Reincarnated to switch places with a princess (PART 1)

Chapter 18

(Lukas POV)

Kevin, Maximilian and Claude returned. 

Turns out, Julius had wanted them to get close with some of the guards and the king wanted to learn more about Snowdania's swordsmanship techniques. Of course, they got suspicious when they came across Lidel.

"Your highness, who is this?" asked Kevin as he furrowed his eyebrows

Hearing that, I couldn't help but sweat nervously. 

If Kevin finds out I'm dead!

Thankfully, Lidel managed to come out with good alibi, " My name is Lidel. I've been assigned to take care of the princess as well as working as a translator for everyone." he said as he extended his arm, shaking hands.

Maximilian and Claude took the bait but I wasn't so sure about Kevin, even fact he looked even more suspicious.

Gulp, " So how about we go and explore?" I suggested , even though this was probably my umpteenth time that I was doing.

And so, we walked around, looking at all the exotic plants and occasionally conversing with some of the palace occupants with Lidel acting his part extremely well. We were about to return to my apartment when a loud and excited shout could be heard from across the yard,

"YOUR HIGHNESS, EIRA!"

I froze before turning to face the source of said voice. Just as I suspected, it was Reius. Excitedly, he runs towards us, an entourage of attendants following right behind.

Get some courage, Lukas! You can do it ! After all, the story isn't following the script anymore so you can interact as much as you want.....right?

I internally sweat dropped. Even with a deity by my side, I'm still unlucky.

"Your highness, it must be fate that we are  to meet here." said Reius as he bowed formally to us.

If only this poor boy knew.....

 " Well I'm not sure if it is fate but it is certainly a surprise to meet you here, prince reius." 

He smiles before requesting, " Well then, I hope you will accept this person's request to have tea with me. I recently  received some treats from the colonies and hope to share it with everyone."

I accepted the request with a smile, after all it'll be a waste to throw food away.

We then walked over to a palace that was painted blue and white, ivory decorated the roof and murals. The servants escorted us to a room that was decorated very detailedly with different patterns made of expensive stone painted over the limestone. 

Sitting upon the cushioned stool, I looked at the tray of food on the Moroccan style, mosaic style table.

My eyes practically sparkled.

Aside from the iconic treats of this country there were arrays of dishes that were unfamiliar to me.

"Delicious, right?!" asked Reius as he placed of what kinda looked like an ice cream sandwich on his plate.

"What's that?" I asked

At this, Lidle offered to explain, " That is Bastani. A type of dessert that originates from the old empire, you can sweeten it with honey and chilled in snow. It's basically like ice cream."

Taking a piece, I took a bite.

"Delicious! Here, you guys try some too!" Taking the plate, I gave some  to the others. 

Claude eyes brightened, " This is really delicious, your highness!" 

"Can we bring some home!" asked Maximilian excitedly as he looked at the abstain hungrily.

"No but we can try making some. Prince Reius, would it be alright to share the recipe with us?" asked Kevin

Reius agreed and one of the servants escorted Kevin to the side.

We enjoyed the time like this for a while, suddenly Reius stood up and shouted excitedly, " BROTHER MAZARU!"

I turned, standing was Alexander and Alfred accompanied by a man with long black hair with a tinge of purple, he wore a lot of gold over his patterned clothes. The man smiled before walking over to us.

Strangely, I noticed that Alexander was sweating profusely as if in a work out and looked a little bruised.

"Brother Mazaru, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to look over the nile campaign with father?" asked Reius as we bowed towards the man.

Mazaru smirked before ruffling Reius's hair.

"Yes and we have already drew  up  plans to expand it." 

I turned to look at Alexander, " Prince Alexander, so glad you could join us today."

"Well, I was just having a practice session with prince Iman when I encountered prince Mazaru. Indeed, it is a surprise to meet you here so coincidentally."

"IMAN!" exclaimed Reius, " What was it like!" he then took Alexander by the hand to the table before questioning him endlessly. I couldn't help but hold back a chuckle, the face Alexander was making, told me that he was a little too overwhelmed.

A light punch to Reius's head stopped him though, " Enough. Is that the way you act around a privileged guest?" scolded Mazaru.

Reius apologised to us before we resumed to eating and eventually we went back to our apartments.

(TIme skip: Night)

Lidel opened the doors of the apartment, sweeping a glance at the sleeping Lukas before sneaking away.

Finally, reaching a secluded part of the roof, he snapped his fingers. A dark shadow immediately appeared, its form taking the shape of a giant bird, blue fire surrounding it as chains wrapped against its monstrous body.

Gripping onto the chain, he commanded the bird to leave for his designated location and it did so, in a large gust of blue fire it disappeared only to appear once again in the middle of a desert.

The hot and dry sand was cooling against Lidel's boots as he extinguished the bird away as he faced the looming shadow of a large building. A temple most likely.

Tipping his hat, he mumbled, " To think he would isolate himself here."

Entering the temple was easy, the powers of a 'god' was by far more powerful than that of a simple human. Searching around, he finally found what he came for when he sensed a powerful force behind a pair of close doors.

Drawings of different symbols decorated the walls of the hallway as floating orbs of fire illuminated the walls. It made the room even more mysterious though.

Raising a arm, he placed a hand against the door before tendrils of bright light started surrounding it, circles of glyphs and chains were encompassing lidel's body as if it were a shield till finally the doors opened.

"So you're here."