AnnouPlease read the chapter ~Here~Chapter 41 - Tag! You're it!

  DUDE, while I'm being squeezed into human juice like the world's saddest stress ball, you're just standing there having a spiritual moment with your leaf water? I bet if the apocalypse started right now, you'd just tsk and mutter "terrible timing, my oolong is at the perfect temperature" while your wives facepalm so hard they need aspirin! At this rate, I'm starting to think you emerged from the womb with a teacup in one hand and a pinky raised.

  "I'm-I'm-I'm being strao death," I decred, my voice a trembling whisper as I felt the life being squeezed out of me. Each breath became a desperate struggle, my lungs g out for mer this ued assault. Isabel, seated right o me, erupted into a with a sudden, fierergy. *HYAH* In a blur of movement that seemed more like a protective warrior's dahan a simple intervention, she unched herself between me and my apparent assaint. Her arms ed around my shoulder protectively, her head toug my tht, creating a human shield of sisterly defianbsp;"She's not a teddy, Ms. Furia," Isabel procimed, her voice a mixture of panid determination. The room seemed to freeze, suspended in this bizarre moment of familial drama and ued physical edy. I was shocked, but did my best to remain calm, and as I looked at Isabel from my angle, she for once, did look like a lil aryna save a dead mogbird. You know, if angels wore Pokemon pajamas and used a spatu as a makeshift defibriltor while yelling "LIVE, DAMMIT, LIVE!" at a very obviously ex-bird. Between aggressive spatu pressions, she even tried mouth-to-beak resuscitation, which is definitely not in any first aid manual I've ever seen. Nibsp;Oh, not to mention how everyone's jaws were still dropped besides our teacup daddy, who was somehow managing to sip his Earl Grey with his pinky raised like this was just auesday afternoon tea party. There he sat on his long sofa with the mother of this angel, both of them ag like their daughter wasn't currently trying to resurrect a bird with kit utensils and the Pokemon theme song as a battle cry. "I'm aware she's not a teddy though," Lily replied, her voice tinged with fusion at being so abruptly pushed away. I could almost see the gears turning in her head, trying to make sense of this bizarre family reunion. In a moment of desperation, I turned my face to the King, pouting like a child seeking intervention from a parent. His response? A casual gn my dire as he took another leisurely sip of his tea. "Sit Lily, no need freetings," he said, his voice as nont as if he were discussing the weather. "Oh, yes, Your Majesty," Lily replied, the realization of the formal setting finally dawning on her. She moved swiftly to the opposite two-person sofa, right in front of Isabel and me, as if trying to erase her earlier exuberanbsp;Isabel and I finally settled into our seats properly, all too aware of the judging gnces being thrown our way by the eerily quiet Lilith and her sons from across the room. I felt like a spe under a microscope, every twitd movement scrutinized. "Thank you," I softly mumbled to Isabel, my gratitude genuie the awkwardness. Her eyes widened in surprise, popping out like a cartoon character's. I couldn't help but sigh and turn my head away slightly, w if I'd ever master the art of royal etiquette. An unfortable silenveloped the room, broken only by the King's occasional sips of tea. I couldn't help but notice the absence of any servants, leaving the uests to stare longingly at the teapot, their throats likely as parched as mi in this desert of social disfort. How zy, I thought, the words eg in my mind as I watched this bizarre se unfold. Suddenly, the King reached for the teapot, every eye in the room magized to his movement as if he were about to perform some grand, royal gesture. And then... *POUR* He poured himself more tea. Just himself. No one else. OO DADDY! SO PROUD OF YOU. YOU ARE NOT LAZY LIKE ALL THE OTHERS. SO PROUD!!!!!!!! YOU ACTUALLY POURED YOURSELF ANOTHER CUP OF TEA. WOW. THIS IS REVOLUTIROUNDBREAKING! SOMEONE CALL GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS! A MAN LIFTED HIS OWN ARM AND TILTED A TEAPOT SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT! SUCH BRAVERY! SUCH STRENGTH! WHILE EVERYONE ELSE IS OUT THERE RUNNING MARATHONS AND CLIMBING MOUNTAINS, YOU, SIR, ARE THE TRUE HERO - MANAGING TO TRANSFER HOT LEAF JUICE FROM ONE TAIO ANOTHER WITHOUT TAKING A NAP HALFWAY THROUGH! SHALL WE START A PARADE? ERECT A STATUE? "HERE STANDS DADDY, CHAMPION OF MINIMAL EFFORT, QUEROR OF THE TEAPOT, DESTROYER OF AFTERNOOHARGY!" WOW. Everyone else's faces were locked in a "How could you?" expression, looking at him like he'd just announced he was selling their kidneys on eBay. The betrayal was fresh of sight - their desigea-pourer had gue, breaking the sacred ant of learned helplessness. Somewhere, a tiny violin pyed for their shattered world order. I couldn't help it. The absurdity of the situation bubbled up inside me like a shaken bottle of champagne, and before I k, a ugh escaped my lips. I quickly covered my mouth, but it was too te. In that instant, I became the ter of attention, every eye in the room swiveling towards me as if I'd just announced I was secretly a dragon in disguise. Feeling the weight of their stares, I scrambled for words, my mind rag faster than a spooked horse. "OH, umh..." I began, my voice a mixture of amusement and terror, "how honourable it would've been if father could pour everyoea, perhaps?" The words tumbled out, apanied by a smile that felt more like a grimad sweat that seemed to pour from every pore. I was certain I looked less like a royal and more like a nervous wre fancy clothes. The King's response was as dry as the Sahara. "Why would I do that?" he interjected, his face a masterpiece of cluelessness as he took another sip of his precious tea. I could almost hear the gears in his head grinding to a halt at the very notion of serving others. I blinked, momentarily stunned by his respohen, before I could stop myself, the words flew out of my mouth like arrows. "Oh, no reason at all. I just assumed someoh tw hands might feel ined to use them—but clearly, I aimed too high." The room erupted into ughter, faces lighting up like fireworks on a festival night. I felt a mixture of pride and terror at my own audacity. But the King, oh the King, he wasn't done. He took another leisurely sip of his tea, his eyes glinting with mischief I'd never seen before. "Oh, five me," he drawled, sarcasm dripping from every word, "I didn't realize servitude art of my job description. Shall I shine your shoes , or would that be too demeaning for my delicate hands?" The ughter in the room cresdoed, the princes in particur howling with mirth as if they'd never heard anything funnier in their lives. I felt a surge of...was it pride? Amusement? Sheer panic? Whatever it was, it propelled me forward. I fshed a grin, feeling suddenly emboldened. "Oh, of course not, Father. I doubt you'd know whid of the shoe to shine anyway." "Haha, very funny," the King excimed, taki another sip of his seemingly bottomless tea while everyone else in the room ughed as if their lives depended on it. I half expected the delier to e crashing down from the sheer force of their guffaws. Just as I was beginning to wonder if we'd spend the rest of eternity trading barbs over tea, the King finally set down his cup. "Okay, that's enough," he decred, standing up with an air of finality. "If everyone here is done ughing, the's head to the hunting grounds." With that, he strode towards the door, and we all followed like dugs after their mother. As we ehe Vinar Pace grounds, I was struck by the sight of a rge group of knights standing in a er, apanied by Helia Pace maids holding enormous baskets and other mysterious objects. The King turned around, and there was a blue crystal ball in his hand. Before we could even process what was happening, the crystal exploded into life, shooting out blue thunder rays that seemed to dand crackle with raw energy. The grouh our feet began to glow, a massive blue magic circle f and expanding rapidly. It stretched across the entire grounds, enveloping not just us, but the knights and maids as well. I felt a tingliion spread from my toes to the top of my head, and suddenly, the world around us began to blur and shift. In a fsh of blinding blue light, we were whisked away, the familiar pace grounds disappearing in an instant. As the light faded and my vision cleared, I found myself standing in a pletely different world. The Sn's Chase, I realized with a mix of awe and trepidation. We had been teleported to the legendary hunting grounds, and I had a feeling that this day was about to get a whole lot more iing.The Sn's Chase led at the crossroads of a kingdoms, The Sn's Chase is an expansive imperial hunting ground that pulses with both beauty and danger. Spanning thousands of acres, this mythical terrain is a tapestry ed mountains, dense forests, and shimmering rivers, all shrouded in an enting mist that lends an air of mystery. Here, the ndscape itself seems alive, eg with the whispers of past hunts and the footsteps of noble bloodlines who have e to prove their mettle in the wild. Within this sacred realm, the rules of e are steeped in tradition and honor. Only those bearing the imperial seal may enter, and they must adhere to a strict code that emphasizes respect for nature and the creatures that inhabit it. The game is as extraordinary as the huhemselves—shadow-antlered stags that vanish into the fog, goldehered pheasants that challenge even the sharpest eye, and elusive mountain wraiths that seem to dance just beyond reach. Each hunt is not merely a test of skill but a rite of passage, where nobility showcases their prowess in a world where honor is paramount. The Sn's Chase is more than just a hunting ground; it is a liviament to the imperial legacy. Each pursuit bees a story woven into the fabric of history, where victories are celebrated as are learned from. As dawn breaks over the horizon, casting golden light upon the ndscape, hunters prepare to embark on their quests, knowing that within these woods lie not just prey but the very essence of their lineage—a ce to ect with their aors and leave their mark on the annals of time.-The Sn's Chase- "Here we are," excimed the King, his voice resonating with pride as he gestured grandly toward the breathtaking expanse before them. The moment they stepped forward, breath caught ihroats. The Sn's Chase unfolded like a living tapestry, vibrant and alive uhe golden rays of the sun. Rolling hills carpeted in lush greenery stretched as far as the eye could see, dotted with wildflowers that danced in the gentle breeze. T trees framed the horizon, their leaves shimmering like emeralds in the light, while a crystal-clear river wound its way through the ndscape, refleg the azure sky. "WOAHHH! It's so beautiful!" excimed the three princes in unison, their voices ringing out in a chorus of awe. Eyes sparkling with wohey took in the se, momentarily fetting their royal posure in favor of childlike enthusiasm. Laughter bubbled up among them, iious and full of joy. The air was filled with the sweet st of blooming flowers and the earthy aroma of fresh grass. Birds flitted overhead, their songs creating a harmonious backdrop that seemed to celebrate their arrival. In that moment, a sense of magiveloped them—a promise of adventure and discovery that y just beyond the horizon. Excitemeched itself onto every face present. Even the King, usually so posed and regal, wore a rare smile that hi fond memories of his own youthful escapades in this very pce. The Sn's Chase was not just a hunting ground; it was a realm steeped in history and tradition, where legends were born and stories woven into the fabric of time."Why is there an absence of others?" inquired Eamon, expressing curiosity regarding the whereabouts of the remaining nobility. "We have arrived a few hours prior to the anticipated time, with the iion of enjoying a private familial gathering," respohe King, his gaze surveying the surroundings with satisfa. I stood at the back of our royal procession, taking in the breathtaking sery of the Sn's Chase. The maid's voice cut through my reverie, "Your Majesties, this lease." She turned, gesturing towards a piic setup that looked fit for, well, royalty. But the thought of sitting down now, in this paradise of nature, felt almost criminal. roup was arranged like a living chess set. Lily led the front, with Lilith and Daleyza a few paces behind oher side. Fenris stood behind Idris, both of them trailing Lilith, while Eamon ositioned behind Isabel, the pair following Daleyza at a siderable distance. And there, at the epiter of this royal steltion, stood the King himself. I hesitated, my voice barely above a whisper as I began, "I must apologize, but..." I paused, gathering ce. "I am not ined to be seated at this juncture. Therefore, if everyone could kindly—" Without finishing my sentence, I sprinted forward, my feet carrying me swiftly through the formation until I reached the King. My hand darted out, tuggily at the cloth on his arm. "Tag! You're it, Daddy!" I excimed, my voice a mixture of excitement and trepidation. For a split sed, I saw bewilderment fsh across his usually stoic faot waiting for his rea to fully form, I spun on my heel and dashed away. As I approached Fenris, an impish idea struck me. My hand shot out once more, this time tapping his shoulder. "Tag! You're it too!" I shouted. Eamon's voice rang out in fusion aement. "2 catchers?" he yelled, already putting distaween himself and Fenris, who had just been tagged by me. The serene piic se exploded into chaos. The King, to everyone's shock, began chasing after me with a speed I didn't know he possessed. Fenris, not to be outdone, darted after Eamon, his long legs eating up the distaween them. He was hot on Eamon's heels as he took off in the opposite dire. Laughter erupted around us as the rest of the royal family caught on to the game. “Hey! No fair!” Eamon shouted over his shoulder as he sprinted away from Fenris. Isabel ughed and grabbed Idris’s hand. “e on! We have to help Eamon!” she called out as they both joihe fray.To be tinued...