Episode 7 "Hope in pieces"
The next couple of days were a bit of blur, all I could think of were Lyria and Onchao.
I did nothing to stop it. Onchao lost Lyria because of me.
Maybe if I had changed the story more like I did in the beginning- if I never gave the elves the Trumptus then-
"Mia c'mon history class is that way", Vincent nudged.
"Yes… right…", I mumbled.
"Don't you have a geography test?", I vaguely remembered him mentioning.
"Yeah- that's right, will you be okay?", I nodded although who was I trying to convince?
He fidgeted before he left.
But not long after- my arm started to sting, not even prickle, maybe I just hadn't noticed.
Centopia was calling.
"Onchao, I need to get to Onchao."
I saw Vincent cornered by the girls, but I could only advert my gaze to run and hide in the nearest bathroom stall.
"Sorry, I'll make it up to you."
My hands shook and I tried to breathe, but I couldn't seem to get enough air.
But the oracle was different as my mirror told me.
I tapped my bracelet nearly missing as it asked me for a password.
"To find the pieces you seek, befriend the one that knows where they went and where they'll be."
What did that mean?
But light already exploded in gold before I could think about it.
I should be used to the golden void by now, but my wings and being flung at high velocity didn't exactly make that easy.
- :O
Something nudged me. Urgh why couldn't I have softer landings; I must have passed out again.
Wait- "Onchao?", I shot up, nearly headbutting who hovered above me.
"He is here with us", a snort replied to me, looking up there was a unicorn.
The leader of the ferngrass herd.
"Are you alright?", he asked cocking his head as I got up standing and I nodded promptly.
"I think so. I- should I bow?"
"That would be an appropriate way to greet me or the herd, yes."
I blinked before bowing as gracefully as I could, before the stallion made way to show the rest of the herd.
"I am Rando, acting leader of the herd. You are one of Lyrias, you are welcome to stay with us as you are one of hers."
My heart clenched at the mention of her.
Lyria.
Onchao came into view running up to me.
"You are back", his yell seemed to say!
Nearly knocked me over as he ran into me. I returned the embrace.
"You are okay", I choked with relief finally washing over me.
"Thank you, Rando… everyone for keeping Onchao safe", I meant it all the way.
He dipped his head before returning to the rest of the herd.
"Hey, I think both of us could use a distraction, don't you think?"
Onchao circled in a small trot around me, clearly ready to go.
"We still have more Trumptus pieces to find" and save Lyria as fast as possible.
"Screw this book, screw this show, I'm not going to wait for the oracles to tell me when to go where, the faster I can get Lyria back the better."
"Besides only this once am I happy to have the knowledge of this show that is my existence, because I remember most of the pieces and where to find them."
A little push shook me out of my thoughts.
"Right! So… the new oracle want to hear it?"
He paused cocking his head. Right, he didn't know.
"Every time I come to Centopia I get an Oracle that lets me go here. The Oracle is like a prophecy or a solution sometimes… a warning of what is to come. I don't know what this one means, want to hear it?"
Wide eyes stared back expectantly.
"To find the pieces you seek, befriend the one that knows where they went and where they'll be."
And he cocked his head in confusion.
"I don't know what this one means either… and to be honest I don't care, but I am sure I remember- I mean have an idea where some of the Trumptus pieces may have gone"
I recalled as much as I could as my head protested against the memories that couldn't be my own.
"Somewhere around the fire unicorn… in a clam, somewhere in a dragon cave… there was a large tree the pans used- the pans! The king has a piece on his crown. I remember this… where else? Somewhere with a lot of flowers, some flowers looking down to earth… uhm" I racked my brain for more. "Cave of memories, Phuddles cousin had one, Polytheus has one… there was another in a cave… some important tree… something about the earth unicorn…"
"I think I do remember most of these, I just don't know where those all are", for Lyria I still had to try to find them all.
Onchao sniffed at the air. I clapped my hands together.
"Of course! We just need to be close so you can sniff them out!"
Happily, he pranced around trotting ahead, looking back to see if I followed.
I looked back at the herd. Rando dipped his head, as we left.
Probably it meant we had permission to leave.
So, we did… not that we had a clear path to go to.
"The elves have the piece they stole from you", Onchao stomped his hooves as a response.
Clearly, he remembered the elves taking the piece he had found.
Should I trust Yuko and Mo?
"No!" my mind fiercely responded.
"They stole from Onchao, they lost the Trumptus and they keep attacking me! We need that Trumptus or we can't- can't sa-save Lyria! But I can't give them the Trumptus, what if they lost it again, what if they lose the pieces and really get them scattered forever or worse actually break them!?"
"We can't allow these elves to get more Trumptus pieces… but I don't think we can sneak into the elven crater to get the piece only someone inside- Phuddle of course! Phuddle could easily get the piece in the crater!"
And I doubt it would be hard to convince Phuddle to give me the pieces either.
"For now it is safe… enough I think to leave it there", I mulled it over.
Once the Trumptus was found and put back together, I'd- id…
I'd have to face Panthea.
And I'd have to kill her.
A sudden push shook my thoughts once more.
"I- sorry let's get going."
- :O
We wandered aimlessly.
I didn't trust the elves. I decided. Lyria never trusted them. And now she was gone because they couldn't keep the one thing safe that would have avoided it.
"If only I never gave them the Trumptus, then Lyria would have never-!"
Onchao whined at the mention of his mother's name, but our attention quickly went elsewhere as some humming and rustling drew closer.
Protectively I positioned myself in front of Onchao.
"I swear if it is these elves again I-"
White fur, tiny figure-
"Phuddle!", I shouted and startled he stumbled.
"Huh?", he looked out from the ferns, clearly some basket rested in his hooved hands.
"I'm so happy to see you!", I walked over to him, but not before I realized that rushing meant pain.
"Mi-mia!", little goat man's face lid up and he dropped his basket to rush over.
I crouched down and opened my arms wide as an invitation.
He accepted it, and I nearly fell over at the force, I wrapped my arms around him.
"I missed you Phuddle!"
"I missed you too Mia! Where have you been?", we released the embrace and I remained crouched as Onchao stood afar looking unsure.
"Onchao come over, Phuddle is a good friend of mine and- and Lyrias", this got his attention as he trotted over, sniffing at the pan who giggled in response.
"You must be Lyrias baby! Yuko and Mo told me all about you! Aren't you cute? Not as cute as me though!"
I chuckled but my face faltered at the mention of these… elves.
"Hey, Phuddle what are you doing here, so far from the elves palace?"
"I'm looking for patridge berries! Patridge berry tea is the kings favourite! With a good tea ceremony I'll get back on his good side and he might unbanish me!"
"He banished you?"
"Yeah but not for the first time… And I mean it was just a small fire", he mumbled. A fire?
"Want us to help you find some?"
"Yes, that would be great, thank you Mia!"
- :O
Patridge berries grew on small bushes and were quickly collected as Phuddle prepped the berries for his tea.
"Why do you want to get back on the king's good side?", I asked him as he set to squash some berries.
"Don't get me wrong, I like the elves, they treat me well, but…" He stopped for a moment.
"But?"
"But I feel like an outsider", he slumped down on the ground.
"I'm sorry Phuddle, I know exactly how you feel… Are these elves really treating you well?"
"You do?" He blinked and got back up.
"Yeah, the Queen and King are also very nice to me! King Raynor even invites me to drink tea together! Even if it isn't as good as partridge berry tea. They celebrated too when Mo and Yuko brought back the first Trumptus piece you gave them, the feast was pretty big-"
"Gave them?", I repeated feeling hot all of the sudden.
"Yeah! Yuko said you gave her the Trumptus piece you found… Is something wrong?"
"Yeah, because I didn't give it to them!"
"What? But they said…?"
"Onchao found the piece and then they stole it from my hands and just left!"
"What!? That is not what they told me!", Phuddle walked back and forth.
"They are the ones that lost the Trumptus in the first place! They accused me of holding you hostage and stealing the Trumptus when we fixed it!"
"W-what?", his gaze flickered on my face, shock written all over his face.
My heart sank. "You didn't know?"
"N-no I of course not! You are my friend!" He seemed to remember something
"They told me you took it!", he blurted.
I rubbed my temples.
"Great so these elves are liars… Great and we left a Trumptus piece with them", I scowled tapping my foot as I crossed my elves.
"Maybe… it is just a big misunderstanding?", came from Phuddle in a small voice and I took a deep breath.
"Mhm let me tell you what happened since we last seen each other."
- :O
"They what!?", Phuddle threw his basket to the ground at me finishing my retelling of events… well the most important details.
"No, no no! That is not what they told me!", Phuddle kicked his basket.
"Then what did they tell you?"
"Yuko and Mo said after King Raynor told them he saw me with a strange elf that that elf was suspicious! But they didn't say anything more!"
He huffed before he continued.
"Then as you said- the strange elf had stolen the Trumptus while they were protecting unicorns, and then led them into a trap when they tried to take it back from you-" He yelled outraged.
"And then- then they said after you found a piece you offered it to them as an apology for taking it!"
Onchao kicked a tree, he was mad just as much.
"How great to lie but then help me with Onchaos birth, just to then betray us", I scowled stomping and huffing a short breath.
It stung. Those elves.
"I'm sorry I really thought they-", picked him up and hugged him tight.
"I thought when they said you took it- it was to use it! But when they said trapped I didn't know what to think! You told me it is Centopias hope, you ask me if we could give it to the elves- you- you have been nothing but nice to me, you even helped me fix the Trumptus!", he wailed as he held onto me.
"Fine! If these elves are so- so mean. I never want to go back!", he freed himself out of my grasp.
"Wait About that!", he turned to look at me, his face softening as he mustered my expression.
"I know it is mean to ask… but can you stay there?"
"What!? After all they did to you!?",
"Yes! But I have a good reason!"
He waited for me to answer.
"I believe that the pieces we collect are safest in the elf palace, since you know it is difficult for Onchao to watch the pieces… you know in a rapidly dying land. And another problem is that I go poof so I can't watch these pieces either. "
He hummed, but I continued with my reasoning.
"I don't like it either, but I am pretty sure I know where to find some of the pieces! When we find them all only we can piece it back together, so we could take the pieces then and go use your invention ourselves."
He nodded along but his eyebrows were scrunched.
He was just as upset as we were.
"If you are on good terms with the elves, you can keep an eye out for the Trumptus and make sure nothing happens to them."
Something else occurred to me.
"After All the Trumptus is yours, we only ever said we'd lend it to the elves not that they can keep it. And that was before P-Panthea broke it and scattered the pieces. So, when we have the pieces we just take it back."
"And… though I don't trust these elves, I trust them enough that they'll at least protect unicorns, it is their job. So I have a big favour to ask you, Phuddle", I put my hands together as one would if they wanted to pray.
"What is it?", he fully faced me.
"Onchao needs to take refuge at the elf palace", and his jaw dropped, Onchao reared back in anger and shock as well, looking at me.
I leaned towards Onchao to pet his muzzle and he seemed to calm down just a bit, but his furrowed brows told me he was less than pleased by this idea.
"Onchao… as much as Rando said we could stay with the herd… I don't think you'll be safe there; I won't be there to protect you- I cannot protect you. And I don't want Lyrias sacrifice to be in vain", the words hang heavy in the air. And Onchao whined… but relented at the mention of his mother's… sacrifice.
"I- I'll take good care of him! I'll convince the king of the elves to let him stay, I promise!"
I smiled and then breathed out.
"Thank you Phuddle."
"Oh Mia… did you bring another oracle?", he asked after a pause and I nodded. I breathed easier… finally a change of topics.
"Yeah, its 'To find the pieces you seek, befriend the one that knows where they went and where they'll be.'"
Phuddle seemed to think about it for a moment.
"Didn't you say you had an idea where the pieces are? I think you said it", he fidgeted with his hooves.
I paused and gave a quick nod.
"If my memories… my uhh predictions are right, I am sure I know where the locations are", his eyes lit up further than I thought they could.
"I got it!"
"You do?"
"The oracle is talking about you! You know here the pieces are! But… who needs to befriend you?"
My face soured at the first thought that came to my head.
"The elves."
Even Onchao was unhappy with this.
"Then why don't befriend them?", Phuddle winked with his eye as he said so.
"I don't think I'll ever be friends with them, Phuddle", I stated as a matter of fact, but he grinned triumphantly.
"But they don't need to know that!"
"What do you mean?"
"Hear me out! What if we make them think you are their friend?"
And then it dawned on me.
"Phuddle, you are a genius!"
"Ehehe you think so- I mean I did invent Centopias only hope", yet he danced around sheepishly.
"But how do we uhh… befriend them", I twirled my hands for emphasize on the befriend part.
Yet Phuddle just stood straighter.
"By offering them a part of the Trumptus and play into the act!"
"Oh, you mean the lie they spun!"
"Yep'", he popped the P.
"That is a really good plan actually! We can bring them the piece, have Onchao stay at the palace, keep collecting the pieces and don't have to worry about being attacked by the elves anymore!"
"Exactly, because who would hurt their friend right? Win win I'd say."
I applauded him. Show-him really didn't do this pan any justice. This little pan, as excentric as he may be, was logical and smart as an inventor should be.
I turned my head to Onchao when he stomped with his hooves. Then trotting ahead.
"You agree with the plan?", he nodded.
"Well Phuddle I think you have a tea ceremony to get to! I'm sure there is a Trumptus piece with the pans too"
He picked up his basket ready to leave.
"What are you waiting for then? Let's go!"
- :O
I handed over the cups one by one as Phuddle retrieved them from me.
"What is taking so long, Phuddle?", I could hear from the pan king himself.
"Just one moment your highness!", he ran back to me, retrieving another cup.
Onchao grew increasingly more agitated as we remained in the hidden spot.
I patted his side.
"You can feel it right? There is a Trumptus piece nearby", - but that didn't stop him from running into the open towards the pans.
"Onchao wait-", I called after him, strolling after him, knowing that my cover was blown.
"An elf, hide!" the king shrieked. He tripped, his crown falling off and Onchao promptly sniffing at the fallen crown.
I blinked as the King shook as he tried to cover himself with a leaf far too small to fully cover and hide him.
I leisurely walked up and picked the crown walking towards the king.
"I deeply apologize for startling and scaring you, your majesty, but I must ask, may I have this piece of your crown please? It is very important", the pan studied me for a bit as I crouched in front of him.
He put down the leaf and laughed lightly. "Well, if you are asking me so nicely, you can have it. It is just a piece of junk I found on the ground", he took the crown of my hands, tore off the trumptus piece and placed it in my waiting hands.
"Thank you, your dear majesty."
I walked towards Onchao to give Phuddle space.
"I'm so sorry your majesty, this was the worst tea ceremony of all times!"
"Now don't be so dramatic Phuddle"
"You are not mad at me?"
"It is the intention that matters. I welcome you back into the kingdom of the pans!"
"I think I'm dreaming!"
"Well then come along, hide away with all your pan friends. Never will you ever have to talk to elves again. And you'll chuck wood and eat apple cores as it is supposed to be"- wait was the king?
Was I imagining it or was he intentionally making it sound as bad as possible?
"Really… forever?", Phuddle turned to look at me, but he didn't look sad or upset, a bit he looked like he was thinking hard.
"No, I cannot! The elves are my friends! Mia is my friend! I can't stay away forever!", he bursts out.
"Then I am banning you yet again! You are not welcome back!" But the majesty's posture wasn't aggressive. Stern was his voice, but I could swear he wore a slight smile.
Phuddle shook his head and went ahead.
"Let's go Mia, Onchao! We have some elves to return to!"
I followed but I could swear the king looked pleased when I glanced back behind us.
- :O
I was getting exhausted. We weren't even there yet. Phuddle and Onchao seemed fine though.
Slowly they noticed as the distance increased between us and me getting out of breath getting obvious.
Was everything starting to blur?
"Mia, are you okay?", Phuddle asked me running back to me. Onchao also looked at me, clearly concerned.
I bent down to my legs when I stopped to walk.
"I'm huff just tired", I breathed out, but it sounded a lot more breathless than I had thought hearing it out loud.
"No wonder! Elves are built to fly not to walk such great distances", he looked around, but I just blinked at him.
"Don't elves walk a lot?", I questioned and Phuddle chuckled with a dismissive hand motion. "Barely ever, you should see the elves in the crater, the only walk to rest their wings or -oh", he put his hooved hand to his chin humming.
His gaze lingering on me for a while.
"You can't fly", he pointed out, but his face scrunched up in concentration before walking back and forth.
"You can't make such long distances without hurting yourself, trust me I heard stories of elves that tried, they were sick for weeks after", he moved his arms up and down as he said so.
"But we don't have a unicorn anymore to carry you", my heart squeezed knowing he meant Lyria.
"You can't fly, not with those wings of yours… argh what can we do!?", he kicked the nearest tree in frustration.
Then Onchao walked towards me, stared me in the face, before turning sideways and… crouching down.
He neighed, "On." He said.
"But you are still just a foal Onchao, that can't be good for you", though he had grown a considerable amount I had last seen him, riding him…
He shook his head before repeating what he said.
"I don't think that is a bad idea, Mia. You won't be able to make it the rest of the way. You already look really tired and if Onchao is so sure why not let him? I'm sure he'll be okay", with Phuddles encouragement I sighed and relented, slowly climbing onto Onchaos small back.
He stood up, seemingly with no problem. But I still felt uneasy about making him carry me.
"Thank you Onchao, but please stop for breaks if you think I am getting too heavy." Onchao didn't respond more than with a flicker of his ear, though I was unsure what he meant with it.
Now finally back on track Phuddle continued to lead us the right way.
"Hey Mia! About your wings!"
"Yeah Phuddle?"
"Do you think you could let me get a good look at them later? Maybe I can invent something that will help fix them!"
"Sure! But I don't know how much longer I have for today I'm not sure when I'll go poof"
"Mhm but if you don't go poof I could right?"
"Of course!"
- :O
Nearing the elven crater doubts started to plague me. Or rather than doubt it was my heart leaping through my chest.
"Don't worry Mia, I'll do all the talking!", Phuddle confidently skipped ahead going the long way up into the elven crater.
I held onto Onchao very tightly. I noticed, I really, really was starting to regret coming here.
But for Lyria I'd do anything.
Slowly going into the heart of the crater, Phuddle waved.
"They are with me! Heya I'm back!", he greeted jumping in steps to wave at the elves that halted what they were doing, gasping at the sight of us.
But my heart raced. Would they attack me? Were they going to hurt me again? Accuse me of something?
We stopped in the middle of the crater as Onchao tensed up and huffed at the elves that came closer.
"You-"
Until-
"Wait Yuko stop-"
I screamed as pain erupted from my wings, hitting the ground.
I heard some yelling, huffing and Onchao roaring angry, I think he was trying to kick at something too.
Something touched my arm, and I breathed in.
"-kay Mia?"
The pain subsided enough to sit up and assess the worried pan next to me and the situation.
"Yeah, I just hit my wings is all", I winced at the stinging sensation that remained.
"I'm sorry I didn't think Yuko would do that", he apologized, as he helped me get up.
Onchao stood protectively between me and the offending elf.
Yuko fluttered there, seemingly, still angry but also unsure, as it was a Unicorn in her way and not me.
Mo seemed to be there too, holding her back.
"What is your business here Mia?", the prince asked, but his voice seemed strained.
"Wait, Mo, he is with me!"
"Phuddle stay out of this!", the young elf lady screeched. Her wings buzzed angrily.
I took the Trumptus piece we had found from the ever so convenient pouch I had and held it up.
The elven duo gasp loudly.
"What is going on here?", all of us turned our heads to the new voice.
"Father I can explain-", the prince tried to say but a simple hand motion made him shut up.
"King Raynor!", Phuddle happily greeted bowing.
I only followed his gaze, I wasn't too keen on bowing for the elven king.
"I am here to make a deal", Phuddle side eyed me, but let it happen regardless.
The king slowly approached, but Onchao placed himself between me and the king, rearing back, flapping his wings and roaring at him.
"To have such fierce loyalty from a unicorn truly is something special, why, let me hear you out on that deal of yours."
Although Onchao didn't waver I held the Trumptus piece closely to my chest.
"King Raynor!", Yuko protested, but his quick glare at her made her shrink back.
"Of course… I am very certain I know where to find the rest of the pieces of the Trumptus, I can help find them and the Trumptus can be rebuild", gasps escaped some of the elves, even the King's face mustered a look of surprise.
"If that is true, we could defeat Panthea after all!", but he coughed into his fist regaining his composure.
"And what is your condition?", the king's gaze was unwavering, studying me as though he saw more than I could ever hope to know.
"Onchao needs a place to stay. The elven crater, the palace and you elves would be able to keep Onchao safe and out of Pan-…Pantheas grasp, whenever we aren't off to look for Trumptus pieces. That is all I am asking, that Onchao can stay here where it is safe, your majesty", I took a deep breath and made a light bow.
Nothing seemed to be happening, but I pat Onchao who relaxed just a tiny bit, enough to feel less of a threat.
Then the king spoke.
"I accept your terms. You are welcome in the elven crater for the purpose of finding the Trumptus lost pieces."
It didn't escape me, that he did not actually welcome me here. It was conditional, the moment my use expired, I was no longer able to stay. But it didn't matter, we had a plan.
I patted Onchaos side and he took a step aside as I slowly walked up towards the king.
"Your majesty?", I kneeled, presenting with palms up the second piece of the Trumptus.
He took the piece.
And I walked back towards Onchao who visibly relaxed when I was back at his side, although it wasn't more than a few steps I had taken.
The tension in the air was so thick you could have cut it with a knife.
"As king of the elves, I thank you for presenting the second piece of the Trumptus, this marks another step towards hope for all of Centopia."
I nodded slightly unsure if I was supposed to say anything.
Trying to steel my nerves some, I took a deep breath.
"I come with another oracle as well."
"An oracle? Phuddle, Yuko and my son mentioned these oracles to me, please explain them to me."
"O-of course your… majesty. I'm from very far. When I get an oracle, I get to visit Centopia, usually you can view them as prophecies, as something that can come true, a riddle for a solution needed or a warning about what is to come. Though usually they are to help centopia as a whole", I felt myself slowly falter, the pressure drumming in my ears.
"Once the oracle is fulfilled my job is done and I return home", I added having almost forgotten to mention it.
The king mustered me, the silence felt way too long before he spoke again.
"Then what is the oracle that led you here today?"
I was prepared for this, but the drumming of my heart beat was incredibly loud in my ears.
Heart pounding, I answered truthfully:
"To find the pieces you seek, befriend the one that knows where they went and where they'll be."
Glancing at the kings' face, I had the feeling he understood what it meant.
"He can't fly!", Phuddle added, though I was unsure why he'd mention it.
"He went all the way from the pan kingdom to here just to get you the Trumptus piece and find a way to keep Onchao safe!"
And his next sentence made me feel warm and I could only smile.
"And he is my friend!"
There was some murmuring around, idly chatter, but I couldn't make it out.
"I'm sure Yuko and Mo won't mind accompanying Phuddles friend to look for the rest of the Trumptus pieces", the Queen appeared by her husband's sight, but Onchao stomped his hoof in protest. I quickly reassured him with my hands going through his fur.
"But mother-", a quick glare made the elven prince shut-up.
My arm startled to prickle.
"It's time for me to return", I bowed towards the royal pair, crouched down to hug Phuddle, he returned the hug and then went to hug Onchao.
"Phuddle take care of Onchao okay? I'll be back soon."
"Of course! You have my word Mia!" and thus I tapped my bracelet.
- :O
I leaned back- only to remember I had classes today… but at least Onchao was in a safe place.
And we had a plan.
Getting out of the bathroom stall I saw Vincent surrounded by the mean girls still. I groaned.
Then decided to play up the ploy I remembered other me to have done.
Though only something about fungus I think.
"Vincent, Mister you are in so much trouble", I summoned up all the venom I could, which was easy enough if I just thought about those elves. But I was sure I could see more than just Vincent wince.
"The bugs were one thing but the Fungus!? This stuff itches and spreads like crazy! Look at you! Still having some on you! So you- Oh I wasn't even done yet", somehow I already scared them away.
"You are really scary when you want to be, you know that?", but he breathed in relief, his shoulders sinking.
"Thank you for the save, and hey how did you know about the fungus?"
I snorted in response, "Nice try Nerd, I saw that one coming!"
Grinning, he paid it no mind.
"Glad to see you are back to your old self", and I couldn't help but agree.
"Oh you are going to love what Phuddle, Onchao and I are up to, but first your test?"
"Right! Tell me later!"
I shook my head returning to class myself.
This wasn't over.
The game was on, I was getting this Trumptus, keep Onchao out of Pantheas grasp and save Lyria.
And it sure wouldn't be thanks to those elves.
Authors note:
-I think here I cemented a bit more about Yuko and Mo being more hostile to our dear stranger. The way I have written them is a bit inconsistent, I'm aware, but I'll fix that in the rewrite and hopefully scale it up a notch as well hehe
-I feel like with this version of self-insert Mia I can play up the hostility between the prince, his guard and the elf that comes and goes quite a bit.
-I mean they are in the middle of an actual war, so playing up hostility between strangers no matter the species except Phuddle since he brought the Trumptus lmao- sounds reasonable
-Spoiler but I'd like to think that the royal pair is less prejudiced towards Mia especially since Phuddle would have spilled the beans about the Trumptus breaking and Mia helping them.
-Ah and adding to the hostility, especially with the next chapter I somewhat went with an explanation, but I still consider it nonsense, nonsense that will be fixed in the rewritten version.