Who's ready for more chapters?
As always, Goliath demands your power stones!
*****
"Ding! This is the final boarding call for our next flight bound for Crossbell State. I repeat, this is our final boarding call for our next flight bound for Crossbell State...", An intercom's voice suddenly echoed around the entire lobby. After a round of introductions, Lucy and Lechter bickered for a few moments before realizing what had just happened.
"Oh no, I should go get my ticket.", Lucy replied, realizing that she was still without a ticket, unlike us. During that brief time we introduced ourselves, I had already secured tickets for Roselia, Sherryl, Lechter and I. It was just Lucy without one now.
Lucy hurried off to the front of the VIP line like we had just used, and got her ticket. I ignored the clerk's remark from earlier. Instead, doubt appeared in my eyes as I looked at the flamboyant, scarlet-haired boy. He was turning eighteen soon, right?
"What's with that look, Your Highness?", Lechter asked me. I looked at him in a weird light.
"You're in your third year now at Jenis right? How's that going for you?", I decided to ask. After all, I would start my school life next year in May alongside Kloe. If Lechter was still in his third year, then it was possible we would still have a full year together before he graduates.
"Oh right, you'll be starting school soon. Everything's swell. I'm totally not skipping class or anything. My grades are in tip-top shape!", Lechter replied, pupping his arm in vigor.
Sherryl's eyes swooped down, not believing a single thing Lechter had just said.
"You're at risk of failing, aren't you?", Sherryl retorted.
"Wouldn't you know it? This fool is going to get what he deserves eventually. Whether he likes it or not.", Lucy's voice called out to us again. I could see a ticket in her hand now. She quickly rejoined us. We didn't remain idle either, and quickly departed off to the side to where the outside docks were. The lines remained separate, and we didn't have a crowd of people to navigate through.
"Are your grades really that bad, Lechter?", I asked. Even I had doubts. I know Lechter often liked to crack jokes and was an easygoing person, but he was the type of person I could trust without a shred of doubt. A part of that was thanks to his special ability, his all-knowing gut. Thanks to that, it was pretty obvious most of the time when Lechter was joking or being serious.
"C'mon, don't sell me short, Your Highness. I'm not in dangerous territory. Not yet, anyways.", Lechter nonchalantly replied, placing his hands behind his head in a casual manner.
"'Yet', he says...', Sherryl uttered. "How in aidios's name have you made it through three years of classes with this state of mind?", Sherryl continued, also doubtful of what Lechter's grades were.
"Lechter might be an idiot, but he's a good idiot, sadly. He only does the mininum effort needed to pass. Why did we make you student council president again?", Lucy retorted. Her eyes slanted as she became annoyed.
"Wait, this loser is the student council president at Jenis?", I asked.
"This guy's student council president?", Sherryl also asked. Her eyes turned wide in shock after hearing that.
"Am I really that irresponsible? I only recently entered the seat, but I help out from time to time. Speaking of which, our annual festival is coming up in a couple months. The student council does a play each year. If you're around, Your Highness, you should come check it out. I'm sure just with your presence alone it'll increase its publicity by a good margin!", Lechter said.
"A school festival huh?", I responded. 'That should come after the Vermillion Trials so I don't see a reason not to attend it, but I will be entering unprecedented times after the trial is complete. I don't know if Liberl will remain in peaceful times after...', I thought to myself, trailing off after Lechter asked that.
"I'm sure having the crown prince will help the reception out if you do attend, Your Highness. All of its funding goes to local orphanages which help them keep afloat year round. If they know you're present, I'm sure the play will turn out splendidly.", Lucy suggested.
"Tickets please.", The clerk nearby suddenly asked us after Lucy suggested that. We were continuously walking, and we flashed our tickets.
"Hmm. I'll consider it. I see nothing pressing I need to attend to, but I will be absent until the end of February. If the festival comes after that, I'll see if Grandmother will allow it.", I said, nodding my head at the two.
As I said that, I saw the clerk raise her eyes at us. Her demeanor changed, and she even did a light bow.
"I hope you enjoy your flight, Your Highness.", The clerk politely said to us.
"Haha, it's just a small trip, but thank you.", I replied to the clerk.
Thankfully the loading dock was right nearby, and we all saw a large orbal airship to our left. After checking in with the clerk outside, we made our way to the airship, and boarded.
"Still, you really are a prince, huh? I hate to believe it, but I always tend to believe what this fool says. You're in good hands.", Lucy said to me, causing me to smile.
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?", Lechter retorted.
"Oh, nothing. That's not the point anyways. I'm more leaning toward wanting to know if what I read in the papers this morning really was true. You're engaged with Erebonia's treasure now, aren't you, Your Highness?", Lucy asked. It was clear doubt remained in her eyes. I know it is still hard to come by for many. It really was an abrupt declaration.
Taking our seats in the front row, I proceeded to nod my head.
"It really is true, Lucy. There is no set date for Alfin and I to be wed, but it is official nonetheless. I even received blessings from Alfin's parents. We shared a banquet over it.", I happily responded. Lucy raised her eyebrows hearing that.
"So you're saying you were in the presence of His Majesty?", "Not just anyone can request an audience with a person like that. I'm kind of jealous of myself hearing that.", Lucy said. Her eyes then shifted toward Lechter. "And let me guess, you met His Majesty too, didn't you?", Lucy asked in doubt.
"Bingo~", Lechter immediately answered.
"Why am I not surprised to hear that? Does that mean you even met His Highness's fiance?", Lucy decided to ask.
"THat kiddo really is a treasure. One of the nicest people I have ever met. And that's saying something.", Lechter nodded his head. I saw Lucy slump her shoulders over.
"We really are part of two different worlds here...", Lucy sighed.
"Are we really though, Miss Lucy? I took a few moments to recall something. You wouldn't happen to know a person named Lif, would you?", Sherryl decided to ask. Lucy just blinked her eyes at Sherryl, not expecting to hear such a name.
"Lif? You're not referring to who I think you're referring to, are you?", Lucy asked in doubt.
"Remiferia's crown princess, yes. Her Highness Lifthrasir von Bartholomeus.", Sherryl asked in a serious tone.
"I didn't expect to hear such a name in a place like this...", Lucy uttered. She took a moment to observe the girl before her, who seemed to be no older than ten or eleven years old, sporting lilac-colored hair. She was in her St. Astraia uniform, which made her stand out if placed inside a crowd. It wasn't easy to get into St. Astraia. For some reason, Lucy started to get a familiar sensation all of a sudden as she observed the small-statured girl before her. On the outside she might appear weak, but it was clear her body was well-toned. There was not a single blemish on Sherryl's skin for that matter either. It almost made Lucy a bit jealous seeing such flawless skin before her.
"Haha. It might be a bit too much to say this but maybe it was fate for us to meet like this, Lucy. I'm sure your family has come across House Bartholomeus in some form or fashion. I am not sure if you've personally gotten acquainted with its first princess, but Sherryl here comes from a family that was once in service of this House. Does the name 'Sky' ring any bells?", I decided to ask.
"Sky...?", Lucy paused, before her eyes turned wide in shock again. She glanced at Sherryl again after I said that. As Lucy glanced at Sherryl once more, we all felt a jolt strike against our feet before a constant hum echoed throughout the spacious cabin. We had successfully taken off.
"No wonder why that name felt familiar. I sure do know the Sky family. Last time I checked in with Lif and Jill though, Jill said she had a younger sister who was met with a tragic fate...", Lucy uttered. It took a second to realize it, but her mouth soon formed an O shape, left agape as she stared at Sherryl.
"Hehe, it really is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Seiland. It sounds like you've been under the care of my bigger sister. I'm Sherryl Sky.", Sherryl formally introduced herself to Lucy. Even Lechter raised his eyes seeing Lucy in a dazed expression.
This was a nice way to kick off a reunion now, wasn't it?
The big one was yet to come though. It was time for a pair of sisters to reunite after almost half a decade.