Kady's Journey -Freesia-

Chapter 10: The Hermit

"His Imperial Highness, Crown Prince of the Democratic Empire of Scania, Kyrus von Faulken of the Nordia Palace!"

Kyrus together with his Imperial Retinue walks towards the King and genuflect before the monarchs as the Imperial Crown Prince put down two beautiful golden daggers lying in a blue velvet cushion inside a gem-encrusted glass box at their feet carefully, "An honor to meet the two of you, Your Majesties. Please, accept the offering of my mother, Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Regnant of the Democratic Empire of Scania."

"You honor us with your tribute, Imperial Crown Prince," the kind-looking Queen said as she nodded and requested for Kyrus to stand-up, "Now please, introduce us to the rest of your Imperial Retinue."

The Imperial Crown Prince nodded as he stepped back and announced formally of his companions.

"Kirov von Alcor, heir to the Tsar of Alcor, tsarist of the Tsardom of Morvia and Imperial Retainer to the Crown Prince."

"Anastasia von Nicola, heir to the Tsarina of Nicola, tsarist of the Tsardom of Moskva."

"Olea von Feodor, heir to the Tsar of Feodor, tsarist of the Tsardom of Holst."

"Mariya and Tatyana von Otto, heiresses to the Tsarinas of Otto, tsarist of the Tsardom of Petria."

"Denal Akua of the Majestic City of Nordia, Tsardom of Morvia."

"Lexei von Laevi, heir to the Tsarina of Laevi, tsarist of the Tsardom of Yekaterin."

The King and Queen nodded as Kyrus' retinue bowed their heads deeply.

"You are all welcome to my Kingdom, heirs of the Empire. I heard from the children of Kalalit that they were treated with utmost respect and dignity by the Motherland Scania as if they are her own. Expect the Fatherland Kalalit to do the same. You have the word of the reigning and absolute ruler of this lands, Trianor von Dahl and his beloved wife, Albina von Dahl," the King said solemnly and the Imperials voiced their collective gratitude.

The Queen then look at Mariya and Tatyana curiously, "While personally, I and my husband couldn't care less about the circumstances surrounding your birth. It is for the best that you keep it a secret for the duration of your stay in Kalalit. Not many of our people share our indifference when it comes to the Empire's rather liberal practices. I do hope you understand and will not take my warning as offending but rather a gentle-reminder from a mother."

"We are humbled by your words, Your Royal Majesty. We will take heed of your reminder and remember it for the rest of our stay in your Kingdom," Mariya answered reverently as she and her twin sister bowed once more.

Lexei, however, got a warmer response from the surprisingly grinning father of Trevor as he looked at him from head to foot appreciatively, "Ahh, the heir of the tenacious Tsarina Alexa von Lexei, widely feared and respected in my Kingdom as the Witch of the Yekaterin. I think this is the perfect opportunity to neutralize the threat from that problematic tsardom of the Empire once and for all by making you our permanent "guest"."

Like his son, I cannot tell if the King is merely joking or being serious but the Imperials moved are suddenly on high alert as Trevor stepped forward and looked down on his father confusingly.

"Surely you jest, father," he said in disbelief as his mother just rolled her eyes.

There was an eerie silence and then we heard the hearty laughter of the King that made Silva's father smirk, "Of course he jest, Your Highness. No coastal provinces will want to see the Tsarina of Yekaterin personally landing on their beach and heading straight for the capital."

"Forgive me, Lexei for my uncouth words. The atmosphere here is annoyingly heavy. I just want to lighten things up," the King said to our surprise, he stood up and saluted respectfully to the heir of the Yekaterin tsardom, "It is my honor to meet the son of the inexorable Tsarina of Yekaterin. You may find that my people will be most pleased to have you in our lands, permanently if you wish. I can let you have one of my fortresses of your choice as your own if you ever so wish."

"Enough, husband. Your plan of being the "comical king" is failing miserably in case you haven't noticed yet," the Queen said annoyingly to her husband as she looked at the understandably confused Imperials, "Pay him no heed. He was just bored beyond words and was happy to have children to play with. Crown Prince Kyrus, as a mother, please accept my sincerest thanks to the Empress for treating my only son with benevolence and respect. I will strive to do better than her now that you are in my nation."

"It is an honor to hear those words, Your Royal Majesty. I personally hope to enjoy the Kalalitan festivities myself if allowed to do so, of course."

"You and your countrymen and women will be honored as noble guests to our holiday celebrations. Look forward to it," the Queen said cordially as she waved the Imperials away to signal the end of their audience and looked at the Royals among us and smiled, "Come to us my dears."

The Royal Retinue walked towards their Queen who looks at them approvingly as she smiled at them with the King.

"Plati you remind me so much of your mesmerizing mother the older you get. As perky as always, Moly. I want to taste your cooking and be the judge once and for all on who is a better cook, your mother, or you? Alumina why so serious? Care to smile just once for me?"

The girls all surrounded the Queen while the boys stood before the King who folded his arms as he looked at them sternly, "You act more like a King than my son does, Galion. You would do well to drop your foolish plans into joining the military. I will not send one of the most capable boys at the frontlines heir or not."

"I will think about your advice, Your Royal Majesty," the Alricer replied before bowing deeply but like me, the king noticed his defiant tone and grunted angrily.

"I don't like your rebellious tone, Galion. But I guess that mutinous attitude of yours is what sets you apart from your wimpy siblings," the King said dismissively as he faced Ren who is eyeing him carefully, "I believe this the first time we met, heir of the Ogawa Dynasty. Though I must say judging by the disparaging look you are throwing at me this may well be our last, I'll have your head in a pike."

To the surprise of the King and Queen, Ren just rolled his eyes and nodded quickly, "Please, Your Royal Majesty. If death is the only escape from that stressful senile old bag of bones that refuses to die then I will gladly offer my head as quickly as possible. Save me from this unbearable suffering."

The reigning monarchs laughed out loudly with tears almost falling from their eyes as our classmates chuckled as well from the griping of the poor boy who honestly looks pained in his existence.

"Mark my words, like Taka, you will live a long and healthy life, Ren Ogawa. So long that my great-great-grandchildren will still be tortured by your tongue as much as my predecessors did because of your great-granduncle. I was still studying the proposal of Old Man Ogawa to formally recognize you as his heir but meeting his chosen boy I have decided right now that you are the perfect child to pester the Royal Family for generations to come," he then looked at his retainer and nodded at him, "Prepare the Royal Seal of Ascension recognizing this young man as the sole legitimate heir to the Ogawa Dynasty and send it to the Ogawa Province as soon as possible, Argent. Let's not give the Old Man Ogawa a reason to visit my castle. But then again, I doubt even my cavalry can stop that old coot."

Silva's father bowed deeply to his King and sneered at Ren whose expression is a mourning one, "Consider it done. But as you well know, we already tried once Your Royal Highness. Our best and elite troops the Kingdom can produce reduced to whimpering and bawling children after the Dynast of the Ogawa Province was through with them."

"And just like that. My illusions of an easy life faded away," Ren said sadly as our Royal classmates patted his back condolingly as they walked towards the corner where the Imperials are standing quietly.

It was the Riksentian's throne to present themselves to the King and Queen as Daryl leads his entourage towards the waiting monarchs.

"Your Royal Majesties, I am Daryl von Colte, heir apparent to the Aristocratic Dukedom of Riksent's throne and Count of the Barony of Agatio," he said respectfully while genuflecting with his companions and presenting a piece of paper to the King who raised his eyebrow, "A tribute from his Grand Ducal Majesty, Altair von Hausen, Grand Duke of Riksent."

The King then chuckled and shook his head, "I should've expected from the eccentric Duke. He rarely follows the conventional protocols for as long as I remembered yet my late mother told me that he is a strict adherer to the noble courtesy. Well, times are surely changing. I humbly accept this, young Count. Who wouldn't? Complete removal of agricultural tariffs on imports from the Dukedom will greatly help my Kingdom. I will respond in kind."

"A favorable response, Your Majesty," Daryl answered smoothly as he stood up and started to introduce his companions.

"Aerith von Tross, heiress to House Tross of the Barony of Karst."

"Silmeria Hurst, Lenneth Lucian, and Hrist Arngrim. Representatives of the Baroness of the Barony of Menardi."

Aerith was the first to come near the couple and offered a bottle of wine to the King who grinned happily, "A gift from the wine vaults of Karst. My parents do hope you will enjoy them."

"Ahh one of the prized bottles of the House Tross. I will not just enjoy it, I will savor it down to the last drop," the King promised as he handed the bottle to his retainer.

Aerith smiled cheerfully and stepped aside to let the three girls behind her step forward.

"The ancient Baroness knows how to choose her successors well," the Queen said approvingly as the three gave her a beautiful silver scepter studded with diamonds encased in a glass box, "A very beautiful gift. I will add it to my precious collection."

The three bowed and started to walk away but the King called out one of them, "I am hurt. A distant relative didn't give me so much as a look."

Hrist suddenly stopped walking and slowly turned to the beaming king who opened his arms, "And finally, an Arngrim returned to the Kalalit's soil once again. Your family descended directly from ours. It is not an exaggeration to say that the blood flowing in your veins and mine are one and the same. Welcome home, Hrist to your Fatherland. The House Arngrim is the sole recognized branch family of the House Dahl. Hundreds of years of almost non-contact will not change that."

"My family will be most pleased when they hear your acknowledgment of our house's ancestry. We thank the Kalalit for our family's prestigious military history. We are proud of our heritage even though we are nobles who answer to the Grand Duke alone. I pray that it won't sour our relations, Your Royal Majesty," Hrist said kindly as the King stand up and looked down upon her from his throne.

He then takes an astonishing ceremonial sword with a golden hilt encrusted with rare gemstones from his retainer and offered it to the Riksentian, "Our ancient records have nothing but words of exaltation to the House Arngrim. Your family left the Kingdom on their own accord to embark on a grand adventure and hone their military skills. Their mercenary tendencies brought them to the Empire and finally to the Dukedom where they settled down until this very day. This sword was left by your ancestors as a keepsake until the day their descendants step onto their homeland once again. I, Trianor von Dahl, reigning King of the Kalalit formally returns this to you, Hrist, a descendant  of the House Dahl's Arngrim family. May you  present this to your elders and tell them that the gates of my Kingdom are open to them should they wish to visit."

"I... I am lost for words, Your Royal Majesty. This means a lot to my family. I... I thank you," Hrist answered breathlessly as she accepted the sword with trembling hands.

"We will hold a grand celebration for your return on the day of New Year's Eve. Look forward to it," the King said who sat down once again and Hrist bowed once again before removing herself joyously and walking towards her sisters who are waiting excitedly.

Rod looked at the three of us and nodded as he started to walk towards the throne and kneeled in front of it which we emulated, "King Trianor, Queen Albina. It has been too long since I basked in your presence."

"Too long indeed Rodrigo. You've grown into a fine young man," the Queen said kindly as her eyes started to look faraway and reminisce, "It is as if just yesterday when you, Trevor and Silva are breaking my vases and pots at the castle left and right that I almost ran out of things to display. I can never forget the look of your father when he learned about it."

Rod smiled lopsidedly and shook his head, "I can also never forget the painful beating he gave me back at the consulate, my Queen."

"Your father is one heck of a disciplinarian that puts me and Argent to shame. A true man of great of virtue. It's no wonder he is a Kalalitan in all but name," the King said proudly as he looks at us behind our classmate, "Come now, Rodrigo. Introduce the lovely ladies behind you."

Rod nodded and stepped back before looking at us.

"Margarita Velasquez, daughter of the Consul of the United Republic of Maharlika to the Democratic Empire of Scania. My fiance, Your Royal Majesties."

The Queen and King glanced at each other and smiled as they nodded at Marga who bowed before them, "And our little Rodrigo went out and find himself a fiance. You do know how to work fast," the King said while looking at his own son criticizingly, "Unlike someone I know. Anyways, send my gratitude to your mother, Margarita. Though we didn't meet her personally, she was our correspondence to the Empire and did a lot to smooth this endeavor with your adviser."

"It will be done, Your Royal Majesty," she said and bowed deeply before moving aside to let Belle take the center stage.

"Belle de Marillac, daughter of Ms Madeline de Marillac, the Maharlikan Philanthropist."

The Queen smiled and clapped her hands enthusiastically, "I am a big fan of your mother, Belle but you are definitely on your way to surpassing her. Forgive me for saying this but what does a media idol such as yourself that commands extreme popularity and fame even here in my country doing at the Gearth Academy?"

"I just want to get away from all of it, to be honest, Your Royal Majesty. I want to feel free and in control even if just a little while," my close friend said truthfully that made Queen Albina nod in agreement.

"I can definitely understand that feeling, Belle. There are times that you really just have to be in control and do the things you want."

Belle nodded and stepped aside to present me, "Indeed. However, allow me to present to you, Royal Majesties, the esteemed scholar of the Gearth Military Academy, Kady Groves of the United Republic of Maharlika."

"So you're the one," the King said quietly as he is scrutinizing me closely under his watchful gaze while his wife is smiling at me sweetly.

"The one indeed, Trianor," she agreed as she looked at everyone in the room, "This audience is over. I hope you will enjoy and make use of all the amenities the Akhlut can offer. We will drop you off at the capital of the provinces you are designated to perform your immersion. May you all enjoy your stay in our Kingdom."

Everyone bowed deeply before turning our backs to the throne and started walking towards the doors when the King called out my name.

"Ms Kady Groves, if you don't mind, can you stay for a while? I believe we have important matters to discuss."

I turned around and saw the King and Queen standing in from of their chairs and looking at me expectantly while Silva and his father are staring at me closely.

Trevor was looking rather nervous himself as I glanced at my back and thankfully saw the girl that will save my sanity right now.

"Belle..."

"I know, Kady. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere," she assured me as she looked over my shoulder to the smiling Queen, "You wouldn't mind greatly, Your Majesties?"

The King shook his head as he proceeds to walk towards the door at the back of the throne, "Not in the slightest. Please follow us."

My friend and I looked at each other as we started to follow the Royals. 

After we get through the door, a long corridor welcomed us and to the right side are panoramic windows that show a huge swath of Nunat lands. We've been flying for some time and the airship is by no means slow but the sheer vastness of the capital is so much that it will probably take a few hours to leave its borders alone.

"I didn't know if I should say this but Nordia is nothing compared to Nunat in terms of size and population..."

I nodded at Belle and looked down upon the countless Kalalitans going about their daily lives like swarms of ants in an orderly manner, "And here I thought we are already cramped at Tayabas. I read from somewhere that a quarter of the Kingdom's population resides here. Truly unbelievable but the proof is right before our very eyes."

"Indeed."

We both look quickly at our backs and was surprised to see Silva standing behind us discreetly with his father.

"The view at Their Majesties, private quarters are better than here, my Ladies," Chief Argent said as he gave a small bow, "But I guess before I let you two inside their room, might I just remind you that the King doesn't like to hear no as an answer. You will do well to remember that."

Silva smiled and inclined his head to me, "I already warned you, Kady. If you just dealt with Trevor earlier then I think we wouldn't come to this."

"Nonsense, my son. The King has not trusted his Royal Highness fully yet especially with matters that concern national security. Besides, after marrying Her Royal Majesty, he learned how to properly treat a lady better. But my warning still stands nonetheless, unlike the Crown Prince, King Trianor is not good with rejections," Silva's father warned before beckoning us to follow him.

I heaved a sigh and laugh exasperatedly, "If I could give myself a kick last month for laughing at your predicament then I would've done it, Belle. Now I am in the situation and probably worst."

"Hush, dear. You are in a better position than me, to be honest."

"How so?"

We stopped walking before the door to Trevor's parents' room and she looked at me hopefully, "Because you're you. I am sure you can think your way out of this better than I what failed to do."

I just heaved a sigh as we opened the door together, "I don't know about that. The Empress is very easy to deal with compared to them."

"Just hang in there. I'm here," she whispered as we see Trevor sitting at the centre of his parents while Silva and his father are looming behind them quietly.

The Chief of the Trentor Province was right. 

The view from here is way better than the hallways'.

The whole spacious room's wall is nothing but reinforced glass that gives us one hundred eighty degrees view of the Nunat skyline or what was visible from it.

The Royal Family are sitting on a majestic couch made of velvet and titanium steel while there are hanging bookshelves and mounted cabinets around the room.

"Please, be seated ladies. We have much to discuss," Queen Albina said as she pointed at the smaller couch in front of her while she prepares a pot of coffee and bread happily.

Belle and I took up her offer sat next to each other while waiting for the cup of coffee from Trevor's mother as King Trianor is still studying me and his son carefully before letting out a long and obviously pained sigh.

"My, my, Trianor. The last time I've heard that sigh was when you were having a hard time proposing to Albina," Argent said to his liege that groaned again and nodded.

"I've got the feeling that this will be harder than Albina," he then looked at Trevor who avoided his gaze, "This is one heck of a handful girl you got here son. I don't envy you."

The Queen shook his head her husband and son before smiling at my direction, "Forget them. Let's just make it simple, shall we Kady? My son is smitten over you and rejected all other candidates we offered to him. He wants you to take over my job. Will you accept him and my position?"

It was a plain and simple question that in more ways than one very hard to answer at all.

"Let me just say this first before answering, Your Majesties. I have nothing against Trevor. Far from it, to be honest. He is a very industrious and motivated guy. Never once he used his political position to lord over others as far as I know and is almost as handsome as you are, King Albus. Though he is still lacking a few points on the responsibility department that you have which added to your superiority over him, Your Majesty."

Trevor just stared at me with his jaw mouth open in surprise, "No sane woman of my position and background would deny marrying someone like him who is pleasing to the eyes as much as alluring when it comes to the power he can grant to anyone worthy enough to stand by his side."

The King and Queen just looked at each other in disbelief as if trying to convince themselves that I am real or something.

"However, I am a girl with needs. I'm sure the much-celebrated Queen understands my predicament," I continued speaking but now in a more solemn, if not sad, tone, "I want to experience more of this world of ours. I want to travel, to see things I've never seen before like this majestic view of your imposing city that leaves me in awe and wonder. I want to meet all kinds of people, to search for the thing that I am missing in my life that I still don't know. I want freedom from everything and everyone, even myself. Freedom to finally know once and for all what I've been looking for in this convoluted and messy life of mine."

Even Silva and his father have a dumbfounded expression in their eyes as I finish my speech, "I don't want to stand besides Trevor as a girl who is at any moment finds herself halfway out the door. He deserves more than that. He deserves more than a girl who wasn't satisfied with him and his position. I am not the girl who is deserving of him, Your Majesties. As parents, I am sure you want nothing but the best for him and I will tell you personally and honestly, I am short of being the best of what I can be right now."

There were several moments of silence as the Royal Family is still processing what I said. I looked at Belle who gave me a heartfelt squeeze in my hand and nodded encouragingly. 

I now know why she wanted me to be with her back at the Nordia Palace.

Just being with the person you consider your real friend in such crucial times makes every easier and more bearable. 

Her presence was the reason why I can remain calm and was able to think properly of the best answer I can give at the moment.

"What a splendid answer," Queen Albina said almost breathlessly as she looked at me with renewed interest, "I know that you just deflect the question but you did it with such grace I can't even be angry about it."

King Trianor looked at me approvingly, "You remind me a lot of my wife, Kady. But if you think I will just let someone like you go that easily then think again."

"Father, please. I understand and accept what she wants. I never felt this respected by other people before except my family members. I, in turn, will give her back the respect she gave to someone like me, I will rescind my proposal of marriage. I don't want to be in the way of her dreams that honestly speaking seemed so incredible and exciting," Trevor pleaded the King who just shrugged in defiance.

"I know you are one of a kind, Kady but to hear your hopes for the future only solidifies my belief that you are perfect for my liege," Silva said while looking at his father who is eyeing me with utmost interest.

"True, Silva. A woman who is able to think of something more than herself and willing to go through such lengths just to reach what she is looking for at her age is truly someone rare and valuable," Chief Argent said as he looked at the King sternly, "Trianor, I propose that we reach a settlement here with the promising young lady here where both parties will leave this room a winner."

The King looked at his retainer incredulously as if he is mad, "Did you drink from the wine bottle I gave you. Argent?"

"As much as I am tempted to, no, I haven't," he then looked at me again and nodded, "As an advocate of freethought myself, I support wholly your dreams and hopes for yourself. Although at the same time, like my liege, I will not let someone as an intelligent and willful woman such as yourself out of the Kingdom's grasp, Kady. You already said that you find our Crown Prince pleasing and acceptable at the very least?"

I looked at Trevor who blushed and scratched the back of his head and tried to smile a little at me as I heaved a sigh and nodded, "I would be lying if I said no, Your Highness."

"Excellent. Now, this is rather unheard of but I propose to you, Trianor and Albina to let the young lady go," Argent said smoothly that made the King angry and the Queen at a loss.

"Are you insane, Argent?! What if the Empire got her?! Do you think how disastrous that will be?! The Imperial Crown Prince gaining more political leverage and clout!" 

Belle did something that will forever earn my respect and gratitude.

Something that I will never forget in my whole life.

The moment she did an unacceptable thing just to ensure my freedom.

She raised her head and looked at the King eye to eye and spoke in a cold but calm way, "You will have no problem in that regards, Your Royal Highness. The Imperial Crown Prince will not go after her for any marriage proposal or the like."

"And how can you be sure of that?" the Queen asked curiously as if she can't fathom how can Belle be so sure of what she is saying.

"How can I really be sure, huh?" she then laughed hollowly and raised an eyebrow, "I am the Presumptive Empress of the Democratic Empire of Scandinavia, that's why, Your Royal Highness."

The Royal family looked shocked as she took a necklace from her neck that is hidden by the scarf she borrowed from me. 

It was a simple silver necklace but it's ancient and beautiful. Hanging on it is a diamond ring of exquisite beauty and studded with priceless gemstones.

"A ring from the Imperial Crown Jewels," the Queen said in a surprised voice as the King nodded.

"The last time I saw that was from the finger of the Empress Dowager when I was a kid. So the Empire moved faster than us in securing a capable woman to inherit the throne."

Silva and his father, however, doesn't even look surprised at all, "I always wonder why the two of you were asked to stay behind last month. It correlates with the intelligence that we have that the Empress Regnant is moving in to secure her successor, right father?"

"Indeed. She knew how hard it is to reign as a single monarch. She only did what a mother could in her position. To make sure the future Emperor will not suffer the same way she did. An excellent choice if I might add. By introducing a well-beloved girl from the commonfolk is the easiest transition she can hope for as the Empire's first commoner Empress," Argent said as he looked at the King again, "That is the reason why I proposed that we let Kady here go. Set here and all of that. But I never said it is permanent."

Belle then raised an eyebrow as she held my hand tighter, "Excuse us?"

"We will tolerate your freedom but not for too long. How about a decade or so? I'm quite sure by that time you already found whatever it is you are looking for and still be in best age to marry our Crown Prince. A rather generous proposal if you ask me. What say you?"