"Are you sure you're fine with not visiting your house?" I asked Anna, as we watch over the Figmorth's servants put our bags on the wagon.
Anna nodded. "Like I've said yesterday, it's not like Mom would be there, so…" she mumbled.
"Still, don't you want to see your house or something?" I stated, and Anna shook her head, "I'm fine"
I sighed. She's quite stubborn, yeah.
…
"Hmm, this smell of Benigrul…It really feels good to be back!" Kirt stated, as we got off the wagon.
After riding the wagon and ending our cozy visit at the Capital of Gothiceln Kingdom, we soon reached our next destination
Benigrul Kingdom's Capital, City of Polonius… This is where the Zircon Palace of Benigrul Kingdom, the King's house is.
I groaned.
"Hmm, what's wrong, Ed? Are you feeling unwell?" Gino asked, as he looked at me. "No, I'm fine. Compared to when I am inside the wagon, I am fine" I stated.
"Then…" Gino mumbled. "Then, why are you hiding behind Reina?" I gasped. "T-that is because of…"
"Ed!" shouted a familiar voice. "Oh no…" I mumbled. "Ed, that girl is calling you" Forth tilted his glasses.
A pink haired girl approached me, as I hid behind Reina. "It's been a while, Ed!" She greeted, as I turned Reina to continue hiding behind her.
"Hey! Why are you hiding from me, Ed?" The girl stated, as she tried to catch me and I continued shoving Reina to hide myself from the girl.
Kirt spoke, "Why are you out of the palace, princess?"
"Princess..?" mumbled the others. "That is right. The girl in front of you all is the princess of Benigrul Kingdom. Princess Arianna fei Reagan" Kirt stated.
Aria added, "And I am Ed's cousin!" The others looked at me and Aria. "Cousin?!" They exclaimed.
…
We went to the Zircon Palace with Aria.
"So, why were you out princess?" Kirt asked. "I heard from Dad that Ed will be coming, so I went to welcome you all" She stated, as she clung on to me.
I asked, "How did uncle knew that we were gonna come?"
"Sir Figmorth told him through a letter" Aria stated, as she smiled at me. "Hmm…" I mumbled, as I looked forward.
Well, Lloyd said that they were childhood friends, so I guess it was normal that he can get hold of him.
Kirt spoke, "Next time, you should have a knight accompany you. You're a princess, so you should be aware of the dangers that lures behind you"
Aria glared at him.
You really hate sermons as usual, Aria... Somehow, this side of Kirt is a bit unexpected. I guess, he is not that lazy, at all times.
"Hmm, but Emperor Geralt doesn't have any siblings, right?" Russell mumbled. "Yes, and I am the little brother of the Late Empress" A familiar voice spoke, behind Russell.
They exclaimed, "Huge!"
"You guys, that is rude of you all" I stated. "Eh?" Gino mumbled. "The person you are calling huge is the King of Benigrul, King Arkleid Togh fei Reagan" Kirt stated.
Uncle greeted, "Nice to meet you"
"No way, he's too huge!" The others exclaimed. "It's rude, but well you're right" I grinned, as Uncle smiled a bit worriedly.
I looked at Gino who was glaring at me.
What's wrong with him?
I looked at Aria, who was clinging to me. "Hmm, is something wrong?" Aria asked, with a cute smile. I looked back at Gino and saw his glare becoming fiercer.
I see…
…
I walked the hallway of the Zircon Palace.
"Hmm, what are you doing here, Ed?" someone asked from behind. I turned and saw my Uncle, King Arkleid there.
I mumbled, "Uncle…"
"The others went to Aria's room. Surely, she'll keep on clinging to me, so I went out" I said. "I don't want that guy to hit me, because of envy" I mumbled quietly.
Uncle laughed. "That dandelion-haired boy seems to be interested of her" Uncle stated. "Eh, you noticed?" I asked.
"Oi, oi. Ed, I am always looking at the guys who approach my daughter. To know whether their intention is good or bad" Uncle stated, with a bit scary tone.
I laughed.
"So, what do you think of Gino?" I asked. Uncle snorted. "Maybe, it was because he was Christophe's son. That's why he seemed so good" Uncle stated, as he walked a bit away.
I gasped.
Good for you, Gino! But, I don't want to tell him that, he might brag about it. And, he might not believe me.
I followed Uncle.
"By the way, Ed" Uncle called, as we walked the hallway together. "You've grown bigger than when I last saw you"
I sighed. "Well, I am 12 already. And you saw me last, when I was 7 during Mom's funeral, right?" I stated.
"Right" Uncle nodded. "How has it been, after sis died?" He asked, as he looked at me with eyes that were saying sorry.
I smiled.
"It was bad. After all, I…Elicia and my three older siblings lost our mom" I stated. "But, it was good for Mom. Since, she wouldn't need to suffer, anymore"
Uncle looked at me, and smiled bitterly.
He patted my head. "You really are a good boy" He stated, with some tears flowing from his eyes.
"I am not… But, if it is being a good son, I have a lot of confidence with that" I grinned. "You're getting cocky" Uncle ruffled my hair.
I giggled.
"How about Geralt, how was he after sis died?" Uncle asked. "I don't know. Father was the type of person who doesn't show such feelings to others" I stated.
I added. "Even us, his family are "others" for him"
"But, I do think that he is the one who is grieving over Mom's death. After all, he loves her very much" I stated.
Uncle nodded. "Geralt was the kind of person that devotes himself to his important person that when they're gone, he just get all weary and sad down" Uncle stated.
"So, I do think you're right" He grinned.
Loss of important person, huh..?
Why did Uncle just talked as if he actually witnessed Dad lose someone important to him other than Mom?
After that, I took the time of the King of Benigrul and talked with him about the many events that happened to me this year.
…
When I was about to go back to Aria's room, I saw Kirt talking with someone.
The two of them looked a bit panicked, so I was about to go to them when Kirt suddenly stated, "Father's missing?!" with a loud voice.
I jolted. Eh?
"Yes, the Duke hasn't come back yet, so the King ordered some Knights to go check him" The man Kirt was talking with stated.
He continued, "They found the carriage the Duke was riding on destroyed, in the middle of the road. With some of the knights that went with him injured, and some were..."
"Dead" Kirt mumbled, as the man nodded and looked down with a frightened face.
I spoke up, "Are the Knights that were ordered by Uncle…I mean, the King looking over the scene, right now?"
"Your Imperial highness... I-I greet you a good day!!" The man kneeled down the ground, and looked down. "Ed…" Kirt mumbled, with a bit sad face.
I tapped the man's shoulder. "There's no need for you to do that, please stand up, uhm… what is your name, sir?" I stated.
"Steven Evans, your highness" The man stood up, with his head still looking down. "Sir Evans, can you answer my question?" I politely asked him.
He raised his head up, and looked at me. "As you've said, the Knights are looking over the scene right now, your highness" Steven stated.
"Then, can we go and check it?" I asked, without changing my expression. "Sir?" he looked at me with a baffled face, which was the same as what Kirt is doing, right now.
I repeated, "Can we?"
"Ah, well…" Steven fixed his posture. "We will need to ask the King about it, but I am sure that he will permit you to go" he answered.
I turned my back against them, "Then, let us go and ask for permission"
"Wait, Ed. Why are you that eager to go?" Kirt grabbed my hand. "If your friend is having a trouble, you would want to help him, right?" I stated, as he loosened his grip on my hand.
Kirt looked down, and nodded.
"Come on, hurry up, Kirt, Sir Evans" I stated. Sir Evans stood straight and saluted to me, "Yes Sir!" Kirt raised his head up, "Why me too?" he asked.
I looked at him, "You're going with me to go save your father, that's why"