on our plan but for some reason, I'm kinda curious on how this final conversation will now go. This still doesn't affect our plan in the slightest.

It's just me and Petra here though, the other phoenixes are going to be doing their own thing for a while, this isn't their fight after all, at least right now it isn't.

"Wait, why? You'd normally hate the idea of doing it"

"It's not fair for you to deal with them alone, doubt I'll be allowed in the same room but they might let me wait close by, just giving peace of mind I guess"

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Oh, she's doing it for me? I swear this woman is just too good, I'm holding hands with her when we enter now, it's the least I can do if she's willing to do this for me.

The royal guard who I just informed has now finally returned, he seems to actually have something to say then most of the mute guards around here. He guides us in but while walking ahead of us, he speaks up.

"The prince has instructed me to allow your travelling companion inside as well if she so pleases, make sure you keep your hands open and visible otherwise the guards may deem you a threat"

(Petra) "Of course"

I'm surprised she's not asked to relieve her weapon but then again, the prince and mage already know about Petra's magic down to the knight so it would be pointless disarming someone who can literally use fire. Do they not view her as a threat though? From their perspectives, you'd think having a stranger enter into the palace with an audience with the prince would be dangerous, they are pretty carefree on this type of thing, I guess.

I am a little worried now though, what happens if shit hits the fan this soon? This isn't a trap as well, right? Forget it, Petra seems confident so I'll do the same, it's not like they can really lay hands on us and Petra is OP as hell.

Being led into the palace, this time around it seems we're being taken to a different part I haven't been before; this area looks a lot fancier then the rest of the palace and that's saying a lot, this place is one of the fanciest places I've come across. I guess it's similar to the rest of the corridors that have statues, pedestals with vases and things like that but there's definitely more gold and shinier metals around here. It's kinda weird I've lost my gold and shiny attachment but when you have the best prize alongside you holding your hand, who cares about wealth?

"The prince and battlemage Leone are currently in the throne room, please make sure you give him the utmost amount of respect"

At least the guard says what room we're about to enter, I'm pretty sure I'm yet to come across this guard so him telling me to pay respects is dumb, my parents would spit at the idea of bowing to a human. Well maybe not mother, I don't think she'd care on something like that, father would just burn the palace down.

He opens the door up for us, then leaves and we enter letting go of each other's hands just before. I'm very quickly taken back by what's in the throne room.

Unlike the previous throne rooms I've come across, this one seems to be even more grandeur and expensive than any other. I know most have been in ruins or in elven lands but this does put all others to shame. Extravagant golden pillars, crystal chandeliers, a red rug that seems to be made of the finest materials and at the other end of the room is two thrones, a small but impressive one and a large, elaborate one.

Sitting on the grand throne is the prince himself and on the other is the mage, that's a little odd why she'd be sitting there. On the outside of room is a line of royal guards, only four on each side but normally the prince prefers having no guards so something is going on.

"Greetings your highness"

"Ah, Ikarus's friend... Peta, was it? That's incorrect, what was it again?"

"Petra your highness"

She really is a master actor, no chance I could ever bow to someone and greet them like that, I guess she has been skulking around the palace in other people's faces before so it would make sense why she's so easily able to play the part of someone in awe of royalty. It wouldn't surprise me if she wants to grin right now, we're so close from our goal yet so far, it won't be long before you two are buried six feet under.

Why is Leone sitting on one of thrones though? I know the prince's father has basically given up control to his son but this seems like they're taken the piss, has something happened that we're not aware of? No, the palace would be in uproar and Jekyll would've sent something to Petra if something big had happened, this just seems like those two being themselves.

"It's a pleasure to meet you then, I trust you've been taking care of Ikarus... alone?"

"Heh, of course"

That sounded a little passive aggressive by the prince then and Petra did her trademark laugh to hide her irritation from that comment, I think he's learnt I sent the other two-party members away; it's got to be that otherwise he wouldn't have said it in that way. Also, it is just us two here, that would be pretty obvious just by being able to count up to four.

"Good to hear... Ikarus, how have things gone? Are you finally free from your curse?"

"Yeah prince, it's all sorted now, the power imbalance has been corrected"

"Wonderful, that's wonderful, we've finally freed you from your burden..."

This might be the first time I've seen his true smile come out; it actually looks kinda normal instead of that manipulative one he always does. He definitely seems happy but it's clearly not for my sake, the reward the empire gets is more of a motivator.

"... Celebrations are in order for such a task accomplished... Ah, Leone, you think sister would be fine with another guest or two?"

The smiling prince then takes a quick look towards the mage, she doesn't respond immediately, almost as if she wasn't even listening to the prince there. She does give him an answer though.

"Shouldn't make any difference, there's already going to be a hundred different faces that she didn't approve, another couple won't make much of a difference"

'Hang on, am I getting an invite to the princess's birthday party?'

"Really? You expect her to be okay with it?"

"Hmph, don't ask for my opinion if you're not going to listen to my answer"

Okay, the mage seems to be in a mood today, at least it seemed that way towards the prince, he just ignores her and continues speaking to us again.

"Before you ask, of course your friend can come along, I'll be sure to get Nathan and Lotte to come along as well... obviously if I can find them in this large city, they really could be hiding anywhere"

Once again, another passive aggressive comment, he's going to start pissing me off he makes another.

"Thank you, your highness, I accept your invitation then"

I really wish I had Petra's acting skills; she really can play the role well.

"I'd like to ask more about the last several dungeons you encountered Ikarus but that's a conversation we can have at the party in a week's time if there's time. Oh, why don't you invite your parents as well?"

You know what's funny? He hasn't even asked if I'm going to accept it, he's just assuming I'm going to be there, such a dick. I know Petra already accepted but she didn't accept for both of us, it makes no difference since we were never going to say no to this opportunity but still, it reminds me back when we first met in my parents' cave and he got the mage to start teaching me without even asking.

"There's no chance they'll accept so there's no point bothering, humans are humans after all, dragons would hate that type of thing"

Well, maybe not mother but eyes would be staring at her and father would go mad with jealously filled rage, it could work if I wanted to kill everyone though.

"Hmm, you have a point, having two dragons come to a party of humans could be asking a little much. It doesn't matter anyways, I can always send a message to your father saying our deal is now complete, a dragon's word is permanent after all..."

Don't really have much to say on that considering I already know what the deal basically is, protect the empire from any non-human like threats. Thinking about it, what me and Petra are about to do would be considered a non-human threat, father definitely knows a loophole or two though, his definition of the empire is the land itself, not the humans living in it so that could be a loophole right there.

"... Well then, how about we cut this conversation short since we have some business to attend to?"

Oh, I guess that at least explains why he's in the throne room today, we just so happened to enter before he had work to do, probably advising type things.

"Okay then, see ya"

"Goodbye your highness"

As me and Petra give our farewells, a different royal guard comes up to us and escorts us out the palace.

While being led, I can't help but give a thought on what just happened, that was a little weird compared to normal. At least what happens normally is the prince ends up overtalking and giving way too much information, I get that he's busy but that seemed different than usual, can't put my finger on the reason why.

I'm not complaining, the less I get to see of him and the mage, the better. It also is brilliant that we have an actual invite to the party, this changes things. I'm looking at the piece of paper while walking right now, the guard just gave me it and it says there's a plus one, no point in being sarcastic on who's coming with me.

Once we're out of the palace and a reasonable distance away from prying eyes, it's time to have a quick chat, things are now falling into place whether it's down to pure luck or just something else.

"This definitely changes things a lot then"

"Maybe, it just means getting in is no longer a challenge, won't have to sneak around any backdoors now... guess it's now easier but some things will have to be changed"

I guess she's kinda right, she does seem to be thinking heavily on something else while we're walking away though.

"You're deep in thought, what's wrong?"

Even I can tell when she's thinking heavily at times, we do understand each other pretty well after all.

"Heh, you want to know something funny Ikarus?"

"What Petra?"

"The mage tried to apply the empire's crest on me in there as well, they really can be arrogant at times..."

As soon as Petra says that, intense rage builds up inside me, I want to obliterate all them arrogant fucks now! How dare they try and enslave Petra!? Fucking despicable!

"... Ikarus, calm yourself"

Petra stops us walking and places both her hands on my cheeks, then looks into my eyes trying to calm me, it's working slightly but I can't help but be angry at that, I didn't even know they tried that on her. If I did, I would've killed them both right there, it's a good thing she didn't tell me straight away.

"It's not fine though, how dare they try that on you!? Those fucking bastards!"

"Heh... it's fine Ikarus, I'm resistant just like you, remember?"

"But still"

She just keeps smiling at me throughout all this, at least it's calmed me slightly. To actually think on the first time they meet, the prince tells the mage to try and enslave her? The fucking audacity of such a thing, I didn't even know she tried it as well till Petra just said, it must've been the prince ordering it, right? Forget it, this isn't a competition on who I dislike more.

"*Sighhh*... I'm calm now so you can stop"

"Heh, don't want to stop though, your face is even cuter up close"

I can't help turning and moving my face from her hands at that abrupt comment, she definitely knows how to calm and tease me together, it's annoying that I know that would've made me go a little red as well. I'd kiss her in response to get payback but that is still difficult to do right now.

"Ahem... you have any idea how she even did it?"

"It's probably a mental type of thing, she would've used a fair bit of magicka up on that attempt and realized it failed quickly after, could be why she was a little annoyed"

Oh, so that's how it works then, I guess it requires a huge amount of magicka to enslave something like a dragon so her alone might not be enough and she has to borrow magic from others to compensate, did remember hearing Petra say something about how the empire might go about enslaving a being really powerful though. It's a good thing we are resistant otherwise Petra would be their puppet right now, I'd destroy the entire empire in retaliation if that happened, then she'd have no one to be loyal to so that would definitely cause the crest to be useless.

I like how my first thought to Petra being inflicted with something is pure destruction, there might be more dragon in me than I first thought. My plan in theory would work though, can't be loyal to an empire if that empire doesn't exist.

"At least that kinda explains it... you're more beautiful than me by the way"

It's a bit delayed but she did just call me cute like usual, might as well give her a compliment back even if it doesn't make her flustered. I am right though even if we do look pretty similar excluding hair colour, hairstyle and eyes.

"Heh, no chance Ikarus, you'd put the Goddesses to shame"

"Yeah... well you'd blind them with your beauty"

"Heh, you'd cause the heavens to weep with joy"

"Blinding is more impactful than weeping Petra"

"Really? Have you ever seen me uncontrollably weep Ikarus? You'd cause it, you know?"

I kinda feel like this back and forth is like our version of an argument, we are basically arguing on which one of us looks more beautiful, I can already tell I'll lose this battle but getting compliments from Petra is worth a loss.

'I'd really hate to live without this woman...'