Greet the queen once again.

It hasn't been too long since the last time you spoke with the queen, though plenty has happened in between already. As for the rest of the family, you haven't met them at all. The only other member of royalty you've spoken with turned out to not even be real. It's always nice to see Catherine, though nowadays it feels different. You're speaking even moreso as equals than ever before. You owe plenty to her, though she likely feels the same in return.

Lady Turner escorts you personally.

She brings you down a great hall which leads straight to a throne. Despite the exterior, it feels like you're standing within a castle. A lush red seat faces the doorway from the opposite, far side of the room. Upon it is a figure, though she stands the moment you arrive, instead of waiting for you to come to her.

Queen Catherine II is only a bit older than yourself, and even without the queenly aura of a woman adorned in regal attire standing amongst a row of guards, she would be positively stunning both in appearance and strength of will. She slips a thick, silken cloak coloured crimson and black from her body. The mantle falls, and lays upon the seat of her throne. Her hair is stark black, and it curls down the sides of her head. For such soft hair to dance upon now-bare shoulders much the same, one could possibly mistake her for a sweet young damsel, but her mighty stare back betrays such accusations of weakness.

The dress she wears is thin and clings tight to her alluring figure. It's primarily red in colour, though the sides are much darker, and between is a trim of gold and black. There's a pattern throughout, of marching wolves each in a different position like a trail of animation, and between each is a carefully inset jewel, which causes the entire wardrobe to glisten with illustrious wealth. It's cut up the side, much like the first you ever saw her wear, being quite generous with the view of her long, bare left leg, especially as she walks. Crimson heels tap along the carpet leading down the center of the chamber, and you meet with her right in the middle. It isn't the only cut either, as the same goes for beneath her neck. Though not nearly as large as some others amongst your own numbers, her low collar leads your eyes to quite a bountiful harvest of melons.

A golden circlet sits upon her head, further decorated by gemstones. Around her neck is a thin gold chain, and the pendent at the end is the same ruby wolf head she always wears. It perfectly matches her rosy lips--shining by the flickering light of enchanted candles hanging above, and along the walls. The same goes for her nails, though you can see now that she stands so close, that each has been further painted by swirls of flames.

She holds a hand out--palm upwards. A few of her fingers on each hand are adorned by golden rings to match the rest.

You place yours upon hers, and she smiles.

Her fingers tighten around your hand, perhaps more firmly than she meant. Her body reacts partly on its own, especially when she leans in close to kiss you on the cheek, though she ops to instead target the lips. You can feel her warmth, and the scent of her flora perfume wafts beneath your nose.

Though she retracts back, and places a hand upon her bust to bow politely. "It is so wonderful to see you once again, Kyle." Her eyes shift to the elf beside you. "You as well, Lady Tesgella. I welcome you both back to my home. It warms my heart to know you heeded my invitation."

Nyllia pinches her dress and curtsies. "Thank you, Your Highness."

Xiaoqing follows her lead and does the same.

The queen then looks to her. "And who might this be? Another good friend of yours?"

She nods and introduces herself. "My name is Xiaoqing, Your Highness."

"Well you both look absolutely beautiful. I would expect nothing less. And you, Kyle... Well, pardon me, but I must say you look incredibly handsome today. I wouldn't have thought any less of you no matter what you chose to wear for our meeting, but to see you put such effort into dressing up, well it leave me with a warmth in my cheeks. Now that Tivera is once again safe, and my family has returned home, I'm eager for you to meet the others. Ones who are real, and also not evil. Mmm. You haven't been given the best view of the royal family so far, I suppose."

"I have only met Princess Dayna once in my travels," Nyllia says. "And it was very brief."

"This might not be appropriate to ask, but what happened to Thadius? Also, the high doppel from before?" you ask.

Doppels are already dangerous. Their true form seems to be one of pale purple skin and a smooth, plain face, as well as violet hair. Black eyes too. Very alien. But a high doppel is far more more dangerous. They shapeshift people's memories, so they can work their way into anywhere if done right. I assume it isn't completely flawless nor does it extend all that far though, especially if Lady Turner was starting to resist. I bet Dezro did first, and that's why he was taken down.

"The high doppel is still imprisoned. She's never far from the stone which disallows her shapeshifting. As for Thadius... we don't know. He disappeared in the battle, and he hasn't been found. We have eyes on all roads and cities within Tivera, but it isn't impossible he fled to Varat."

"Or he's with Breiah."

"Ah. The white-haired girl, sister to that witch amongst your group, yes?"

"Yeah. She was the mastermind behind a lot of things. I don't know what portion was her, and which was Elok, though it all started with Breiah. I wouldn't be surprised if she were out there now, trying some other experiment, and since Thadius was working with them, I assume he'd seek her out. Maybe that's where Lord Vraelion went too. Oh. What about Imaeris? Have you heard anything about him?"

"You speak of Sir Elyndar Imaeris? I believe I heard sightings of him, yes. Is something the matter?"

"Well he disappeared during that final battle. I wasn't sure where he went. But if he's been seen around, that's good. He's a giant dickhead, but that doesn't mean I want him to go horribly die somewhere... for the most part."

We've met some evil people. Imaeris isn't evil. He just kinda sucks. Mostly at this point though, it's just pathetic and depressing. It isn't like he can do anything to me, especially not anymore.

"Lady Turner," the queen speaks up.

In response, the knight salutes. "Yes, Your Highness."

"Please escort them to the parlour to meet with the others, and I will follow shortly after."

"Right away. Come, you three. The queen wishes you to be in greater comfort than standing around in the throne room. There will be fine wine and cheeses, as well as fresh fruit to eat, and you may meet with the other members of the royal family."