As we get fairly far from the Lion Guard structure, I hear Julia sighing a bit
"Finally! I hate acting so formal near others..." Julia says slumping her shoulders a bit in her seat.
"Please mistress, you must've lost your standard of common-" the red-haired girl next to her gets cut off by Julia.
"I know, I know, but still! I have been trying to be so formal and guess what I got put in the worst situation a royal could be! Udderly humiliated."
"It could've gone worst mistress."
"Y-yeah...I know..." she finishes
I was not expecting her to be...energetic and almost perky. She acted with such a domineering stance with the Lion Guard. Granted she is royalty so I guess the Order doesn't have authority over them, but still. I thought she was gonna give me a long lengthy speech that is overly complex.
Oh, how the expectations have been duped.
"Well uhm, why am I hear? Not to be unappreciative for getting me out of there." I say jumping into the conversation
"Right! Ahem, you foreigner. You've done a great service to the Julia Heisen of the Royal family, daughter of the Commander of the Cardinals. As such for a reward, I am handing you a recommendation to join the CArdinals as a personal bodyguard, with-" I slowly raise my hand to get her attention, but not rude to talk over her.
"Y-yes? Julia exclaims in question
"I'm sorry, what you've just offered me sounds like a great opportunity, but I have plans to join the Academy in the Capitol. I am so sorry if this sounds rude, but can you please drop me off at the residential estate of this guy," I say handing over the crumbled dirty card which gets snatched by the red-haired knight next to Julia.
He looks at it and afterwards gives it to Julia who sighs.
"Sorry about him, he is also one of my father's friend's sons who was recommended to serve as a Cardinal bodyguard for me. This is his sister on my left. Please, both of you introduce yourselves." Julia finishes
*Sigh* "My name is Arnold Yorkson, Seargent of the Cardinal Guard." he says on Julia's right.
"My name is Ellicia Yorkson, Corporal of the Cardinal Guard." the red-haired lady on the left of Julia.
"Nice to meet you both," I say crossing both legs.
My sudden movements cause both to draw their swords within seconds and point them at me from across the carriage.
I keep my cool and keep my legs in my position while looking mostly annoyed.
"You're you overconfident in you're ability foreigner..." Arnold says
"Well, why should I not? The positioning of your swing isn't advantageous in this small space. Plus, pointing it to me means you've removed the ability to swing it one way or another, and thrusting it wouldn't be strong enough to pierce me. Both of you actually made it more difficult to defend Julia because you've presented your swords far from your body. Plus, you both very much likely don't know how I fight either. It is both of YOU who got overconfident." So please, place down you're weapons before I actually do get angry. Pretty please..." I finish with a childish tone.
"Tch...Why did you want us to pick this foreigner he's-" Arnold is cut off by Julia's right hand.
"Sorry about both of these two. They are heavily protective of me. Which is understandable. They have a lot at stake."
"Fine by me. Now can you drop me off at the estate on the cart?"
She looks at the card more intently and turns it over to examine it and recognizes it.
"I-I suppose we can. We can drop you off there but, do you want to get some clothes first? You're kind of dirty..."
"Meh, I don't need to look the part, I just need to use the right words I am given," I say finish
"Alright, we will drop you off at the estate in a few minutes. Let me just tell the driver to change our direction."
*40 minutes later*
We have mostly been sitting silently for dozens of minutes until the cart heaves to a halt and I check out the window to see a large estate, with a metal fence The building several dozen feet away from the fence has white pavements, grass, and some gardens throughout it. The estate looks to be about 2 stories tall, with golden metal doors.
"Thank you for dropping off here. And sorry about the dress."
"Oh! No worries! I-" She cuts herself off realizing she lost her royal composure and calms herself down.
"You are very welcome sir. Please if you ever need anything, write a letter to my estate or to the Cardinals and I would be very welcoming to you joining the Cardinal Guards. Farewell." I jump out of the carriage and see a line of carts behind and in front of it with other Cardinal guardsmen sitting in them. I guess they've been escorting us for a while.
I walk towards the fence which has 2 Lion Guards behind the gate.
"Hey uhm, I am here to meet someone who lives here. Sergio43 A New Dawn" I state when the two looks at one another and one pulls out a key.
He shoves a large metal key that is oddly shaped and loud gears begin locking and the door swings open slightly.
"Follow me," one says
I do as he says with both hands in my pocket taking in the scenery. I am guessing this place is maybe twice as big as the village farm I was at. No doubt about it. Plus, most rich people or people of military status likely always get a lot of space.
As we arrive at the grand golden doors, a loud bang of a knock is done a couple of times before it opens.
As we walk in, the entrance is very open, grand, and white. A single table with some white flowers is sitting in the center of this room and I see a couple of maids and guards standing.
This guy must be loaded or a noble himself...
"Ma'am, the guard with me waves over to a maid sweeping the already gleaming marble floors, "Bring the captain here. He has a guest"
"Yes sir!" she says bowing forward and running off towards the upstairs tripping a couple of times.
"So...This dude must be rich or something"
"Typical..." he comments
"Huh? Typical for someone rich to own a place like this? Yeah makes sense" I say brushing off the strange remark.
*Sigh*
"The one who owns this estate is the son of the current king of the Kingdom of Celicia, Arthur Huningust, Captain of the Lion Guard. Typical a foreigner wouldn't know such basic knowledge."
"Oh?! That's neat."
I look around the place more and look at the unique yet familiar design of the vase for the white flowers. Looks really familiar...
[It is reminiscent of China porcelain that Europeans prized over as they were rare, extremely details, and exotic. This could be a good clue that we are still on Earth.]
Maybe...But like you said the clothing of the bandits and villagers and people here are similar to Europe yet not a single person mentioned a Western thing I can think of. Not even one of the most present religions that I remembered 3 years ago.
[Should we investigate more then?]
No, that is not the concern right now. Right now speaking with this Authur guy and getting into the Academy first is our priority.
"Aha!" a voice booms and echoes through this large room of an entrance, "So have you thought about my offer?" Arthur says walking down the long stairs with arms open and wearing a thinner set of armor. With eh Lion Insignia still on.
"Yes, I have conveyed with those I know, and we agreed that my coming here was a good decision and opportunity for me."
The guard next to me, even though I can't see his face through the helmet, I can tell is confused by the exchanges of his posture.
"You may leave knight," Arthur says to the one next to me.
The Knight bows forward slightly and returns back outside of the estate building with the door slowly closing shut.
"This room is way too white...A single candle in the middle of the knight would reflect it enough to light this whole place..."
"Hahaha! Maybe, I know I complained about my father and how we use way too much white for things. Makes it easier to see the dirt and grime to the point it is impossible to truly have this place clean when you can see the smallest speck of dirt." he says finishing his steps down the stairs.
"Now how do we handle this then Arthur?"
"Simple, I will make all the arrangements and begin the process and send you to the Capitol within a few days. I will also make sure you have the appropriate clothes, permissions, and preparations for you when you arrive. However I do ask of you one thing, don't show anyone your magic. Let's keep that a small secret until you arrive at the Academy."
[He's up to something! Pressure him to confess!]
"Yeah, sure thing. do you have a place for me to sleep?" I ask
"Haha! What kind of man would I be and especially a noble if I had my guest sleep on the floor? Come, I shall show you to our guest room."
After climbing the stairs we pass other maids, butlers, guards in the estate and walk into a room that is duel doored, golden handles, and when opened the room is about twenty-five feet by twenty-five feet wide, and has a ceiling that is 20 feet tall.
"Make your stay here, my maids will get you a set of proper clothes for you. Ask for anything of my maids. Now I have to get back to training on the roof." he turns away but stops on his own. Then turns.
"Actually, would you like to observe or participate in the training?"
"Nah, I am good. I should shower and clean myself. I am all dirty with dirt and a bit of blood on my face if you haven't noticed."
"Of course, where is my common sense? Go ahead into the shower over there," he gestures to the corner of the room, "There is an assortment of proper clothes for both males and females in the closet. Ring the bell inside the bathroom if you need anything, the maids will come. Now then, off I go to train!" he says closing both doors behind himself.
I guess this is royal treatment...