Chirp chirp
"Mmmm"
Hearing the chirping of birds the rays of sun passing through the window and the warm weather of spring.
Opening my eyes I looked at the familiar ceiling of my bedroom.
'Haaaa I am back, that was really tiring the empress was just too much she talked about so many things that I could not keep up'
"The dragons were annihilated"
"The enemy was undefined"
"They disappeared into thin air.never appearing since"
Her voice telling The astonishing tale of the past kept ringing in my head.
'Beings that could kill the invincible dragons'
Truthfully fear was taking place inside my heart.the empress might have brushed the matter over but the fact that they managed to massacre the dragons and just disappeared is eating at me,it was not even known whether they were alive or dead.
Their goals and ambitions were not clear,and they might decide to come back to continue from where they left.just because they did not show up for thousands of years does not mean they won't show up at all. They could be scheming something, paying the price for what they did back then.
'They might also be related to the curse. More like they are actually the ones behind it'
It's been a hundred year since the curse first appeared. And in a mere hundred year the Alaric continent was swallowed completely.and soon it will be our turn.
I bit my lower while contemplating about what to do. The new knowledge I gained complicated things further.
"But its not like they were undefeated.the empress and her companions managed to overpower them a bit,wait.they were exhausted weren't they...."
"Damn....is it hopeless"I scratched my head hard strongly frustrated.
Click.
Hearing the sound I turned my head to the source
The door of the room opened and Bernard walked in. When his eyesight fell on me he smiled"you've woken up your highness"
"Mmm"I slightly nodded.
"How do you feel? Are uncomfortable anywhere?"He inquired.
I shook my head" am fine"
'Physically that is' I muttered in my mind.
His smile grew "I am glad to hear that"
"Your highness has been sleeping for two days, was the test difficult?"He asked
"....you could say that" I awkwardly said
I didn't think it was necessary to talk about what has happened since other then the truth about the ancient war nothing of importance was mentioned.
'They don't really need to know about the ancient war.such knowledge will not be helpful for now,it may also cause distress'
"I see" was all he said.
'He seems to notice that I don't want to speak about it. Sharp old man'
Stroking his mustache Bernard changed the subject and said" would you like to eat something your highness.the time for breakfast has long since passed"
"Sure" I simply replied.
****
The mansion was busy the past couple of days as everyone was preparing for the trip to the capital.it was the first time since the prince was born that he was going on trip to somewhere far, he only ever been to near by towns.
"Captain the preparations for travel are completed"one of the knights reported.
"That's good. Stay alert" answered Alfred.
'wonder If his highness has woken up yet?'
Alfred was the captain of the knights squad in charge of Reynard protection.he was quite young for the 'position of a captain being merely 23 years old.but he was capable and strong enough and has been acknowledged by knights.they respect and admire him.
'Since the preparation are already finished I shall go check on his highness' saying that Alfred left the knights and went inside towards Reynard bedroom.
****
The food which was brought to Reynard was his favorite.
A well cooked steak with some mashed potatoes on the side.
'Steak is most definitely the best, hooooray for meat'
Reynard who was eating with a very satisfied and happy face was unconsciously humming.
Bernard who was smiling wholeheartedly at Reynard obvious good mood frowned slightly when he heard Reynard humming.
'The song his highness is humming is rather unfamiliar'
When he thought about it Reynard didn't really have any connection to music so hearing him humming a song is undoubtedly weird.
'Truthfully it feels like his highness changed a lot.back then his highness used to be a timid and quiet child who always listened and never asked for anything'
'....but I do like the way his highness is right now more'
Reaching that conclusion the smile came back to Bernard face and his started stroking his mustache while looking at Reynard with proud eyes.
Reynard who did not notice Bernard changing expression nor realize he was humming a song he liked from his previous life finished his meal and asked" has the messenger been sent?"
"Yes your highness, I had sent him after discussing with you two days ago"
"Two days ago...so he should be arriving in around another five days right?"
"Yes, by using magic he shall be there"
'The palace will be in a mess' Reynard smirked inwardly.
"We should be on ou....."
Clack clack clack.
The sound of footsteps approaching could be heard.
Alfred who was entering called "Yo..your highness...."a bright smile appeared on his face" you have woken up safely"
Smiling back I nodded.
Coming closer he looked at me carefully examining my body and expression to make sure I was alright.
Bitterly Smiling inwardly 'it feels nice to have be people who genuinely worry about you. It's not like there weren't any who did, but in my past lives I was not a person adored or loved by many.more like I was hated and resented'
"Ahem" I cleared my throat to get their attention "as I was about to say to Bernard a minute ago. We should be heading to the imperial capital as early as tomorrow, the messenger has already been sent and I believe the preparation are finished by now"I looked at them for confirmation.
They both nodded.
"But will your highness be alright you just woke up and from a trial no less" Alfred asked with a worried expression.
I smiled at him and said" I am alright it was not anything difficult. And I don't think we should delay this matter anymore"
Sighing Alfred replied"if your highness says so"
"His highness is right. We have been delayed due to the unexpected circumstances so we should be on our way as soon as possible. We need to be there before the news of his highness spread outside the imperial palace" Bernard elaborated
'Good it's better to finish the troublesome matters before they grow' I thought to myself.
****
The next day.
We decided to go there by carriage or more like I was forced to go there by Carriage.Bernard and Alfred started listing the reasons why magic should not be used for the trip.
1-your highness has just woken up from a long coma.
2-even after the coma your highness was Forced through a trial by the empress treasure one you just got back from yesterday.
3-your highness has not yet achieved perfect balance between your magical powers and holy powers which may put your body in great danger if one of them got affected by the surrounding powers.
And many other reasons. So I gave up and decided to just ride the carriage.well it was comfortable anyway and I could see the world this way,after waking up in this body I have never left the mansion due to Bernard and Alfred overprotection and I also thought it was not necessary I stayed there training my body and powers and planning for the future ahead of me.
It is now the first step towards that future.
I got on the carriage Bernard also climbed in with me Alfred and the knights surrounded the carriage for my protection there were around ten or so of them, not many but I was not surprised because anymore knights would attract unnecessary attention.
As the door closed and we sat I looked out of the window it was a beautiful morning the weather was warm and the sky was blue without any clouds the sun was shining brightly the birds were flying and chirping there was nice breeze as well a truly perfect weather for a trip.
As I was enjoying the view outside we departed to the capital.suddenly Alfred rode close to me and said"pardon me your highness"
Tilting my head I was planning to ask for what he meant.
Clang!
The shutters on the carriage window closed from the outside and my view was suddenly blocked.
Stunned I thought 'the carriage window has shutters?'
Noticing my expression Bernard explained " those shutters were placed on carriages for royalty and important figures for their safety after some Assassination attempts in the past"
"....I see"was all I could say.
'But I wanted to see the world outside this is suffocating'
"I apologize your highness but this is for your safety"
"It's alright I understand"
'Let's just sleep' saying that to myself I lied down and closed my eyes.
****
"Hey!! Where did they go?" A burly middle-aged man screamed.
"I...I don't know they're really fast" a frightened young man answered.
"Hurry up and find them fool!!"
"Y...yes!!"
"Damn! ,we can't lose them they're treasures..treasures you hear me"
"Yes sir!"
"Get out of my sight then, don't come back till you find them"
The young man ran with some others at the middle-aged man orders.
'We must find them no matter what ,they're children of the jeweled tribe. many people would pay any price to get their hands on them'
"I'm gone be rich rich" the middle aged man laughed loudly.