Cinis picked her up and together with Dante they walked out of the room.
Canus and his personal guard together with Cinis personal guard were waiting for them outside her room.
Marika infant instincts kick in and she turn her heard to Cinis chest to hide her face.
"I knew this would happen." Canus said.
"There is nothing we can do about it, since there are guest you can never be sure about your safety."
"Mari! are they scary?"
Marika nodded.
"And if they introduced them self's?"
Marika shook her head.
Marika then peeked out from Cinis chest.
"Well introduce yourselves!"
"It's an honor to meet you princess Mari, I'm Karl and serve as prince Cinis personal guard"
The man had light brown hair and a scar on his right eye brow and looked around the same age as her.
Then the second guard introduced himself.
I's an honor to meet princes Mari, my name is Chris and I'm the personal guard of prince Canus"
This man had black brown hair and has a small birthmark on his earlobe, one could easily mistake it for a piercing. And he look close to Dante's age.
"They are aware of your situation and who you are." Cinis told Marika
"And if they fail to protect you…" Canus whispered something in Marika's ear and she started to laugh.
Dante sighed and placed a hand on each of the guards should "I feel bad for you guys, you better do a good job."
"You can read lips?" Chris asked Dante
Dante nodded.
"What did he tell her?" Karl asked.
"It's to gruesome to repeat the word out loud. Just don't fail if the time comes."
A chill ran down both their spines.
When the walk down the hall Cinis told Marika were she was sitting and that Dante would be behind her.
"Mari, do you know about the seating of the royal family?
Marika wrote down 'In the middle is the King first seat to his right is the Queen, second seat to the right is first born, First seat to the left is second born and so one.'
Cinis nodded.
"But since our mother has passed her seat is empty, but out of your safety and nagging of our dad you'll be sitting in the Queens seat." Canus said.
"So don't worry, even if people stare at you or whispers about you ignore them, just look and act as cute as you can and I guarantee you they will only show interest in you."
Marika nodded.
"Are you ready?" Cinis asked her.
Marika took a deep breath and nodded her head.
"His Highness Prince Cinis and His Highness Prince Canus together with princess Mari have arrived."
Everybody cleared the way and bowed down as they walked over the King Cillus.
When they arrived at the King Canus bowed before his father, but Cinis slightly bowed to him because he was holding Marika, but Marika knew everybody was watching her she made a bowing gesture in Cinis arms.
"Mari it's good to see you, and you are bright as ever. Would you give this middle age uncle the honor to sit with me?"
'It is a hon or fo ma ri.' And she smiled
Cillus took Marika over from Cinis and walked over to the seats.
Everybody looked shocked and started to whisper. Marika noticed it and started her act of cuteness.
And just as Cinis said they changed their attitude by 180 degrees .
"Enjoy the dinner." King Cillus said.
After the dinner the guest mingled and so did Canus and Cinus. By the time it was 10 o clock Marika started to yawn and nodding her head.
King Cillus called for Canus to come over.
"Escort the princess to her room."
"Yes Your Majesty."
Canus took Marika from the King and left the hall with Chris and Dante.
Dante walked past the King of the Blood Kingdom and he finally had a good look of Dante's face for the first time. He was shocked, this young man looked so much like his uncle Dantis.
If he really was Dante his uncle's son… than he would do anything to reunite him with his father who was till this day still looking for his son.
If only he could find an opportunity to talk to him that would be great.
"Your Majesty?"
"Tell Sky were going to visit the little girl tomorrow."
"Yes Your Majesty."
Canus and Dante arrived at the room, Canus then handed Marika over to Dante.
"Sweet dreams Sister." Canus gave her a kiss on the head and left the room.
Dante was left with Marika, he undid all the hair pieces and changed her cloths.
After she was in her pajamas he laid her down in bed and cover her up.
Marika cried a bit in her sleep.
Dante sighed for a bit, and called Richard and told him she was crying in her sleep.
Dante held the spell next to her and Richard spoke a few words.
"Sweetie even if I'm not there you can always come and visit me in your dreams."
Marika calmed down and her breathing was steady again.
Dante left the room still while calling with Richard.
"How was her day after the incident?"
"What incident." Dante asked.
Richard showed him the footage.
Dante saw it and then said "Sister is so savage, that doctor should be grateful she is only a 3 year old or the damage would be more severe.
Well I was having a sparring match with Canus at that time. We did feel a surge of energy but that was about it.
She came to visit us at the training grounds, and drilled me and Canus for a bit.
After that we had a nap and when I woke up I left the room for only a few minute to fresh up a bit and she got a visit from the Blood King eagle.
"How did that go? That bird doesn't like any one accept for Ray
"I had Marika sitting between my legs and he seem to like Marika and not uncomfortable with me. She never left my side."
"When the King arrived he seemed interest in the fact that the bird likes her but not overly interested in Marika herself. He never even asked for her name."
"During the dinner party there were a few eyes on her but nothing to be concerned of as of yet. She sat next to the King of Ignis the whole night."
"As for room set up, My and Cinis room are connected to hers and Canus and the Kings are across of her room."
"Hmm, keep an eye on her and make sure she stays away from any doctors. Thanks to the visit of the ancestral temple her body is completely stable now. It's fine if she wants to exercise but she needs to keep her emotions in check."
"Now have a rest and contact me if there are any problems arising."
"Yes brother."
"O and one more thing, if the blood king want to have an conversation just do it, maybe he can shed more light on your past. Any information no matter how small or who has it it's worth gathering.
"Thank you for your advice brother. Good night."
Dante ended the call, and did a check on Marika, she was sound asleep.
He sighed again. His toughed were all over the place. He had felt Marika's feeling when she heard that her older brother was murdered, when the old man in the village died, when she had to leave Khai.
But then her word came to mind she had spoken when he feared she was breaking.
'It is pointless. If I break, I break, even if you try so hard to prevent it, it's something you can't really prevent from happening.'
"She is indeed right, it's pointless to worry over something you can't prevent. If it kick's me down I know sister will come and help me up again."
With those thoughts Dante fell asleep.
[Next morning]
Marika woke up and she noticed her hands were bigger. She the rushed in to the bathroom to look in the mirror. She couldn't believe it, she looked 16 years old again, she would be happy if she turned 7 but this was the greatest gift she could ever receive.
She quickly washed up and got dressed. The then jumped out of the window an ran to the temple. She saw 2 guards guarding the entrance. She climbed the wall she sneaked around and had a peek at the door. There was nobody around and thought the security was lacking.
She quietly entered the temple and called for Magna.
"You came again?"
'Yes, I grew with 13 years in one night thanks to you, I was so happy when I woke up and see myself in the mirror. I came running over to thank you.'
'If you had a physical form I would have hugged you.'
Magna place another kiss on Marika head, "When you wake up tomorrow you'll be back to normal again."
'Magna if there was a small chance for you to be able to live again would you take it?'
"If I could, than I would take it."
Marika smiled 'That's good, see you tomorrow.'
Marika then opened the door and left the room after that Magna heard a big commotion coming from outside.
"She sure is a lively girl. No wonder the Azure Dragon King likes her."
Marika was running and she was fallow by guards, she ran through the palace and heard two familiar voices. She rushed in Cinis room and close the door.
She saw Cinis was calling Richard.
She popped her head next to Cinis, 'Hi! hu ri, look your wife is 16 again.'
'Well I can't really talk right now I'm a bit in a hurry, I call you later.'
'Brother Cinis is there another way out of this room?'
"Mari in two hours… in this room… you eat your lunch here and your gonna tell me what you did." Cinis said in a very firm voice.
"The only way out is through the window."
Marika walked over to a window, "Mari other window" and he pointed at it.
'Thanks brother Cinis.'
"Two hours! one minute late and I give you an earful."
Marika salute Cinis. And left through the window.
"Don't worry there is an emergency ladder, so it's safe."
"I'm not worried about that."
"Well she had been stuck in a 3 year old body for two day's and being carried around. She is probably enjoying her independents." Richard then said.
"I hope my father doesn't feel to sad, he really like carrying her around." Cinis the said.
"Everything is ready, I'm waiting for Genus and the others to finish their part. If all goes well they will be done at the end of the day."
The man kept chatting for a bit longer.
Outside Marika was still running around because she was still cached by the guard. For a moment she didn't look where she was running she bumped in to somebody and almost toppled him over, but with her quick reflexes she grab him by the arm and managed to prevent him from falling.
'I'm really sorry about that.'
Marika bowed to wards him and when she looked who she bumped in to she saw it was the king of the Blood Kingdom.
"Master are you alright? Miss please watch in front of you when you're running."
"I'm fine."
"You have some good reflexes."
Marika laughed a bit awkwardly 'Thank you.'
'I don't want to seem overly rude but I need to get going now before the catch up to me, I'm really sorry about almost running you over.'
"Can I ask you one more thing?"
'Sure.'
"Have met before?"
'Yes we have met before.'
Marika then heard the guard yelling from behind.
'I got to go, tell sky I said hello.'
The two man looked baffled at Marika's word.
And Marika left them standing there.
Marika ran in to the palace again but this time she ran in to King Cillus office and shut the door.
He looked up and saw a young girl. She looked very familiar.
"Mari?"
Marika flinched when she heard his voice, she turned around and smiled awkwardly at him.
'Hello uncle Cillus, I'm sorry if I'm disturbing your work.'
"Not at all, come in and sit down."
Marika set down, on the couch that was in the room.
"It's such a pity you're not a 3 year old child anymore but seeing you now won't change the fact your still adorable."
"How old are you now?"
'I'm now 16 years old.' Marika said with a smile.
"You grew by 13 years in one night?"
Marika nodded 'It's all thanks to Magna's help.'
Then there was a knock on the door.
"Enter!"
Two soldiers came in, "Your Majesty pardon out intrusion but we came for the girl who is sitting over there."
"What did she do to have you chase her for 3 hours?"
"She snuck in to the Ancestral Temple."
"She was with me there yesterday and I gave her permission to go there whenever she wanted."
"Mari, what time did you get in there?"
'A little before 6 in the morning and got out around 9 in the morning.'
"So you got in when the guard were changing for shifts."
Marika nodded.
'But in all honesty, Your Majesty, the way they change for the shifts is lacking, for the guarding soldiers to leaving there post an new soldiers getting at their post leaved the door's unguarded for who know how long.'
'Isn't it a better that the new soldiers come over fist to relieve the guarding soldiers? That way the door never be unguarded.'
'And here I am being blame and chased for a flaw in security system.'
"But who would want to visit the temple at that hour of the day?" one of the soldiers said.
'It's not a matter of it wouldn't, it's a matter it could.'
"Well she got a point there" The king said.
"Implement her idea of changing shift's the new soldier should get to be at their post before the old ones leave there post."
"Yes Your Majesty! But still she should…"
"Mari why were you at the temple so early in the morning?"
'I woke up early and wanted to thank your ancestors for helping me yesterday. Is there something wrong with thanking someone for their help?'
The soldiers shook their heads, "We understand now… please state your name when you visit the temple again Miss…."
'Mari'
One of the guards walked over to her, and gave her a token.
"This is a Token of the guard and entrance pass for the temple, when you visit again show this and there will be no problems."
'But I'm not a guard.'
"Well between you and me the Templar's can be nags even if you hold an visitors Token they will be difficult about it."
'Thank you, you guys are the best!'
"Well thanks to you flaws came up in the security system and we wouldn't have noticed it, so we also like to thank you. Plus in some way it was refreshing day for us, we had a little action during the boring standing guard all day." The soldier smiled.
"Now that this is settled, we take our leave Your Majesty."
The soldiers bowed and left the room.
Marika saw a clock hanging on the wall and saw she had only 10 minutes left to get to Cinis room.
'Ahhh!!, I'm going to be late!'
"Late for what?"
'My lunches appointment with brother Cinis, he is going to scold me if I'm one minute late.'
'Uncle Cillus I'll come and find you around 4 pm, let's have some tea and talk.'
"Alright, see you then."
Marika rushed out of the office and ran at full speed back, she took the same way back as that she left earlier. She climbed up the ladder and knocked on the window.
'I made it in time.'
"Sister you didn't have breakfast so you better eat twice at much."
'I'm starving so don't worry about that.'
Then there was a knock on the door, "Your Highness we brought the lunch."
"Enter"
The servant came in to the room with a food cart and set the food on a small table. When he was done. He saw Marika was in the room.
"Little princess!"
Marika recognize him as well.
"Well you're not little anymore."
'Well aside from Cinis and Canus you're the only one who recognize me instantly, even the King doubted his eyes before.
"Well it's good to see you in good health enjoy the lunch."
Just before the servant left the room Marika stopped him.
'How did the meeting with His Majesty go yesterday?'
"Well it seems it going to take some time before everything is going to be resolved."
'Is there any medicine or a doctor you need in a hurry? If not for yourself maybe for a family member?'
"Well there is… but I'll manage somehow."
Then Canus spoke "Tell her what you need and it will be here at the end of the day."
"You see, my little niece is sick but cold medicine don't seem to work for her…"
'Alright comeback after lunch and I'll go with you to have a look at her.'
"Thank you so much Princess." The servant bowed and left the room.
"Well he lives just outside the castle walls the area is overall peaceful so I don't see why you can't go."
'Even if you objected I would still go.'
"Now explain, what that commotion was all about earlier!"
'Ohh it was noting, I went inside the temple for a bit when there were no guard, and when I walked out there were guard. But everything got resolved when I was with uncle Cillus, look!'
Marika showed him the Token she got from the guards.
"Alright then, since it's resolved then it's fine."
'Oh and there was something that will probably wil give you a headache soon.'
"What is it."
'When I was running I almost ran the Blood King over. But I caught him so he didn't fall over so he is not hurt. His guard is probably going to nag about it soon.'
Cinis sighed "You really are an hurricane"
'You can't blame me, I'm not used to be in a place like this. I'm used to a mansion with way less people around.'
"I can't argue on that front, I'll handle the issue with the Blood King and his guard.
Marika was eating very well. She had eaten 3 quarters of the food that was served and was chatting away with Cinis.
She then made a call to Richard asking if Kevin could go to her room and bring over a black bag.
"What are you going to do?"
'I'm going to visit a patient. You're not going to nag me and stop me from going?'
"How can I? You would go even if there was a war outside."
"Just don't overdo it that's all, you have been running around all morning."
'Exercise is good for your health you know.'
Just as she was about to finish up her call with Richard someone came up from behind her. But Marika evaded him and threw him to the side.
She looked at who it was, and she saw it was the guard of the Blood King.
'You are pretty rude aren't you, can't you see I'm having a call with someone?'
"At least I'm not so rude as to bump in to someone and then run away."
The Blood King entered the room and greeted Cinis, He also saw Richard on the other end of the call and greeted him.
"Hello Richard."
"Hello Ray, your guard is not well trained I see."
'You call me rude, Yes I ran in to His Majesty, but I also prevented him from falling and getting hurt. I also apologized for that, and you still call me rude? What else do you want from me?'
'If anything you wanted to attack me, and now you nagging that I defend myself.
Richard asked Ray if what she said was true?
"Yes she ran me over, but also saved me from falling and apologized for running in to me."
"Well there should be someone arriving to stop her. But it's more wise of you to stop your guard first."
Marika didn't want to waste her time on the guard and wanted to walk away from him when he pulled his sword and charged at Marika.
But before he could even lend a strike she throw him over her and he landed near the door, where Kevin and Dante were standing.
Dante pulled his sword and held it under his throat while Kevin crouched down and said "It would be wise of you to stop here, you are no match for our sister. She equals in strength to the Moon King."
The guard gave up.
"Sister I brought what you asked for."
'That's great, we will be heading out soon so. I need you with me.'
'Dante, you stay here and have a chat with the Blood King, I have a feeling that he will be able to shed some light on your past.'
"Sister how did you…"
'Honestly my brother is such a handful, I'm only going to tell you this once if my hunch is correct with the story that brother Canus told me then you are the son of the Grand Duke who is His Majesty's uncle. And after that you have to ask Richard about your fathers wear about.'
'O and for the potential time gap I have a theory for that to.'
'Although I would love to hear the story that he is going to tell you, I have to go and see a patient.'
Marika the turned around one more time before she walked out of the door, 'Dante… remember your big sister and little brother will always be there for you no matter what.'
'I'll call you later sweetheart' Marika said to Richard.
"I'll talk to you later my sweet wife."
Ray looked at Marika, "How did she figure that all out? She is only 16 years old."
"Oh, that's easy to explain" Dante said. "She probably read up on the history of the 3 kingdoms and the clans residing in them before she went to Mystic Mountain."
"When she heard about the meeting of the 3 King's Canus told her a bit of the monarchy of your kingdom and about how you became the king." Cinis fallowed up.
"The rest was just a matter of connecting the dots." Richard said.
"Since my wife left I'm going as well, I need to prepare for my departure."
Cinis then said to Dante, "Use my office to have your chat, I'll send someone to bring some tea."
As Marika and Kevin were walking down the hall way they encountered the servant.
"Princess I was just on my way to meet you."
'It's alright, let's go to your niece, I have everything I need thanks to my little brother here.
The three of them left the Palace and under 15 minutes they arrived at the house the servant was staying.
When he opened the door Marika and Kevin notice a faint smell of fungus and moist. In a dry season one would not notice problems like this and as the season changes the they grow accustom to the smell.
Marika gave Kevin a cloth and told him to check the basement and the attic first and look for a Black or green fungus.
"Why does he need to check those areas?"
'Well you sense of smell accustomed to the air here, me and Kevin are not and there is a smell of fungus and moist here.'
The servant told Kevin were he could enter the attic and basement. He then showed Marika to his niece room.
Marika saw a 3 year old child playing together with her nanny, the servant walked in fist.
"Lucy how are you doing today?"
The little girl smiled at her uncle, 'un sil hom.'
Marika smiled, 'No wonder I reminded him of his niece.'
The nanny saw Marika and greeted her, 'Hello, I'm the nanny of Lucy.'
'Nice to meet you, can you tell me a bit about her symptoms, like is she coughing up blood or breathing problems?'
'She does have a hard time breathing some time's when she gets over exited. And when she has a cold she had caught up a little blood, but the last doctor who checked on her when she was sick said it was normal since she was coughing for a long period of time and her longs got damaged.'
'What about the girl's parents?'
'Well…'
"It's alright, her mother past away giving birth to her, her father abandoned her. I'm the only family she has left."
"Sister, I found it."
'What color was it?
"Black and the basement is the biggest issue."
'Alright, let's take her outside for now, and we needs a change of clothing outside to.'
They all walked out of the house to the back yard and changed her cloth Marika had brought along, and covered her in a blanked.
She check her pulls and temperature, luckily she had no fever but her lungs were concerning.
But since she is only 3 years old her chances of a complete recovery were high and could have a normal life without any problems.
'Let's all go back to the palace, this house is a danger to all of us. And we can figure something out later.'
When the five of them arrived at the gate but the guard were being difficult.
'Kevin please cover Lucy's ears for a bit.'
Kevin did what she told him to do.
'ahume' 'CANUS!!! GET YOUR ASS HERE AT THE GATE WITHIN 10 MINUTES!!! OR YOU'LL HAVE TO CLEAN THE FRONT DOOR!!!'
Within 5 minutes Canus appeared at the gate. "What's wrong sister?"
'These two stupid idiots won't let us in.'
"Hey! Is there something wrong with guys? That man works here, that little child is his niece and the women is the child's nanny. On top of that the girl is a guest of his Majesty, my sister of the battlefield and has an Alliance with my brother Cinis, and the little boy is her brother."
"So you better let them in or…"Canus spoke with a cold voice but kept his murder intent in check because he knew the child would cry if he didn't
"We are sorry Your Highness."
The guard let them pass and sighted in relieve when they were gone.
"That was so scary."
When they arrived at Marika's room Marika started to crush some herbs, and asked the servant to get some mint tea.
He went out to go and prepare the tea.
'Brother Canus, can you call for your father and brother? There is something we need to discuss.'
Canus nodded and also left the room.
Marika sighted a long sight.
"Are you tired sister?"
'Just a little bit. It has been 2 long days for me.'
'After we settled this problem, mind keeping your sister company while she rest?'
"You know I would never mind."
Everybody arrived at the same time.
Marika told the servant how to prepare the tea with the herbs she had prepared.
They all set down.
'She explained to the servant what the cause of his niece illness was and that it was treatable, but she could not stay in the house anymore.
'From what Kevin told me on the way here is about the amount of black fungus that is sitting in your house is enough to get an adult very sick and staying in a house could even kill him or her over a course of a year.'
'Luckily you vent out your house daily and frequently and that was the saving grace for your niece.'
'But as for her recovery… She needs an environment with a lot of clean air.'
'I suggest she moves to Virtues et Caeruleus Viridi.'
"I'm sorry but that's just…"
'Well I didn't mean to only move her to Virtues et Caeruleus Viridi, I meant you all move to Virtues et Caeruleus Viridi.'
"But what about my job here?"
King Cillus started to speak, "I know you served here for many years, but you need to prioritize your niece health. Of course when you return we make sure you get a job within the palace that equals to your job in Virtues et Caeruleus Viridi.
The nanny was silent the whole time. Then Marika asked her 'Is there a problem?'
'I can't go with them, you see my husband wants to become blacksmith here, but no blacksmith would take him as an apprentice. He currently has his apprentice at a horseshoe smith.'
'What's the name of the horseshoe smith?'
'Black gloves.'
'You heard her William? Would you mind fetching her husband?'
"No problem princess, I'll be back in a minute."
'Now everything will be arranged for you, like housing and the trip to Virtues et Caeruleus Viridi.'
A moment later William came with the nanny's husband
Marika started to call uncle Smithy, while the nanny quickly explained the situation to her husband.
"Yes who is calling?"
'Hey uncle Smithy!!!!'
"Missy!!!, what can I do for you?"
'Well I know your busy and all because you have to do so many job's alone, but that's also the reason I call you.'
'There is a man here who wants to be a black smith but he is currently having an apprentice ship at a horseshoe smith. And I was wondering if you…'
"Send him over right now!"
Marika looked at the man, he was over joyed.
'Just one moment uncle Smithy I'll ask if that is possible.'
"Do you mind I head out fist?"
The nanny shook her head 'Go, this is your dream, I'll pack our stuff up and be there in a few days.'
The man nodded at Marika.
'Well uncle Smithy looks like you're in luck, he will be there in a hour, is that oké?'
"Sure Missy, oh and when your back come and visit me fist, before you go or do anything else. I have a present for."
'Alright uncle Smithy. See you later!'
'William is there anything vacant houses that's in the middle of the Queens palace and the black smith?'
'There are 4 houses vacant at the moment."
'Alright, then appoint him one and reserve on for that man and his niece. They will be leaving the same day as us.'
"Yes princess."
'Ohh and one more thing! Arranges a few sets of cloths for him as well since he will be leaving now.'
William nodded.
The man walked up to Marika "Miss thank you so much, how can I ever repay you for this chance?"
'Study hard and show me your finest sword.'
The man nodded, and hugged and kissed his wife goodbye.
"I'll see you in a few days."
'See you soon.'
'Now that is solved there are two more problem to be solved.'
'First problem, Your Majesty is there a possibility to arrange a room for the servant and his niece in the palace until we leave?'
"That shouldn't be an issue, I'll arrange a room for him in the servant guest quarters."
The little girl who was crawling all over the floor for some time now, crawled up to King Cillus. She indicated to him she wanted to be picked up by him.
"Lucy don't be rude."
"It's alright." He picked her up and played a bit with her in his arms.
Marika then said, 'Don't worry, he is very good with little girls, he will dote on them all day. I have experienced that myself.'
'Now for problem number two, The amount of fungus that was found in the house was very large. '
Marika pulled up a map of the area where the servant lived. 'If we call his house the epicenter then all the houses surrounding his in a radius of 500 meters need to be check.'
'But to kill this problem all the infected houses need to be taken down, preferably in the summer when its dry and hot, this is because if the fungus releases any spores the will die because of the sun and heat.'
'All residents that live in infected houses need to be relocated, all their belongs need to be disinfected before they enter a new residents.'
'I'll work out a detailed plan later for you.'
'Nanny, when you pack up your cloths make sure you wash them with soap and hot water first and pack them up outside of the house, I'll give you some money to buy new suitcases. And never take them inside the house. As for material thing pleas clean them with distill alcohol and any papers air them out and please leave them in the sun and then pack the away in something air tight.'
'Please repeat the process when you arrive at your new home, don't take the lugged in side before that. This will prevent transferring the fungus to your new home.'
'That should be it for now. Any questions?'