As Cyrus was walking the halls of the castle, simply trying to clear his head of what had happened in the throne room, he heard the sound of walking behind him. When he turned around, he was surprised to see none other than Queen Stefanianna, the Queen of Epula herself. "Y-Y-Your Royal Highness!" Cyrus stammered as he quickly bowed in the presence of the Queen. In response, Stefanianna simply said, "At ease, soldier," before continuing, "You are the one who just recently met my daughter, correct?" Cyrus came back up from his bow and said, "Yes, my Queen - I had just come back from my meeting with Princess Andaret. Is she... in need of my services at this time?"
"There is no need for that, young man - as far as I'm concerned, my daughter has done quite enough to you for one day," Stefanianna responded frankly. "In fact, I wanted to extend my personal apologies for her actions. I was told that she had the gall to break wind right in your face." Cyrus couldn't help but blush, both out of embarrassment for what the Queen had heard happened to him, but also from the surprise that came from getting a personal apology from the Queen of Epula herself. Today has been quite the strange day, Cyrus thought.
"Oh... I-It's fine, Your Fairness, there's no need to apologize," Cyrus said as earnestly as he could. "Oh? So, am I to assume that you enjoyed what she did to you?" Stefanianna replied, rather sternly. Cyrus reacted, "W-What?! No! Not at all whatsoever, my Queen - I-I am no deviant, I promise!" Stefanianna couldn't help but let out a small laugh as she told Cyrus, "At ease, young man - I am merely making fun. I know you are a decent fellow - I have heard of your work with the Worker's Guild, and have accounts of those who know you more personally than I. You are a good man, Cyrus Merrifall." Cyrus simply couldn't believe what he was hearing - how is it that the Crown herself knew so much about him? Why would she care so much about this simple guild worker? Cyrus could not help but ask, "Your Majesty... if you do not mind me asking, how is it that you know so much about me? I am just a mere commoner."
"No mere commoner can claim to have achieved as much as you have, young man," Stefanianna replied. "I shall answer your question nonetheless - you see, it was I that personally appointed you as my daughter's bodyguard, against her adamant wishes. The reason I had you picked out specifically was because I heard of your various exploits, and found you to be very capable." Cyrus was flattered by the Queen's words, and began to think back on his previous work with the Workers Guild - as a member of the Guild, Cyrus could take a wide variety of work from all sorts of clientele, including Adventurers who came in need of additional services. Cyrus himself did not consider himself an Adventurer at all, but he has worked with a few in his time at the guild - his exploits included anything from being a simple pack mule, carrying supplies for his clients, to helping Treasure Hunters with getting their jewels and gold. Cyrus couldn't help but wonder what about his work made stand out so much, so he asked, "How do you mean, Your Majesty? My work is no more outstanding than any other member from the Guild." Stefanianna smiled and said, "Perhaps... but you have done something none of the others have - you have never turned down a job." Cyrus' eyes widened at the realization that Stefanianna was entirely correct - Cyrus' work ethic was unlike all the other members, to the point where if a job was not accepted by anyone else, he would always decide to take it, no questions asked.
"Unless you want to make this the exception," Stefanianna added. Cyrus quickly responded, "No, not at all, Your Highness! I will take this job, and will protect Andaret with my life!" Stefanianna's smile slowly faded, and then she said, "Well, you have my sincerest gratitude for that... but you must promise me one thing." Cyrus said passionately, "Anything for you, My Queen." Stefanianna then added, "Should Andaret ever do what she did to you in the throne room again, you are to let me know as soon as possible. As her mother, I will not accept her behavior - we have had too many guards quit their positions due to her incessant flatulence, and I will not allow her to continue wasting my time or yours."
"She's... she has done this before?" Cyrus asked, confused. "I did not realize that her flatulence was so...frequent. So, are you asking me to report every time she passes gas?"
"No," Stefanianna clarified. "Only report to me if she is to do anything unsavory towards you - I understand that this may be strange of me to ask, but I ask you that you tolerate her farting as best you can. She cannot help how flatulent she is, just how she decides to make use of it."
Cyrus nodded, understanding what the Queen had told him. A moment of silence fell over the two of them before Cyrus asked, "If you do not mind, my Queen... why is Princess Andaret as gassy as she is?" Stefanianna took a moment to take a deep breath, before saying:
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