The Royal Palace felt huge for the Arlos. Although they were an aristocratic family with a mansion of their own, it was nothing compared to the Palace.
"This is huge!" Adeer exclaimed, "Everything in Yuj is huge!"
As soon as they entered the palace, they were escorted to their chambers. The entire left wing of the palace had been assigned to the Arlos. The left wing had 4 chambers for each member, 5 halls for guests, 2 banquet halls and 3 gardens and 2 lakes.
Conall and Abiri's troops were escorted to the quarters meant for Royal Guards. By evening everyone was settled. The king ordered them to rest for the night. All four of them were on the lakeside, having some snacks. Aziza noticed that Conall and Abiri were jumpy. Even when the servants served drinks, they would just keep staring at them. Suddenly stripped of the reliable troops, Conall and Abiri felt very vulnerable and Aziza understood this.
"It's fine! You'll get used to it," Aziza tried to reassure them. While her father and sister went to the frontlines, she was always at home looking after her brother and household, so Aziza was used to staying without the soldiers. Looking at them being so lost she smiled a little inwardly and thought, "Maybe moving here was good. They really need to learn to live in peaceful times!"
"Look at Adeer playing around without a care!" Aziza pointed to her little brother who was chasing after a butterfly and giggling to himself. Both of them smiled looking at him. They did relax a bit.
"I wish every day would be as peaceful as today," thought Aziza while looking at the setting sun. They stayed out till dinner and retired early. The next few days were really peaceful.
Tutors were yet to be appointed for Adeer so till then Aziza and Abiri took turns teaching him various subjects. But Adeer's mischievous but cute antics had already won over the palace ladies. And they would sneak in snacks during his study time or help him play around while they work.
Aziza also quickly adapted to the palace life. To her it was no different from her home back in Nokor, where she took care of various household matters. She took care of Adeer's studies, decided on everyone's meals and other matters while continuing her studies in medicine. The royal library had many infamous books on Medicine.
Conall Arlo had started attending the court and spent more time with the emperor. But he made sure to have dinner with his kids every other day. If he had any difficulties in the court, he didn't show it to them. He always smiled and asked about their day.
The Arlos troops were merged with the Royal Guards. But Abiri's women troop stayed independent. They were arranged a residence in the palace and the emperor was yet to decide their posts.
Abiri continued to train with them all morning. In the afternoons, she would come back and train Adeer in martial arts. But he had always been naughty and never learnt seriously. In the whole afternoon, she could only make him learn one move.
As someone who was always up and about, the palace was stifling for Abiri. And she was still not used to the maids. The palace maids seemed to be scared of her as well. One night as the four were having dinner, she wondered why they were so scared.
Aziza laughed and asked, "You don't know?" Abiri looked at here questioningly. Adeer fell silent.
"The maids already know about Little Chief and here battle prowess thanks to this little guy. You know how gossip works. They have exaggerated to the extent that you are ruthless and will kill anyone who offends you. Moreover, you don't smile at them and you carry your sword everywhere you go. You and your troops also keep training fiercely every morning. To someone who has never seen the outside world, you indeed look frightening."
"You little imp -", Abiri stood up to pinch Adeer's cheeks but he immediately ran and hid behind his father.
"You always make me train, so I told them you are very cruel," the cute little Adeer confessed, "But who knew they would really believe it and actually be scared of you. Anyway, you always scold me, you deserve it." He made a face and ran around as Abiri chased him.
Conall and Aziza just laughed looking at them. The night ended with laughter.