The conversation between the pilgrim and Lady Eunbin was brief, but Noble felt like it took an eternity.
When it was done, Beastmaster headed briskly toward them.
"She looks mad. Is she mad?" Blaze glanced at his mother, who was also frowning.
"She isn't happy," Noble stepped slightly in front of her son.
If the Queen of Clan Song wanted someone to blame for this, Noble wouldn't let the guilt lie solely on her son's shoulders.
"Master Noble, isn't it?" Lady Eunbin stopped and smiled brilliantly.
It was hard to fight the alluring power of that smile, even for another Saint, but Noble resisted. The floating woman nodded politely.
"I am. We've met once before," she reminded the princess.
"Ah, yes. I thought you looked familiar." Lady Eunbin looked at the people behind Noble. "And this must be your charming family. It is good to see you again, Ambassador."
"Lady Eunbin." Fort bowed deeply.
'Wait, they've met? When did that happen?' Noble knew better than to be jealous.
Fort attended countless official meetings every week with the representatives from Song. Just because he enjoyed doing a lot of his work at home did not mean that he wasn't well known by almost everyone in Raveheart. Fort's tone was polite and formal toward the princess.
Her charm did not seem to sway him at all.
Eunbin did not seem bothered by the fact. If anything, she seemed pleased.
Her gaze shifted once more. "These are your children?"
Fort nodded. "Rain, Brock, and Blaze."
"You must be very proud of them, especially Blaze."
The alluring Saint smiled at the children, and Brock took a step forward.
"It's nice to meet you."
Noble stopped him in his tracks. 'She's as beautiful as she is deadly,' the mother wanted to warn him, but really, she knew his teenage mind was even more susceptible to those charms.
Brock did not understand why his feet were suddenly held in place, but he wisely decided not to say more.
Blaze was too scared to feel anything else. "Am I in trouble?!" he blurted when Beastmaster's eyes met his.
The Saint of Song's smile grew. "Whatever gave you that idea? Don't tell me you want to take credit for a Monster rising from a volcano in order to consume us all. That wasn't your pet, was it?"
"No, ma'am!" Blaze shook his head.
The lady chuckled softly. "That's good, because that would have been incredibly awkward." Her smile dimmed. "I have come with good news and bad news."
"Lady Eunbin!" Mister Blim trotted toward them, hat in hand.
His collar was drenched in sweat, and he looked like he might faint. It turned out that when faced with the threat of death, the portly man was an adept sprinter. Now he came back with extra gusto, unwilling to miss his chance to speak to the seductive Saint of Clan Song. He wavered as he came to a stop, almost making Noble wonder if an aftershock had occurred.
"I am glad you have returned." Beastmaster's words made the man's heart flutter. "It will be easier if I just have to say this once."
No longer terrified to be in the Princess's presence, Blaze stepped forward to be next to his sponsor.
Lady Eunbin folded her hands in front of her. "First, we do want to congratulate you on this groundbreaking work. The Queen would like to reward you for your innovation. With this knowledge, someday in the distant future, Ravenheart will rival the stars with its light at night."
"That day will be nearer than you think!" The businessman paused as the princess held up her hand.
"It will not. That is the bad news. That monster is strong. What we saw was one small part. It could rip the entire mountainside apart. And many of the residents with it." Beastmaster paused.
"You mean it's not dead?" Rain furrowed her brow.
"A battle of that nature was not in the best interest of the citizens, so my mother contained it back in the depths instead. With her in charge, it will remain there for the time being."
"It's been there this whole time?" Fort was still trying to make sense of what had happened.
Eunbin nodded. "Where else would it be? Our presence disturbed his slumber. While my sisters and I look for a way to end the creature, everyone else will be forbidden from going too close to the edge."
"Are you saying…we can't build a power plant?"
Mister Blim stuttered, unable to accept his fate. Lady Eunbin nodded.
"We cannot let the venture for a geothermal power plant move forward at this time."
The words were like a nail in the businessman's coffin. He staggered back, gripping his chest. "B-b-but!"
"I understand. People's safety should be our primary concern." Blaze straightened his shoulders.
Noble could feel his heart breaking. His hard work had been swept into the depths of the volcano, and now a sovereign was forbidding him from continuing. But he put on a brave face, and the Princess of Song seemed to respect him for it.
"You did well today. Your reward will be coming, young Blaze."
"Thank you, ma'am. Both for coming and for the words of encouragement." Blaze bowed again before pulling at the sleeve of his sponsor.
The man bowed too. "Yes, thank you, Your Highness."
"We can talk about your next venture soon." She assured them. "Rain, Brock, Master Noble," Lady Eunbin recited their names with the due amount of warmth. "Ambassador Fort."
"As my son said, we are very thankful for your presence in today's gathering." The father repeated his gratitude.
Eunbin smiled. "You should be very proud."
"I am." Fort wrapped his arm around Blaze before winking at his other children. "I'm proud of all of them."
Beastmaster sighed, and an unreadable expression passed over her face. "Ah, to have a father's affection. Never take that for granted."
Eunbin did not wait for them to respond. With a dip of her head, she turned on her heels and returned to the waiting pilgrims. Soon, all three were riding inside a wagon pulled by a Nightmare Creature resembling a horse and heading toward the Jade Palace.
When they were out of sight, Noble immediately caught her son up in a hug. "I'm so sorry, sweetheart."
The rest of the family joined in the embrace.
"It's bad luck, boy, that's what it is!" Mister Blim finally seemed to have recovered enough to comment. "Don't worry. We aren't beaten yet!"
"I know." Blaze allowed his family's love to wash over him. "I'll be fine. It's just a bump in the road."
That bump included the loss of all his equipment and no place to continue researching, but Noble was happy to see he hadn't given up.
Fort patted the boy on the back. "We'll help you get there, son, wherever there ends up being."
"You bet we will." Brock punched his brother lovingly in the arm.
Rain nodded. "As you said, it's a bump in the road. In the meantime, we should celebrate. Who's hungry? I'm buying!"
"I'm in!" A chipper voice broke in as Teddy appeared. The woman was covered in a fair bit of ash, but that did nothing to dim the ecstatic look on her face.
"Teddy?" Fort furrowed his brow. "Where have you been? I haven't seen you since the attack."
The young woman shrugged. "What else? I made a super bug to attack the Unfriendlies' boss. It took a little longer because I had to make it heat-resistant, too. But don't worry. It should stay inside the confines of the volcano…probably."
"WHAT?!"