After Prince Egon left, Father informed me that the reward for the princes who passed the test was, they could take me anywhere outside the palace. Then, I went back to my chamber, so I could prepare for tomorrow. For the rest of the day, I wondered what the prince planned to do at Furstenberg.
The day of departure. I wore a long-sleeved white top with a light violet straight collar with the collar being symmetrical, a long skirt wrapped around my waist with a light blue and light pink tinge, and a stitch soled light blue flat shoes. Then, I put on a light blue see-through beizi suit (a traditional suit/coat) which has big sleeves, over knee length, neither side was stitched from the underarm, and the collar was made from top to bottom.
Prince Egon and I were to meet at the back gate of the palace which opens to the forest. We'll be traveling for 1 to 2 days, in a horse-drawn single carriage with two Percheron horses pulling it. One of Father's personal highly-skilled guards will be disguising as our coachman, and another will be riding a horse behind us. What any of us didn't know was that there's actually a third person guarding us from the shadows, a personal guard I never knew existed and someone who always follow me.
They were already there when I arrived, all wearing their disguises. Prince Egon was wearing a one-piece garment, a cross collar long black robe with a silver belt; it was a simple clothing but he looked dignified. I shifted my attention to the middle-aged coachman, "Thank you for coming with us, Uncle!"
"Greetings, Your Imperial Highness!" The other guard who looks like in his late twenties followed after, "Greetings, Your Imperial Highness."
The other guard reminded me of my elder brother on Earth, his name was.. his name.. 'Nevermind.' I showed a gleeful smile to both of them, "You too, Big Brother!"
"You shouldn't address them like that. They're not from the royal family," Prince Egon went in front of me.
I stretched my hand towards his face, then, pinched his nose and pushed him to the side. The two men were shocked on what I did to the cold prince. Probably, because of the rumors they've heard. But, I didn't take important notice of their expressions and talked to them, again.
"Once we're outside, please call me 'Lau'. We don't want anyone finding out my real identity, do we? And we're on a disguise, remember? I'll call you Uncle and Big Brother! That's an order," I gave Prince Egon a look, when I said the last word.
My single luggage and Prince Egon's were already inside the carriage under the seats. We maintained minimalism and didn't bring servants to avoid unwanted attention on our trip. So, it'll be just the two of us, sitting opposite to each other, inside the carriage. I hoped to make it out alive or not die out of boredom, during the trip.
...
On the first few hours of the trip, I was able to maintain sitting gracefully. We took the only route to Furstenberg that was surrounded by the forest. And stopped multiple times for 'restroom breaks', that's what we call it back on.. on.. Earth! Why is my memory failing me? Anyway, I wanted to sprawled out in the carriage, but I can't, I'm not alone. Instead, I diverted my attention to munching the snacks I brought.
After eating lunch with Prince Egon inside the carriage, I went outside to rest and stretch my body, while the carriage wasn't moving. The trip was so boring that I spent my time just reading a handwritten romance book. I also peeked at Prince Egon from time-to-time, most of the time, he had his eyes closed; or he was reading a book.
Night-time arrived, we decided to stop the carriage. Big Brother scoped the area to make sure it was safe, then, built a large fire on an open area. We ate roasted chicken together, around the fire, sitting on tree logs; Big Brother put a blanket over the tree log I sat on while they sat directly on the tree log. Uncle and him will switch on guard duty, while the other one sleeps.
I was thinking of where to sleep, when Prince Egon made me stand by holding both of my arms, "Go sleep inside the carriage, it's warmer there. I will sleep outside, I'm used to these extreme weathers. Let's go."
The carriage was close to where we were, so it was just a quick walk. Once I was inside the carriage, I turned to him, "Will you be fine, outside?"
He nodded at me and looked at the oil lamp hanging, "Should I blow the fire?"
"Leave it burning," I quickly answered him. "Good night, Egon."
He already had his back facing me, and he just waved his hand without saying anything. After I closed the carriage, I took my thickest black cloak out of my luggage, wore it and sat on the floor. It wasn't that big of a carriage so I couldn't lie down. I placed my forearms over my seat and rested my head there. Maybe it was because of sitting gracefully all day, that I fell asleep right after I closed my eyes.
...
(2nd Prince Egon's POV)
Prince Egon laid a blanket on the grass, parallel to him was the middle-aged man getting ready to sleep, and between them was the large fire. The guard in his late twenties was already on guard duty, patrolling around the area. The prince lay down, put his arms under his head and closed his eyes.
It was late at night when he opened his eyes and saw the younger guard sleeping parallel to him. A chilling breeze swept upon them so the prince stood up to get a coat from the carriage. Light could still be seen from the inside of the carriage. He quietly knocked on the door, but Laurana didn't answer.
Laurana was sitting on the floor with her head resting on her seat, it was an uncomfortable position. He slightly tapped her shoulders, but she was in deep sleep. She might catch a cold if he bring her out. Thinking of this, he went inside, instead.
Prince Egon took out his coat from his luggage and sat on the floor. Then, he made her lean on his shoulder and covered both of them with his coat. Laurana shifted a little on her sleep, until she found a comfortable position on his shoulder and unconsciously, hugged his arm. Even with the princess hugging him, no emotion could be seen on his face; or did his eyes seems a little different?