Sorry for the delay, but here's the first chapter for the second arc! Updates might come unpredictable until I'm finally done with my final presentation, but I really hope that I can finish things up quickly so I can finish other 'abandoned' stories I've left in the dark for years. Anyways, enjoy!

Rune Factory – Wishes, Dreams, and Memories

Chapter 11 – Royal Invitation

A few days had passed since Lest and Dolce got married. The newlyweds were living in the castle, which had recently got renovated. The renovation was ordered by Lest himself to add another floor with a few more rooms. The Earthmate was admiring the result of the renovation from the front of the castle before a soldier passed by and gave him a message about him being called to Arthur's.

Lest headed to Arthur's office as he was told, finding the man sitting on his desk as he usually would. Arthur noticed the door opening and saw Lest coming in from the door, "Ah, you're here."

"It's been a while, Arthur. How are you?" Lest greeted with a smile.

"I'm fine, thank you," Arthur rose from his seat before pointing his hand at the small tea table on his right, "Please have a seat. I have something to tell you."

"Okay," Lest gave him a nod before taking a seat at one of the small couch by the table before Arthur soon joined him on the couch across him.

Putting down an opened envelope on the table, Arthur extended his hand to Lest, "Let me congratulate you on your marriage to Dolce. I'm sorry I couldn't attend the ceremony."

"Don't worry, I understand," Lest took Arthur's extended hand for a shake, "And thanks."

"You're welcome," Arthur turned to the envelope on the table and took it in his hand, "The truth is, I was called to the capital on the night before your wedding day."

"Wait, did something happen?" Lest asked worriedly.

"No, there is no trouble," Arthur replied calmly before pulling out a piece of folded paper from the envelope, "I was called in order to pass this invitation to the person who had saved Lady Ventuswill."

"An invitation for me?" Lest took the paper that Arthur had given him and unfolded it to read the invitation letter, "It's… a ballroom party at the King's castle?!" Lest put the paper down to his lap, looking at Arthur in surprise, "A-Are you sure?"

"Yes," Arthur gave him a slight nod, "My father would like to invite you in order to appreciate the good things that you've done for the Kingdom of Norad."

Lest took another at the letter before putting in on the table and slid it to Arthur's side, "I don't think I deserve all the credits, though. I mean, I wouldn't be able to save Venti if you and Kiel hadn't looked into the Rune Spheres."

"That's true, but it was you who used that spell to bring her back town," Arthur gently slid the paper back to Lest's side, "The kingdom has seen you as a hero and this is how they show their appreciation for your efforts."

"That's… true…" Lest hesitantly took the paper back into his hand, "Do I have to go alone?"

"Fortunately, I have asked my father regarding that issue," Arthur replied, "You may bring your wife as well and stay for a night at the castle."

"Okay, I don't mind coming then," Lest folded the paper back, "It's the day after tomorrow, right?"

Arthur gave him a nod, "Yes. I shall be coming as well in order to see another client from the capital."

"Okay," Lest nodded in understanding, "So… we're heading there by the airship? Or did the capital provide any other way of transport?"

"Unfortunately, the capital couldn't provide us any extra transportation," Arthur replied while fixing his glasses' position, "There would be nobles coming from various parts from the kingdom, so their transportation would be prioritized."

"Okay, that should be fine," Lest rose from his seat, followed by Arthur, "I should get going now. I need to tell Dolly and get ourselves ready for that day."

"Very well," Arthur nodded in understanding, "We should be leaving at morning for the party."

Lest nodded, "Okay, got it. I'll see you later then."

"Yes. Please send my regards to your wife," Arthur smiled as he watched the Earthmate leaving his office, before the smile on his face slowly disappeared.

-Flashback-

Arthur was standing in the middle of a huge and well-lit room with chandeliers hanging on the ceiling. A long red carpet with golden strips at the edges spread from the big pair of rectangular dark brown doors to the small set of stairs in front of Arthur. At the top of the stairs, a golden throne chair stood with a man wearing a dark red coat sitting on it. The man had light yellow hair with his long mustache and beard having the same color.

"The man's name is Lest, Father. He is also an Earthmate who had lost his memories," Arthur spoke up, holding on to the letter he had received.

"Earthmate Lest… I see…" The man nodded as his deep voice rang in the room.

"Do you happen to know him?" Arthur asked politely, noticing the slight change of expression on his father's face.

"It is best that I see him in person," The man replied.

"Very well," Arthur bowed slightly, "Is there anything else you want to tell Lest before the day of the feast?"

"There is none," The man rose from his throne, "Arthur, will you come here to me?"

Arthur looked at his father in confusion before he slightly nodded, "Certainly."

Arthur stood in front of his father, who was the same height as he was. Arthur looked at his father in shock when a pair of arms came to him and held him closer to his father, "It has been a while, my son."

"Yes, Father," Arthur lightly returned the hug with a smile on his face before pushing the older man from him, "But my place is no longer in this castle."

"I understand," The king put his hands on his son's shoulders before looking at him with a smile, "Were your mother still here, she would be very proud."

The smile on Arthur's faded and he gently pushed his father's hands from his shoulders, "My apologies, Father. I still have an appointment with my client."

"Ah, yes. Please, don't keep them waiting," The king replied as he saw his son walking down the small set of stairs.

"I shall be leaving," Arthur bowed down before silently heading towards the door.

-End of Flashback-

Arthur found himself back at his desk once more, surrounded by various books and paper scattered on the desk. He held a broken pair of glasses, which had the model similar to women's glasses. He ignored the pile of books and paper scattered on his desk, acting as if they never were on the desk. His gaze only focused on the broken glasses which he had in his possession for a long time.

Meanwhile at the castle, Lest had found his wife knitting in their bedroom when he gave her the invitation letter for her to read.

"So, how about it?" Lest asked his wife, "Do you want to come?"

"To be honest, I'm not too fond of these kind of parties," Dolce folded back the letter she was holding before turning to Lest with a smile, "But if you're coming, I don't think it sounds that bad."

"Okay. Thanks for coming with me, Dolly," Lest took the letter back and smiled.

Pico appeared in front of Lest with a grin her face, "Dolly doesn't really want to, but she insisted so you won't flirt with other girls there."

"Pico!" A smack on the head from the blushing wife was enough for the ghost to wince in pain.

"Don't worry about it Dolly," Lest looked at Dolce with a loving smile, "You're the only one for me, Dolly. Always have and always will."

"W-What…?" Dolce turned red faced as she looked at her smiling husband before turning away in embarrassment, "I know that already…"

"I know you would," Lest leaned in for an embrace, which was returned without any resistance.

"Um… sweetie…" Dolce slowly pulled away after a moment, "I'll take care of our needs, so you can focus on your work."

"Thanks, Dolly," Lest leaned in to give a peck on her cheek before running off back to his fields, "I'll see you later tonight!"

Back in the castle in the capital, a young woman had entered the audience room where the king's throne was. She had long green hair tied to twin tails while wearing a white dress under a brown leather breastplate. The woman stopped in front of the throne, going down on one knee to bow in respect.

"Have you called me, Your Majesty?" The young woman asked while having her head down.

"Please rise to your feet, Miss Frey," The king ordered and the young woman slowly got up to reveal her emotionless light green eyes, "I may have found him."

The emotionlessness on her eyes turned into a surprise, "I-Is that true? Have Lest finally been found?!"

"I am not yet certain he is the one," The king continued, removing some of the excitement from the young woman, "But he is one among the nobles I have invited to attend the feast."

"I see…" The young woman, Frey, bowed down, "I apologize for my behavior."

"I understand how you feel, Miss Frey," Frey looked back up at the king, "I shall allow you to accompany him during his stay in this castle."

"Thank you very much, Your Majesty," Frey gave another polite bow.

"And…" The king continued, "To come with him to Selphia for your next mission. You may ask for the details about this mission to my butler, Julius."

"I understand," Frey nodded, "I will be leaving," With another bow, Frey turned to walk towards the door but stopped when she was opening the door, 'Lest… will I finally see you again?'

There was another short pause before Frey finally opened the door and left the room.

Finally Frey makes her debut appearance! And yes, she will have a connection with Lest which will be revealed as soon as I'm done fixing the next chapters!