Kady's Journey -Freesia-

Chapter 14: The Hanged Man

"Thank you for sending us off, Ms Ancis," I said gladly as we are waiting for the train to take us from Galion's province to the capital city of Nunat, "Thank you also for being such a great hostess and cook. My mind and stomach will not forget you."

Lexei nodded and smiled at the mother of our classmate who is busy rechecking our pieces of baggage to make sure that everything is all accounted for, "Same. My sincerest thanks for everything you did for us. It will not be forgotten."

"You are all welcome, dears. This is probably the most joyful and worthwhile holidays I've ever celebrated with people other than my son," she said happily as she looks at Galion whom since this early morning returned to his cold and unapproachable demeanour, "If I can ask anything in return, please continue being there for him. As I said repeatedly, I know he is unbearable most of the time among other things but my mind will be at peace if you can just tolerate him the best you can then consider me repaid in full."

Her son heaved a sigh and shook his head, "Mom, please."

"You do know that in normal circumstances, we are always at each other's throat?" Lexei asked quietly that made Galion look at him curiously, "He can barely tolerate my existence if I can put it bluntly. I will try my best to not be a nuisance to him the best I can but I think just by breathing is offending for him."

The mother then shook her head in exasperation and decided to plead to me directly, "Why I am even talking to you two loggerheads? Kady, please."

"If I have kept them alive and away from the prefect of discipline this long, I think it's safe to say that I can do it for the rest of the time we are together," I said simply that made the poor mother relieved, "Barely, that is."

She then laughed and nodded at me wryly, "I will be stupid if I expected any more than that."

We heard a loud horn from a distance and saw the locomotive that will take us to the capital. A lot of people began to gather at the platform as nonpassengers are ordered to leave the station and give way to the commuters preparing to depart.

"Take care of yourselves!" Ms Ancis shouted as she began walking away from us, "Lexei, you have restored my faith to the nobles as a whole even just by a little. You truly are noble among the nobles."

Lexei smiled and bowed his head respectfully as the young mother looks at me, "Take their names and kick their asses to the curb. Show them just how far can someone like you go."

"That's the plan..."

Finally, she looked at her son as she finally let her tears go, "Galion..."

"I know. I will, mom."

She then waved goodbye before turning her back and walking out of the station with her head held up high and with pride and dignity.

"Kady..."

I looked at Galion who is standing beside Lexei and looking at me expectantly.

"I know it goes without a saying but can we promise to each other keep to ourselves what happened here?"

The Yekaterinian heir nodded in agreement, "My thoughts exactly."

"Including what we see?" Galion teased me as he pointed my faces, "I think I just saw something my liege didn't at all. Something he will literally kill for."

I feel my face blushed profusely as the two wrapped their arms on mine as if to tease me more, "Ahhh, to be near a woman of such beauty. What a great feeling," Lexei said annoyingly as we embarked the train together.

"Joking aside, let's keep our experience here to ourselves," Galion said seriously as he and Lexei helped me with my luggage before looking at his Scanian counterpart, "Any objections?"

He shook his head and raised his hands as he took a seat in front of us before looking outside the window, "No objections here whatsoever."

"Good," Galion said curtly and I know their ceasefire is finally over as he closed his eyes and tried to sleep.

I decided to follow Lexei's lead and also look outside the window where we saw the train slowly taking us out of the city.

Things may go back to the way they are on the outside but I do know for sure that we have changed a lot on the inside.

-0-

"You can't just rush head-on at the center of the enemy formation! You will lose much of your infantry battalions in the process! The best way is to lure them in and divide your forces to form a tight circle and surround them before moving in for the kill!"

"i***t! You will be dispersing much of your fighting strength doing that! What if an enemy breaks through your formation and flanked you instead?! Your course of action should be to crush the opposing army plain and simple! No need for cheap party tricks!"

"What's so cheap about doing it the most efficient way?! Oh right! Because your way is so costly you can't even be bothered to think otherwise! Like a brute caveman swinging his club stupidly!"

"What did you say?!"

Silva smiled contently as he lets Belle fix the crease on his sleeves, "Ah, it's so good to hear them like this. I was about to feel quite sad about the thought that they might not do this senseless debate ever again. I must confess that I find their feud quite fascinating to watch."

"I know, right? I heard from Lenneth, Silmeria and Hrist that these two are rather quite amiable back at the Alricer province and seemingly getting along splendidly. Quite surprising to see them again like this but hey, I wouldn't complain. I will be lying if I don't find their loud squabbles entertaining."

The Royal Retainer snickered as he glanced at our Strategy professor, Ms Alcazar sitting at a chair not far from us in the back of the classroom sipping her favorite milk tea and looking very amused by our two classmates, "Like a husband and wife, aren't they, Professor?"

"It's like I am watching my favorite soap opera and teaching at the same time. Two enemies in one bullet. I can't ask for any more than this. I am truly lucky to have them in this class. They are so passionate and insistent to one-up each other," she said as she took another sip from her cup, "It's been a month since your immersion at the Kingdom. It's almost time for the next, now that I remembered it, right?"

I nodded and smiled broadly, "Yes, Ms Alcazar. We are going to the Dukedom next. I must confess that among all other countries including this, Rikent is the one I am most curious about. I heard that their capital city is located next to the sea and its streets are lined up with all sorts of bazaars and night markets filled with outlandish goods and peculiar foods."

"Ah, the mercantile capital of Riksent. Often called the center of Gearth's trade economy. All the products from every country in the world find their way at one of the busy markets of that capital city," Silva said as our professor nodded in agreement, "Technically speaking, the Empire and Kingdom doesn't trade with each other at all but they still get resources from each other such as food from the Empire and minerals from the Kingdom indirectly through the Dukedom which is acting as the middleman."

Belle sighed as if sharing my excitement, "Oh, I've been there before. Goodness, Kady your excitement will not be unfounded. They said that if Maharlika is the gateway of the people to all other nations, Riksent, on the other hand, is the gateway of all the goods to all other nations. We will do some massive shopping spree during our immersion day, mark my words!"

"Well, if our two classmates here don't kill each other before our departure then you will most certainly have a chance to splurge, Belle," Silva said while chuckling as our teacher ran towards Galion and Lexei who are about to smack each other now that they reached the limits of their temper.

"Enough, you lovebirds! How many times do I have to tell you two that you can agree to disagree?! You already got me in trouble last week when the Headmaster walked past our room and saw you raising your fists at each other. He thought I am teaching you all to be barbaric rather than strategic! Really?! We've been doing this for more than half a year already you still haven't changed a bit!"

The two suddenly looked dejected and guilty when Ms Alcazar was shouting them down loudly. She then stopped abruptly when she saw the sad look on the faces of her favorite students, "Oh, don't feel that bad. It was fine really, just try and control your temper better next time, okay? Okay."

"And that, my beautiful ladies, is the reason why our hotheaded classmates never learn their lessons," Silva said that made me and Belle laugh out loud, "The blatant favoritism in this class is so obvious I don't even know how to react at all."

I and my close friend continued to roar in laughter at the joke of Silva that he delivered in his well known deadpan tone.

Ms Alcazar pretended to be offended and angry at us that she shook her head in disbelief, "Additional homework for the three of you who spends the entire class acting as if you are boxing commentators or something."

"Well, I doubt the Headmaster can disagree with that, with all due respect, Professor," Belle retorted that made even Galion and Lexei smile despite themselves.

Our strategy teacher just shook her head chuckled as the bell finally rang, "I guess this is our last lesson for this month. Don't forget your homework and please do enjoy yourself at the Dukedom. I am a Riksentian myself so I really want you all to have a good time in my home country. That is all. Goodbye class!"

Our beautiful and energetic professor then went out of the classroom bringing her small backpack and milk tea with her.

I bid goodbye to my classmates after I throw all my things into my bag and fixing my red scarf and glasses before heading towards the door as fast as I can.

Unlike my other classmates, I have to submit several reports and case studies to all major subject professors before I am cleared to travel for immersion.

Thankfully, I managed to finish all of them on time.

I guess having to work three shifts a day really helped a lot for better or for worse in my studies. Time management is really the key if you need something done and properly at that.

"Lady Kady..."

I looked behind me and sure enough, I found two identical boys flanking me while walking, "Yuro, Yugo, how are you two? I won't be able to attend the club meeting for today but I already finished the documentation for today. I have to submit these assignments that are required of me to clear before I am allowed to join our immersion at Riksent. Are there any souvenirs you want me to buy for you two?"

They looked at each other quickly before shaking their heads, "Actually about that. Can you just not go to Dukedom at all?" Yuro asked carefully.

I slowed down my pace and furrowed my brow, "Why? Riksent is your home country, right? I wanted to see it for myself. I am actually very excited about this trip."

"Uhm, it's just, well, personal reasons," Yugo said unconvincingly that made me more confused.

"Personal reasons? Really? As far as I know, I am the selfish one here. Besides, why the sudden request? If we are talking about danger then I believe I survived the worst after the Empire and Kingdom. The Dukedom is probably safer than Maharlika. Heck, the Imperials I talked to said that in case of war, Riksent will be the safest place in Gearth. Why forbid me to go there?" I asked once again clearly that made the two fall silent.

"It's not that, my Lady. We just, we're not. Ok fine, I can't do it, Yuro," Yugo finally said defeatedly to his twin brother who looked as defeated as he is.

"I give up too. Fine, go, my Lady. Just, well, just don't attract too much attention there, ok?" Yuro said formally before finally smiling with Yugo, "Get us some Laroost doughnuts and we will be fine."

I just heaved a sigh and shook my head before pinching their cheeks, "You are acting awfully odd since the day I told you two that our next immersion will be in your country. Well, I will let it slide, just take care of the club for me when I am away. Tell Kiel and the others that I will make sure that before the end of July this year, everything will all be set."

"We will, Lady Kady," Yugo said respectfully before bowing deeply.

I smiled and waved them goodbye before continuing to walk but Yuro shouted something behind me that surprised me, "If you see a guy around twenty years old who resembles us, please avoid him at all cost. He is the reason why we don't want you to go to the Dukedom."

 When I turned around the twins are already walking away from me and shaking their heads in disbelief.

"Well, we tried at least."

"We did, though now I know what the elders mean about the words "Wolves will always find their way back to the den".

"Ditto, bro."

-0-

"We are halfway through our immersion activities and so far, it is a great success," Mr Andrade exclaimed happily as if he can't believe it himself, "This time, you will be going to the Aristocratic Dukedom of Riksent. The mercantile continent directly north of Maharlika."

He then looked at the Imperial and Royal Crown Princes as well as the Yekaterinian heir and Alricer noble optimistically, "I guess it goes without a saying that you four already know the drill and I highly doubt that you will be in any sort of incident in the Dukedom. If you all managed to conduct yourselves well at the Empire and subsequently, the Kingdom then it is my utmost belief that you will do just fine in the abode of the Grand Duke. Daryl, if you please?"

The heir to the ducal throne stood up and went to the side of our adviser in front as quickly as possible before looking at the Crown Princes of the Empire and Kingdom, "I wish to apologize in behalf of the Riksentian nobles if we somehow arrived there and the ruler of our continent is nowhere to be found to welcome you. He is getting along in years and has developed a rather bizarre past time that occupies most, if not all, of his time. Baroness Severina Traska is technically the one calling the shots right now in the Dukedom and the Grand Duke has been hands-off from the government for more than two decades now."

"The Empire is well aware of the situation and understands the current position of Riksent," Kyrus said formally as he smiled at Daryl, "However, my mother, the Empress would still wish to send her warmest regards to the Grand Duke, if possible. To say that the Dukedom is one of the reasons why we are enjoying prosperity is not an exaggeration."

"Likewise, my father, the King, wishes to return the generous tribute the Grand Duke has given to him last month," Trevor followed while inclining his head, "He orders me and my retinue to make sure that we present to him or the Baroness of Menardi his gift of gratitude on behalf of the Kalalitans who are well aware of his generosity that made the Kingdom stable."

Daryl respectfully bowed his head, "Thank you very much for understanding. I will personally make sure that at the very least, you will feel the full hospitality of the richest and most prosperous nation in Gearth. Girls? Take it from here, if you please."

Our adviser bade us farewell jovially as Aerith together with the girls who take care of our preparations every time we are doing our immersions.

I just can't help but smile by the thought of going to Riksent.

Father once said that if Maharlika managed to fix itself and prosper, it will be just like Riksent in no time.

-0-

The plane ride from Maharlika to Riksent is an uneventful one. Everyone is as excited as I am as we are about to land at the Grand Ducal Airport of Riksent a few moments from now.

The first that caught my attention was the design of the terminal.

The building looks like a cross of the Scanian and Kalalitan architecture and engineering. The similarity became more apparent when we finally disembarked from the plane and entered the airport. It has all the trappings of the Kingdom's interior design while using only the most advance technological equipment and facilities the Empire can provide.

The moment we stepped out of the plane earlier, I suddenly wished I didn't let Yuro and Yugo borrow my scarf for unknown reasons. They even tried to convince me one last time to cancel my immersion to no avail. The two then settled on requesting for my scarf instead which I happily obliged.

Now I am regretting that decision as the cold and bitter winds blew past my face and body the moment we stepped out of the airport after showing our documents to the immigration officers who welcomed us.

"Here Kady, my coat is big enough for the two of us," Denal innocently offered to me which I gladly accepted because the coat he has is really two times the size of his petite body, "Oh, hey!"

He was surprised when I proceed to hug his small but warm body tightly as I shivered badly because of the damn cold of the Dukedom.

"While I don't like the murderous way you look at one of my subjects, I can, however, understand where you are coming from," Kyrus said while smirking at Trevor who is looking daggers at the Imperial commoner that I am hugging right now, "A pity you are not the first she hugged, hmm?"

I saw Lexei was about to open his mouth to say something but Galion thankfully immediately smacked the back of his head.

"It is for the best that you control your anger, Your Highness. I can assure you that Denal here is as innocent as a rabbit," Silva said to his liege while looking at the boy who is still looking at me confusedly.

Daryl and our Riksentian classmates are the last ones who get out of the airport after having a quick meeting with several government officials, "I'm sorry Kady. Belle, Margarita and Rodrigo had all been here before so I thought that all Maharlikans know what to expect."

"Wow, cool advice, thanks for sharing," I said sarcastically as Denal kindly hugged me in return.

Belle held my hand to warm it as Rod and Marga moved closer to shield me from the torturous cold wind.

"Anyways, welcome to the Laroost, the Mercantile Capital City of the Aristocratic Dukedom of Riksen!" he said happily as we looked around us and saw countless business big and small peppered the street.

We can see an endless stream of cargo ships from the horizon entering and leaving the numerous ports of the city as trailer trucks and tankers dominate the road while the sidewalks are full of affluent looking citizens dressed in expensive clothes and wearing pieces of jewellery of all sizes and shapes.

"Father wasn't kidding when he told me that there is no such thing as poor in the Dukedom," Plati exclaimed as he saw a garbageman picking up the trash wearing silver fineries.

Lenneth smiled and nodded, "Hence, why it is called "Aristocratic" in the first place. Poverty is a foreign concept on this continent. Even orphans are given the best money can buy and assured of education and work as they grow up."

"Though I can only wish that Riksent spend some of its ridiculously large amount of cash to improve its military capability. Alas, the Grand Duked is adamantly against the very thought," Hrist said sadly as Aerith patted her back.

"A shame really, Hrist. But even though granduncle is rarely if ever giving orders to the Ducal Assembly, his old dogma is still being followed. What a shame," the Countess said sadly as she began to wave her hands at the coming white armoured cars.

Olea looked at our classmate who is jumping up and down enthusiastically while waving her hands in the air continuously, "What old dogma, Aerith?"

"Imagine how much money we will end up losing if we imitate the Empire and Kingdom in their military spending," she answered simply before saluting to the soldiers who got off the car and bowed in front of her, "Ok dear classmates. Let's go. Kyrus and Trevor you will ride the first one with Daryl of course. The rest, follow me!"

Against the bitter cold, Denal and I walked side by side under his coat as he, I and Belle rode the second armoured car Aerith pointed to us.

We quickly got in and thankfully, it is equipped with a heater that made me warm and comfortable.

"Are you all right now, Kady?" Denal asked kindly as he touched my hands to check my temperature, "The continent of Riksent is located further north of the Empire and Kingdom. I really thought that you should have at least read something about this country a little bit and packed more warm clothes.

Belle shook her head dismissively at me as she touches my forehead, "She is too excited for this trip she forgot to do her research, Denal. But I guess it is also my fault. I just left you on your own devices thinking that you already know how to prepare your clothes properly but just look at what happened now, Kady. You are about to freeze over. This won't do, tomorrow first thing in the morning we will do some serious shopping. I know a great store just downtown of Laroost Central District."

"My Lord and Ladies, are we ready to depart?" the soldier respectfully asked the moment he got in the driver seat.

"Take it away, good sir," Belle answered happily to which the soldier saluted before starting the engine and following the car of Daryl.

I looked out of the window to marvel the buildings we are passing by, "Taking the best qualities of Scania and Kalalit to make something so beautiful like these towering buildings."

"I know, right? Not as outlandishly advance nor as traditional. The perfect balance of culture and technology combined. Thanks to its massive trade with both countries since goodness knows when, it incorporated both the Empire's and Kingdom's aesthetics into what we are seeing today," Belle agreed eagerly as we travel past a busy thoroughfare where most of the vehicles are delivery trucks, cargo freighters and oil tanker trucks dominate the road.

Denal yelped when he saw several shops announcing mega-sales using loudspeakers blaring outside their respective stores, "Wow, I never saw anything this low in terms of markdowns even in Tayabas! This is just insane! Ninety-percent on all items and absolutely no disclaimers or fine prints!"

"Wait, what?! Where?!" I exclaimed as I tried to get a better look from the other side of the car and true enough, three stores selling clothes, foods and bags respectively are now having a huge promotional campaign together that is drawing huge crowds, "You've gotta be kidding me!"

"Oh for goodness sake, shut up and take my money, right now!" Belle screamed as our car finally moved once again across the intersections and the three of us all groaned sadly collectively.

"Forgive me Lord and Ladies but I am under strict orders to bring you to the citadel without delay," apologized by the smiling soldier in the driver's seat, "But do not worry, there are plenty of shops and stores of all kinds here in Laroost. So much that every day there are sales like that somewhere in the busy districts of our capital city. I am sure you will find a similar store doing the same since it is the season for clearing out old inventories."

Belle calmed herself down when she heard the assurance of our kind driver and smiled again, "Ok, I'm calm now, good Sir. Thank you for your kind words."

"My utmost pleasure, my Lady," he answered as we finally entered past ancient steel gates and white brick wall.

Denal lowered down his window and stick his head out before shouting, "Incredible! Wow! This is insane, Belle, Kady! Look!"

"Denal, please! It's dangerous to stick one's head out of a moving vehicle," Belle said as she tried to pull the kid and his head back inside the car, "Really! You are such a child, Denal. You are already, how old are you again?"

I also looked at our classmate who suddenly blushed profusely and shook his head, "Fess up, Denal. You keep on avoiding the question every time someone asks you your age.."

"We can do this the easy way or the hard way," Belle threatened as she looked at her meticulously polished nails, "I am in dire need of a doll right now and Kady already said no. Do you want to be my toy for the rest of our stay here, Denal?"

The car stopped and the driver turned his head towards us and grinned, "You better speak, Lord. The Ladies here means business."

"I'm twelve years old..."

"What?!"

Both of us shouted so hard, our classmate covered his ears as fast as he can.

"I thought you are just a runt. Like your puberty is delayed or something but this is absurd!" Belle said in disbelief as we waited for the signal to get off the car.

"Denal I heard from Galion that your birthday was last December," I said slowly as I am trying to do the math in my head, "So if you are twelve now then you are eleven when the school year started?"

Belle was just shocked speechless by what I said as she looked at our classmate from head to foot and blinked her eyes several times.

"Well for twelve years old you are indeed awfully tall, at the very least," I said quickly that made him smile as expected.

He really looks and thinks like a kid but I can appreciate the fact that he tries to act like a grown-up one when most of us sometimes forget to act like one.

"We've got the clearance, Lord and Ladies. Please wait for me to open the doors for you," the soldier said after putting down his radio transmitter and opening his door.

What I see first after I got off the car is a vast garden full of white freesias swaying in the cold wind peacefully.

It is a sight to behold when you see a vast garden filled with the same flower variety.

"Kady, Kady! Why are you looking at flowers when you can look at the citadel instead?! Look!"

Denal is tugging my arm impatiently and pointing at the sky.

I followed his finger and instead of a vast blue sky, what I saw literally made me forget to breathe.

A towering citadel made of pure ivory-white marble so tall it's countless turrets pierce the sky itself. It is so colossal and imposing but it doesn't exude fear or prestigiousness. No, it's actually giving off the aura of opulence and grandiosity. Of prosperity and luxury. The very symbol of the Aristocratic Dukedom of Riksent's seemingly nigh-limitless wealth and fortune.

"With more than three thousand functioning rooms, its own underground bunker and several floors of basement underneath, what you are seeing right now, Kady, is Gearth's tallest and largest seat of power," I looked at my side and saw Daryl together with Kyrus and Trevor who are shaking their heads in disbelief as they look at the citadel before us.

"Still as ridiculous as ever," Kyrus said chuckling as he let his eyes marvel the sight, "I remember back when I was seven years old, I got lost at one of the floors and it took them a whole afternoon and fourteen joint battalions of the Empire and Dukedom to locate me. I would've said it is impossible if I am not the one they are looking for."

Trevor laughed and nodded at his Imperial counterpart, "My mother and I went here several years ago when I was nine or so? I remember getting lost at the restroom for an hour. Imagine, getting lost at a restroom. I would've been embarrassed my whole life if that restroom doesn't have a more than a thousand toilets and urinals. Absurd, I tell you."

"We've been here several times and Baroness Severina warned us not to wander off to much," Lenneth said behind us together with her sisters, "She is a centenarian and she confessed to us three that even she hadn't explored every nook and cranny of the citadel."

Silmeria nodded, "True. She said there's a lot of hidden passages and rooms that she knows existed but never found."

"The blueprints of the Laroost Citadel is safeguarded by the House Hausen for countless years. Only the Grand Duke right now is the only living human who knows this citadel inside out," Hrist said as several Imperials behind her are still marvelling it.

"And for a good reason. Mother said that the most precious treasures and Crown Jewels of the Dukedom are located at one of the dozens of vaults scattered all throughout the citadel," Aerith said as she escorted the Royals to where we are waiting, "But we've stayed here long enough. Baroness Severina wanted us to see her at the throne room. Come on everyone, move along now. Let me just remind you that we must have utmost patience and understanding when it comes to dealing with the Baroness. She is not exactly as patient and forgiving as she once was. So let me apologize in advance and thank you all for your patience. Now, everyone, follow me!"

And with that, we all started walking behind the Riksentian nobility that acts as if she is our tour guide as we climbed the marble stairs leading to the grand lobby of the citadel.