I got a somewhat enthusiastic response to the prior chapter, but I should point out that there's no guarantee of it becoming a full story.

That being said, I'd like to address the concerns of Architeuthis, who reviewed via a guest review, and so I couldn't answer them via PM. I would actually argue against this being like A Union of Dragons, as the only thing in common is that Harry's pairing is with a princess. Harry's not heading back to the Potterverse anytime soon, as much as he wants to. I intend for the entirety of the story to be set in the Overlord world, or at least the vast majority of it. In fact, I was planning for Voldemort to cross over in pursuit of Harry...only to face a rather angry Papa Bones, as by that point, Harry will have befriended Momonga/Ainz.

What's more, I have written a number of stories where Harry is paired with a princess of some stripe, including Ghost of Dalmasca (Ashe from Final Fantasy XII), Champion of Twilight (Midna from The Legend of Zelda), My Beautiful Huntress (Nasuverse Atalanta, who is a princess), Separated at Birth (Nasuverse Medea, who was a princess), Unique Skill: Obscurus (Shuna from That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime), Virtus et Scientia (Lunar Princess Ranni from Elden Ring), Not Your Kind of People (Raphtalia from The Rising of the Shield Hero)...I could go on, but I won't. What's more, I have that Harry/Ciri story, a crossover with The Witcher, in the works.

I'll also admit, I do reuse a lot of tropes and plotlines in my works (I guess I take after one of my idols, Terry Nation, the creator of the Daleks, along with the shows Blake's 7 and Survivors). But I also do try to mix things up somewhat.

In any case, I sense your concern rather than disdain towards my choices, but in the end, they are my choices to make, just as it is your choice to read it or not. I hope you can enjoy this, or indeed any of my fics, regardless.

Now, onto the second chapter...

SAPIENTA MELIOR AURO

CHAPTER 2:

REUNION

Renner watched on as Harry gingerly got off the bed, before he looked over at Climb. "So, this is Climb, the one you told me about?" he asked.

"Indeed."

Harry got up, and went over to Climb, holding out his hand. Climb, bless him, took it after a moment's hesitation. "The name's Harry Potter. Thanks for looking after her, Climb."

"I owe everything to her," her darling Climb said. "I can only hope to repay her kindness."

Renner was glad that there was no real rancour between the two men in her life…well, boys. True, Harry was the one she truly loved, but Climb…she was closer to him than she was to her own brothers. Still, as much as she loved to see this scene, and wished to catch up, she needed to inject a dose of reality into proceedings. "Now, Harry, I have to tell you, I need to have you confined to these rooms for now." She held up a hand to forestall protest, she knew how quixotic her wizard could be. "Think about it. You just appeared out of nowhere in one of the most secure areas in this country, if not the world. I know you have been going through a lot, given what you told me over this past year, but the fact that a wizard has just managed to infiltrate the Royal Palace is something to be concerned about. Don't worry, I've requested Captain Stronoff to come here to debrief you."

"Gazef Stronoff?" Harry asked. "You said he was a good man, and an honourable one."

"And whose word holds considerable weight with my father," Renner said, before holding up a finger. "Now, if I said a strange boy wizard simply fell from the sky, anything I said to try and ensure you were treated well could very well be dismissed out of hand. My father is a good man, but Captain Stronoff's word would be more helpful, especially if he was personally satisfied with your character. In this way, I am taking control of the narrative. Stronoff's integrity, despite many in the nobility despising him, is without reproach, and he is good at assessing threats to security."

"Doesn't your father listen to your suggestions to improve Re-Estize, though?" Harry asked.

"Yes, but…he also views me as something to be coddled, to be protected, like a porcelain doll. I think he indulges my suggestions mostly because I am his daughter."

She noticed Climb looking on, bemused and a little disconcerted by the familiarity Harry was showing her. So, she decided to put him out of his misery. "Harry has been my not-so-imaginary friend since I was young, Climb. In private, at least, he has earned the right to be familiar with me, just as you have." She looked to Harry. "That being said, you will have to follow protocol around my father and brothers. My father will tolerate a lack of protocol in private at least, I hope, but Zanac would probably take umbrage, and Barbro…"

"Is an arse, yes, I remember you complaining to me about them both," Harry said.

Climb was looking at Harry in horror at referring to Prince Barbro, her eldest brother and probable heir to the throne, as an arse, accurate though it was. Barbro was certainly in the habit of disgorging shit whenever he opened his mouth. Renner couldn't stifle the smile on her face, even if she was forced to stop a giggle from bursting forth.

Harry continued, "I'd like to say a rebuttal. Hermione brought my attention to a novel called Lord of the Rings. In it, there's a wonderful line, which is pretty much Don't meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger. Well, they got it half-right. I'm not subtle."

Renner couldn't stop the giggle this time. Oh, her Harry, as earnest as Climb, albeit in different ways. But then, her face fell. "As much as your observations are accurate, I would ask that you avoid antagonising them. For me."

"…I'll try, that's all I can promise," Harry said.

There was a knock on the door. "Your Highness? It is I, Gazef Stronoff," spoke a gruff voice.

"Come in, Captain Stronoff," Renner said.

The man who entered was impressive, even to Renner's eyes. His skin was a tan colour, his hair dark brown. Hard, stern features, bearded, but with no moustache. The man's strength and integrity was without reproach…so of course, he would rouse the ire of the nobility, especially after her father elevated Gazef Stronoff to such a coveted position. Then again, it was one of the few times where her father made such a decision without compromising. It was certainly one of her father's most practical decisions: Stronoff adhered to honour, albeit not quite to the point of utter idiocy. He had just enough pragmatism. But his honour and loyalty meant that he could not be bought or sold by the nobles jockeying around her father for favour…or looking to plunge a blade into his back.

Renner remembered watching the match that decided who would become Warrior-Captain of Re-Estize years ago. She normally didn't enjoy such things, but even she had to admit that some of the fights were intriguing, even exciting. In particular, those involving Stronoff, and a cocky young swordsman known as Brain Unglaus, who wielded a type of sword known as a katana. And the sheer variety of Martial Arts Skills on display…it was almost as if the Thirteen Heroes were amongst them again.

She did not trust the man personally, not completely, but she trusted few with her true self. But she trusted the man's honesty, integrity, and honour. Hence arranging this.

"Your Highness," he said, bowing to her briefly, and turning to Climb, and shooting him a brief smile of assurance, before returning his gaze to Harry. "I was told by the maid that you wished to speak to me about an intruder, albeit on peaceful terms."

"Indeed, Captain Stronoff," Renner said. "However, I believe that the intruder did not intend to intrude in the first place. He literally fell from the sky, as Climb can attest. He was also screaming, so I doubt his intention was to infiltrate the Palace. Indeed, I do not believe his intent was to be here at all."

"…Elaborate, please, Your Highness," Stronoff said. "It seems odd that you confine him to a room here, so close to your chambers, instead of elsewhere."

Renner met the man's gaze evenly. "Because I know him, Captain Stronoff. Believe it or not, this is Harry Potter, the imaginary friend you may recall me discussing before. However, his tale is a somewhat unbelievable one, and I worried that, without you making some judgement of his character, he may be unduly punished, and he has been through a lot lately. Harry…show him your hand."

"…Are you sure, Renner?"

Renner nodded, and Harry showed Stronoff the hand which, she knew, bore scarring that formed the words 'I MUST NOT TELL LIES', over and over again. A scarring he received at the hands of a most odious woman called Umbridge, who may have been descended from a toad Demihuman, if they had any on that world. As Stronoff stared at the hand in horror, Renner said, "That was the result of Harry being forced to use a cursed quill by a woman who was teaching at his school, a woman who had no business teaching."

"I've never heard of such a thing before, but if it existed…what kind of person does that?" Stronoff muttered, horrified.

"Oh, Harry here has faced worse. Harry, tell Captain Stronoff your story. In abbreviated form, mind. The Warrior-Captain has many demands on his time, after all…"

Harry had to admit to being impressed by Gazef Stronoff in person, and this was after hearing tales from Renner. Renner herself wasn't easily impressed, having become jaded thanks to her ostracism for her genius, but she spoke highly of Stronoff's ability in combat, and his integrity. But the man was calm and stern, but he never crossed the line into intimidation.

And it felt good speaking about his life to Stronoff. He was still coming to terms with the fact that he was, in all likelihood, stranded in a world stuck around medieval or Renaissance levels of development. He was trying to take his mind off the possibility that he may never see his friends and loved ones again, assuming they were still alive. Hermione had been hit by that curse from Rookwood, and Ron had been attacked by those brain things. Everyone else were facing the Death Eaters, and maybe Voldemort would come.

He couldn't think about that. Not now. Not while stuck in the middle of a kingdom filled with intrigue and politics. Renner's tales painted a dangerous picture, and he was now smack dab in it, dropped literally from a great height. He didn't know how he survived that damned fall, really. Hopefully, he could find a way back home. But for now, he had to go along with this.

Still, at least he had one friendly face in Renner. She did terrify him at times with her genius, and her sometimes dispassionate observations. But even then, she still had a good heart, he felt.

Stronoff looked down at Harry as he finished his story, his expression thoughtful. Eventually, the bearded, burly man said, "Your story sounds unbelievable. But I would think an intruder would come up with a more believable lie anyway, and I know of Her Highness speaking of an imaginary friend before, a boy wizard. And if you are lying, you're a damn good actor. Still…it's good that you contacted me, Your Highness," he said, turning back to Renner. "You wished for me to vouch for him to your father?"

Renner inclined her head in a nod. "My word has some weight with my father, true, but in matters of security, your word holds more. Your integrity and honour are without reproach. I would rather ensure that my father hears of our side of events before my brothers draw their own conclusions. I will even go so far as to do what I did with Climb, and request for him to be made another personal retainer, albeit in matters of magic rather than physical combat."

"A bodyguard?" Stronoff asked.

"More of an advisor, at least officially, though for that to work, I would also need to have him tutored in the magic of this world. I believe I will call upon Lady Lakyus and Evileye of the Blue Roses for help."

Harry frowned as he considered this. Lakyus Alvein Dale Aindra was, at least as of recently, the leader of the Blue Roses Adventurer group, and one of the few people Renner could count as a genuine friend, Climb and Harry aside. Adventurers were basically mercenaries who fought monsters or acted as escorts to people who needed guards during dangerous journeys. Lakyus was a cleric, a paladin, while Evileye was a powerful mage, albeit one who had a child-like body.

"You know that will cause at least as much comment as when you elevated Climb, Your Highness?" Stronoff asked.

"I do know. And I do not care one whit for the opinion of those fools, Captain Stronoff," Renner said. "I value loyalty and skill, not sycophancy and lineage. Why did you think I contacted you regarding Harry? Anyone else in charge of security would have demanded Harry be locked in a dungeon, my own opinions on the matter be damned, and interrogated if not tortured. I wanted someone reasonable to help."

Stronoff, after a moment, inclined his head to her. "I am flattered of your high opinion of me, Your Highness, but I would suggest not spreading your opinion on the Palace Guard around…accurate though it can be. I will go and seek an audience with your father forthwith. For Harry's own safety, though, he is not to leave these chambers for now. Forgive me, Harry, but given the circumstances…"

"No, it's fine. It's annoying, but as Renner pointed out, I could be chained to a wall in a dungeon, or being stretched out on the rack," Harry snarked. "I'd prefer a gilded cage to that."

"It's no joking matter, Harry," Stronoff rebuked gently. "And just by aligning yourself with Princess Renner, you have made yourself enemies. I am not blind to how many view her, despite her altruism and intelligence, or rather, because of those qualities."

"And neither am I, Captain Stronoff," Renner said. "My enemies are your own, for my enemies despise you too for your ascendancy, all because you are a commoner, raised above what they believe to be your station. Your skill and character are without reproach, but they believe blood matters, and they envy you your skill, a skill you had talent for, and yet, you reached through hard work and training, just as Climb has. I know that is somewhat ironic, considering I am a princess by dint of blood, but I merely observe the reality of the situation."

Stronoff looked at the princess in surprise, before nodding. "You're astute beyond your years, Your Highness. I'd ask why you'd hide it as much as you do, but…I know the answer to that already. I'll go and speak with your father about Harry, pave the way, as it were. I don't think he's receiving anyone at the moment, just working on matters of state. I'll be back soon with news, one way or the other. By your leave, Your Highness."

Renner nodded her assent, but after Stronoff left, she sighed. "The likes of Stronoff and Climb are a rare breed. My friend Lakyus is also as honourable, but those are diamonds in the rough. Still, let us not speak of such depressing matters. I'll call for some tea. You look like you need a cup or two, Harry…"

CAHPTER 2 ANNOTATIONS:

So, there you have it.

No numbered annotations this time.