There was no trouble at the city gates as the guards didn't even dare inspect my carriage. They let me in as soon I stuck my head off the carriage and flashed a smile.
I could see the color draining from their faces immediately. I knew both of these guys as they were the ones who saw me for 3 years. It's nice to know that I had made a deep impression then.
"Shit! Is that him?"
"By Helen's grace, it is him!"
"Did the captain know? Is that why he took today off."
"Fuck, I still remember when he had half the city guards escort him halfway to Misoris."
"I remember it too. I was part of the escort. I still remember how hot that day was. We didn't even get to bring our water."
"I felt as dry as tumbleweed that day."
I could hear the chatter of the guards on top of the city walls even though they were 30m meters up. I was glad that my senses hadn't been affected. It feels oddly refreshing to hear about my misdeeds.
I have to give Elina my thanks for all her ideas. She is so much better than me at mischief. I hope to do more of it with her soon.
"Senior, I thought you were like that at school because you didn't like the nobles. It turns out that you didn't even spare the commoners." Celes frowned as she could hear the guards as well.
Being of common origin herself, she doesn't feel comfortable when she sees them treated badly.
"I've already told you why I need to do stuff like that." She knew my reasons for causing so much trouble for others.
I explained it to her after a year of her catching on to my act. She knew instantly that I wasn't as unruly as I seemed.
"Ah, I can't wait to meet your family, especially your little sister."
" I can't wait either. I haven't given her treats in a while. I also need to make sure that Dad hasn't been overworking himself."
"I'm sure they will be fine. You talked to them often through letters. seeing how many times your sister mentioned treats, I bought some macaroons from Onia's bakery.
They were quite expensive you know." She looks towards the white box that was sitting next to her.
It was quite big.
"How many did you buy?" I asked, curious about her ambition to stuff my sister.
"About 50 I think. It was early in the morning and no one had taken them yet so I bought it all. Hehe."
She chuckles as she has most likely skipped (fought) the entire line in order to get them before anyone else. Onia's macaroons are a specialty sold only 50 a day.
The line that forms in the morning and all those people trying to get their hands on one makes it difficult. At least, she put the effort and her own money into her gift.
Wait..her own money. She doesn't have that much though...how did she pay for it.
Fuck!
"You used my card!!!" I was furious, that was my allowance for the week! I shouldn't have given my card to her.
"Hey! I couldn't come empty handed right? I am also broke at the moment. I will pay you back with my body soon enough."
She held her sword while saying this. She didn't mean using her body in a pleasurable way. Damnit! I don't want to fight her. Save me Elina!!!
"You..."
With that, we started to bicker and banter. The carriage wasn't even stopped for an inspection at the gates.
The guards wouldn't dare do that when they saw the Vornix insignia, a tree with pills as fruits hanging off it.
We rode through the city streets at a leisurely pace while commenting on the liveliness of the people.
They had smiling faces with a jump in their steps. The adults went to work and the kids went to school. The morning and afternoon are the best times to see how prosperous the city has become.
How happy the people were when I wasn't here. I need to change that a little. Cant always be happy as that will diminish its value.
A little bit of turbulence is necessary in life.
It took some time but we had arrived. Our estate on the west side with the rest of the noble and wealthy families was sprawling with life as always.
The flowers and colored grass gave it a natural atmosphere while the fragrance was shooting.
The smell of freshly made magic pills was as irresistible as a royal feast. How I missed this smell.
"Sheesh, you weren't kidding when you said that all I would smell would be pills. Even the school's alchemy wing didn't smell this good."
Even Celes was taken aback by the scents. She doesn't usually express praise with ease but hearing her like this made me feel proud.
"Rejoice commoner! I welcome you to the empire's holy land of pills! May your drug-fueled rampage be extraordinary!"
I purposely used a deeper voice and a grand tone to make a joke.
"This commoner thanks you with her heart Your Excellency!"
Celes returned the favor with her awkward bow and sarcastic voice. Our laughs filled the carriage and the surroundings.
We pulled up to the entrance and the carriage stopped. I hopped out with Celes right behind me.
I looked around at the nostalgic scenery as my parents and siblings walked out of the manor doors.
"BROTHER!!" yelled a green ball of light as it zoomed towards me.
Plop!
The green ball of fluffiness grew arms and legs. Her appendages grabbed onto me for dear life.
"Risa..." I rubbed her soft head and hugged her back.
'Big brother...sob...what took you so long?" My little sister couldn't help but cry. It had been 3 three years since she last saw me.
"I'm sorry Risa. I tried my best but war isn't kind to most." I tried to soothe her while patting the head of silky black hair.
Small teardrops floated down from her vibrant green eyes. It was like the dew that dripped from grass in the morning. Coupled with her light green dress, I couldn't help but feel tearing pain.
She looked up at me and just continued to sob. She buried her head into my chest and I held her as well as I could. I tried to make her feel as safe as I could.
I have a feeling that she won't be letting go of me anytime soon.
"Welcome back son." My father walked up to me and gave me a nice pat on the back.
"You have done great, my boy." My mother praised me as she was most proud of what I had accomplished. She raised her short arms as she tip-toed to give me a rub on the head.
I had no words to say to them as they had read all of my letters for the past 3 years.
However, my heart still tugged at me to say something. To not stay silent towards those who made me who I am.
"Mom, I hope you have my favorites ready. The school didn't have any of them. Look how skinny I have become."
I knew Mom would nag later about how I had lost weight, she wasn't wrong. I decided to beat her to the punch.
"Yes." As always she was a woman of few words.
"Dad, you better be ready to teach me more about pills. It's time I join the family business."
"Haha, it is indeed time. I won't rest until all you hate pills more than anything in the world."
As always, my father was rambunctious. He gave me a nasty grin as I was sure his lessons would be grueling.
The four of us started to walk the path toward the mansion but we stopped the moment we realised that someone was forgotten.
There was an awkward silence as my parents turned their gaze toward the girl with a sword at her waist and a big box of pastries in her hands.
"So you must be Celes." said my dad awkwardly. My mother just stared at her with a somewhat displeased look.
It must be the feeling of sending your son to school and him returning with an extremely beautiful girl in tow.
"Ah, ni...nice to meet you." Celes stammers a little as she puts forth a slight bow.
As composed and outgoing as she is, Celes has always craved parents.
Now being faced with my mom and dad who were overflowing with a motherly and fatherly aura, she couldn't help but be lost in desire. It's perhaps her only weakness apart from cute things.
"Thanks for helping out my son so much. He has spoken highly of you. Perhaps you can show me those skills later." said my dad.
"I am not worthy of your thanks. I did all that because of my selfishness." Celes drooped her head a little in shyness but quickly became excited.
"I will be more than glad to show you my skills. I heard you have a large training ground?" Her countenance went back to the battle-crazed self.
Any mention of her skills does. It was hard for me to act all coquettish especially since I told my parents exactly what she was like.
"HAHAHA, you should always take gratitude when it's given. Come inside. You will surely like what my dear wife has made. You will get so hooked that any other food will seem bland."
My mother's face showed the smallest hint of red when she heard that so she turned her menacing look away from Celes and took Dad with her.
Me, the little ball of softness named Risa, and Celes followed right behind.
"Son, we will talk about her situation later. Let's eat first. I got to show you how your pond is doing after." My dad announced as he was being dragged away.
The pond...I wonder how many leeches it has now.