Sarah could see the uncertainty written all over Lucas and Elara's faces. With her usual optimism, she chirped, "Hey, look at the bright side! You guys are mates with the prince. You even shared rooms! That's got to count for something, right?"
Elara hesitated, biting her lip. "It was supposed to be a surprise visit," she confessed, looking at the floor.
Sarah's face fell momentarily, the dreams of exploring the grandeur of CrestWell Palace momentarily dashed. But ever the optimist, she bounced back almost instantly. "Look, I've never been allowed inside those majestic gates. But this, this could be our chance!" She clasped her hands, eyes gleaming with excitement. "Imagine experiencing royalty up close, the grand halls, the chandeliers, the history! It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing!"
Seeing the still-uncertain looks on their faces, she added, "Besides, I've already booked the ride. It's literally two minutes away. So, are we doing this?"
Elara glanced at Lucas, who shrugged. "Might as well," he murmured.
As they began moving towards the exit, Lucas leaned over to Elara and whispered, "Guess that 'practical' Aston Martin makes a lot more sense now." He exaggerated the word 'practical' with air quotes, making Elara stifle a giggle.
As the trio approached the grand gates of CrestWell Palace, they were stopped by a tall, imposing guard, his uniform crisp and emblem gleaming in the sun. "Purpose of your visit?" he boomed, scrutinizing the group, his eyes settling on Lucas.
Lucas, never one to miss an opportunity for a playful jab, smirked. "Here to crash a prince's birthday party. You in?"
The guard, Maldu as his name tag read, did not seem amused. "Identity and confirmation?"
Lucas pulled out his phone and showed a recent photo of him with Adrian. "Does this help? Birthday boy and me. Just a casual Tuesday afternoon."
Maldu raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "Many people have photos, doesn't mean they're invited."
The back-and-forth continued, the banter between Lucas and the guards growing more heated, with Lucas providing anecdotes of their university life, and Maldu countering each one with skepticism. Sarah, impatient with the prolonged debate, finally stepped in.
"Alright," she huffed, extracting a wad of cash from her bag. "20,000 Uuds says the prince knows us. You check with him, and if he says no, the money's yours. If he says yes, we waltz right in. No harm, no foul."
Maldu eyed the money and then his fellow guards. One of them shrugged, the other gave a slight nod. They were clearly tempted. "Fine," Maldu conceded. "We'll check with inner security."
Sarah added quickly, "And Adrian invited them today, so you won't find them on any guest list."
Maldu scoffed but relayed the message. "Ephila," the term resonated on the radio, hinting at the code for the main palace.
As the wait extended beyond half an hour, they watched other guests get waved through after mere formalities, the laughter and merriment from inside becoming more tantalizing with each passing minute. Lucas continued to engage the guards, speculating aloud about the various ways they'd spend their soon-to-be windfall.
Sarah leaned over to Elara, her voice dropping to a whisper, "You sure he's going to vouch for us?"
Elara blinked, taken aback. "I thought you were the confident one here!"
Lucas was still in a lively debate with another guard when the radio crackled to life. "Ephila confirms guests. They are the birthday boy's associates. Proceed with full protocol."
Lucas punched the air in victory, whooping. "Ha! Told you, Maldu!" He wore a grin as wide as the palace gates.
Sarah sighed in relief, while Elara just stood there, taking it all in, still struggling to wrap her head around the whirlwind of events. They were in.
The vast expanse of the palace grounds felt like stepping into another world. Verdant lawns, meticulously manicured hedges, and fountains that glittered under the soft sunlight. Yet, despite the beauty, Lucas could feel an underlying tension. The 'subtle' police presence, the sport cars adorned in national colors, and their redirected route all hinted at the different layers of security in place.
As they rounded a corner, the magnificent garden unveiled itself. In its center stood Adrian, dressed impeccably in royal attire, looking every bit the prince he was. Beside him was a young woman with strikingly similar features – his sister, Leana.
Seeing their approach, Adrian's stern expression melted into a concealed smile, and he gestured for the guards to retreat. Leana, on the other hand, looked them up and down, an amused smirk playing on her lips. "Welcome to Ephila," she announced, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she executed an exaggerated bow.
Adrian rolled his eyes at his sister's antics. "Leana, always the drama queen."
Ignoring her brother's comment, Leana continued, addressing Elara and Lucas directly. "I hate to state the obvious," she said, her gaze pointedly lingering on their casual attire, "but you do know you can't go into the party looking like... that?"
Sarah, trying to keep her composure, mumbled under her breath, "Sometimes royalty really needs a reality check." Lucas nudged her with his elbow, reminding her to keep her comments to herself, even as he struggled to contain his own surprise at the unexpected turn of events.
The ambient sounds faded as an electric silence settled among the group. Leana gracefully settled onto a seat, her eyes darting between Elara and her brother. "Elara," Adrian began, his voice steady, "this wasn't something I ever intended to bring into our university life." Leana couldn't resist butting in, "Which was clearly a mistake." Adrian's glance towards her was sharp, but he resumed without missing a beat, "I honestly never saw the need to reveal this part of my life."
Elara's voice was tinged with disbelief, "So, you never planned on telling us?"
A shrug. "I didn't envision a situation where I'd need to."
From the side, Lucas shifted uncomfortably, feeling out of place in this personal exchange. Sarah leaned closer, her voice a conspiratorial whisper, "At least we're both in the third-wheel club now."
Determined to alleviate some tension, Sarah tried introducing herself and Lucas again, "You remember Lucas, right?" Adrian's eyebrow quirked humorously, "Your bodyguard?" Sarah's jaw dropped slightly, both amused and taken aback. Lucas, seizing the opportunity, quipped, "Yeah, 'Mr. Visible' now turns comedian." Adrian, always quick on the draw, playfully punched Lucas, a smirk playing on his lips.
But before the laughter could settle, Leana, with a purposeful tug, drew Adrian's attention to the entrance. There, framed by the grandeur of the doorway, stood the heir apparent, Maksim II. The sight seemed to drain the color from Sarah's face, while Elara simply stared, flabbergasted.
In the native tongue of Coslevia, Maksim's command rang out, urging Adrian to prepare his friends for the imminent toast. Sarah, despite her shock, managed to voice the thought on everyone's mind, "So, we're not in trouble?"
Adrian's smirk returned, his response enigmatic, "Let's just say we have our own understanding." The moment was broken by Leana's dramatic proclamation, "Well, 'friends', let the transformation begin!" As the girls started to follow her, Adrian reached out, halting Lucas, "Not you, mate. Men's wardrobes this way." With that, they all delved deeper into the palace.
Navigating through the sprawling corridors of the palace, they were surrounded by opulent tapestries. These woven tales celebrated the bravery and romance that colored Coslevia's past. Despite the grandeur, Lucas felt like an imposter. Yet, with Adrian nearby, a comforting sense of camaraderie persisted amidst the overwhelming luxury.
Leana ushered Sarah and Elara into a lavish chamber that was a fashion enthusiast's dream. Rows upon rows of elegant gowns, shimmering shoes, and intricate accessories met their eyes. The sheer volume of choices was astonishing, with dresses sparkling in every conceivable hue. Leana's excitement was palpable as she announced, "Let the fashion fiesta begin!"
Lucas, meanwhile, accompanied Adrian through a different corridor. The gravity of his surroundings prompting him to quip, "A little warning would've been nice, you know."
Adrian shot him a mischievous grin, "Predictability is boring."
Their path ended in a regal dressing room, a sanctuary of refined masculinity. Racks showcased an array of suits, tuxedos, and Coslevian ceremonial garments. With a discerning eye, Adrian selected a sharp black tuxedo for Lucas and a ceremonial blue ensemble for himself. Handing over the tux, he teased, "Try this. Just...don't overshadow the guest of honor."
With a smirk, Lucas retorted, "I'll do my best."
As they dressed, the magnitude of their surroundings dawned on them. They were deep within the sanctum of Ephila, poised to partake in a double royal birthday gala. What began as a light-hearted visit had morphed into an unparalleled evening of pomp and pageantry. The anticipation was electric; the night held promises of enchantment.