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Merry chatter and laughter unfolded the moment the trio reached the center of the capital and after a few more minutes of bantering and arguing the young royalties, disguised as commoners, went down the old carriage that Hugo rented from a kind old man, and stop by a tree not too far from the capital's entrance arc.
As they did, he went to the old coach man and gave him 5 gold coins and a bag of 5 whole breads and two bottles of fresh milk given by the princess's chef, and told him what time he'll come back to pick them up and the old man replied happily and gently patted the boy.
After that they easily entered the capital's gate and the merry sight of people happily decorating their houses with wooden figures, big red to peach colored flowers, and candles as for the festival. The children are all over the central fountain happily playing and running their hearts out.
Then the loud and aggressive vendors booming from every nook and cranny of the market areas and streets, doing their best to get people to buy their products which are honestly good in quality.
"The people here are amazing and very energetic and wow the food here is sooooo goood!" Hugo happily commented as they were walking in the busy streets of the capital
A warm and beam of pride gushed over me as I heard such a nice comment making me smile wide" As the prince of this country I'm glad your enjoying yourself but keep that high energy till the actual festival, I heard from the knights last year that there was an annual food eating contest and a lot of fun games too" I replied to sir Hugo which made him smile wider and his eyes shone brighter
"I see but usually the preparations for said festival normally won't start till the end of this month so it's just weird that they're prepping it now and from the progress of things this may even surpass last year's festival" Silva chimes in impressed
"I know ! But, It's not surprising really because this year's Polaris festival is said, would also host the nations foundation day as well since it went on hold 2 months ago due to the storm" I said to him as we turn a left by a fountain
"I see well let's hope things go well. But knowing this country's security I could say the delegates would be fine and they'll probably love it more if if they will attend the play which I've been hearing will be"
"Indeed, especially this year's main star would be my eldest sister which will play the goddess Solas this year " Nathaniel proudly chimed
"Why is it that you have that famous play again?" Silva asked candidly
Nathaniel looked at him in disbelief and thought 'shouldn't he already know this since the Vearan empire does the same'
"I think you're fully aware of why since you're empire does something similar since you worship the night God Nuor" Nathaniel answered with slight confusion
He just smirked at the young prince and coyly replied "Ehh what's the matter your highness, is the question too hard for you? Keep that up and you'll definitely embarrassed yourself in front of those delegates"
This got him ticked of but he held myself from punching the smirk off his face for he feared it may potentially cause a war from the Vearan empire.
Nathaniel took a deep breath and cleared his throat "VERY well SILVA and sir Hugo, the reason that the play is done because its a tradition passed down from the time of first emperor. One of these is the depiction of the legend of Solas and Nuor and how our kingdom came to be.As the mother land of Solas, the goddess of light and positive mana, Ariola, which was another name of the goddess of the sun Solas. It is said that the Goddess Solas went down to this very land and used her holy omnipotent ability to create the sun , the stars , fire, wind, water, and the soul of every creature here on this world. Not long after her creation the God of the night Nuor saw her creation and is said to had admired it however saw that her creation needed something to balance the large amount of positive mana to, hold ,and protect them from harm. So Nuor used his abilities to make the night skies to balance the day, the terra and body all of which holds and protects her creations souls, and the force that makes everything balance and stable and the negative mana that balances all magis. It's also said as a reminder of that partnership the two gods created the tri-star constellation signifying this nation as a bridge her creations to them" he Narrated as he continued walking in the capaital
"Ohh that's interesting. In Vearan, we recreate how Nuor, the god of the moon and night skies, created the night and the foundations of this world. We also celebrate it along our nation's foundation day the month after you celebrate your festival" Silva commented
This made Nathaniel turn at him and smirk at him which annoyed Silva "Ohh that's right, its called the Australis festival, and as for your empire's tradition, the festival is done exclusively at night , celebrating the creation of the night and stars by lighting candles then each citizen will be given mana orbs and then will be flown to the skies. According to legends that I've read, Nuor created the stars after the night sky this way and each star he made were wishes from Solas's creation. It is said that if you prayed hard enough the god Nuor will personally take your wish to Solas and will both bless it" he chimed
"Yeah, and as for your country, Your people create wooden figures of the element seven days before the festival and if you manage to finish the figures you will all hang them by the window and then the twelve arc magis, representing the twelve wings of the goddess, will bless each figures and then will be thrown into a blessed fire from Ignis, the kingdom of fire. It is said that Solas warmth created the soul and by doing so will feel the warmth of the sun and will heal any ailment and grant a wish" He added as he pointed at a door with the ornaments of the fire, wind, and earth hanging by their window.
"Well that's as what I know so far. But once we get to the library maybe I might find more information with the festival and the potential guests that will arrive. Anyways are you satisfied HIGHNESS?" Nathaniel sarcastically finished off as I bought skewers with pork and vegetables
Silva smiled as he also took the skewers and ate them "Indeed I am satisfied. I feel well educated already" he jokingly said smirking
The young prince rolled my eyes and sarcastically replied "Gee thanks, I feel very honored your majesty, is there anything you'd like to know"
Hugo simply chuckled as the two continued to annoy each other while enjoying the capital.==============================================================
{Nathaniel}
After a few more minutes we reached the central library. We marveled the beautiful architecture mostly of white ornate marbled pillars with large concrete walls with the painting of our empires sea coast is on full display with equally large windows but with the atmosphere you'd feel more like you are in a dream.
"Wow...and this is just the library huh. I guess the budget big sister Bree requested went into good hands" I commented in awe as we step in the big library
"Indeed...hold on are we just going in? We're dressed as commoners after All, don't we need a pass?" Hugo asked
This made us halt as we realized that he's right and we have a major problem at hand...damn....how could I miss this?!
As we were contemplating on how we're going to get in, a familiar knight came walking in wearing his casual clothes as he was walking in with books under his arms.
Sir Keith!
I hurriedly went to the knight and stopped in front of him which made him looked at me rather voldly and irritated
"Child, move. I'm a busy knight under imperial order of the emperor and I won't hesitate to discipline you if you insist being a nuisance" he warned coldly
Wow he's a lot colder than I thought...wait we don't have time for this.
I looked around to see if anyone is coming in, when there's none, I quickly removed my straw hat making the knight drop the books he was holding.
I quickly put my index finger by my mouth signaling him to not say a word as I picked up his book and gave it to him and put my hat back on.
"Why are you here sire?" He asked in a low voice
"We're here... to uhm gather information on a special project I'm working on. Is there a way to get in without anyone knowing?" I asked calmly
"Hmmm well I can escort you in if you want sire however I may need to leave soon since I'm under duty by his highness the emperor " he answered
"I understand, you can leave us here once you're done with your business here. Thank you sir Keith" I said reassuringly as I signed the two to follow us in
As we got in with the help of sir Keith, an extremely large round room filled with beautiful ornate book shelves on each floors with their own sections and subjects.
"This...are we in heaven?" Silva and Hugo blurted, dazed as hey look up on the high floors with awe
I can't blame them this place is incredible!
"I understand the feeling of your highness. The place is a tad grand even for a public library but given that nobles and merchants are some of the few people who can afford to go in as of yet , this place is lack luster at best to the capital folks. I suggest if you want someone to help you study find the lady named Gracia Moore, she will gladly help you out. Here, if the lady asked who sent you please show her this broach she'll take care of the rest "Sir Keith said as he took off his silver broach with a small ruby in the middle of it and gave it to me
After telling where we should go he went to a different section and probably go back to father.
We headed to the marbled stairs that lead us to a hall on the right side were shelves of books with hanging labels to tell which subjects are which
"Well we're here now, might as well look for that Lady Gracia" she suggests as we chose our spot near a window that has a great view of the capital
Yeah and hopefully we get a lot of things done" Silva added as he walked towards the spot by the window
"So...does anyone remember what sir Keith said she looked like?" Hugo asked us which both made us looked at each other in horror as we forgot to ask something so simple
"How the hell are you two hopeless in these sort of things" Hugo bluntly said irritated at the situation...granted he was also dumb for not asking but still
Arghhh !!
Is it even possible to pull this off in just two days ??
I'm not so sure now!!
He stood up and asked me for the broach and went to ask the lady who was the receptionist of this floor about it.I noticed the lady peeked at us which I awkwardly waved at her then she looked at Hugo and stood up and went downstairs.
Hugo then went towards us and gave me the broach."What was that?" I asked him
"Oh that? The lady over there wanted to know how many students were sent by sir Keith. She just went down to call her up " Hugo answered as he sat tiredly
I decided to get some books from the history section to start my delegate journey, leaving the two Vearans royalties talking amongst themselves.
I decided to go to the aisle of folklore and traditional food as a start and I found it interesting that out empire has an interesting myth of a lake that has creatures that can heal any curses...oh there's a mythical way to meet one but it's said never worked huh ... interesting...
As I looked into more books while waiting for the two our empire has alot of sea delicacy since we're closer to the ocean...I wrote those down so I can get a gist of what I'll prepare...and after looking into more of the countries tied to us I decided to take the books I can and focus on those.
It didn't take long that after I gathered the books, I needed I returned to our spot and saw the two royalties happily talked to a beautiful petit lady with soft blonde hair with calming blue eyes wearing a green dress.
Silva noticed me then he smirked at me then he pointed at me " You're here! This lady Is miss Gracia and she's one of the empire's historian too!"
The lady chuckled and smiled " I am very thankful for your enthusiastic introductions children. I heard from these two that you're sent here by my brother to assist you your highness Nathaniel?"
"Brother...you're sir Keith's sibling?!"Nathaniel shockingly asked nearly dropping his books
"Yes , I am. You see our family is tasked by her majesty princess Bree Louise, to manage and look after this public library as we are the family that usually handles the history and proofing of documents within the palace" Lady Gracia explained as she went to Nathaniel and took some books
"Oohh that's pretty amazing. Then can we ask a few things. We need to learn a ton of culture and stuff in two days for...a special project. Is there a way we can lady Moore?" Hugo ask politely as the two royals nodded
This amused the beautiful lady for she was reminded by her own siblings when they were young which use to ask her in that manner...granted she already recognized the children infront of her as nobles but she has no idea that she will be teaching two crown princes of two powerful empires
"Well just to set proper expectations for that, learning the history and details of "culture" especially if it's entirety would take more than just a day to grasp which would overwhelm you children. Our nation's rich history is tied other nations as well However, I'm more than happy to personally educate you all that I know.Please tell me if you're not able to keep up alright,but then again my brother endorsed you three, so I see that won't be a problem right?" she lightheartedly informed and challenge the royals as she took a book and opened it which made them smirk
"Definitely not" the princes and Hugo replied confidently
This made the lady chuckle and thus a long day of lecture has started within the grand public library.
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Back in her manor, Joie is currently practicing her magis as like her original story profile suggest she can't store positive mana as efficient due to something in story of a defect but Joie know full well it's not as it was more serious than one.
As another of her spells hurt her hand and one blew up . She just cursed under her breathe knowing what happened earlier night had been a fluke but that was a very good start which means her grasp of magis and positive mana is improving well.
She does smile through the pain as she can still use magis like a dream though she doesn't have a wand yet she is more than capable to use some of her positive magis using simple spells using her hands ,but it's different when it's night as that's were her special ability shine as she has the curse that her body can't easily process positive mana but can use negative magis no problem
Her butler, came in looking worried as her tiny hands are filled with blisters and sores for the continual use of magis. Joie can't tell him about her condition as that what killed him in the story which she swore will not let it happen.
"I'm okay sir Daniel... don't look so upset" She said as she smiled positively
"My princess...I can't understand if I should be mad at you or proud...no magis has your talent of making spells without a wand...but I don't like you're hurting your hands like this * He explain kindly as he casted a healing spell on my hands
"I know...but I want to learn and be better. I'm pretty good at using light. Though it hurts a bit" she explain as she winces the healing magis spell taking longer to process
"I can see that but you're still in pain my princess ,I think reflect on it a bit and rest okay"
She was about to say yes when she got an idea when Sir Daniel gave her a clue. She smiled at him as the butler sighed and pat her head as he left.
"I get it...thanks Daniel you gave me and idea to control this " she said to herself as she looked on one of the basic spells as what she's looking for can help her significantly
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As the midst of the crowd and loud noises,where men cloaked in black within the corners of the city preparing their fangs for their ultimate plan.
One of the men walked to another cloaked person and handed him a scroll.
"Great job I'm impressed you manage to steal this back. Now let's finish up the loose ends. Oh and clean these , blood smell stinks horridly if you leave them for too long" A deep low voice coldly ordered as he walked away as trails of screams were left.
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to be continued--