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"The connection of our hearts…" : Speech (Bold for yelling ,Bijuu, or massive creatures)
'The connection of our hearts…' : Thought
The Kingdom of Stefan, England…
Naruto and his group had no trouble entering the as of yet unnamed kingdom (they asked around and were informed that their ruling monarch was named King Stefan so that's what the group was calling this place now…) since everyone seemed to be in a festive mood. The general setting was nostalgic for Snow, Grimhilde and Naruto since the level of civilization they found themselves surrounded by were nigh on identical to their first home. As such, they took upon themselves to ease the others (namely Alice and Audrey, who came from a more advanced time period) into the relatively primitive world they were in.
"Man, it feels good to finally return to your roots huh? I wonder how much time has passed since we left since it doesn't look like things has changed too much around here…" Naruto said as he looked away from the rest of the group (who were busy gawking over the medieval décor and architecture of the town – there seemed to be a celebration going on so the town was looking its best) to address Snow and Grimhilde, who were smiling in amusement at their compatriots' excitement.
"I don't know how long it's been since we've left actually. I don't think my kingdom even exists anymore but that could just be because we are in a different place now…" Snow said, scratching her head in confusion. She could clearly feel that this was their world but couldn't explain how her kingdom disappeared so quickly – she knew that Ella and Madonna also hailed from this world but they lived outside the Enchanted Forest so they had a completely different culture and lifestyle (it was embarrassing to admit but her kingdom was an isolated one, relying on magic to get by even if the peasant populace was unaware of this fact).
"Well, based on my studies of human civilization in the world of Alice and Audrey, I believe this is an equivalent to 14th century England – we were an English dominion at the time as well, if my memory hasn't failed me…As far as how long it's been since our first departure from this world, it's been around two to three hundred years since then. This is probably the perks of having a demon's magic core – Hell doesn't really have a defined state but it does have a death grip on the concept of time. Tempting souls is a serious business after all!" Grimhilde said as her eyes flashed a sinister purple for a second.
"Well that isn't too bad. It does explain a lot actually!" Naruto said as he patted Grimhilde's back appreciatively, grinning as a faint blush crawled up her normally composed visage while Snow then hid a giggle behind her hands (her step mom could act as cool as she liked but she was weak to flattery, especially from their beloved…).
"O-of course. It was no trouble – I just wanted to help is all…" Grimhilde huffed, looking away for any possible distractions.
Thankfully, fate was kind to her – she noticed that the rest of their group was talking with a group of townswomen who were positively clucking in excitement as they shared the latest gossip. Curious to hear what got the women in such a tizzy, Naruto and the ladies walked over to them, Tink turning and waving over (she had resized prior to entering the town) to them when she heard them approach.
"Hey Naruto, girls! Guess what – there's a kingdom wide party today and everyone's invited! Isn't that great?!" She said, darting over to jump on Naruto's back before nuzzling her face into the crook of his neck as the townswomen blushed at the strikingly handsome man and the audacity of Tink to clamber on his back (they were particularly jealous of the fact that Tink got to caress Naruto's pectorals – they hadn't seen such a fine male specimen before!).
"While that is true, there's a little more to it than that – it appears that the local king and queen just had a daughter and all subjects have been invited to the christening ceremony." Madonna said, brushing a hand over Naruto's arm as Ella nodded excitedly.
"Yes – it also looks like the fairies we're looking for will also be in attendance so it's in our best interests to attend!" Ella said watching as Naruto turned to look at the townswomen curiously before smiling charmingly at them, wanting to get more details on the ceremony. The poor women blushed prettily at Naruto's vulpine grin ( the younger ladies of the group could sympathize – Wendy and Tiger still had trouble calming their hearts when they saw it…).
"Terribly sorry to bother you ladies – my group and I are travelers originally hailing from this area but we haven't been here in many years. Could I trouble you to give us more details about the ceremony and who we can expect to attend it?" He said as the women tittered in delight (they lived to gossip and if their audience included a devilishly handsome fellow then they were all too happy to start chattering).
What followed was around half an hour of talking – most of it inane but with some useful information that could be gleaned if you read between the lines. Long story short, King Stefan and Queen Leah just had a daughter that they named Aurora. Given her royal heritage, the King had invited all subjects of his kingdom to attend her christening, which involved the baby getting blessings (from magical beings) and gifts (from the more mundane folks). While the mundane people were of little consequence, the magical attendees were of particular interest.
King Stefan's court had magic supplied to it via the three fairies who served as Naruto's mothers during his formative years. Flora, Fauna and Merryweather were to bless the child during the ceremony so Naruto and his group could meet them and 'compare notes' so to speak. Naruto was looking forward to reuniting with his moms, even if they basically abandoned him when he was around six years old(they meant well…at least they thought that…).
"Well, looks like my mothers have really moved up in the world…let's go and give them a visit!" Naruto said, thanking the women before trying to rush over to the castle. Before he could do so though, Grimhilde and Ella pulled him back as the rest of the girls laughed at his confused look.
"Hold your horses there darling. I know you miss your mothers but you can't expect to walk in the castle dressed the way you are!" Grimhilde said as Naruto looked at his outfit (he was still in a fairy ensemble so he looked like he was wearing greenery – now he understood why the women in town were blushing like crazy when they saw him).
"Errr…right. I guess a generous use of magic would be needed huh?" He said as Ella laughed a little before walking over to him, pulling out her wand before waving it over their group, their clothes glowing a bright blue for a few seconds before the light dissipated, leaving them wearing courtly raiment.
"Oh! This is grand – look at this dress! It's beautiful!" Wendy said as she twirled in place while Tiger grumbled about the clothes being extremely restrictive.
"Well darling, royalty is easily impressed with appearances alone – it wouldn't hurt to look our best to meet the people we want to!" Alice said as Audrey nodded.
"Alice is right. We must observe appropriate conduct to get this done as smoothly as possible." Audrey said as Naruto bowed his head before heaving a deep sigh.
"Right…I really didn't miss this part of human life in this world…" Naruto said as he pulled at his shirt collar in annoyance while Tiger and Tink empathized a little with him (they were also used to lighter clothing as well).
Now that they had their affairs in order, they were ready to enter the castle. It wasn't anything to write home about – the streets were filled with people rushing to the castle so it was child's play to follow people to the place.
One hour later, King Stefan's Court, the Christening Ceremony…
Naruto and his group had found themselves looking around the court chambers fruitlessly trying to locate the three fairies for around half an hour before Naruto decided to relax and told the group to simply have fun. His reasoning for this was that he forgot one crucial character trait of his fairy mothers – they didn't like to be seen by the average person, often taking the forms of tiny balls of light. While Tink and he could find them if they were intent about it, he felt it would be better to let Tink have her fun since he could just do that stuff instead.
In his exploration of the chamber, he found himself in a position to listen in on King Stefan talking with another man as his wife cooed over her infant daughter.
"Hubert my good man! Isn't my daughter simply the most beautiful thing that has ever graced this world? I dare say she's taken the best features between her mother and I – she will be a vision to behold once she comes of age!" Stefan said, stroking his beard and moustache in delight as his friend (another king by the way) laughed jovially at his words.
"Hoho! Sure my friend – she will be a pretty little thing when she grows up indeed! She's even taken your wife's famous chin and somehow made it more comely! However, she can't compare to my Philip! Even as an infant, you can easily tell that he will grow up into a phenomenal young man! Only the best ladies could even hope to court him!" Hubert said, chortling at his brother in arms doting attitude towards his daughter while holding his rotund belly as it jiggled about.
Of course, King Stefan didn't take the unspoken implication lying down. While it could just be gentle ribbing from a friend, he had his 'duty' as a father to defend his daughter's 'honor'.
"Hey! Are you saying that my Aurora wouldn't be good enough for your Philip?! That whelp would be blessed to even catch my little pearl's eye!" He said, his own eyes twitching in annoyance as his friend simply smirked at his temperamental friend.
"Now,now Stefan. Calm down – I said nothing about Aurora specifically. However, you do bring up a good point about our children- I propose we set up a marriage contract between them. It would be a great way to link our kingdoms together!" Hubert said as Stefan harrumphed in annoyance.
"You and your sly ways are always an annoyance to deal with but I can't deny the truth of what you say. Very well then – it shall be official. Once our children come of age, they shall be wed!" Stefan said as he turned to his wife, Leah with a more dignified countenance (she rolled her eyes good naturedly at her husband's predictable antics though) as she smiled courteously at the two kings.
As this was going on though, Naruto was leaning on a pillar close by, out of sight as he eavesdropped on the conversation.
"Well, it certainly doesn't seem as though royal politics has changed all that much since I left…still as shifty as ever…" Naruto grumbled as he straightened his back and made to return to his fair companions.
Just as he was about to leave though, a familiar voice stopped him in his tracks.
"Well well well – this is a surprise! It seems you're still the mischievous little scamp we rescued from the forest so long ago! I must confess, while my sisters and I didn't believe you were an ordinary human, I don't expect you'd be immortal as well!" Flora said as she and her sisters materialized behind Naruto, who jumped in surprise.
Turning around, he was treated to the sight of Flora (a fairy in red clothes), Fauna (a fairy in green) and Merryweather (a short fairy in blue). The three elderly fairies then rushed over to Naruto to give him a warm hug, which he happily returned.
"Hey! I wasn't eavesdropping! It's not my fault the king invited literally everyone in the kingdom and then decided to talk about such sensitive matters out in the open!" Naruto said as Fauna smiled fondly at her adoptive son before tousling his hair.
"While that may be true, the true test of morals is to refrain from indulging in temptation, even if the situation is ripe for the taking." She said as he looked over to Merryweather pleadingly.
The fairy in question scoffed a little before turning to Flora, who was nodding proudly at Fauna.
"While I am not convinced that being a goody two shoes to the point of blind folly and unawareness is warranted, you could at least make an effort to be subtle about it! You were a menace as a child so use those skills productively!" She said, pinching Naruto's cheek playfully as Fauna sighed at their dynamic while Flora tsked at Naruto's exaggerated yelping.
"Well now that we've reunited, I must ask – how are you here Naruto? This is far from the Enchanted Forest and the kingdom that was once there has long returned to the dust – I can also sense that you've somehow gained the ability to use magic!" Flora said as Naruto sighed before looking in the direction of the castle doors.
"It's a long story – one that I fear must be told behind closed doors. I came here with some people I hold dear and the journey I went through with them has changed all of us irrevocably…" Naruto said, his face taking on a serious look as his time as Grimhilde's apprentice seemed to click in his mind, the words flowing out of his mouth automatically.
"Splendid! The uncouth little rascal we feared would amount to nothing actually can use flowery speech now! The more you know…did I also hear that you came here with some friends? Is there someone you'd like to introduce to your mothers son?" Merryweather said sarcastically as Fauna tittered in delight while Flora simply smiled at her adoptive son proudly.
"Hey! Don't pick on me – besides, it's more like some people and not just some one…" Naruto mumbled as the fairies' eyes bulged in surprise.
Before they could question him some more though, King Stefan suddenly walked over to them, having noticed the three fairies.
"Ladies, welcome to my child's christening. If you wouldn't mind, please make your way to the central dais to bestow your blessings on my daughter. And you, young man! While you cut quite the figure in your courtly raiment, I do not believe I have ever seen you before – who are you and why are you so familiar with my court magicians?" Stefan said as he shook Naruto's hand, inwardly pleased with his strong grip.
"Well your Majesty, I am the adoptive son of your court magicians – the name's Naruto and I came here to pay them a visit. Nice place you've got here!" Naruto said as the king smiled at the flattery before he pulled him closer as the two of them walked closer to the central dais together.
"Amazing – are you a fairy as well? You are possessed of an otherworldly charm after all – the ladies in the court have been eyeing you discreetly for an hour!" The King said as they stood in front of Aurora's cradle.
"In a manner of speaking, yes…my situation is a little more complicated than that…" Naruto said as he looked into the crowd, trying to spot his friends.
Meanwhile with Tink and the ladies…
"So he tells me to go have fun and not cause too much of a scene but he goes and gets all cosy with the king of all people?!" Tink said exasperatedly as the other women and girl simply smiled at her bluster.
"Oh you should be used to this by now – Naruto attracts attention wherever he goes you know...Besides – it is never a dull time with him around!" Snow said as Grimhilde huffed in agreement while the other girls simply sighed in equal parts frustration and excitement (nothing was ever simple with their beloved but it was that element of unpredictability that made their lives so great).
"Quiet everyone – it appears as though the King is about to start the ceremony!" Audrey said as she gestured to the raised podium on the central dais.
Back with Naruto…
The ceremony was a quick one (after Stefan introduced Naruto to Leah, his wife) – with Flora blessing Aurora with beauty (not that she needed it), Fauna with the gift of song (Naruto rolled his eyes at that one).
Just as Merryweather was about to bestow her blessing, the loud sound of the court doors bursting open interrupted the proceedings.
"What's this? A christening ceremony and I wasn't invited? Even when all the subjects of the kingdom were? This simply cannot stand!" A powerful voice echoed out in the room as a tall, imposing woman walked into the room.
She was a harsh beauty, her gray skin contrasting sharply with her face (which resembled Leah to a startling degree) as her clothes (which were flowing black robes and a horned helm) swished around her while her shoes clicked on the marble floors.
"Maleficient! You aren't welcome here! Your reputation has preceded you!" The fairy sisters said as Maleficient stood in front of them, scoffing as they shrank away from them.
"Back away fools! You believe yourselves free from me just by not inviting me? Well, then how about this – I curse this little girl to death on her sixteenth birthday with but a prick on her finger!" She shouted as her magic burst out of her for a brief instant (the sheer potency of which dwarfed Grimhilde's power – she was the mistress of evil after all…).
"S-seize her! Don't let her escape!" Stefan said as Naruto rushed over to the fairies to try and get them to their feet, his hands sparking with pixie dust for a few seconds as Maleficient's eyes flicked over to him with some interest before laughing at the soldiers attempting to surround her.
"Futile! Your petty footmen can't hope to hold me. I bid you peons adieu!" She said, blasting the men away with a brief show of magic force before floating in the air and slowly disappearing in a cloud of smoke.
"Oh, and by the way…it's nice to see you again nephew. Your power is certainly nothing to laugh at!" She said, a loud cackle resounding in the room as everyone was left shocked at how such an idyllic setting suddenly turned so dismal.
And that was chapter 38! We've entered the Sleeping Beauty arc (Man, has it been really 38 chapters since I started? Time flies huh?)!
If you'd like to support me you can find me on Patreon on the 'search for creators' bar under DudeWithaMac (I only get free time on Sundays since money's extremely tight-details on Panacea chapter 14). Alternatively, you guys can follow this link:p#at#re#on.#com/DudeWithaMac (remove the hash tags). Reviews and comments are always welcome!