Dessert landed flawlessly.
Jax had personally ensured the sweetness balanced the spice profile of the wyvern. The final bite sealed the evening as legendary. Even seasoned nobles leaned back in disbelief.
"It pairs perfectly," someone whispered.
The King overheard the head chef murmur to an assistant:
"I truly hope His Majesty allows expanded trade. Those Solmere spices are revolutionary."
The King made a quiet mental note.
Trade.
Spice routes.
Influence.
Power.
After the plates cleared, Legos and Heiron rose in unison and approached Jax.
Friendly.
Pushy.
"Well," Legos said, clapping him on the shoulder, "now the real celebration begins."
Heiron grinned. "Time for your last night of freedom."
The Vixens tried to look composed.
They failed.
Nyxian leaned toward Zee. "Strip club?"
Bunny whispered, "Brothel."
Zee muttered, "Or both."
They weren't angry.
They were jealous.
Which was worse.
Jax stood near the King as his future brothers-in-law circled him like conspirators.
"I don't know what your sons planned," Jax said casually, "but if it's strange having your future son-in-law around on his final night of freedom, I understand."
Then he added lightly—
"You're welcome to join us, if you'd like."
The King blinked.
Join… the bachelor party?
He barely remembered his own.
He was fairly certain it did not include parental supervision.
Before he could answer—
Llandra turned to her mother.
"Mother, you are welcome to join mine as well."
The Queen's eyebrow lifted.
"Oh?"
"It will likely be mild," Llandra added diplomatically.
The Queen smiled slowly.
"I would love to attend. If you'll have an old woman such as myself."
She looked perhaps early thirties.
The King looked barely forty.
Neither resembled their actual age.
But they played the part.
---
The men departed first.
Cloaks traded for civilian attire.
Royal crests removed.
A caravan left the castle gates — simple, understated.
Behind it, another caravan followed quietly.
Five soldiers in plain clothing.
Trying very hard to look like merchants.
Failing.
Jax noticed.
Said nothing.
He invited Vaelrith to join them.
The Spy Master agreed with mild amusement.
By the time they gathered fully, the party group numbered twelve.
The five "merchants" followed at a distance.
They would not drink.
They would observe.
---
Meanwhile—
The bachelorette gathering assembled inside a private chamber within the castle.
Cylvia, Llandra's older sister, presided proudly.
Candles.
Wine.
Pixie Mead.
Soft cushions.
Elegant music.
University friends embraced Llandra.
Old laughter returned.
Glasses filled quickly.
The Queen rose first.
"Llandra, my youngest," she began solemnly, "I regret that I have never prepared you for what tomorrow may bring. With your innocent mind and untouched heart—"
The room froze.
The Vixens went pale.
Llandra nearly choked.
"I am here to answer any questions about what to expect from your husband."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Then—
"I'm kidding!" the Queen burst out laughing.
"I want details. I hear your sex life is amazing!"
The Vixens stared.
Stunned.
Nyxian blinked once.
Then smiled wickedly.
"Well, Your Majesty… would you like to start with Llandra's favorite position?"
The room exploded in want and excitement.
Wine nearly spilled.
Cylvia clutched a pillow to her face.
The Queen leaned forward eagerly.
"Go on."
And just like that—
The night changed tone.
---
Across town—
The bachelor party stopped in front of a low-roofed, musky tavern.
It smelled like sweat, woodsmoke, and poor decisions.
Axe targets lined the far wall.
Arm-wrestling tables filled the center.
Darts.
Drinking contests.
Absolutely zero dancers.
Jax blinked.
The King blinked.
Vaelrith blinked.
This was it?
Legos threw open the door dramatically.
"Welcome!"
Vaelrith leaned toward the King.
"I expected something… scandalous."
The King murmured back, "I expected something better as well."
They entered.
No one recognized them.
Shots were ordered immediately.
Heiron stopped Jax from reaching for coin.
"The tab's mine tonight."
Jax lowered his defenses.
He would enjoy this.
Hangover be damned.
Arm wrestling began.
Legos signed Jax up without consent.
The first opponent grinned confidently.
The match lasted three seconds.
Jax toyed with him.
Let him believe he had a chance.
Then gently crushed his hopes.
Not arms.
Just pride.
He never used full strength.
Never risked injury.
But he dominated effortlessly.
Cheers followed.
More shots.
Even the King joined a round of axe throwing.
He was frighteningly accurate.
Vaelrith won a dart game without smiling once.
No one in the tavern knew royalty stood among them.
It was… oddly wholesome.
---
Back at the castle—
The wine flowed faster.
Nyxian was in full storytelling mode.
Bunny interrupted frequently.
Zee attempted to remain composed.
Failed.
Cylvia listened with wide eyes.
University friends leaned closer. Dawn was close by as well.
The Queen asked pointed questions.
"If that is her favorite position, where does she finish?"
"How does he pleasure all four of you in one night? Just how equipped is he?"
"Three to Four Hours!! How is that possible?"
The Vixens dissolved into laughter.
Llandra buried her face in her hands.
"How does she finish? Usually with screams,moans, and a very soaked room," Nyxian said proudly. "As for how equipped he is."
Nyxian used her hands to stretch out her arms in a show.
The Women gasped.
"No Way!"
"That's impossible!"
The Queen looked pleased.
The room grew louder. Giggles and laughter filled the air.
Warmer.
More honest.
And very drunk.
---
Back at the tavern—
Jax laughed as Legos lost an arm-wrestling match to a dwarf twice his age.
Heiron drank steadily but remained controlled.
The King's cheeks flushed slightly.
This was not wild debauchery.
It was competition.
Ego.
Brotherhood.
Masculine ritual.
Unexpectedly… tame.
Jax leaned back with a drink in hand.
"This is not what I expected." Jax thought to himself.
Across town—
Cylvia stood on a chair.
"To Llandra's final night as a single woman!"
Glasses raised.
The Queen raised hers highest.
"Now the real entertainment begins!"
The room erupted again.
Two parties.
Two very different energies.
And neither unfolding as anyone predicted.