(Author's note: How do accents work because I feel like ditching them entirely-).
In the kingdom of Evermore, buildings were huddled close together, shops side by side with only tiny gaps between them. The wide cobbled pathways that ran continuously in the country had lampposts and different little shop stands to the side. Every building had some sort of inspiration from each culture in the world, after all, Evermore was a diverse kingdom. Children ran around, playing, while adults tended to errands and other things. The only feeling you could feel in the atmosphere was a sense of happiness and hope. It felt like there was almost nothing to worry about.
Evan watched from a window of the throne room, smiling. He was waiting for Tani and Batu to return, checking constantly for when they arrived. Lofty, his kingmaker, stood besides him, rolling his eyes.
"They'll get here when they get here!". Lofty told him.
"I know Lofty, but they've been away for several days now. What if-".
"Spineshiver Grove is days away from here! Of course they'll be gone for a couple of days!". Lofty sighed, looking up at Evan."Ya know mun, I've had this really weird feeling recently. A good one!". He told the boy.
"Why's that?". Evan asked.
"I dunno! It just came outta nowhere!". The kingmaker said."I got a hunch, but it could be something to do with that dream of youer's!".
"Hm?".
It was a few days ago, maybe just after Tani and Batu left for Spineshiver Grove, when the young boy had a dream. He had been standing on a grassy hill with a woman in front of him. It was Aranella, Evan's governess in the kingdom of Ding Dong Dell before a coup had happened. She had been wearing the same dress on the day of her death, but instead of dying, she was happy.
"Evan, be on the look out for a man wearing a white mask. He'll help you out for the journey ahead of you, alright?".
"...alright, but Nella, what's going to happen?".
Before Evan had got the answer, he woke up in the same bed he always slept in.
"You really think so?". Evan asked Lofty.
"Well, there's only one way to find out! Here they come!". Lofty pointed out, making Evan turn around to see Tani and someone else approaching the castle."Told you they'd make it.".
"Oi, Evan! We're back! Batu's gone reporting back to the guy who sent us to deal with that thing!". Tani shouted, entering the castle. She ran up to Evan, who by the time they had reached the castle, was in front of his throne. Evan smiled before noticing the man that followed Tani. A white mask covered his face.
"Who's that over there?". Lofty asked, looking at the man. Tani grinned."That's Oliver. He helped us back there when we were fighting that monster!".
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Your Majesty.".
"It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Oliver.". This was the wizard that Aranella had told Evan about, no doubt about it.
"Your Majesty, I mean to discuss something with you. If you don't mind, of course!". Oliver told Evan.
"Oh, of course you may! What is it?". Evan waited for Oliver's response. Tani left the two to talk, walking to somewhere else in the castle.
"You see, I've been sent here by someone. I don't know who they are exactly, but they've instructed me to stay here.". Oliver explained.
"I know.". Replied Evan, shocking Oliver a little."I was told by someone to expect you, although I didn't think I would've met you so soon.".
So far this was going good."Does this mean I'll be allowed to stay here in Evermore then?". Evan nodded."You helped Tani and Batu, so how could I not let you stay?".
"Don't forget about him going to help you!". Lofty chimed in from nowhere. Oh, well that was a little helpful on what to do after reaching Evermore, not really though."He should probably stay in the castle, shouldn't he? If he's gonna help you out, then he probably shouldn't run all the way up here from town.". Evan nodded.
"We have a spare room for you. If you would follow me...". Evan walked into a corridor of doors, leading Oliver to what would soon be his room and home in Evermore.
Evan pushed open a set of doors, revealing a room to Oliver. The room had white marble flooring with a red carpet in the center and had turquoise wall. The room was circular, having some paintings of different landscapes on it. Against it was a bed decorated with white blankets between two large windows. There was also a fireplace on the left side of the room, and a small bookshelf and desk on the right.
"Are you ok with this?". Evan asked. Oliver nodded, being left to get used to his new room.
Meanwhile...
"So, the wizard has returned, has he?".
"He's all grown up as well!".
"His power is stronger, no doubt about it. Should we not...test it in some way, Your Excellence?".
"Indeed we should. In order to see if he has finally stabilized his magic, we shall send...a test. A test that shall prove to us if he is strong enough to withstand what comes ahead.".
"But this monster that you summon would only be a mere annoyance to him, would it not? He IS the one who defeated The White Witch after all, is he not?".
"He is still new to this world in way. I can tell he has not used much magic until now. He has not reached his full potential just yet, so this would be quite enough of a challenge.".
"Ah yes, of course.".
(Yo, an author's note: I hated writing this chapter tbh. Idk, it felt like no matter how much I rewrote it, it just wasn't good. Also, I struggled with keeping characters in character again so yeah, still working on that. Hopefully the next chapter will be better since I'll be focusing on what characters I've already introduced. It will probably be in chapter 5 maybe(?) where I'll introduce characters, new ones and old ones. Please give constructive criticism so that I can improve in the future!).