Kady's Journey -Freesia-

Chapter 9: The Strength

"So, how was your stay at the Tsardom of Yekaterin?"

I looked at Kirov who is sitting beside me as the plane we are riding finally took off successfully. This marks the end of our surprisingly peaceful immersion at the Empire. 

No diplomatic accident happened and everything went so smoothly that even Empress Kassandra have to double-check everything just to make sure.

Galion and Lexei are back to their usual cold war while Kyrus and Travis are at each other's throat once again. 

Yep.

Everything is back to normal once more.

"Kady?"

I just shook my head and smiled at my seatmate who is like me, lounging comfortably, "I'm sorry, I was just thinking that we are back to regular programming once again."

"With my liege and the Royal Crown Prince dissing each other back at the bar, I am inclined to agree. Indeed, Back to regular programming."

We laughed a bit as Aerith and Platina gave us some refreshments that they got for us, "But to answer your question, it was very mind-opening. Literally speaking."

"Really?"

"Yes. Now at least I can understand a bit why Lexei thinks so differently from the rest of us. Yekaterinians always think out of the box and defy the norms."

Kirov stares at the ceiling and heaved a sigh, "To tell you the truth, even among the Imperials, Lexei and his people are always seen as deviants. While they are not discriminated they are often treated as someone special and unpredictable."

"I don't think of them as someone that different, Kirov. Well, maybe because I spend a lot of time with Lexei, their behavior has grown on me," I said matter-of-factly as I tried out the refreshments brought by our classmates, "But their technologies are something else. I mean, just look at this watch they gave me! It can track my pulse, take note of the temperature, link with my phone, and dozens of more features!"

The Imperial Retainer grabbed my arm and checked the white watch on my wrist and pressed it a couple of times before grinning slowly, "Wow, so they already have a prototype of it. In the next five or so years I'm sure that is ready for mass-productions. They must've liked you a whole lot if they are willing to part with one of their unreleased working prototypes and to a foreigner no less!"

"I know, right? I just did a random survey at a tech-lab company as part of the immersion when they took a liking on me and showed me around," I said while reminiscing happily, "I keep on shouting, screaming, and almost fainting in disbelief whenever they show me what they are developing. I think they never encountered someone as technologically-challenged as myself that they have to give me something to commemorate my visit."

My seatmate laughed loudly when he heard what I said. Even Lexei who is sitting beside Aerith behind us chuckled when I recounted my visit loudly.

"How about Galion? Did he have a good time like you?" Kirov asked as he threw me a pack of potato chips.

"Well, I can't speak on his behalf but what I can be sure of is he is happy with how the Kalalitans are being treated by the Yekaterin Tsardom. It is really a stroke of genius to send him there with us than in other tsardoms, huh Kirov?"

He nodded and glanced at Galion who is sleeping soundly at the far right corner of the cabin, "Thank the Empress for her foresight. Though Alrics are really known even in our country for being the cornerstone of the Kingdom's Anti-Imperial Dogma. Sending him to the most Kalalit-Friendly tsardom is the best she can do. That and Lexei's mother is rather famous and to some extent, respected, in the Kingdom for her sheer tenacity and shrewdness when facing against the Royal Navy. Dad even said that the Kingdom doesn't fear any ships of the Empire except if it's from the Yekaterin's Flotilla."

"How about you, Kirov? Did you enjoyed yours?"

"Totally. I acted as a tour guide to three beautiful ladies, what is there not to enjoy?" he said happily while giving a peace sign to the walking heir of the Dukedom who came from the restroom, "I was given strict orders by his Grand Ducal Highness to keep those ladies safe or something really unfortunate will happen to me the moment I step on the Riksentian lands for our immersion."

Daryl gave him a playful middle finger that made our several classmates who saw it laugh out loud, "Actually scratch that, Kirov. Forget about my wrath. Beware of the ancient Baroness instead if something bad happens to her precious girls."

"There you have it, Kady. My immersion in a nutshell," he said before taking a deep breath and closing his eyes and starting to fall asleep.

I was about to turn my head on the window when I saw Denal in the same position and doing the same thing across the aisle. Their faces appear next to each other from where I was sitting and I suddenly have a hair raising moment.

Their sleeping face, it's more or less the same! Sure, Denal's is younger, rounder looking than Kirov but the similarity is so apparent and uncanny that I have to blink several times and wipe my glasses repeatedly just to make sure I am not seeing things.

It's the face of the Tsar of the Morvia Tsardom!

Then my eyes met Kyrus who was sitting besides Denal who in my shock just nodded at me meaningfully as if he knew what I'm thinking right now.

The Empress' reaction.

Tsar Mirono's silence.

Their faces and why I can't shake the feeling that Denal and Kirov invoke the feeling of similarity to someone that I couldn't quite put my finger on it. They remind me of one another.

It all makes sense now...

I glanced at Kyrus who just smiled sadly at me and shook his head before closing his eyes to sleep.

I will not dare tell my suspicions on anyone but at least I can sleep more peacefully now that another mystery in my school life has been solved finally.

-0-

"Ok, everyone! Line up! I have something for everyone!" I shouted loudly the moment I, Lexei, and Galion entered the clubroom. MY club members dropped everything they are doing. Be it beating someone up to a pulp, doing a flying kick, or just plain old smashing of chairs.

They all gathered happily in front of me and greeted us cordially.

"Welcome back you three!"

"So what happened?"

"You enjoyed your time there?"

"What do you have for us?"

"I heard from my sis that it's rather uneventful, huh?"

"Settle down, folks. Don't bombard our beloved Lady Kady and cute freshies with questions and just let them deliver us the goods," Kiel said as he nodded at Lexei and Galion standing behind me and looked at the huge boxes they are holding, "Cough up, Kady. What's inside the boxes?"

I nodded at my classmates who smiled and put the box in front of our members and we let them ripped the packaging like feral animals feasting on their prey.

"Woah!"

"Now this is useful."

"Nice, nice."

"Well, I'll be."

"You shouldn't have."

"They haven't even shown this yet on expos!"

Kiel himself can't contain his joy when he got his own Yekaterinian training weights and equipment, "Wow. These are all just prototypes!"

"Yep. If not for Kady here, my people will not part with them at all," Lexei said happily as he looked at me amusingly, "She really knows how to stroke the ego of Yekaterininans without even trying."

"Hmph. If you call drooling and screaming at every single piece of technology she was shown like an i***t is ego-stroking then yes. She did it admirably," Galion said dismissably before giving me a small smile.

I just shook my head and chuckled as I proceed to my corner of the room where Yuro and Yugo are waiting for me, "How are you two? No problems, I hope?"

"Nothing, my Lady. We've done what you asked and it is finished," Yugo answered as he pulled the chair for me while Yuro booted the computer.

"That fast?"

Yuro nodded and grinned childishly, "We are more technologically capable of you, my Lady. In case you have forgotten."

"Right...." they both laugh as I pretend to be offended while handing them two small boxes, "Here. The village people I visited before leaving the Empire told me to give those to the people who are always with me. I thought of you two since you're always following me everywhere I go."

The who gasped when they opened the boxes and pulled out two identical titanium necklaces with onyx wolves heads design wrapped around a black fang that glimmers beautifully.

"Wow, this is insane!" Yuro reacted as he put it around his neck.

His brother nodded in agreement and did the same, "You said it. So cool."

"I hoped you two liked it. I didn't get much time shopping for souvenirs because I was so amazed by the prototypes the Yekaterinians are showing me the whole time. Even on my rest days, they went to the manor I'm residing in just to showcase their pride and joy."

The twins laughed at me fondly as they bowed a little, "It is no secret that you are technologically ignorant so I can only imagine their joy every time you look shocked and dazzled by the gadgets they present to you," Yugo said courteously.

"Indeed, my Lady. They couldn't have asked for a better audience to boast the fruits of labor. To be frank, I doubt they will have to work hard to impress you. I remembered you gawking at the hoverboard when we went to the mall before you depart. Absolutely priceless," Yuro said happily that made his brother laugh out loud.

I just sighed and chuckled a bit before staring at the documents on the computer, "I can't help it. I'm really fascinated by outlandish things. Anyways, the next for us is to submit these application letters in advance. The earlier we send it, the better. Can you two help me segregate the forms? You already know our procedure."

"Anything, my Lady," they both answered at the same time as I looked at the other club members sparring once again.

I have to do my best for them.

They will graduate by next year and will definitely need the recommendations given by the club. The earlier and faster I finish the filing, the better chances for them to move up in military ranks. Aside from Lexei, all of the boys here are members of offshoots or disowned nobilities which is more or less have more problems than a regular commoner looking for jobs.

No sane companies will accept a noble doing menial jobs or random office work. 

Offshoot or not.

They are afraid to hire them because any connections with noble families are more trouble than their worth. That's why nobles are directly hired by their government to circumvent this.

Although they only do this to the main family heirs.

For those like Kiel, it is a paradox limbo unless you head for the military route where everyone is accepted regardless of social ranking. But in order for them to get streamlined and accepted fast, they need to have the recommendation of this club and school before taking a physical test that will judge their fighting art capabilities.

While I am not sure yet of my future after my studies here, the least I can do is make sure that no-one experienced what I have to go through just to have something to eat if I can help it. They are not necessarily mentally gifted so this is their only shot they can have and I will be damn sure to make it the best one they can have.

-0-

"Hey, Kady!"

"Oh, Hi Trevor. How's it going?"

"Well, I was actually feeling rather hungry. Wouldn't you mind eating out with me now? I heard from Galion that you have no club meeting now."

"Oh, but I already planned to do finally finish my pending Strategy Report this time. I'm really sorry. Maybe some other time."

"Ok. But you can have this, to beautify your room. See you around!"

I looked at the bunch of multicolored freesia bouquet the Royal Crown Prince of Kalalit gave me. It smelled really calming and I have to admit that I've grown fond of these flowers because of Trevor.

"Innocence, perseverance and grace under pressure. A fitting flower for a woman who bears those very traits..."

I let out a gasp of surprise as I heard a voice coming from the shadows of the school building and from there emerged Silva who is sneering at me ominously.

"Pardon my sudden appearance but let me warn you that my liege's patience is wearing thin, Kady. Sooner or later he will not buy your excuses."

I heaved a sigh and began to walk again with the Royal Retainer who is towering over me, "I know, Silva. I have nothing against him but I really have so much in my mind that entertaining him will be disrespectful if I am not seriously considering his offer."

"Please do tell me that you understand the gravity of his proposition, Kady," Silva said as we walked towards our dorm, "While his words and actions are admittedly juvenile and somewhat sloppy, he is serious about you."

I took a deep breath and sigh as I look at the flowers he gave me earlier, "The Queen Consort of the Feudal Kingdom of Kalalit."

"If being just a consort is not enough, he is more than willing to share his powers to you once he ascended the throne. Queen Regnant. How does that sound, hmm?"

I just laughed as if I heard a funny joke and shook my head, "I don't get how casually you can discuss this to me when I'm not even sure if I will entertain Trevor's proposal."

"Well, if you rather do it the old fashioned commoner way then that can be arranged. I acknowledge that being asked for a girl's hand in marriage before courtship is being looked down upon in this day and age. Just say the word, Kady and I will make sure that Trevor will clean up his act and do what his father did to our beloved Queen Consort before," he said smoothly that made me curious.

"The Queen Consort Albina von Dahl. The first commoner Queen of the Kingdom. Totally unheard of and definitely ruffled some noble feathers but she powered through it."

"Indeed. While it is unheard of for the Kalalitans, it is definitely not illegal. That and it happened in the most opportune time when the masses are starting to lose faith in the nobility. Thinking that their voices are not heard of anyways. Her Royal Majesty became their heroine and she sure delivered. She quelled the discontent citizens and delivered some major reforms for the benefit of commoners while at the same time deflecting the praise to the nobles who gave their approval to her."

I nodded and let him assist me as we stepped on the stairs, "Now that is someone I can look up to."

"She can be your mother-in-law once you accepted the proposal of Trevor, Kady. Another Queen from the commoner's ranks and also a Maharlikan will solidify the support of the masses to the monarchy."

"A tempting offer but I don't think I am in the right state of mind to answer. I don't even know where will I be in the future or what I wanted to do. What I am sure is I don't want to be like your beloved Queen who has to give up her freedom and dreams just to ascend the throne. I'm afraid I'm not as noble as that," I said honestly as Silva just smiled at me meaningfully.

"Oh but you are already noble in more ways than one, Kady. I will not pester you any longer but I must warn you that the time for our immersion at the Kingdom draws near. I am sure that will your continued refusal to give him a direct answer, Trevor will have to resort in asking help from his parents and let me tell you personally that they are not the people who can easily be avoided or deflected," he said ominously before bowing deeply and leaving me alone at the lobby thinking hard about what he just said.

I have nothing against Trevor but if I have to choose between him and my freedom then the choice is all too clear.

I will not relinquish my ability to do what I want and be free.

I won't be confined in a single place. I have this feeling of restlessness that I must satiate. 

Ever since my father died, I feel that there's something out there that I have to find. Something that I have to look for myself no matter how long and hard my journey will be.

I know that even if I have a lot right now, it still doesn't give me the feeling I'm yearning for.

Of what I am looking for, I do not know.

What I do know is that there's gotta be more out there waiting for me outside these walls and country.

I know it sounds ungrateful but even if I have almost everything a girl of my age can want, a great school, luxurious life, and surrounded by friends and acquaintances, I can't shake the feeling that there's something out there that can satisfy my heart.

Yes...

This is not the "end" I am sure of it. Not in Trevor's castle or Belle's side.

I know I won't rest easy until I find the thing that is missing and the one that I cannot just let go.

The reason why I feel so empty inside...

As I entered my room and closed the door behind me, I looked around and look at the things I never knew I could have after I was left alone.

A comfortable bed, a fridge full of foods, and a place I can call my own.

But why do I feel so deprived?

Why am I wanting more than what I needed?

Even if I have to lose all that I have right now, I am sure I wouldn't care for it one bit. I will just jump on another temporary place and start my search from the bottom again.

How laughable I am now...

I can never be satisfied with what I have but it is not because I am greedy or anything. I just know that what I have right now is not the thing that I even need at all.

I know I am studying and learning here but why do I feel I am slowly wasting my time here when I can continue my search instead?

I can only just hope that hopefully, one day, I can find what I'm searching for. The more I look for it, the more I feel that I'm getting farther from it.

What I can do now is just go with the flow and see where the winds of change bring me. That's all I can do for now.

-0-

A month after our immersion at the Empire and it is time again for another trip outside the country.

It is also the end of the year and the academy decided to let our immersion be at the same time of the holiday season because everyone in our class agreed with it rather than finishing the immersion and traveling back to their respective countries for a two-week vacation.

"Again, I will be asking your utmost cooperation, Your Imperial and Royal Highnesses," Mr. Andrade said as he looked at the heirs once again, "If we successfully and peacefully did it in the Empire, I am certain that we can do it once more in the Kingdom. Please, you two, may I have your word?"

Trevor nodded and bowed deeply in front of Kyrus, "I and my retinue were welcomed by the Empire as if we are their own. The Kingdom will reciprocate in kind and we know how to return favors. Expect more hospitality from where we came from. They have our word, right Galion?"

"I know."

The Alricer then looked at Lexei who is quietly staring at him, "I was treated like the own son of the Tsarina. While I cannot promise the same treatment, I will personally see to it that you will be recognized as the Yekaterinian heir in the Kingdom," which made our classmate smiled sweetly at him that just made me sigh.

Oh, dear.

Why can't they just stay like this forever?!

"And I and my retinue will act the same as the Royals did in our lands. With respect and humility. You all have our word," Kyrus answered before accepting the hand of Trevor and nodding at him respectfully.

Our adviser clapped his hands and nodded at the group of Belle who is waiting for him to leave, "I will not make the girls wait any longer. You take it from here and happy holidays!"

Our class wished him a season's greetings before leaving and letting Belle with her group of girls to take control of our class.

"You all know the drill. We will handle everything from shopping to bookings. No arguments or complaints or you might find your underwear a little bit tighter than necessary."

We all laughed at Aerith's threat as Plati and Olea recited the things that we need to buy before leaving.

I just heaved a sigh and shook my head. 

Our trip at the Empire was cheap to say the least since Belle was the one who paid for my travel clothes. I will just reuse them on this one. 

I was looking at the wall clock when my eyes accidentally fell on Trevor who is looking at me with a mischievous smile in his face that made my hair rise.

What solidified my fears is his retainer also staring at me as if saying these words.

"I already warned you..."

-0-

"So this is the Industrial Capital of Nunat. How imposing," Kyrus exclaimed when we stepped out of the busy airport and saw for the first time the capital city of the Kingdom.

Towering smokestacks and chimneys peppered the skyline. Steam hisses from every exhaust pipes and smoke billows the sky which is covered almost entirely by the smog of this hugecity made of steel and iron. 

"It is said that the manufacturing might of the kingdom is located amongst the countless districtsthat surround the imposing castle of the Dahl Dynasty," Mariya said in awe as a huge steam locomotive hissing steam and bellowing its horn zipped passed the airport in a loud scream.

Tatyana nodded at her sister as she fixed her glasses, "The Nunat is ten times bigger than Nordia in sheer land area. That is not including the outer districts outside the city wall."

"City wall?" Olea asked curiously as Ren smiled beside her.

"The whole city is surrounded by formidable iron wall manned by the elite guard ofthe King's Cavalry. It is virtually unreachable. Built and reinforced to counter anything that the Imperials can throw at it," the Ogawa heir said confidently that made Kirov smirked.

"Oh really?" the Imperial Retainer asked smugly, "You sure, Ren?"

It was Silva who answered the question instead, "It is understandable that you will say such things because of sheer ignorance. Let us board the Akhlut so I can give you a better view of the Nunat Walls, shall we?"

"Akhlut?" Anastasia asked loudly but suddenly gasped when Silva pointed something in the air, "Goodness gracious! What is that monstrosity?!" she screamed so loud all of us looked up above and what we saw frightened all of us none-Kalalitans.

A gigantic airship is hovering above us about two thousand feet long and so wide it casts a huge shadow below it. An enormous emblem of a red and gray iron bear, the Kingdom's heraldic emblem, is embossed on its rear.

It is quietly descending towards the airport and the nearer it comes to the ground the larger it became to our eyes.

"The epitome of the Kingdoms propensity for strength, size and I think even the Royal Crown Prince himself will agree, military excess," Galion said amusingly that made Trevor laugh out loud.

"Nailed it, Galion. Now come, my classmates. My parents are waiting aboard the airship as we speak. It wouldn't do good to make them wait. Sadly, my father is not known for his patience," the Royal Crown Prince said as he and Silva walked ahead of us followed by the Royals.

Daryl and the rest of the Riksentians are walking with us Maharlikans and even they can't hide their awe at the gigantic aerial vessel, "This is beyond ridiculous. No, this is glorious! It is a well-known fact that the Kingdom is never a resource-rich country but I guess my father was right when he said that when it comes to military spending, no one will come even close to the Kalalitans. Judging by the titanium structure and heavy-duty envelope, no expense was spared in constructing this giant!"

"I know from my parents that the Kingdom tends to take always take it to the next level when it comes to its arsenal but this is beyond even my wildest imagination," Hrist said as we started to board the airship one-by-one.

What welcomed us is something I wouldn't expect at all.

I was prepared to see greased covered walls and smell the pungent oil burning but instead, what we saw was a beautiful grand chandelier hanging high from the ceiling embossed with countless rare-earth minerals and gems that made Kyrus guffaw.

"All of the Empire's much-needed minerals in one chandelier. Cleverly played, Trevor. I will let you have this one," he said to Trevor who smirked and shrugged his shoulders.

"Certainly not my fault that the Empire relies on our mines for their so-called "technological advancement"," he said truthfully that made Lexei grunt.

"Yeah, right. I now know why my mother always says that our country's advancements are paid for by the Kingdom."

Galion sneered at him and nodded, "That's the truth. Without the Kingdom's mineral exports to the Empire, you wouldn't even be able to build a single one of your precious skyscrapers."

Lexei just nodded and looked at the beautiful portraits and pictures that decorate the velvet-covered interior as we walked the narrow path and each step that we made, it made me realize that it looks more of a villa of someone rich than a passenger's area of an airship.

There are soldiers but servants and butlers all walked briskly past us as we made our way to the onboard throne room where the reigning monarchs of the Kingdom are waiting for us.

When we finally stopped before magnificent golden doors flanked by two heavily armed guards, I took a look at the window, and to my surprise, we have already took off. The airship is now slowly flying over the vast city that I just learned to appreciate.

I walked unconsciously towards the windows to get a better look and my jaw dropped when I see finally the Nunat from above.

The city stretches as far as my eyes can see with no end in sight. The whole capital is made of metal and steel and a great imposing wall surrounded the inner district.

"The smog may be thick but you can see from here the wall we Kalalitans took pride from," Silva said quietly beside me as Kirov joined his side and looked out the window as well, "Please perish the thought that the wall is just a bunch of metals cobbled together. Far from that to be honest. I'm sure that you can personally see that it is the pride and joy of the Kingdom's engineering prowess. More than five kilometers in length, it encircles our capital city protecting vital structures like a mother bear protecting its burrow."

Kirov nodded silently as he surveyed the wall himself, "A mother bear that is armed to the teeth. You're not kidding when you say it's impenetrable to all the Empire can throw at it. Missile launchers on ever square feet, you're not taking any chances, huh?"

"You can say that again," Silva answered smoothly as he nodded at me, "The time for sightseeing will have to wait. For now, we have to present ourselves to Their Majesties first. Guards, open the doors. The Royal Crown Prince demands it!"

The two men flanking the door saluted and opened the doors for us.

What I saw inside was nothing short of amazing.

In terms of grandiosity and extravagance, it will not be left to dust by the Empire's own throne room. 

While the Empress' exudes grace and fluidity, this room emanates rigidness and strength. Thick titanium pillars supported the room and steel statues decorate the room. 

The walls are also embossed by rare-earth metals and precious gemstones that can only be found in this continent.

We walked through the red velvet carpet on our way to the waiting monarchs sitting on an imposing throne made of marble and encrusted with the very same stones that are the major exports and income of the Kingdom.

The man who sits on the right looks a lot like Trevor aside from his eyes which is clearly inherited from the woman smiling at us.

They are both wearing military fatigues with their sashes and crowns in place. 

A third person standing beside the King is a man who looks like a carbon copy of Silva. Wearing a dour expression and sleek black hair, he beckons his son and the Crown Prince to step forward.

Kirov went ahead of us and kneeled on one knee with his retainer in front of the people at the throne, "I have returned, mother and father."

"And so you have, my son," the King said curtly as he glanced in our direction, "Arise with your Royal Retainer and introduce your companions to me and the Queen Consort, Trevor von Dahl, Royal Crown Prince of the Feudal Kingdom of Kalalit and heir to my throne."