Everyone was chattering excitedly as we waited for the carriage outside. Mom was talking with Lady Beatrice, who came over. They apparently came over to travel together to where the parade was being held at. Dad explained the plan to mom yesterday night. They were planning on switching in the prince at the coronation ceremony. I don't know how they will solve the problem of a substitute, but I hope it is not another kid his age.
"Hey Alex, what are you thinking about?" I looked to see Fawn and Arthur coming over towards me.
"It's nothing. I am just excited to go to the parade." I gave them a small welcoming smile as they walked towards me.
They both returned my smile, especially Fawn. He had been okay with me ever since I saved his sister from back in the training ground. He didn't even care if Flora came up to talk with me. I was quite surprised the first time he didn't glare or seemed angry with me when Flora approached me.
"I know how you feel." Mom came into our group and put a hand on my head.
"Mom, why are you here?" Mom pouted at me.
"I can't talk to my precious sons."
"Mom, we're not kids." Mom smiled at Arthur's outburst.
"I know. I guess I will leave now but don't grow too fast. Mommy still needs you." I pursed my lips the moment she walked away after saying that last sentence. Arthur blushed in embarrassment. Fawn was chuckling at our reactions. It is sweet and all, but it was embarrassing. Mom stopped momentarily in her tracks. "Hey Arthur, I want you to meet a friend of mine and her daughter."
Arthur gave me a nod and walked away with mom, leaving me alone with Fawn.
"Um...I wanted to thank you for the last time at the training ground." I raised an eyebrow indicating that I didn't understand. Let's just say I loved his expression while he continued to explain. "When you saved my sister."
"Oh, I remember. She is a friend and a guest, plus we will get a bad reputation if we hurt a girl at our house."
"Oh." Fawn looked awkwardly on the ground. I guess he doesn't know what to say, so I took the initiative.
"You once told me that Arthur is really good. It was like you idolized him. Do you like him that much?" Fawn's eyes sparkled as I mentioned Arthur. Fawn looked up at me.
"Yes, he is an actual genius who was awakened at the age of seven and accomplished so many things. He is also smart and kind. Arthur also helped me improve in fighting ever since six. I even got awakened at the age of eight." Why was the way he said it reminded me of a girl in love with me in my past life? It took me a moment to hit me. Wait, what? Eight? How old is he?
"How old are you?" Fawn looked at me, confused.
"I am eight."
"Then what about your sister?"
"She is seven." I blinked in confusion.
"Then how is she your twin?"
"I don't know, but mom said we are, so we are." First of all, that didn't make any sense. Twins were usually born at the same time. There was no way they were around almost a year apart. From the corner of my vision, I saw Lady Beatrice coming our way in a rush.
"Fawn, come and meet prince Hermon." Fawn was quite shocked when he heard the prince was here. Fawn slowly went to his mother. I followed behind, keeping a distance. Ari was snoring away while clinging on. I wonder how she can cling on like that while sleeping. I walked as steady as possible so that she could sleep comfortably. I froze as I heard a small roar, but then it went quiet.
I reached the room where Fawn and Lady Beatrice were headed. I spotted Hermon in like two seconds due to his bright and shiny clothes. His clothes fitted perfectly with his blond hair. Hermon gave me a smile as soon as we made eye contact. He gave me a small nod and looked back at Lady Beatrice with a smile. The door opened to reveal the new captain of the guards that was just appointed two weeks ago. He went straight to mom and whispered something in her ear.
Mom clapped her hands to get our attention.
"The carriages are ready for departure." Everyone smiled at the news. There were three carriages in total. One for us, one for the prince, and one for Fawn's family. They all looked similar, despite the fact that a prince was on one of the carriages. I guess they didn't want it to look too outstanding.
'Baba?'
'Your awake.' I looked at Ari to see her looking around lazily. She still looked quite sleepy. 'We are going to the palace. We were about to leave.'
Ari's eyes widened and let out a small high-pitched squeak. She jumped off and ran outside, which sort of surprised me since it was all of a sudden.
"Bwutha, Ami wants to come with Bwutha. Pleeeeeease." Ami wrapped her arm around my waist and looked up at me.
"You are coming." I was confused about why she was asking that. Mom came over and picked Ami up. We both walked over to our carriage that was right in the middle. I was ready to get on when Ari suddenly jumped onto my shoulder.
'Baba, we should get on the first carriage where the crown prince is.'
'I don't think we can do that.'
'No, you have to.' There was a sense of urgency in her voice as she yelled a bit.
'What is it? Is something wrong?'
'I smell black magic.'
Black Magic?
'Let me see what I can do.' I turned to mom, who was already inside the carriage.
"Mom, can I ride with the prince?" Mom looked shocked at my question.
"Alex, what are-"
"Let me at least ask him." Without hearing my mom's response, I walked over to the crown prince's carriage. As soon as I reached there, the guards blocked me using their swords.
"Stand down." It was Hermon. He turned over to me. "What is it, Alex?"
"Do you mind if I hitch a ride?" The guards reached for their swords. Hermon stopped them by lifting up his hand.
"I don't mind." Hermon gave me a smile and welcomed me in. I followed him into the carriage. Hermon sat and relaxed himself as he slouched. I sat in the opposite part of the carriage, so I was facing him. Ari sat beside me and put her head onto my lap.
'Ari, make sure to tell me if there is anything wrong.'
'Ok, baba.'
"So...." Hermon took the first initiative to talk in the awkward silence as the carriage began to move. He definitely did not have anything to say, so I helped him out.
"Did you like the stay?"
"Yes, your family was quite welcoming. I liked how they did not treat me according to my status, instead, they treated me like their own son." Hermon looked down at his fingers. "I even gained a friend that I made on my own accord."
"On your own accord?"
"Yes, my father introduces me to kids my age for diplomatic reasons, so all they talk about is politics. I never got to mingle with kids that was...normal."
He reminded me of my past before all of this. I don't remember anyone I could talk to casually either. It was many of the sacrifices that a royalty made.
"Hey, at least you made one normal friend now, right?" Hermon gave me a smile.
"Thank you." Hermon looked at Ari. "I have been wondering something."
"Yes."
"She is your bond, right?"
"Yes."
"What class is she? I heard about it a little. You picked her up as an egg when you were little, but she only hatched when you came back. There was only one incident like that four thousand years ago. It was a dragon." I contained my shock
"A dragon?"
"Yes, apparently it disappeared two hundred years ago. Everyone believes it is dead and is the last dragon to ever exist." I looked at Ari.
"Dragons are the kings of heaven and earth, which means they are the most powerful being on this planet. The last dragon was bonded with the first king of Flores, the most powerful swordsman and magician. It was a pity he died two thousand years ago."
"She is an E-class mana beast. I don't think she is a dragon."
"I know."
I looked out the window to see that we we're going through a forest. I guess dad wanted us to go through a safe route.
As I looked out the window, Ari's ears started twitching and she woke up. She smelled the air.
'Baba, an arrow is headed straight towards the prince.' Right when I heard Ari's voice, I ducked and pulled Hermon's leg, making him slide down the seat and fall to the floor. An arrow entered through the window and stabbed into the wood where Hermon's head was.