*Rattle* *Rattle*
A small force of knights and mages protectively trailed on horseback surrounding each side of a luxurious carriage, the latter had the emblem of the ducal Captiosus household on each side: Two green books sewn together by a white thread.
The mood was jolly, and the guards joked around to pass time. Despite that, their eyes would vigilantly dart towards the horizon to prepare for any potential danger.
They were by no means sloppy.
Inside the same carriage, a small delicate hand went out to remove the curtains off the smooth high quality glass.
'It's beautiful.'
Disregarding the usual troop of knights that would travel alongside her house for protection whenever they would go out, the little girl looked at the harsh and empty snowy lands that extended all the eyes can see.
The girl's green eyes squinted looking at the scene. She seemed to take in the entire picture and even more as bundles of information assaulted her brain.
Choosing to put the curtains on again, the emerald-haired girl sighed and looked at the black robbed green-haired man that sat in front of her on the soft leather carriage seat. Not even a single muscle moved despite the carriage's movement.
"Do I have to, father? Have I not performed enough? Didn't you promise that there would not be arranged marriages if I did well?"
The man on the opposite side held his heart as a response to the pout his daughter seemed to administer. Eventually, he shook his head.
"Udel, you are misunderstanding something. I am not forcing you to do anything here. It was just a promise your father made with the head of the Armsworth house."
Udel nodded approvingly, she had heard that her father and the head of the Armsworth were friends during their youth. Besides, she could still remember seeing the head of the Armsworths in her memory as a child.
"So I can still back down if I want to?"
"Of course." smiled Beothrice, the head adviser of the Alabax kingdom. "James is indeed my friend, but you're my precious daughter."
The daughter, Udel, rolled her eyes at her father's behaviour. She didn't mistrust his words for even one second.
Her father was a man of his word. Never once did he break it. She doubted he would do it now. He loved her too much.
"... Didn't I hear rumours about my supposed 'fiancé' just waking up? Weren't you there when he fell ill, father?"
Beothrice hummed, "Yes. That is indeed the case. But I heard that he has recovered and is now better than ever. In fact, James tells me that he can even be on par with [Fledgling] swordsman."
Udel's before fair expression took on a strange turn.
'Fledgling?'
That was simply too much to believe. Was he not two years younger than her? How could he be already at the [Fledgling] rank when she just reached the [Apprentice] rank herself: The equivalent for mages.
"Hmm… I know that is hard to believe, but James isn't one to lie. I wouldn't have put up with this if he hadn't recovered and neither would James. So don't worry about it, Udel."
Udel non-committedly nodded, "Is it the Armsworth blessing that you told me about?"
Pleased at the way his daughter was capable of reading between the lines, Beothrice tapped his finger on his chin. "Correct."
However, Beothrice's expression turned serious the next moment.
"But don't tell anybody, sweetie...." he paused, "It is rather sensitive information."
Udel squinted her eyes, "Of course, father."
At least she wouldn't get married to a crippled boy. If anything she was more interested in the apparent mysterious tone her father used when talking about her supposed fiancé.
'Eldric Armsworth, huh?'
–
In front of the familiar Armsworth gates was the small battalion of geared soldier and mages that accompanied the head of the Captiosus household and his daughter. The force was so intimidating that it might have looked like an invasion to the onlookers.
Both the houses were old friend, as such, It would be better to simply go directly to each other. Yet, among the higher ranking nobilities, certain procedures had to be respected and appearances had to be put out.
"Greetings, lord Captious, and the little lady," professionally commented Alfred. "May I lead you to Lord Armsworth?"
Beothrice smiled looking at Alfred's figure. It was a nostalgic sight, for sure.
"You may."
"Of course, my lord." Alfred's eyes trailed off the knights and mages wearing the Captious emblem on their plates and robes respectively.
"Gentleman. Please follow the butlers and maids to the residential area."
On command, a row of maids and butlers came from the stairs and lead the assortment of knights and mages to their temporary living quarters.
The large doors of the Armsworth opened and on the other side, was the head of the hosting house waiting.
"How are you doing, James?" smiled Beothrice looking at his old friend. He looked much better and much happier than he has last seen him in the capital.
"Doing very good as you can see."
James looked at the robbed figure of his friend and couldn't help but grin. "I see you still like those mage-like outfits."
Beothrice smiled, "And I see you still like those warrior-like outfits."
Both of them laughed slightly as they hurled insults at each other hidden behind casual words.
Udel stood between the two of them, feeling pretty awkward at the turn of events. Her father was not usually so 'talkative.'
"How about you talk with the little ladies, I will be having a talk with your father." James addressed the green-haired little girl noticing her state.
Of course, with such an esteemed guest coming, the majority of the Armsworth house was on standby.
The only ones that were not present were Faith and Eldric...
Dressed rather nicely was the elder daughter of the Armsworth, Ellah. It was a beautiful red dress that went to her ankles and complimented her flowing crimson hair.
Although, Elah looked rather stiff in those dress holdings. It was apparent that she did not like them.
"Who is this little girl?" rudely commented Cenric, tone as prideful as usual. This time, he was wearing rather simple clothes.
Well... Simpler than usual at least.
"Shush." nudged him Sarah.
With Faith not present to keep Cenric on the leash for whatever reason, Sarah needed to hold down the fort.
After all, she still held more authority as the second lady of the Armsworth than Cenric.
"Tsk."
"She's going to be your brother's fiancé," announced Sarah. "Also, be more respectful. She's the daughter of house Captious."
"W-what?" staggered Cenric, gritting his teeth. " That loser has a fiancé…"
It was an obvious breach of conduct... Why would he — the legitimate heir— not have a fiancé, while his bastard brother would have the only daughter of the Captious household as his.
"Fiancé?" Bellah tilted her head.
"She means that she is going to marry him in the future," quickly answered Ellah, being the responsible big sister she is striving to be.
There was a strange glint in her eyes as she looked at the cute outfit of little Bellah: A frilly yellow dress that went along with her ashy silver hair and soft brown eyes.
Ellah shook her head right after fully taking in her cute form. Now was not the time to admire her little sister's cuteness.
"M-marry?" little Bellah muttered, shocked.
That was a word she understood.
The teachers would always tell her that she would get married one day and that she would be removed from her family and taken to her husband's home.
What?
Was she going to steal her brother? Bellah squinted her eyes at Udel's figure.
Udel sensing her gaze waved her hands off at little Bellah causing her to cross her arms and pout.
'Did I do something wrong?' Udel tilted her head. 'And why did she turn even cuter...'
"Where is Eldric?" asked James, slightly surprised by his son's absence. He wasn't one to usually miss his attendance. This day even more.
Sarah sighed, "He is training…"
'What?'
Hearing that, Ellah on the side cursed him for his luck. While she was here wearing this stupid frilly outfit, he was there training himself.
Now the bastard is going to get even further away from her...
'Shouldn't he be the one here? It's his fiancé...' weirdly commented Ellah taking the figure of Udel. Like her father, she wore a black robe, and on it was the emblem of the Captious house.
Bellah internally groaned, 'And even she isn't wearing something stupid like this dress...'
James smiled wryly, " Let us go meet Eldric, he should be at the yard. I suppose that wouldn't be a problem, Beothrice?"
Beothrice's expression took a turn for the worse. Not even attending his arrival....
He already had a bad first impression.
" Sure, lead the way."
James chuckled, "Eldric has a bit of a training habit, you see."
"Uh-uh. I'm still not so sure about what you wrote me, James. I chose to believe you in regard of our friendship..."
Breaking his expectation, James didn't argue and grinned mysteriously.
"You'll see."