Clack, Clack, Clack.
"So, this is your idea," Papa asked.
Brother Ethan answered, "Great, isn't it?"
Papa agreed, saying, "Not bad." To put it bluntly, this was the first time he agreed.
"Riches are meaningless if we don't use them," Brother Kye boasted.
Brother Ethan's idea was simple. We were traveling with a carriage — a normal carriage to not draw attention — and, most importantly, a convenient mode of transportation. Preparing the carriage was so easy that only one word from Brother Ethan and Wah-Lah! Everything was in place and ready to go. The one who took up most of our time was hiding my tails. Because Papa and both princes were no good at dressing me, the maids stepped in, and I think they had a good time. They put their hearts and souls into dressing me up from head to toe, and it turned out fantastic! The whole point of the dress-up was not to change my tails into legs but to make me look like an imitation of a mermaid. Apparently, Mermaid Fairy Tales are well-known in the capital, so it's safe to excuse that I'm merely dressed up as one because I like mermaids.
Halt.
"We're here," the coachman said.
We got out of the carriage then proceeded to the narrow alley where the children play, beaming with amazement as they spotted me, but unluckily they got a death stare from my three companions. What a turn of events! They were both influenced by my father's behavior. After walking a little distance, we reached Max's house. Brother Kye knocked on the door and we waited for someone to open it.
"Max, someone out there. Could you open it? I'm busy preparing for our meal before your Father comes." We could hear the yelling of Aunt Fio from the outside. It looked like she was busy doing household chores. The next sound we heard was the footsteps that became louder as it came nearer and nearer from the door.
Creak…
"My mother is busy with something. May I know what y-you n-need?" Max stuttered upon seeing the Royal princes whom he looked up to. He was in the stage of processing the situation- the princes in front of his house. THE PRINCES IN FRONT OF HIS HOUSE. "Greetings to the stars of the blazing stars of the Empire, Your Highness Ethan Callis and Prince Kye Callis. I'm sorry for my insolence of not recognizing the Royal Family." He was bowing on the ground, trembling in fear.
"Stand up," commanded by Brother Ethan. "We are here by Brielle's request. She said you saved her life and it appears you are close."
"Y-Yes, Your Highness. I'm more than happy to help her," Max replied. "If you don't mind, we could offer you tea in this humble house."
"All right."
We entered their house, with the guidance of Max, and sat on the chair with wooden carvings while Max called her Aunt Fio to inform her about our sudden appearance. This place didn't change, still has a nice ambiance.
"What?! The First and Second Prince are here! Oh, Lord. Go help me prepare for tea and snacks." We could hear the surprised Aunt Fio all the way in the living room since the house was small. It might not be good but I find it funny.
In the middle of our waiting, a man with a big build carrying a deer entered the door, and it seemed like he didn't notice us. "Honey, I'm home. I caught a deer for our dinner," he said. We just sat there in silence, waiting for him to notice. Well, that didn't take long because after five seconds. Yeah, for only five seconds, he was in a state of shock.
"Greetings to the stars of the blazing stars of the Empire, Your Highness Ethan Callis and Prince Kye Callis. I'm sorry for my insolence of not recognizing the Imperial Family." It was like a Deja vu. He acted the way like Max. That time it was clear to me that this is Uncle Albert, Max's father.
Brother Ethan told Uncle Albert, just like what he said to Max, to not to worry and stand up. After that, both Max and Aunt Fio served us tea and snacks. It was simple, yet I could tell they put their hearts on it. There were heart-shaped biscuits, and sweet-smelling purple tea. It was nice. "Brielle, do it," Papa said.
While I'm on the lap of Papa, I get something on my small pouch and hand it to Max. It was two mana stones produced by Papa and I. Since Max dreamed to be a knight the mana stones would help him especially since he doesn't possess any mana. "Take it Max. That's a thank you gift from me and Papa."
"Mana stones?! This is incredible!" Max couldn't hide his happiness that he forgot that the two princes were also here. Out of nowhere he hugged me then said, "Thank you."
Three hands suddenly tapped Max's shoulder and I think I knew whose hands were those- Brother Ethan, Brother Kye, and Papa. Max quickly distanced himself and went back to where his parents were.
"Uhm, I appreciate the gift you gave for my son but mana stone...it's a little bit expensive. Also helping each other is natural because they are friends and you know...last time you also helped us," Uncle Albert interjected.
"Don't mind that. Just accept it and Brielle doesn't have any people in mind to give the mana stones to," Papa insisted.
"Yeah, that's right," I agreed. But why do I feel like Brother Ethan and Brother Kye were sulking? Were they bored of listening? Well, we are about to go home.
"That's so. Then, again thank you very much."
"Our agenda is done. We will go home now," Papa said as he stood.
"Papa, I will just say something to Max." Papa nodded and bent on her knees so I could speak up with Max. Then I faced Max and whispered, "Max, the blue stone has ice power and the white one is for healing. Also, let's keep the secret that Papa's a wolf. Okay?"
"Leave it to me."
After our conversation, we left the house and boarded the carriage that was waiting at the entrance of the alley. It was a long day but at least we managed to express my thanks to Max and gave him the gift. My tail was a little dry because it had not been in the water for hours. But, not to worry because Papa is here. He could solve my problem.
"Papa, water." As soon as I said that, Papa removed the clothing that wrapped around my tail then made my tail froze in ice. Then, turn it to water. And now my tail no longer feels dry.
"Ice attribute, how amusing," Brother Ethan said, looking at Papa.
"If you are curious then go investigate," Papa replied in a monotone voice.
Brother Kye interrupted, "Brielle, I didn't know that you could create a mana stone. When did you start creating one?"
"Papa said when I was two years old."
"Amazing! Brielle is so talented, right brother?"
"Yeah, she is."
"Why? Can't you?" I asked.
"We can but we only learn from the age of ten. Mostly the magical beasts were the one who could create mana stone at an early age. Oh, I think we arrived at the Palace," Ethan stated, glancing at the window.
"Would Your Majesty get angry?"
"No, Father will not be angry with you. And he is busy all through the afternoon so he will not notice that we disappeared," he reassured.
"Busy?"
"Yeah. He had a meeting with the Head Priest Drystan Elizalde."