Volume 3 Prolong
".... What is it?"
I asked, towards the clinging Natsumi, who was laying on my chest, as I rest on our Cabin.
"... Nothing"
She replied in a muffled voice, right after she buried her face on my chest. Not knowing what she's gotten into, I just placed my right hand on her head, and gently caress it. Sheryl was sleeping beside me, facing away from me, while Isabelle is at the top deck.
'I didn't get the better view of this place, so I would like to see it for myself' is what she told me, before she went up the ship. Isabelle was quite not herself right after we leave the [Kingdom of Entel], not just her. After the breakdown of Natsumi, it seems the atmosphere between the 4 of us didn't yet settled down.
Sigh
Silently sighing under my breath, I could take a few guesses why they are acting like this, but even so, it seems I could only await, until they settle down.
Right after we leave the kingdom, we then traveled our way back towards the Port, which took us 5 days of venture. Along our way, of course we faced monster after monster, but due to the battle we have undergonenin the kingdom, we took a rest for a day before we continued on, which resulted on additional stay in the south region, especially when we did a lot of extra 'movements' in our way.
We could have stayed in the kingdom's Inn, but unfortunately, we can't. Living there with eyes glued to you, while feeling th tense atmosphere of the people around, is something taxing for me to take, so with that, I suggested to the 4 to leave early.
With Isabelle beside us, the journey was smooth. We also took a lot materials on our way. After we got back to the port, we only waited for a couple of hours before the Ship that we are about to ride, the same ship that sailed us from the [City of Palawan] to here, came.
Along our way, thanks to Isabelle, we are able to know that a certain ship, a Cog Ship, suddenly vanished inside a mist, along with its 50 crew and a ton of materials, and equipments. The certain Shop was a Warship, carrying weapons, monster materials, and some golds, but they meet their end on the hands of a [Wisp Ship]. We don't know if it is the same ship that attacked us during our 1st day of voyage.
...
After 3 days of sailing back to our home, we then hop out from the ship and rode a carriage that mother and father prepared for us, right after Isabelle contacted them, via a letter.
Sending message in long distance always takes time and day to be delivered, sometimes it even it takes month and so on. So with that, a magic institution with the assistance of the {Dwarves}, and an {Alchemist}, they were able to make a homing letter sender, [Fowl Expedite]. It is a Bird like {Golem} with a size of a 10 years old child fist, with red glowing eyes and a defensive body, that is made from a hard shell, and equipped with sharp talons.
This type of tool fetches 20 golds coins each, for smaller size scale, like of an 8 years old child, while an adult fist sized one, fetches for 50 gold coins. The material used, and how hard it was manufactured were the reason for the cost to be this pricey.
After sending the letter towards mother (aunt), and father (uncle), a carriage then awaited us at the port. It was a porcelain colored, long carriage, with golden coated wheels and curtains. A Butler and a maid then greeted us, as they bowed outside of the carriage.
"Welcome back, my lady, mistresses, and young master"
As we entered, after greeting them back, the maid and the Butler then went upfront of the carriage, while the 4 of us entered the carriage.
"..."
"....."
"....."
"....."
Silence came inside the carriage as we smoothly moved towards the estate. Isabelle is silently sitting upfront of me, with Sheryl beside her, whereas Natsumi is sitting on my lap, while hugging me. She was silently clinging at me.
Sigh
Sighing, I then spoke
"What's the matter with you three, hmmm?"
"...."
"..."
"..."
Sighing once again, as I only received a cold silence, I then kissed Natsumi's nape, and lean my head next to hers and spoke
"How about you tell me what you received from them, when we get back to the estate?"
"..."
"..."
"..."
"And in exchange, you can ask me anything you want, how about that?"
"..."
I only smiled upon thier silence, and didn't further probe, and just quietly sat their as we returned to the estate.
"... Anything?"
Surprised to the voice, I then turned my head to my left, synchronizingly, as she moved hers towards mine. Natsumi then hold my cheeks with her hands, and stared at me, as I did the same to her.
Locking with each others gaze, she then lean her forehead to mine, and spoke, in a tone of loneliness
"Then don't go, please stay with us"
Caught off guard with her words, I then tightly embrace her, and smiled as I moved my lips towards her cheek.
"Then tie me up, so I won't go"
I then closed my eyes and buried my head to her chest. She then buried hers on my shoulder, as we continued on silence, embracing each other, as the carriage moved towards the estate.
.....
After we have arrived to the estate, the maid then opened the carriage door, which we were then greeted by mother and father, standing outside of the mansion, with 6 maids behind them.
"Welcome back"
Is what they have greeted unto us. Getting off while carrying the clinging Natsumi, I then extended my arms as I help Sheryl, and Isabelle getting off. Mother the hugged me with a deep one, right after Natsumi got off from me
"Welcome back"
She stated, as she embraced me with a loving hug
"I'm back"
I replied.