Kady's Journey -Freesia-

Chapter 6: The Lovers

"Good Afternoon! Is Ms Summer inside?"

The secretary nodded and pointed the door behind her, "Go on right ahead, Ms Groves."

"Thank you!"

"No problem!"

I knocked twice before entering and saw a familiar curvaceous young woman in her early twenties sitting behind a handsome desk and reclining while giggling at her smartphone.

It's when I closed the door a bit loudly that she became aware of my presence as she smiled at me sweetly and put down her phone at her table and pointed at one of the chairs in front of her, "Please do take a seat, Ms Groves."

"Thank you."

She then took a purple folder from her filing cabinet and opened it, "It has been four months and let's see what happened in your life here at Gearth Military Academy, shall we?"

I nodded my head and watch as she browses the contents of the folder quietly before looking up at me, "Let's see if I got it right. You ranked fourth in your class in terms of general average percentage last prelims..."

I broke into a cold sweat when I heard she said that. I have no excuses, Mariya, Alumina, Margarita and Silmeria are just too much for me to keep up. 

They left me to dust.

Literally.

"I'm sorry, Ms Summer..."

She furrowed her brow because of my response, "Why are you apologizing, Ms Groves?"

"I failed to reach the first rank. I think it's expected of me to excel in every class I'm in," I answered meekly.

"And so you did. Every major subject professor reported to me that you are the first in their class in terms of academic performance. We don't expect you to rank first. How can you even have a chance when you don't have several easier minor subjects to pad your grades with?" the Human Resource Head asked and returned to her reading, "Now, let's continue, shall we?"

I nodded and waited for her while she turned several pages that seemingly document my life here.

"Oh, this is probably my favourite of all, Kady!" she exclaimed as she giggled again before looking again at me.

"What is it?"

She tried to stifle her laughter when she read what was written in the file, "Ok listen to this. Kady Groves joined the Brawl Club and subsequently taken over the day-to-day operations of the organization and managed to bring it back to stability and meet the standards of the academy, surpassing it even after a few months."

"Oh..."

"Really Ms Groves, how in Gearth did you do it?" she asked me in an amazed tone with her eyes twinkling in glee, "I mean even the Prefect of Discipline can't touch that club at all since its inception. What did you do?"

I managed a lopsided smile as I remembered how everyone just cooperated to make that place habitable again, "Everyone pitched in, Ms Summer. We just have an agreement that I will do everything I can to help the club be efficient and meet the standards required by the academy in exchange for them doing everything they can to make sure I can do my job peacefully and as quick as possible in return. It worked. It's a simple but effective deal that made everyone's lives easier."

"Well, except those who don't wish you well," she said as she glanced at the folder and read something, "It is said here that while you avoided any altercation from other students, the Brawl Club members especially the twins Yugo and Yuro von Freedel are involved in some minor cases of threatening and blackmailing anyone they perceived a threat. Amazing! You see, I am from the Dukedom and these two are the last remaining members of an almost extinct noble house of my nation. They are often gloomy and cynical but it's nice to see that they are starting to act human and show care to other people. Thank you, Ms Groves. That's off the record, of course."

"I won't say I condone their actions but it's because of them that I feel safe and well taken cared of," I answered honestly as I smiled gratefully at the thought of those two, "They supported me in and out of the clubroom."

Ms Summer nodded and flipped several pages before stopping near the end, "Well, I guess that's about it. The only irregularities noted here is that you haven't touched your monthly allowance at all. Do you have a problem accessing the funds allotted for you, Ms Groves?"

"None. I just want them to stay there and continue multiplying, that's all," I said bluntly that made the perky woman laughed out loud.

She put down the folder and looked at me kindly, "That's what I liked the most about you, Kady. You are real. You say what you think and act the way you want it. You remind me of someone..."

"And that is?"

She shook her head and stood up and I did the same, "Someone no longer with us, sadly. Anyways, that concludes your Scholar Skills Assessment. I agree completely with the Board, you far exceeded our expectations, Ms Groves. We will no longer track your actions and grades from now on. Though I doubt you will rest on your laurels, huh?"

"I will continue doing what I started. Since I don't think the school has any problem with what I've done, right?" I asked as I took the hand she is offering and shook it.

"Keep on rocking, Ms Groves. Give Yugo and Yuro a big hug, will you?" she asked before pointing at the door and sitting again on her comfortable chair, grabbing her phone and giggling the way she did earlier.

I left her office and thanked the kind secretary who said that she will be rooting for me and exited the Guidance Room only to find the twins waiting for me outside.

Yuro leaning at the wall while Yugo is sitting at the floor.

They didn't notice me yet so I took this rare time to study their features. Identical twins with the same auburn hair and tanned skin. They are a foot shorter than me but muscled and stocky. 

Identical faces with a long, pointed nose and strong jawline and thin lips. One look at them and you can tell that they are not your regular good boys. They are what you take for troublemakers and bullies. 

But for me? 

These two made my life here easier and happier. They are with me most of the time and always there to support me either from club work or just regular daily errands. 

Lexei said one time that it seemed that their lives revolve around me. Like little brothers doing all they can for their big sister. Overprotective, sometimes overbearing to a fault but I wouldn't have it any other way. I know it's wrong and juvenile but they remind me a lot of my father. I must admit, it is nice to once again know the feeling of being defended and taken care of.

"Hey..."

The two suddenly looked up when they heard my voice and they both smiled innocently at the same time before standing in front of me.

I just blinked and stared at them then look down on my neck and saw the headphone they bought for me.

"Is there a problem, my Lady?" Yugo asked worriedly when I didn't speak.

I smiled and nodded at them, "Come closer you two..."

"Why?" Yuro asked but they both did what I asked them to do.

When they are in front of me, I looked down on them and made a small bow before giving them a big hug, "Thank you."

I didn't hear any words of response from them but I saw tears falling down from their eyes.

We don't need to speak anymore. 

It has, after all, been said and done.

-0-

"Settle down, students. Settle down," Mr Andrade said when he arrived at our classroom in the morning as the whole class is abuzz with excitement, "Wow, even Daryl is not playing with his odd gears. You must all be excited."

Belle, Mariya, Aerith and Plati tried to muffle their screams as they are waiting with bated breath for the announcement that we are all waiting for.

I am trying to calm down Belle who is positively hyperventilating besides me while even I am being infected by our class' excitement. 

Even Kyrus and Travis are patiently awaiting the next words of our adviser who smiled finally that made the class go wild.

"Ms de Marillac, you can take your classmates to the mall after my class for shopping. You will leave for the Democratic Empire of Scania first thing tomorrow morning."

And finally, everyone lost it. All dignity is forgotten, as the girls with Belle leading screamed loudly in happiness.

The boys are smiling ear to ear while I just clapped my hands in appreciation of the hard work our adviser did just to make this happen.

Every first-year classes except A-0 already started their Field Immersion months ago. Ours was stuck in limbo for a long time.

Having the Royal and Imperial Crown Princes at the same class really hinders the ability to coordinate and build-trust with each other. After all, will you trust the safety of your heir to the throne to the country that anytime can declare war to yours?

There's no problem as expected to my Maharlikan socialities classmates and the Riksentian nobilities. The Dukedom and Republic are historically neutral and somewhat amicable to the Empire and Kingdom so there's no issue for them.

"I beg of you, please behave yourselves. I've begged enough to last for a lifetime just to secure the clearance. Trevor, no, Crown Prince Trevor, I beseech you and the rest of the Royal nobles to be at your best behaviour. We don't want to start a diplomatic accident of epic proportions during your stay there. Crown Prince Kyrus and the rest of the Imperial nobles, please set aside any prejudices and petty disagreements for the duration of the stay. No side comments, jeers, underhanded jokes and anything that will result in misunderstandings. Her Excellency herself, President Lizzo, put her name on the line just to support this endeavour. It would show poorly if this goes downhill and I do believe that the Empire and Kingdom value greatly a gracious hostess. She accepted you two in her country against better judgment just so as not to hold the precious gift of the academy's knowledge to you two. The least you can do to return the favour is to make your immersion a success."

The class became quiet when we heard the impassioned plea of our adviser who is normally very stoic and stern. 

"Crown Prince Trevor, Crown Prince Travis, may I have your word, Your Highnesses?" he asked quietly at the two boys who looked at each other and to our surprise, the two offered their hands to one another at the same time.

"A truce, Imperial Crown Prince. We will not be a poor house guest. I will make sure that the nobles under me will fall in line or face the Kingdom's wrath. You have my word," Trevor said in a serious voice as the Kingdom nobles bowed to their counterparts.

"A truce then, Royal Crown Prince. Expect the Empire to be a good hostess. Her bounty is for everyone who comes peacefully to her continent. I can assure you that I and my mother, the Empress Regnant herself together with the Imperial nobles serving under us will welcome the Kalalitan's heir to the throne and its reigning nobilities with open arms. You have my word," Kyrus pledged as the two finally shake each other hands and smiled friendly for the first time at each other.

Everyone heaved a sigh of relief but to our surprise, Silva and Kirov stood up and called everyone's attention.

"I think we should also not forget the other livewire in our class before we thoroughly bask in this joyous undertaking, am I right my Imperial counterpart?" Silva asked while sneering meaningfully at Kirov who to our surprise smacked the back of Lexei who was quietly sitting beside him.

"Right you are, Silva. Stand up, Lexei and walk towards your best friend!" the Imperial retainer said happily as he gave a thumbs-up to Silva who managed to force Galion to stand up and meet Lexei halfway.

"Now, I don't want you Galion to endanger this rather precarious vacation of ours with your short-temper. Go ahead and declare a truce to the Yekaterin's scion. If His Royal Highness can do it, I don't see why you a noble under his service, can't do the same," Silva taunted the Alric noble that took a deep breath and sighed as he offered his hand to Lexei who accepted it happily excitedly.

My head just exploded with random thoughts as I saw Galion managing a small mile after Lexei enthusiastically shake his. 

Oh, what will I not give to make this temporary truce forever if only to see for eternity the loving eyes of Lexei and Galion gazing at each other contently?

"Kady? Gearth to Kady? You are spacing out again, dear."

As usual, it's Belle who brought back my brain to reality.

"Well, now that everything is settled, I will leave the preparation in Belle's group's capable hands. Take it away from here, ladies," our elderly adviser said as he chuckled and waved us goodbye before heading for our classroom's door.

Belle together with Plati, Mariya and Aerith ran in front of our classroom and effectively held our entire class hostage.

"No one will go out of this room until we said so. We've been planning for this very day for months. You will all follow our instructions to the letter or we will be angry. And trust us, you don't want the girls handling your clothing and baggage checking angry."

Rodrigo and Marga just sighed beside me while Daryl just shook his head and returned to his tinkering.

I will just let Belle plan for us all and l will just sit back, relax and thank our beloved adviser who I'm sure worked tirelessly just to make this happen.

-0-

"Welcome to the Imperial Capital of the Democratic Empire of Scania, Nordia the Majestic Capital!" Kyrus proudly said as we stepped out of the Imperial International Airport.

What welcomed us is indeed a majestic sight to behold.

The most technologically advanced city in Gearth. Home to the empire's seat of power, this bustling city is both prosperous as it is beautiful. Nordia is peppered with sleek skyscrapers and extravagant establishments that show the fruits of the cutting edge research done by the Scanian scientists. 

"Is that a..."

"A floating train? Yes, Kady, it is," Kirov said happily as he escorted me to see it closer for myself as the railway is connected to the airport near where we are standing, "It is called the Maglev. It uses electromagnetic propulsion to launch itself at high speeds."

"The Dukedom also has one line that connects all baronies to the capital city. It was built by the Empire and paid for by Riksent," Lenneth said as she, together with her sisters gazed at the tracks and trains appreciatively, "We used it to travel from Menardi to Laroost in just thirty minutes when it will take approximately four hours by bus."

"And Scania has hundreds of these rail networks while Riksent only has few," Silva mused as he raised an eyebrow at the departing train, "Truly an amazing feat."

Kirov clapped the back of the Royal retainer and jokingly touched Silva's forehead, "Normal temperature. I thought you're having a high fever, buddy. You never said so much as a snide remark about anything Scanian before."

"I am merely upholding the end of my bargain, Kirov. Nothing more, nothing less," he answered as he looked at me and lowered his voice, "I will leave Galion to your capable hands. You spend more time together than any of us, his countrymates, at the academy. Aside from His Royal Highness, you are the only other person he shows a modicum of respect. Keep him in a short leash, Kady. Tight preferably."

I was about to say something in defence of Galion but I can feel the nervousness of Silva as the limousines that will take us to the Imperial Palace arrived in a big convoy complete with military helicopters and a heavily armed motorcade.

"I will rein him in," I promised him that made Silva looked relieved and chipper.

"Trevor, you and Silva will ride the same car as I and Kirov. The rest of you, go by groups of four and be done with it. We will head straight to the Imperial Palace on the double," Kyrus nodded at his Royal counterpart and its retainer as he let the two get on the car first before him and Kirov.

"Ok Kady, let's choose this car," Belle said immediately behind me as she grabbed my luggage and brought it to the waiting soldier who kindly helped her load it into the trunk, "Marga, Rod, if you please? Couple's first of course!"

The two children of diplomats gratefully accepted her offer as my close friend held her Sunday hat as the wind blows against our direction, "Ah, the cold autumnal winds of Nordia. How I missed it so. What are you doing, dear? Get inside the car. Hop to it. I'm excited to meet Her Majesty again."

I quickly followed her orders and joined the couple inside the car and sit besides Rod who is as excited as I am, "Wow, Nordia is really different from Nunat. I heard the stories and watched the news but it really is more amazing when you see it firsthand."

"Right you are, sweetie! Oh my, just wait until you see the Nordia Palace, Rod and Kady. Your in for a treat!"

"It's an honor to drive for you again, Lady Velasquez."

Marga raised an eyebrow and eyed the soldier at the driver seat who saluted at us, "Who are... Colonel Modig?!"

"Indeed, Lady Velasquez, your father will meet you at the Palace shortly after your audience with Her Majesty. Please fasten your seatbelts, thank you," the soldier advised us as the motorcade began to move and he radioed his status to other soldiers.

The trip was a short one as our convoy was given priority by the motorists at the busy Nordian main thoroughfare. 

I am really amazed by the sheer grandiosity and magnificence of the city. Tayabas looked dirt poor compared to this. The buildings are tall and sleek while the cars that crowd the streets look very expensive and luxurious.

It is like a city of the future...

The floating trains, the electric cable cars and the people using the latest cutting edge gadgets that I never even see at the commercials.

The city itself as a whole is very clean and electronic-based. It is also very green since there a lot of plants planted anywhere and just about everywhere your eyes can see. The sidewalks, the buildings, even in the fountains there are fruit-bearing trees that passerby can just stop by and grab something and continue walking.

"Belle and I have been here before several times so Rod and Kady? Your attention please," I looked at Marga who opened her window and pointed something outside, "The seat of power of the Democratic Empire of Scania, abode to His Imperial Highness, Kyrus von Faulken and the reigning Empress Regnant, Kassandra von Faulken, I present to you the Nordia Palace!"

In a moment, a beautiful and grand palace appeared at the centre of a deep moat. It is made of white marbles and dolomite rocks. It has four floors and has to be five hundred thousand square meters at the very least. 

It is clearly at the heart of the city and overlooks the wide expanse of Nordia as if perched from a hill surrounded by a deep moat of crystal blue waters.

"The Nunat Castle is a glorified fortress full of missile launchers and anti-air defence on every corner, I am surprised by how different it is from Nordia's," Rod said in amazement as our limousine passed the checkpoint and we proceed inside the palace proper and we saw several guards doing checks at each cars passing through.

The car finally stopped and several soldiers opened the doors for us. 

When I stepped out, I almost forgot to breathe when I saw the grandiose facade of the palace. It is very sleek and imposing yet at the same time, beautiful and extravagant.

I looked around and saw my classmates standing beside the limousines and gawking at the incredible sight before us.

"Her Imperial Majesty is waiting at the throne room for you and your classmates' audience if you please, my Imperial Highness," the head of the guards told Kyrus as our classmate signaled us to follow him with Trevor and Silva not leaving his and Kirov's side.

"Gosh, it is as glorious as it ever was," Belle exclaimed as Marga nodded silently in agreement when we finally entered the palace foyer and what caught my attention was the gigantic chandelier hanging from the dome-like ceiling made of pure gold and priceless white, pink and yellow diamonds.

There are ancient paintings, vases and tapestries that decorate the walls and hallways as well as dozens of palace staff and soldiers walking up and down the seemingly endless corridors.

All of us are quietly walking as we follow Kyrus and Trevor who is heading straight for the huge and imposing gate guarded by heavily armed guards who kneeled in front of Kyrus when he approached them.

"Open the doors to the throne room. The Imperial Crown Prince demands it!" 

The guards bowed deeply before pushing the door open to reveal the probably most beautiful room I've ever and will ever see in my life.

All kinds of gemstones decorate the pillars that support the dome ceiling of the room that is painted with sceneries of the city of Scania from hundreds of years ago when there are no towering buildings and pavements and just a lush forest with a small settlement across the moat that still surrounds the palace today.

At the direct north of the room are two chairs made of blue velvet and white ivory stands out. On the left is vacant while the right is occupied by a woman in her mid-thirties or so wearing a silver coat dress complete with a blue and turquoise sash with the forest elk insignia that is also the national animal of the Empire.

She is a very beautiful and prestigious woman wearing an elegant tiara made of gold, silver, and studded with precious turquoise gemstones.

She has long rich blonde hair and a shimmering spring green eyes complement her soft facial features. Her eyelashes are thick and her nose is long and straight. Her lips are pale pink and heart-shaped while her skin is pale pinkish white.

Standing at her left is a handsome and well-built man with a severe-looking face and prominent jawline. His eyes and hair are onyx black and nose that is long and pointed. He looks around the same age as the woman sitting on the throne and wearing full military regalia of blue and white.

The regal woman nodded at our direction and Kyrus together with Kirov walked towards the throne and knelt while bowing their heads low.

"Arise, my son and Lord Kirov von Alcor," the woman said in an almost velvety voice, "Present your dear friends to me, so that I may welcome them to my Empire with open arms as Kassandra von Faulken, Empress Regnant of the Democratic Empire of Scania with her retainer, Mirono von Alcor, Tsar of the Tsardom of Morvia."

The two in front of us stood up at the same time. Kyrus stood up beside his mother as Kirov stood beside the man who is flanking the Empress. 

They really have striking similarities albeit our classmate is like the softer, friendlier version of his father.

"May I present to you the Royal Crown Prince of the Feudal Kingdom of Kalalit, His Royal Highness, Trevor von Dahl of the Nunat Castle, and the nobles of the Royal Dynasties!"

Trevor stepped forward followed by Silva and the rest of our Kalalitan classmates in a straight line. They then stopped at the foot of the throne as they kneeled and Trevor carefully a glass box decorated with precious stones and minerals and you can see a beautiful and seemingly priceless ruby necklace resting at the expensive-looking blue velvet cushion, "A gift from my parents, the King and Queen of the Feudal Kingdom of Kalalit and their constituent Dynasties."

"A thousand gratitude to the generosity of the Kingdom," the Empress said graciously as Kirov's father took the gift and put it on the table at the back of the throne, "Royal Crown Prince Trevor von  Dahl, arise and introduce me to your Royal Retinue."

Trevor nodded and started calling out the names of his companions.

"Silva von Trent, heir to the Trent Dynasty, Dynast of the Trentor Province and Royal Retainer to the Crown Prince."

"Plati von Fraser, of the Faser Dynasty, Dynast of the Fasera Province."

"Moly von Tiena, heir to the Tiena Dynasty, Dynast of the Tienan Province."

"Alumina von Bairal, heir to the Bairal Dynasty, Dynast of the Bairalia Province."

"Galion von Alric, of the Alric Dynasty, Dynast of the Alricer Province."

"Ren von Warden, heir to the Warden Dynasty, Dynast of the Ogawara Province."

All of those who were called stood up straight and bowed deeply.

"I welcome you all to my Empire. I pray that you will enjoy yourselves within our borders and may your immersion here be fruitful. It has been too long since the Empire welcomed nobilities from the Kingdom. I promise that you will all be taken care of with utmost reverence," the Empress said kindly as she nodded and let the Kalalitans go but not before calling out Ren, "Oh, a moment please, Lord Warden. I am not aware that the venerable Chief Taka von Ogawa has a direct blood descendant. Pardon me for asking how are you related to the wise sage?"

Ren blinked and bowed a little before answering the question, "You are right your Imperial Majesty. He doesn't have any direct blood descendants at all. I am merely an offshoot from the Ogawa main branch family. That senile old fool is my great-granduncle who took me in because he is close to coughing his last cough, or so he said when he randomly plucked me from my parents' home one day."

I thought the Empress will be angry or irritated by the tactless and foul words of our classmate because she raised an eyebrow quietly for a few seconds and then to our surprise she let out a giggle, "You are as blunt and irreverent as your great-granduncle, Lord Warden. He chose his successor well as expected. I hope you will send my regards to the man who treated me like his servant when we last met more than a decade ago. Tell him I do miss his infamous tongue-lashing."

"It will be done, Your Majesty," Ren answered courteously before joining the Imperial Retinue standing at the right corner of the throne.

The Empress then looked at the Imperial's scions and beckoned them, "Come to me my dears. The last time I saw you all this complete was years and years ago. Or are you all too old to be coddled by your Empress?"

Anastasia, Lexei, Olea, Mariya, and Tatyana all smiled despite themselves and walked towards Kyrus' mother and let themselves be hugged and kissed as if they are her own, "You already surpassed your mother in beauty, Tasia. Dear Olea, you remind me greatly of your mother's ethereal smile. Mariya and Tatyana, my Empire's prized twins how vibrant you two have been. For once you don't look like you just woke up from your bed when your mother wasn't around, what happened to you Lexei?"

They all laughed when Lexei blushed profusely when the Empress gave him a pinch in his cheek and continued on doting on him, "What a handsome young man you've become now that you've learned to take care of your appearance. Even more good looking than my own son and that's a fact, right Kyrus?"

The Imperial Crown Prince smiled before stepping back and bowed before the heir of the Yekaterin Tsardom, "I won't argue, dear mother. I know when I don't stand a chance."

"As you should. Now go, all of you, before I embarrassed you all before your friends more than I should," the Empress lovingly shooed her Empire's children as she beckoned the remaining Scanian who looked very out of place and fidgeting nervously in front of me, "Come Denal. I want to get a closer look at you."

The young boy was shocked when the Empress personally addressed him and he immediately ran towards her but tripped along the way before falling down face first at the feet of Kyrus' mother.

To our surprise, the Empress stood up from her throne and kneeled in front of Denal and helped him get back up on his feet as she dusted his black suit and tie, "Be sure to be careful all the time, Denal. I will have to answer to your mother if you get injured or something unacceptable happened to you while you're under my care."

"Under what?" Denal sputtered when he heard the last sentence of the Empress who returned to her seat and looked at him from head to foot whimsically before closing her eyes and touching her temple as if she is in deep distress.

"Care, Denal. Care. I am the one who ordered your mother to send you to Maharlika to further your studies and paid for the expenses," she answered curtly as if she is no longer willing to answer any more questions.

"But why..."

The Empress shook her head and raised her head to show that she had enough, "No more, Denal. I beg of you. All will be answered in due time. For now, I want you to continue excelling at the academy. I am pleased to hear that you are as motivated as your... No, that's it for your audience, you may go."

The poor boy stepped back and bowed deeply before dejectedly joining the Scanian nobles who looked at him more curiously than ever before but welcomed him to their ranks with open arms.