Book 2: Chapter 56 (1/2)
E sighed. “Forget it. I’ll take you to the fire elementals.”
Vur nodded and followed after E while preventing Stella from tugging on his hair. “Why do you want a sun anyways?” he asked, glancing up at the fairy queen.
Stella pouted and crossed her arms, keeping silent. She squealed when Vur tickled her side with his finger, and she smacked away his digit. “Stop that!” she said and pouted even harder. “Plants need sunlight to grow. Duh.”
“But you’re a fairy,” Vur said, ignoring the dwarves who were staring at him. The palace maids and butlers were gawking as E walked past them.
“I know I’m a fairy,” Stella said with a nod. She frowned at the workers and shook her fist at them. “What are you staring at? Never seen a fairy before?”
The dwarves glanced at Stella, and one maid spoke up. “No, no,” she said and fanned her face with her hands. “We’ve seen lots of fairies before. It’s just that … the king. He’s not sleeping inside the throne room. Is the world coming to an end?”
“Hey,” E said and snorted. “You don’t have to compare my leaving my bed to the end of times. Also, I’m not king anymore.” He pointed at Vur. “He is. Spread the word for me, thanks.”
Vur nodded at the stunned dwarves while continuing to follow behind E. “My name’s Vur Besteck. I’m your new king.”
“But, but you’re a human,” the maid said, her eyes as wide as saucers. “Your Gloriousness, this is not a tasteful joke.”
“It’s not a joke,” E said. “I’m 100% serious. He’s your new king. Just think of him as a really tall dwarf if you can’t fathom a human ruler.” He clicked his tongue. “If only Zappy was here, then I could make him announce a formal coronation ceremony.” He pointed at a grizzled dwarf butler standing by a suit of white armor. “You can do it. Announce a grand assembly; everyone important must attend. It’ll take place five weeks from now.”
“Yes, Your ex-Gloriousness,” the old dwarf said and saluted.
As E and Vur continued out of the palace, Stella tilted her head and peered at Vur’s arm. “Why are you moving around so much, Deedee?” she asked. “You’re tickling my roots.”
“I’m astounded,” Diamant said. “Absolutely astounded. Vur went from a criminal dwarf punter to the king of the dwarves without any issues: no blood was shed, no money was involved, the dwarf king peacefully handed over the throne. Is this what humanoids call dreaming? I think I’m beginning to understand why they shut their bodies down to sleep.”
“No,” Stella said and shook her head. The tattoo roots on Vur’s arm wriggled, forcing the brown runes down. “This isn’t dreaming. This is just a normal day in the life of Vur.”
“I don’t want to know what an abnormal day is like,” E said with a shudder. “And it’s a shame you only became king now. I just realized you missed the annual assembly. Well, the dwarf king hasn’t attended it in over a decade, but it would’ve been a good way to let the continent know of your new position.”
“Weren’t you the dwarf king for the last decade?” Diamant asked.