"So you really were blessed by something that gave you these powers, Eric?" My father asked, very interested.
"Yes, Dad, since the shipwreck I've felt a new power inside me, a power that hasn't fully awakened yet, but something that I'm sure will be our trump card!" I said confidently.
Hearing my confidence, my father, who had been frowning since the beginning of the monster attacks on our kingdom, finally showed a happy smile on his face.
A relaxed, carefree smile, as if a huge weight had been lifted off his back.
"That's great... that's great, Eric." My father smiled as he put a hand on my shoulder and showed his happiness in his own way.
My mother by our side just watched quietly, she was speechless from my show of strength.
"My son has such magical power... it's like you've become a Fairy!" My mother finally spoke excitedly, coming out of her stupor and looking me up and down to make sure I was still her Eric, or if wings had grown on my back.
"Or a Wizard, like Merlin." My father corrected with a humorous tone, making my mother blush a little as she realized that the example she had used was even a little inappropriate.
Seeing how happy they were now that safety was guaranteed, another idea came to mind.
With such a vast world full of so many stories and adventures, I would want to explore various countries to find out what other stories I could take part in, what enemies I could face, maybe even what monsters I could tame, but leaving Miralune and leaving my parents unprotected in the kingdom was something that worried me.
If I'm not mistaken, MEG had an option for assimilating cards into other people, right?
Deciding to clear this up, I asked directly. 'MEG, instead of assimilating cards into me, can I assimilate cards into other people?'
[Yes, this option is possible, but only with the consent of the other people, no cards with disadvantages can be used on other people except under special conditions].
That surprised me.
At some point I would start to receive powers that would make no sense for me to waste time learning, or items that would add nothing for me, but which for others would be like treasures.
Sure, my main focus would be on developing my own strength first, since I wasn't at all keen on dying again, but considering that in the near future I'm going to leave and practically leave the kingdom unprotected, it wouldn't be a bad idea to use some skills that are less useful to me, as protection for my family and the kingdom.
Leaving this internal monologue I had aside, when we got back to the castle my parents suggested that I take another bath to remove the sand that was left on my clothes and get ready for a celebratory feast they wanted to throw tonight, to celebrate that the kingdom would finally be saved and to boost the morale of the people.
So I went up to my room, still feeling the salty beach breeze sticking to my skin, took a quick shower and changed into something more presentable.
Nothing too fancy, just a dark blue tunic and a simple belt that still showed a bit of my royalty, but without trying to look like a peacock as people of that time like to present themselves.
The most extravagant accessory I wore was a delicate crown on my head, smaller and thinner than my parents', but which still highlighted my position as crown prince of a kingdom with hundreds of thousands of people.
As I laced up my boots, I thought about what the banquet was going to be... a chance to show that Miralune was still standing, even with the monsters prowling around and the kingdom in some financial trouble.
When the appointed time arrived, I went down to the main hall, and the place looked spectacular.
Tables full of fresh bread, fruit shining like jewels and platters of roast fish that made my stomach rumble, even beef and pork, the most expensive meats for coastal kingdoms like ours.
Which made me realize that I hadn't eaten anything apart from that bread roll the woman had given me since I woke up.
Candles cast golden light on the walls, and the smell of sweet wine mingled with the laughter of the guests.
There was everything there, Miralune nobles in pompous cloaks, merchants with shining rings on their fingers and even some envoys from neighboring kingdoms, looking at me with doubt and interest.
I kept my cool and acted more confidently than the old Prince Eric did, smiling, shaking hands, exchanging pleasantries. "Lord Brynn, how is trade in the north?" "Lady Elara, that dress is incredible, where did it come from?"
Unlike the old Eric who hated these political events, I, as someone at the bottom of the social ladder in the other world, knew how important it was and how every word counted for these people.
A prince can't afford to look lost, even though inside I was still getting used to this life. It was like playing an RPG, but without the option to load the last save, so I had to be careful.
Despite the strength I was achieving, the economic importance these people brought were pillars that helped sustain the kingdom.
When I sat down next to my parents, the hall became quieter.
My mother looked beautiful in a dress that seemed to be made of stars, and my father had a serious look on his face that hid the relief he had felt since I had shown him my new powers.
He stood up with his cup in his hand, and everyone stopped to listen.
"People of Miralune..." he said, in a firm, commanding voice, "Times have been hard. Monsters on our borders, storms on our shores, fear in our hearts. But today I say: our kingdom will be saved." He paused, looking around the hall, and I felt the guests' eyes weighing him down with doubt. "We have a new force, a hope that will change our destiny. I won't bore you with details... you'll have to trust me, but I guarantee that in the next few days the results will become clear to everyone." He smiled, a little mysteriously, and raised his cup. "To Miralune!"
The hall erupted in cheers, but I caught the curious looks and raised eyebrows.
They obviously wanted to know how, or even if, this news was true.
I just kept my face neutral, taking a sip of wine. My father was clever... leaving the mystery in the air made everyone talk, imagine, hope, spread the news, even if unconsciously.
And me? I was happy not to be the center of questions... for the time being.
The banquet was uneventful. I ate a piece of fish that was divine, exchanged a few words with a merchant who swore he had seen a dragon in the south, which caught my attention because it reminded me of a certain movie about Vikings and dragons, and even laughed at a silly story about a stubborn horse.
I was polite to everyone, as if it were the easiest thing in the world. But deep down, my mind was elsewhere.
When the music became softer and the guests began to spread out in conversation, I stood up, asking to be excused with a nod.
I went to one of the high windows in the hall and looked out, where the sea sparkled under the moon, the waves dancing as if they were also celebrating with me.
Instead of thinking about my powers and the advantages I could bring to myself and my family in the future, I just let the waves of the sea calm me down and let my mind rest.
Surprisingly, while my mind was resting, the image of Ariel came to me.
The fact that we didn't get to talk today left me a little disappointed, but I didn't worry too much, the next time I meet her I won't hesitate and I'll try to strike up a conversation.
It worried me a little to think about the exchange she made with the sea witch to become a human in the original movie, but thinking about the changes I was showing, that I wasn't afraid of her today, that she saw that I have powers with water while I was practicing, made me a little more relaxed about it.
'I just hope that's enough for her not to make that switch...' I thought.