The Royal Introducation

The walk through the garden had been more pleasant than Kyle had anticipated. Aria had proven to be a lot more down-to-earth than he'd expected from a princess, and by the time they reached the castle’s grand entrance, he felt like he had known her much longer than a single day. There was something about her that made him forget the fact that she was a literal princess—her easy smile, the way she laughed, and the small jokes they exchanged made her seem more like a normal person, someone who could be his friend, not just some distant royal.

As they entered the castle, the majestic halls echoed with the soft thud of their footsteps. Aria led him through a series of long corridors, each grander than the last, until they reached a large, wooden door with intricate carvings.

“This is it,” Aria said, pushing the door open with a soft creak.

Inside, the room was warm and inviting, a sharp contrast to the intimidating grandeur of the castle's outer halls. A large hearth crackled with a fire, and the room was filled with the soft murmur of voices. At the far end, Kyle saw a large table laden with food, with figures gathered around it. It was clear that this was no formal gathering—it felt like a family dinner, relaxed and homey despite the royal setting.

“Come on in,” Aria said, stepping aside to let Kyle enter.

Kyle hesitated for a moment before following her in. His eyes adjusted to the warmth of the firelight, and his gaze immediately fell on the people around the table.

The first to greet him was a tall, regal-looking woman sitting at the head of the table. Her golden hair was swept up in an elegant knot, but a few loose strands framed her face, softening the sharpness of her features. Her pale blue gown shimmered under the candlelight, the fabric clinging gently to her slender waist and accentuating the curves of her hips. The neckline dipped low enough to reveal a very deep cleavage, the soft swell of her chest rising and falling with each measured breath. This was clearly Aria’s mother.

“Ah, you must be Kyle,” she said, her voice soft but commanding. “Welcome to our home.”

“Uh, hi,” Kyle said, a little awkwardly. “Thanks for having me.”

“Don’t be shy, sit down,” she said with a wink. “I’m Queen Evelyn, but I don’t stand on ceremony with family.”

Kyle nodded and took a seat beside Aria. He glanced around the table, noticing two other women sitting nearby. One of them was an older woman, with an unmistakable mature allure. She had long, wavy blonde hair that cascaded down her back in soft waves, framing her face and brushing the tops of her shoulders. Her sparkling green eyes were full of warmth and affection, but that was not why Kyle couldn’t stop looking.

Her gown was rich, a deep burgundy fabric that clung to her curves and flowed down her figure, the low neckline revealing a tantalizing glimpse of soft, pale cleavage. The fabric seemed to almost sculpt her body, hugging her bust in a way that made it impossible for Kyle to look away. Her hand rested on her pregnant belly, and as she turned toward him, the deep cut of her dress exposed more of her skin, drawing his gaze to the gentle swell of her chest. When she smiled at him, the expression was full of kindness, but the slight arch of her brows suggested she was aware of the effect her presence had on him.

“This is my older sister, Amara,” Aria said, following Kyle’s gaze. “She’s a bit busy these days, but she still finds time to visit when she can.”

“Nice to meet you,” Kyle said, offering a smile of his own.

Amara smiled back, her green eyes twinkling. “I’m sure you’re busy with your own adventures, Kyle. Thank you for helping Aria with the rats.”

“Well, it’s not exactly a dragon-slaying thing,” Kyle said, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.

Amara chuckled. “Still, you did what needed to be done. And I’m very grateful.”

Kyle then turned his attention to the other figure sitting next to Amara. At first glance, he thought she was just another sister, or perhaps a cousin, but there was something a bit off about her. She was strikingly similar to Aria, with the same golden hair, the same slender frame, and the same piercing blue eyes. Her expression, however, was different—less playful, a bit more serious. She looked at him with a sort of detached curiosity.

“Ah, and this is my younger sister, Solana,” Aria said with a grin. “I’m sure you can’t tell the difference between us.”

“Not at first glance, no,” Kyle said, laughing. “You both look so alike!”

Solana smirked, though there was a hint of pride in her gaze. “I don’t mind. Most people confuse us. Though I would say I have a bit more of a... refined air about me.”

Kyle raised an eyebrow, curious but also slightly amused. "Refined air, huh?"

Solana gave him a pointed look but didn’t respond, and it wasn’t lost on Kyle that her demeanor was a little colder compared to the rest of the family. He chalked it up to the fact that she was probably still getting used to him being around.

There was one more person to introduce—someone who had been quietly observing the group from the far side of the table. A young man, probably in his mid-twenties, with a striking resemblance to Aria. His features were nearly identical to hers, but his expression was more focused, with a sharp intelligence in his eyes.

“This,” Aria said with a smirk, “is my brother, Alistair. He may be quiet, but he’s one of the brightest minds in the kingdom.”

Kyle squinted a bit, unsure if he was supposed to feel intimidated or not. He was taller than Aria, but just as slender. His light blonde hair was swept back neatly, and he wore simple, yet refined clothing—a dark tunic paired with brown trousers. The only thing that set him apart from the others was the faint scar just above his eyebrow, a reminder of battles fought long ago.

“Nice to meet you, Alistair,” Kyle said, extending a hand.

Alistair shook it with a firm grip, his gaze thoughtful. “Likewise. Aria speaks highly of you. I assume you’ve passed the rat test?”

Kyle laughed nervously. “Yeah, something like that.”

The family continued chatting as the evening wore on. Kyle was still adjusting to the sheer opulence of it all, but there was something undeniably comforting about how easygoing and welcoming Aria’s family seemed. Queen Evelyn was attentive and kind, while Amara, despite being pregnant, was full of lively conversation, laughing easily at Kyle’s awkward jokes. Alistair mostly kept to himself, watching the conversations unfold with a quiet amusement, while Solana’s cool demeanor made it clear that she wasn’t entirely thrilled with his presence, but she still participated in the conversation.

As the dinner came to an end and they all stood to leave the table, Kyle found himself feeling like part of the family, even if just for a night.

“Well, Kyle,” Aria said with a teasing grin, “I hope you didn’t find my family too overwhelming. We can be a lot sometimes.”

Kyle smiled, feeling surprisingly at ease. “Not at all. Your mom is really nice, and your sister Amara—wow, she’s like glowing. And Alistair... is he always this serious?”

Aria laughed. “Yes, Alistair is always like that. He’s the thoughtful one. But don’t worry, he’ll warm up to you.”

“Right,” Kyle said, his nerves settling. “I can tell.”

As they walked toward the door, he looked back at the table one last time, realizing that even though he was just an outsider from another world, he felt more at home than he’d expected.