Camin led the duo to his study, on getting to the door of the study Sessa decided to stay aside and let the father and daughter catch up.
"Your Highness. There is a little parlour at the opposite side, why don't you have a rest there?" Lord Camin suggested. Sessa nodded and heeded.
"Nimo you've grown up." Her father said to her after they had been given privacy.
"Father, I'm sorry. I have not been filial."
"Don't say that. Right from when you were little, holding that wooden sword of yours, I had known that you would achieve great things." The mighty lord's eyes strangely grew misty, and his lips displayed a wistful smile. "Your mother fell asleep when you were just three and I...I was afraid that I couldn't raise you all by myself and I married quite early. You don't blame me for that, do you?"
"No father, I don't." She took up her sword and made to give it to her father. "Here. I took this sword without your permission, I should return it."
"Cut through anything even the wind." Lord Camin quoted. "Don't you think it suits you more? You can have it."
"Thank you, how is Ummi? And stepmother?" Her stepmother wasn't bad at all unlike most children who got maltreated by their stepparents.
The door of the study bust open and a bubbly young girl dressed in a pastel colour flowy dress trotted inside.
"Nimo!" She called in a shrill voice, her maids followed behind her breathless from the long run from the princess room down to the study. Princess Ummi had raced all the way from her room when the visit of her sister was communicated to her.
She jumped into Nimo's arms. "I missed you."
"Me too. You still haven't changed, eh? Still giving you maids trouble."
Ummi giggled, she had always been a mischevious girl right from childhood.
"Sister, you grew slimmer and tanner. When we found out that you ran away from home, I cried my eyes out. If Uncle Rondor hadn't sent a letter saying you were alright we would have--"
"Ummi." A warning voice called. The Grand Duchess of Revel Manor, Phonia Selburn, stood at the door as regal as ever, then Ummi remembered the new lessons her mother was teaching her. 'As a lady of high society, you should learn to speak less.'
"Stepmother." Nimo greeted. She gave her stepmother an awkward hug, even though she was not bad to Nimo they had never had a close relationship.
The family went together to pay their greetings to the Crown Prince, when all pleasantries had been given, Nimo departed with Sessa.
•°•
A mass number of attendants, maids and eunuchs stood at Allon City gate in the hot scorching sun as they awaited the arrival of Redhulk army. The king had ordered for their glorious welcome.
From afar, the head eunuch sited the army, he gave a silent prayer of thanks as he sweated profusely. He wiped his face hurriedly and felt like his legs were going to give out.
When the army got closer, a black horse with a white pastern arrogantly gaited forward. On top of the horse was General Rondor, he had an intense face that said he shouldn't be messed with and a commanding attitude that easily intimidated mere men.
"General." The head eunuch greeted and gave a salute.
General Rondor allowed a curt nod silently telling the man to go ahead.
The head eunuch brought forth the yellow scroll containing the royal edict of the king. The general descended from his proud companion and knelt to receive the edict. After years of battle, Rondor couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief. He was finally home.
The calming incense on the table burned slowly, emitting a soothing fragrance to the gorgeous lady laying on the sofa.
The thirteenth princess of Panirut, Ruma Tressor was a free bird, she disliked tense or formal situations hence she always confines to her room.
"Your Highness! Your Highness! Your Highness!" Her only maid who was more like a friend to her called out all the way from outside, jumping excitedly.
"Onath what is it? Can you not see that I'm having my relaxation time? And besides you should know that I do not like noise." Onath had been her maid right from when they were children, even though the princess was cautioning her, her voice held no trace of reproof.
"Your Highness, forgive me." Onath responded, the big smile on her face did not falter one bit. Princess Ruma opened her eyes and sat up with a sigh, she stretched lazily reminding the watcher of feline attributes.
"Why do you have such a toothy smile on your face? It is unbefitting of a young girl."
Onath rolled her eyes. "The general is back."
The once serene princess lept to her feet with an unfathomable burst of energy.
"What?"
"General Rondor is back to the capital."
A musical laugh escaped from Princess Ruma, she had always had a huge crush on the general. She twirled in glee.
Onath stood watching her in amusement. Her mistress who advised her on how to smile had a foolish smile of her own on her face.
The princess was an imperturbable soul, but when it came to the general...well...
Sessa went once again to call on his father yet again.
"I heard that you were attacked by two groups of people." The king stated.
"Yes...the mastermind really went to great lengths."
"You have to be careful. As a soon to be king, many power mongers are watching with eagle eyes to see your downfall so they could profit from it. You have to be stronger."
"Yes, father."
King Sessa sighed and shook his head in wonder. "I'm starting to wonder if I made the wrong choice in choosing you to be my Crown Prince...not because you won't be a good king, but because I brought danger your way."
Sessa really wasn't interested in leading Panirut but the mantle has been placed on him and he had no say in it.
"I can handle it."
"Your mother has always been my favourite, you know it, the whole world knows it. That was why I named you my Crown Prince at your birth, coupled with the fact that as you grew up...you grew up to be wise." The king stared off at space for a while. "Speaking about your mother, she said you should visit her more often."
Sessa knew he couldn't hide forever, he always avoided the woman because she spoke to him about nothing but him getting married.
"I'll visit her."
"Oh and she asked me to discuss a serious matter with you."
"Father!"
King Sessa's eyes twinkled, this wasn't the first time he was having this conversation with his son. "Your mother says when is she going to carry her grandchild?"
"I'm still young, I don't know why she keeps pushing me to get married." Said Sessa annoyed.
"I understand her stand point, you see you are my heir so you need to pass on the bloodline as early as possible. What do you think of Princess Milla of State of Neo?"