Since a lot of nobles are constantly followed by their servants all day everyday it is expected that one couldn't expect the children attending the academy to do without their personal maids or butlers. Therefore, it was allowed that we bring just one servant each, if we want but they couldn't attend classes with us and are required to stay in the dormitory or as it was officially called, "stay rooms", which I personally have trouble getting used to and no one here knows the term "dormitory" or "dorm", this led to a bunch of confused conversations when I unconsciously used the word, other than Lark that is.
Luckily for me, I have made it very clear I will not be taking a servant to help me and I don't need one- though it took me quite some time to convince them, I did succeed. Lark will be attending the academy of course, but as a student; my greatest achievement was probably getting him to even try to get accepted- reluctantly he did and he obviously succeeded. Lark has always been much smarter than he shows. He probably wasn't in the Academy in the game- as a student that is…
For now, though I am staying away from my room or the study… the number of maids going in or out is getting annoying but, they need to finish packing for my life at the academy. But just walking around the palace like an attached ghost is tiring too… maybe I should go out for a while, it's been sometime since.
Now that the thought's come to me I'm even more eager. And so I change directions to the stables where my beautiful mare is there being tended too.
"Hi June~"
The mare gives me a long neigh in greeting, I go to her petting her a little before reaching for her saddle, "Let's go out today, yeah?" her head bobs that makes me chuckle, I don't think she really knew what she did but I like to think she did and smother her a bit more.
"Good day Your Highness."
I turn around to find the man in charge of the stables- Rolans, at the entrance. "Ah Rolans, I'll be taking June out for a bit."
"Of course, Your Highness… but…"
"Yes?"
"Please have someone escort you!!" he bowed a bit frantically.
Well, it's true I'd be required too but still, riding alone…
"Stand up, I'll take someone along." I sighed, it's better I do after what happened last time. Hmm let's see who I can find, the first suitable person I see, I'll nab them!
The closer I walked I kept looking around, searching… Ares!
"Ares!" he turned to my direction and stopped for me to catch up. "Sirius, what?"
"Greetings, Your Highness." I nodded to his aide.
"Are you free now?"
He shook his head and said, "I'm going to Simras; inspection."
Ahh, his territory, "Can I join you? I wanted to go riding." He nodded his head with a small smile before adding, "Take Lark too." I groaned; I'd have to convince him then or maybe not, I glanced at Justin.
"Let's have Justin get Lark here while we ready the horses and wait for them." Ares agreed and sent Justin on the little errand while we went to the stables.
Frey, Ares' dark brown stallion was ready not long after, Justn wasn't back with Lark yet so we waited, "What's taking them so long?"
"Provisions maybe" I hummed in agreement, maybe it is a four-day trip both coming and going. Just then I spotted Justin in the distance with Lark not far behind.
"Your Highness," Lark began when he reached close enough to talk, "If we go on this trip we are cutting very close to your date of leaving-"
"It will be fine. The Academy doesn't start for another week, we can arrive any time before then."
"But we need to settle in as well."
"It will hardly take a day for that."
"Even so-" he turned to
"Are you coming along or not?" a sigh of defeat, my win. He turned to Ares, "Your Hi-" Ares immediately gave him sign of defeat and I grinned.
"Why did you go through the trouble of asking for permission if you were going to try and stop Hs Highness." Justin nudged his elbow into Lark's side and whispered. Well… I think it was meant to be a whisper…
"Justin can't whisper." Ares supplied helpfully and I nodded.
"I can Your Highness!", it only earned hm a look that unexpectedly made him go red. Wonder what that was about…
We were soon riding towards Simras, we were delayed a bit but we should reach by mid evening. That should give Ares enough time to look around and go through the documents that needs his attention and or supervise any projects he has going on. And a little freedom until I enter my new gilded cage.
The first part of the journey was easy and smooth, a short break for lunch and we continued onwards. We passed through a few travelling carriages, some holding a family and other times a merchant who tried selling their wares to us. It was a nice day, a little windy but nothing too bad.
As I thought it was mid evening when we reached the gates of Simras, being a main trade city between the Sea Port city- Quila and the other cities it has always been busy. Even now the entrance is pretty busy with merchants and travelers trying to enter. Most of the projects Ares undertakes is to ensure the city's smooth functioning no matter when and safety of the civilians. The city is beautiful and constantly buzzing even late into the night.
We went straight to the entrance of the gates, overtaking the long line- perks of being a prince. At the entrance the Head of the Knights stationed here saluted, "Welcome Your Highnesses. I hope you had a good journey."
Ares nodded, "We weren't informed that His Highness Sirius would be joining you this time."
"No need to worry too much Sir, I just tagged along at the last moment. I hope there won't be any issues." I stated.
"Not at all Your Highness."
"Sirius this is Sir Simon. He will lead us to the Baron's estate."
After introductions were made, we followed Sir Simon to the estate of Baron Joahann who was out to welcome us along with his family. We were shown to our rooms to dress for dinner.
Lark was in my room not long after helping me change. "How's your room?"
"Pretty good I would say, Justin has one right across so we can find each other easily enough."
"That's good." I agreed.
"I aspect the Baron will be having his daughters trying to catch your attention during the course of dinner."
"…maybe." I answered back.
As I walked out, I heard him say, "All the best Si."