After Docking, a few Imperial knights, including the commander were waiting for them wih prepared lavish Imperial carriages and trumpets were blown to celebrate the crown prince's return. "There was no need to be so lavish, but that is typical of my father for you." Said Rhydian once they were in their designated carriages. "Oh well, you are an Imperial prince and currently the crown prince at that." said Sophia. Rhydian gave a light grunt and rolled his eyes, for unlike his father, he did not fancy such lavishness.
On their arrival to the palace, Lari and her father Emperor Heinrey himself came to greet them. "Ah my son, at last you may tell me more about your endeavors of your journeys across the seas, now you shall take a rest, I prepared rooms for all of you after recieving your letter, the maidservants shall lead you and your companions to your chambers." Said the Emperor after shaking hands and hugging his son tightly. "Thanks Pa, you're the best, I shall fancy a good bath right now and some hours of sleep, call me in for supper and I shall think that my companions feel the same." was Rhydian's reply with a polite yet teasing smile.
The baths were quite exquisite as the room was filled with potted flowers and some other plants, the bath itself was quite spacious and warm like a natural hot spring, though thousands of rose petals floating on its surface and rice as well as green tea and rose powder mixed in the bath water since it is believed to rejuvenate, hydrate and repair skin cells as well as make one's skin softer, more rosy, more silky and fairer. It is the jewel every young lady would dream of, to have such an exquisite bath for an intense self care on a daily basis. 'This surely does not fall short to Leiden Empire's baths except that we add Rose oil and plum blossom petals to ours' thought Sophia while graciously enjoying the bath and slowly taking in every scent. After the bath the maids would tend to the ladies' hair and the butlers would tend to the gentlemen's hair and beards or shall we say facial hairs, They had some Kashmiri pink chai to help them relax before their nap till supper.
Surprisingly enough, for all the lavish treatments so far, supper was quite simple, held in the courtyard, with a bon fire, just the Emperor, Empress, Rhydian and his sibblings and Rhydian's guests. "Please make yourselves comfortable, and forget too much formalities for I rather enjoy such simple and quiet suppers with my family." said the Emperor on seeing the discomfort of the guests, "I believe you have something to tell me son."
"Quite certainly Pa, as I already mentioned in my telegram, I am asking for your blessings as well as the blessings of Mama and my dearest sibblings about my idea of betrothal to Sophia, Crown Princess of Leiden Empire."
"Well, It is not that we are against it however she is the one to take Leiden's imperial throne as the Empress, and so are you to take the throne of the Western Empire, or is it that you found The Kalonji pill to restore Kai's health already?"
"Pa, I do not mean to disappoint you however I still plan on looking for it as I found leads. I heard it is most likely to be found in either the Vascillium Kingdom or the Rosencreutz Kingdom. I have found no trace of the plant in Leisenburg or Plough Kingdom but I am sure to find it very soon, I assure you and must confess that I am very much in love with Princess Sophia Pa and wish to marry her. I do not mind moving to Leiden and ruling as Emperor by her side despite having had little to no interest of being the ruler of an Empire or even a small Kingdom..."
"Say no more son, you remind me of myself in my twenties when I was desperately wooing your mother, though I shall like to know what Princess Sophia thinks on the matter, yes?" Emperor Heinrey now turned to face Sophia and made a polite gesture to mean that she shall speak of what she thinks.
"I erm, well Your majesty, I too am very fond of Rhydian and would like to proceed further with the betrothal and prospects. I have been very lucky in this lifetime to have met such a wonderful, clever, sharp witted, charming, well mannered, polite, respectful and amusing person I must admit." Said Sophia with tears sparkling in her eyes while smiling. Empress Navier smiled and said "Dear, I am quite happy myself that one of my sons has found true love, and I shall hope my other dear children would do the same, of course providing that the match is acceptable and would not bring shame to the Imperial family's name. As you know we are bound to our titles, though as infuriating as it may be to some, we are still bound by it, however I truly wish to see my children happy." Emperor Heinrey chuckled and kissed Empress Navier's forehead. "My dear, then shall we write to Emperor Gabriel de Leiden and Empress Shan Cai de Leiden?" The Empress nodded and they took their leave.
Later that night, Marques Helio, Prince Yusha, Prince Kai and Prince Rhydian had gathered in the study, having iced coffee and playing pool. "fancy to see there's a pool in your study mate." said Marques Helio while tapping prince Rhydian's shoulder playfully. "I must say, that was a great confession of love back then, now that I see how serious you really are about my sister I shall approve of your union and hopefully father gets the letter soon and writes his approval back so we can plan your wedding on the same date as mine, a double wedding at the Imperial palace of Leiden, what d'you reckon eh?" asked Prince Yusha. "I couldn't fancy ot any better brother in law." was Prince Rhydian's reply. "Brother, I got slightly better lately, thank you for sharing my burdens and I dare say, the lady you chose as your wife is a fine piece, I am truly grateful you met such a wonderful person who could steal the heart of Western Empire's cold blooded prince. I was and still am curious how it happened for all these years, all the ladies who tried to gain your favours, affections and attentions were harshly and coldly rejected by you that I nearly thought you to be asexual." remarked Prince Kai. "Oh Kai, I shock even myself in this matter, she is the first person to make me feel that way, She is quick witted and clever, never fails to surprise me all the time, not like any other ladies, she's more bashful and well I dare say a bit of a tomboy, yet a delicate lady, I simply do not have the right words to describe her. A ball of mystery and mischief who pulls me further in, it is something I cannot explain myself nor will I ever understand how it came to be but it is."
"Oh brother, I wish to meet someone like that as well one day. Leaving that aside, I have decided to accompany you all on your journey to Vascillium and Rosencreutz, please allow me to."
"What? You're still unwell brother..."
"look, don't start with me Rhydian, I am fit enough to travel, besides we may find the Kalonji pill soon, I wish to take it once we find it and to be fairly honest, there was this young lady I met at last year's annual ball Papa held. I met her in the north gardens while she was resting from the dancing. She made quite the impression on me as we briefly talked and I... want to see her. All I know is that she is Count Chiavelli's eldest daughter Caterina Chiavelli from Rosencreutz Kingdom and if I am to be back in my old healthy demeanor again, I shall like to propose to her in marriage."
"Now you're talking brother, fine, you may join us." said Rhydian, tapping his brother's shoulder with a huge grin on his face.
Prince Yusha and Marques Helio smiled and thought how much more merrier their journey would be with one more crewmate. "I shall excuse myself and see father, it is about my investigations and accomplishments in Leisenburg and Lari's wedding prospects with Crown prince Edmund de Leisenburg. I won't be long, enjoy yourself." said Rhydian close to Kai's ears and they both nodded.
The next evening, news of Princess Lari Mirzaev Alles Lazlo's betrothal to Crown Prince Edmund de Leisenburg had reached all seas and the Western Empire's people were celebrating the joyous occasion. Sophia Knocked at Prince Rhydian's study door energetically and was let inside, she was quite excited and was grinning from ear to ear. "What brings you here in such mood my little petal?" asked Rhydian as he rose from his chair to hug his beloved. "I heard there's a festival in town, let us go on a date, shall we?"
"You are asking me on a date? Never have I thought the day would come, then I shall be very glad to be your companion for this date my dear."
"Sure thing my lord, lead the way."
The streets were warm and enchanting, with the lamplighters lighting every street candle lights, the hustle and bustle of the townspeople, the shops filled with customers, it seemed as if even the commoners were well off despite not being part of high society. And they had nearly as much advantages and prospects as those of high society did, making quite remarkable names for themselves. It reminded Sophia of Leiden and Qing Qiu which was somewhat fairly similar as to being amongst the richest Empire and Kingdom there is, just as Western Empire. The street foods were most enjoyable as well, there were fried shrimps, corndogs, blinis, borschts, pirozhkis, cheburekis, shashliks, pelmenis, syrnikis and so much more. And last but not least, a must have for any festivals is The traditional milk Kisel, made from sweet berries, and the drink is thickened with corn or potato starch.
"This is delicious and exquisite!" exclaimed Sophia while they both rested on a wooden bench in a quieter part of the town, enjoying their milk kisel. "Indeed it is, haven't had that for quite a while, I dare say I've missed it." said Rhydian. "Wow, Even though it is early spring, it is quite chilly here in the Western Empire, though I heard that it is chilly most of the time all year round."
"Oh Aye, however there are warm days, I am used to it so I do not really feel that chilly you know."
Rhydian moved closer to Sophia and put his coat on her, and in return Sophia draped themselves both in her Kashmiri wool shawl while she leaned on Rhydian's shoulder and he leaned back on her head, staring at the night sky. The fireworks started, stating that the festival was now coming to an end.