"Duke Carrion, thanks for the sealing"
"Oh, you've arrived Leonhart. No need to thank. It is already my duty as Carrion's successor. And please take care of the rest. I'll add protection magic for you and Earl Lucca."
Duke Leonhart nodded. He then turned around and went inside the large dark purple dome that couldn't be seen what was inside from the outside.
If I can't see it, how am I supposed to know what's going on in there!.
"Oh! How come my niece is here?!" Duke Carrion said. The figure of a man who seemed to be slightly older than my daddy was now looking at me with a bright face. He still smiled, but wider when he saw my face. His well-groomed teeth are very clear.
"Come here. Let me carry you, little Celia!"
Wosh!.
So fast!. Vio avoided Duke Carrion as if he didn't want me to be touched by him.
"Sorry, Mr. Carrion. Please stay focused and pay attention to your duties and don't mind us..." said Vio. Her tone sounded very sharp.
"Hey. I just wanted to hold my niece. Why are you bothering me!-"
"I'm sorry, Master Carrion, but your barrier looks faded and it will jeopardize the safety of Lord Leonhart and Earl Lucca"
Duke Carrion widened his eyes and looked surprised. He then returned to his original position and refocused on his task.
Meanwhile, I don't know what exactly is going on, but it seems Duke Carrion is the type of person who easily forgets his duties if he sees something interesting or something he likes so he loses focus on his main job.
He is indeed the one to be warned!. Nice work, Vio!.
Even so, I was somewhat helped by Duke Carrion's carelessness. When the black dome faded for a few minutes because Duke Carrion had released his magic earlier, I was able to see what was inside and what father was doing there.
Useful stupidity. I thought. Keep it up, Duke Carrion!
Inside the dark dome that had opened, I caught a glimpse of dad tapping a dark red staff on the floor and a bright red glow surrounding a man who might have been Earl Lucca. After that, there appeared a large burst of fire that was shaped like a bird that had long feathers on its body which was like being blown by a strong wind. A few seconds later there was a whirring sound of iron chains that filled the hall and quickly the dark dome was tightly closed again.
I guess I'm missing an important part of what dad did for the out of control totem.
I involuntarily puffed out my cheeks in annoyance.
"My Young Lady? What's wrong?" Asked Vio who noticed the change in expression on my face. Even though he is like a robot, it seems that Vio is a person who is sensitive to small changes. Maybe that's one of the reasons daddy recruited she to be my personal maid? My own daddy is a person who is very detail about something.
"D-daddy!" I answered. I don't know what to answer. My brain can't be used to think quickly.
"Don't worry, My Young Lady. Lord Leonhart, your father will definitely be fine. Don't worry," said Vio.
I'm stunned. Is it really Vio?. Apparently he can also look like that--not like a robot--Vio made a smile on his face. She also changed her tone to be more 'female'. I don't know what's going on, I think Vio is really a person who can be relied on despite her somewhat stiff side.
"Multifunctional robot?" I muttered.
"Eh? Did My Young Lady ask me something?" Ask Vio.
Her hearing seems to be very sharp too, but luckily her didn't notice the words I spoke quietly.
"It's been over an hour. What happened?!" Duke Carrion said.
Vio and I naturally heard what duke Carrion said because of our position nearby, so we reflexively turned to him with curiosity. Especially me. I'm very curious, what will happen if it's been more than an hour?
"Master Carrion, can I do something?" Vio asked suddenly.
Duke Carrion glanced briefly at us then refocused his eyes ahead.
"I don't know if this works or not, but could you call the Crown Prince here? He's the only one with time magic in this kingdom…"
"Okay. I understand. Your Highness Yvone as soon as possible"
Vio then came out of the mansion and took a horse. She made me go up first before her finally went up.
"Young Lady, I will ride at maximum speed. Please hold on tight to me too" Vio said after she put the belt on me that was connected to her.
I just obeyed and hugged Vio tightly. We left. But I'm thinking hard now.
How could she take a child like me on horseback so fast?! Vio, are you really a robot?!. Where is your fear?!. At least, think about my fear!. This horse really runs very fast!
Ah. I think I'm going to die.
Finally we arrived at a building that was bigger than my mansion but smaller than the palace at the top of the hill there. Luckily the castle was not far from Earl Lucca's residence, so we actually made it in fifteen minutes riding at full speed! Hah. It was my first time riding a horse at full speed and now I'm kind of jetlagged. If Vio had not carried me, I would have fallen to the ground by now.
"Who and what needs?" Asked one of the soldiers guarding the castle gate to Vio.
"I am the Duke Leonhart knight, Vio. I was asked to fetch Your Highness Yvone for help. There is a totem that has gone out of control at Earl Lucca's residence. It is an emergency"
"Okay. I will pass it on to Your Majesty. Wait here" said the soldier. He then entered the castle and soon he came back out with a man beside him.
"Your Majesty, best regards. I-"
"I have heard the brief details earlier. This is an emergency, so let's just go there immediately or else the kingdom could burn to the ground..."
"Yes, Your Majesty" I was momentarily curious. Why does the crown prince live in a small castle like this? Even the location of the castle is quite far from the palace. As I was thinking that, without realizing it, Vio and I were already on the horse and we were ready to ride again at full speed.
"Eh?"
Wossh!.
I haven't had time to confirm anything yet. Vio had accelerated her horse so I couldn't see clearly the appearance of someone coming out of the castle door--someone who seemed to be watching our departure. Only one thing I can be sure of. The figure that watched us leave was a boy who was maybe five years old?.
"Shouldn't the crown prince be unmarried? I thought enthusiastically as if I was knowing unexpected things from a novel that surprised me.
"So that was the son of the crown prince?" I thought curiously.
Okay. Forget about the crown prince's illicit relationship for a moment as there was something else that worried me even more.
Earl Lucca's Manor is on fire!.
Even though what burned down was only part of the hall--the place where my daddy and Earl Lucca were!
All the occupants of Earl Lucca's mansion are already outside the mansion, except for Earl Lucca, Duke Carrion, and my daddy! They're still in there!. My dad is trapped in the flames in there!
"Daddy!" I shouted.
"Hey. You better stay here. Don't come inside. This is an order," said the crown prince to Vio after he saw Vio's worried face and my screaming voice earlier.
"Okay, if this is an order. I will entrust everything to you, Your Majesty. Please save Duke Leonhart," said Vio. Her voice was stiff and her tone dropped slightly. Looks like Vio is really worried about my dad's too.
The crown prince went into the mansion and disappeared behind the growing flames. Fortunately, the perimeter of the mansion had been set up with barriers, so no flames would be able to escape beyond the bounds of the enchanted barrier that had been set up.
Moments after the crown prince entered, a terrifying sound resounded throughout the place then a huge shadow from behind a clearly visible scarlet flame appeared.
Phoenix, Griffin, Cerberus, and Dragon?!.
"D-Daddy…" I muttered. My voice trembled. To be honest, I was really scared before Vio finally hugged me so I couldn't see the shadows of those horrible animals. Only the sounds of the animals and the voices of the residents of Earl Lucca's mansion filled my ears now.
What happened exactly?. What was that? My mind is filled with many questions.
"Isn't that the crown prince's dragon totem?"
"That's right. It does indeed belong to His Highness Yvone!"
Geez. He came too. Something terrible must have happened to our master!"
"Don't talk nonsense. Inside were Duke Leonhart and Duke Carrion as well, so don't worry. We'd better do what we can do!"
"Oh, you're right. I have to secure important documents first in Earl Lucca's study before the fire starts to spread to the other end"
"I'll help you. Let's go now!"
After hearing the conversation of the two residents of Earl Lucca's mansion, I also obtained something important.
The Crown Prince's Totem is a Dragon?!.