When the gong that signaled time ran eight times Lana knew things were getting ridiculous. The Queen had yet to return, Char was sleeping, and there was no food to be seen. The absurdity of the situation both appalled and infuriated her. How had she allowed herself to be drawn in? Letting out a string of words most commonly heard from the mouths of soldiers, Lana stood and surveyed the room. It was still a mess.
Char started. "Wha-? You realize how long we've been here? I think the Queen tricked us!"
"At least the monster children are asleep." Lana was about to make another comment when the door opened and in stepped the Queen, dressed not as a Rider but as a woman who had just returned from a party with her husband. She had indeed tricked the unfortunate Nobles.
"Thank you so much! You will be rewarded!" The Queen gushed, tottering over to the babies.
Lana had an idea; she would get revenge upon the Queen. Slipping to where the bottles were kept, she poured a substantial amount of sugar into each one with a grin.
"It was a pleasure, Lady Queen. If you will pardon us, we will be going now." Char said with a bow. The two quickly exited. "You do realize that those babies will give her an even harder time than they gave us?" Char asked.
Lana smiled wickedly. "That's what I was hoping for."
[Somewhere in Taiwan The Powers That Be smirked and held out a hand to the Graveyard Hag.]
"Curse you! I always win!" She exclaimed, handing over a pile of diamonds.
"Well, it was about time you lost. Honestly, you'd think a Goddess could stand to lose once every millennium or so, but noooooo!" TPTB said, eying his glittery prize.
"Out of curiosity, what do you need the sparklies for?" The Hag asked, looking interested.
"Keep watching my little game and you shall see."