Goodbye Kempfer
The next morning, as we stood before the Duke's grand mansion once more, I found myself bombarded with the tears of little children.
Serenity and her cousins had been fascinated to see my humanoid form, but that fascination had not lasted long when we informed everyone that the next day we would be making our way to the capital.
Little James was doing his level best to not sob, but his forced sniffles were driving me a little bonkers, even if I was touched to see how fond he was of me in such a short time.
His fist was balled up in the skits of one of my new dresses, specially made by the Shrew.
As for Millenia, she had no reservation on her tears at all, freely bawling her eyes out. Luckily, the Duchess had taken pity on me and took the young princess up into her own arms a few moments ago, otherwise she would still be bawling into my skirts right next to her brother.
"It is a shame to see you leave so soon." Duke Orelious stated somberly over the wails of his distraught daughter. He and Leon clasped forearms and the duke pulled him into a brief hug before they both took a step back. Why did males have to make farewells so awkward?
Not that I had all that much room to talk as I stood to the side, silently weeping prince on one side of my and a baby wailing into my overly sensitive ears on the other, her mother making calming, shushing noises all the while. I guess we were all awkward in one way or another.
"I've had Serenity away from home for too long.
" Leon said, placing a hand on the back of his adorable sister.
She walked forward and hugged her uncle, her eyes just faintly pink from when, she too, had cried while saying her farewells to her aunt and cousins a moment prior.
"And Allura has urgent business with my father as well. "
"Ah, yes. It is never wise to keep a dragon waiting is it?" He chuckled.
"WAAAAAAAH" Hollered Millenia, as several maids hurried forward, also trying to calm the child.
"Er, right." Said Leon, watching his baby cousin worriedly. Then he caught my eye and I saw that he was trying not to laugh. Bastard.
"I will come back to visit." I told the little girl while patting the head of her brother in what I hoped was a comforting manner.
I didn't have much contact with children after I had stopped being one myself back in my old life.
I am sure, had I not died, I would have had ample practice with my own nieces and nephews over the years.
"P-Promise!" Millenia wailed, ignoring everyone's efforts to settle her down.
"I promise." I said. It wasn't like it should be a hard one to keep. I was a dragon who could fly far and wide. Especially once I built up my wing strength and stamina, I was sure the trip would not be a hassle to make. "We can go swimming again."
"Al-alright..." The child hiccoughed, allowing a maid to use a handkerchief to wipe the snot off her face.
I reached out a faintly scaled hand and patted her on the head, while also using the other arm to give the little duke a side hug.
"I will see you both soon. So behave and grow up strong.
Who knows, maybe if you get big and brave enough, I might even be able to take you on a short flight. very low to the ground."
"Really?!" Asked an astonished James, eyes wide at my side.
I nodded and the boy beamed, releasing my dress to hurry over to his mother's side.
"I swear I will train hard!" He said, platinum blonde hair flashing as the sun broke free from the cover of a cloud.
I didn't know one needed to train in order to do what amounted to the dragon version of a pony ride, but if it kept the kids in line and motivated, then I supposed that was fine.
"Be safe on your travels." Stated Gillian, looking both sad to see us leave and relieved that her daughter had stopped screaming in her poor ears. "And, Leon dear, do be sure to send work as soon as you get to Helios in one piece. It will put my mind at ease."
"Yes Aunt, I will be sure to do as you ask." Leon said, placing a hand over his heart and bowing ever so slightly to the Duchess.
"Yes, send the king and Queen our regards as well.
" Chuckled the Duke, also looking very relieved that there was no longer screeching echoing over the grounds of his mansion.
"I am sure I will be seeing my brother soon enough, but it never hurts to check up on the over worker. " He added with a laugh.
"Yes Uncle, i will deliver your words."
"Everything is ready to go!" I heard a guard shout to Loric, who was overseeing the preparations for our departure.
"I suppose that is the signal to depart then." Leon said with a wane smile. He reached out a hand and patted the newly teary eyed Millenia on the head before doing the same for James. "We will see each other again soon."
"Goodbye..." Intoned Serenity as she took her brother's offered hand.
"See you next time." I said, wanting to be out of there before little Millenia started off again. As I followed the Prince and Princess, I turned a little and gave the ducal family a cheery wave.
"You are very good at human mannerisms for a dragon new to this form." Leon observed as we approached the carriage.
"A lady does not reveal all of her secrets." Was all I said, nose lifted to the air a little haughtily.
Leon simply laughed and assisted his sister into her seat as a guard held the carriage door open. "Will you be riding with us this time then?" He asked, eyeing my two human feet.
I didn't think the walking would tire me out any. Just because I was in this shape did not mean I also had the endurance of a scrawny human, after all. But I had never ridden in a carriage before- much less a royal one- so I figured I should grab the opportunity as it was presenting itself.
Leon smiled and held out a hand; A real gentlemen, he was.
I took the offered appendage and let the man pull me up into the wooden box on wheels.
Hannah was already seated withing, helping Serenity get comfortable on the padded seating.
Leon directed me to take the cushion next to her, so that I would be seated across from him.
I sat, moving the irritating skirts out of the way, and Serenity beamed at me.
Clearly it was as much a novelty for her to be sitting in a carriage with a dragon, as it was for me to be sitting there with an honest to goodness Prince and Princess.
As we head the coachmen urge the horses on, we all peered out the open curtains of the carriage and waved goodbye to the ducal family.
I saw that, though she was waving just as eagerly as her brother, Millenia was- once again- bawling her eyes out.
It made me chuckle. I suppose I would miss them a little.
they were a very nice family, after all.
My previous experience with reading novels told me that not all royals and nobles would be quite as friendly and accommodating, so I was quite pleased that my first experience with them had be rather pleasant.
"How long will it take us to reach Helios?" I asked as we all settled back into our seats. We were still on a cobbled path, yet the carriage was quite bumpy. I could only imagine how jarring the potholes on the dirt roads were going to be... maybe I should get out an walk after a bit in the end.
"From Kempfer to Straum it is about a weeks travel.
" Said Leon, his eyes watching out the window as we passed through the gates of the ducal mansion.
"Straum is at the base of the hills, and is the closest town to Helios, where many farmers and hunters live.
There is also a very profitable iron mine located there.
From there, it is a pretty hard up hill trek to get to Helios, which is situated on the Grand Plateau. "
"Didn't you say it was on a lake?" I asked, not feeling very enthusiastic about an up hill climb. I could fly, sure... but then I would have to leave the procession behind and enter Helios on my own. And that seemed like far too much hassle to deal with.
"Lake Helios is massive and located on the Grand Plateau.
Within the lake are many islands, and it is on these islands- big and small- that Helios was built.
It is a grand city that embraces air, land, and water.
And, at night, it is lit up with magical lamp posts, the lights gleaming off the lake.
.." Leon sound a little like a tour guide's pamphlet, but also like he truly loved his city and kingdom.
"It is really magical." Breathed Serenity, hands clasped in front of her chest as if in prayer. "I can't wait for you to see it Allura!"
I smiled down on the girl. "Me too." I said, thinking that flying around the city at night sounded breath taking.
And lets not forget the massive waterfall they called 'The Edge of the World'.
I bet my heart would race, looking over the side of it, even if there was no risk now that I had wings to catch me should I fall.