Her Trail

10.

Year after, I am already fifteen years old and still, I am locked inside the huge White Dragon's House. It felt like a century already, I am so bored especially the days where my brother is away because of school.

Papa is here but I noticed that these days, he rarely calls for me, and there were a lot of persons coming in and out of our house from the palace of the Emperor.

Papa became too busy while I'm still stuck with my studies with Sir Adalius, but I also noticed that we often cut off the class in the middle because the message box that contains magic is always glowing. That serves as the cellphone in this world. I tried to ask father for one but he said no, I don't have anyone to talk to based on him, and he will only allow that after my coming of age ceremony.

Although it's really kind of strict, I am happy with the food. At least all the delicious foods I can ever imagine are all here, which gave my bored soul a rest.

Sipping my afternoon tea, I look around my garden. Yes, my garden. Papa gave this to me as a gift for my fifteenth birthday. I swear, it made my heart flutter, I was so happy especially when the garden has different kinds of flowers, there's even a pond on the side, and there's a large fountain in the middle made with luxurious stones.

The gazebo is also beautiful. It is simple looking yet elegant, said Bella, it was like me. I'm flipping my hair in my mind when I heard that.

"My lady, aren't you hot here? It's summer and the temperature is quite high."

I tried to feel the temperature around me. Bella is right, but since it's already in the afternoon, the sun is already going down.

"Bella, I have a question."

"What is it, my lady?" she said as she comes nearer while fanning me.

"Well, it's because I'm curious what's outside this place. What is it like? You and Shane have an opportunity to go outside from time to time, right? I wonder what's life outside the luxury."

Bella stop fanning me for a few seconds but when I look up at her, she smiled.

"Hmm, how do I describe it..." she thinks for a bit, "Well since our empire is huge because it consists of small kingdoms, the situations are quite different from place to place. You know that our Emperor rules a group of kingdoms, and each kingdom has its own Kings who are under the emperor, but it doesn't mean that they have the same wealth, some kingdoms in the west are striving because of the drought that happened. While the literal outside of this palace is rich, there were shops, theaters, and many more, it is because we are at the heart of the empire where the Emperor's palace is located."

Oh. Wow. I know about those things because Sir Adalius already taught me that. But knowing more about the situation is what intrigues me.

"Are there any parts of the empire that experiences poverty, Bella?"

I look up at her once more to see her face, she's standing beside me, moving the fan to make me comfortable in spite heat of the summer.

Her expression saddened me a bit.

"In the border... the borders in total, you will witness poverty there. It's because bandits are always stealing their crops, they are mostly farmers so having their crops stolen will really hurt them and their families. I am also from the border, that one in the south, but thankfully, my family and I are nowhere thanks to the Duke. But I'm still wondering what's the other farmer's situation right now... I hope those bandits will receive their karma one day."

That really made me tear up a bit. I think I need to open this topic to Papa because I think being the richest Duke in the whole empire is already enough to help those who are in need. I know for a fact that Papa is an honorable man, and Sir Adalius even testified that among the nobles he knew in the empire, father was one of the most generous.

He will surely help when this thing reaches his table.

That day slowly goes by, and as another day comes, I and Papa are always joining each other from breakfast to dinner. I also talk about the thing I heard from Bella and he said he will have someone to look for that up and will send men there to take care of the bandits, he also said that he will give them things they will really need. He also said he was sorry because he doesn't have time now to go there to visit the people on his own.

I knew he really is busy because I can feel it too. Other days have passed and it was the same boring now.

"Sir Betram. I'm really bored," I can't help but sigh while talking to the highest-ranking Knight in the house.

I met him as I was walking near the knight's training ground. Now, we're at the swing under the tree near their own space inside the House of White Dragon.

He is standing beside me, pushing the swing where I am sitting.

"I'm really really bored to death."

I heave another sigh. I reach the floor to stop myself from swinging.

Sir Betram came in front of me, and he kneels with his one knee, while the other leg's foot is stepping on the ground just fine.

"What do you want to do, my lady?" he asked.

I noticed that he just came from a rough training because his handsome face has sweat on it, even his neck. I noticed that he is only wearing his white dress shirt, and it is also soaked with a lot of sweat.

I purse my lips as I shake my head, "I don't know, Sir Betram, I have nothing interesting to do here."

That put silence between us. I sigh longer this time, I have no hope. I wish older brother is here, I miss him already, I wanted to hear stories about school and how boring it was for him because he's already too intelligent for it. At least, it's funny hearing him rant about it.

I also missed the days where Papa and I are teasing each other over a lot of things. There were also days where I am trying to feed him sweets and it made his face sour, opposite of what I gave him! That was hilarious!

But now... I will sigh nonstop, I swear.

"Sir Betram," I called for him again, "I'll really die in boredom this time."

I felt like I'm teary-eyed while saying that to him.

"Don't die."

Huh?

I think my mind went blank.

I look at his face, trying to read if he is joking, but his expression is straight. Realizing that he is serious made me bark out of laughter.

"Oh my gosh! Y-You... you are so funny!"

I burst into tears because of the laughter. Oh gosh, how can he say that straight face!

When I look at his face, the side of his lips is lifted. He immediately stood up when he noticed that I'm staring at it.

Whoa. He is capable of that, he's more human in my eyes now.

"Let's visit his grace in his office."

That made my eyebrows furrow but I stand up from the swing and nodded. I don't know what's going on in his mind because I can't really read this person. He is a few years younger than father but he is harder to read. Even his emotions are concealed, so seeing his expression a while ago really stunned me.

We go towards the House to go to my father's office. I held his arms while we were walking, I'm used to doing it because of Dad and my brother.

When we reached Papa's office, the maids announce our presence. When we heard Papa's approval, they immediately let us enter.

I smiled when the first thing that welcomed my eyes is my fathers. He is looking at me from his table, while Sir Adalius is in front of him.

I walk towards Papa to give him a hug. He encircled his arms around me too.

"Papa, I wish you were not busy..." I whispered.

When we loosen the hug to look at each other. His face lacks emotions, but his eyes are saying that he is sorry.

"I'll sleep with you later, alright. I'm sorry if I'm too busy these days."

"It's fine," I look at Sir Betram's direction, "Well, Sir Betram has something to say to you, Papa."

Papa called him, and when the knight went near them, with the table in between, and Sir Adalius on my side, Sir Betram speak.

"I wanted to ask you permission to let the young lady go outside the House. She is telling me how bored she is here, and I can say that she is sad, I'm wondering if you will allow her since her age isn't that young to continue avoiding what's outside the House of White Dragon."

Wow. That was the longest I heard from him. But that's not what's important now!

Sir Betram is trying to persuade Papa to let me go outside! I look at Papa's reaction even though I'm scared, I'm really excited! I hope he won't refuse this!

Papa didn't move a bit, he stops as if he's thinking about something.

I don't know what kind of expression I have right now, but I am really hoping that he will allow me. I wish he will allow me, I'm dreaming of it!

"Papa..." I tug his upper dress.

His gazes went to my hand on that to my face. I gave him puppy-looking eyes, I know it's creepy and ugly, but I am willing to go this far just for him to say yes or even nod his head for this.

"I will promise on my sword, that I won't allow any harm to go near the lady, I will protect her with my life."

My eyes widened, why is he suddenly talking about death, I just want to set foot outside the house!

I look at Papa again, he is now avoiding my eyes, so I look at Sir Adalius who is just beside me. I gave him a very pitiful and sad look.

"Your Grace, I think Knight Betram is right, the lady is already fifteen years old, you should let her experience life outside."

Papa still didn't speak even after that. I don't know why he is being so cautious. Was it because of the wizards? Or is it really harmful to come outside? Are there people who wanted to harm me?

Those thoughts stopped when Papa look seriously at Sir Betram.

"The last time I let her go outside, there was an accident. But since you are all pushing this, make sure you bring many and the best knights with you."

Somehow, that made me guilty. Father must be afraid to send me out because of what happened to me and my mother.

Feeling sad, I hug Papa once more.

"I promise that I will come back safe, Papa, I love you so much..."

He sighed.

"If only I can go with you."

"Don't worry about me, Sir Betram will protect me as well as the knights. I trust them as much as you do, Father Duke," I mimic older brother's address to him.

His eyebrows furrowed.

"What did you call me?"

"Papa!" I smiled.

He shakes his head and after that, he kissed my forehead with the two gentlemen's presence.

Papa has a lot of warnings and reminders to Sir Betram before we leave his office.

When the knights get me the chariot that Papa gifted me years ago, I fell in awe as I saw the inside of it. It's huge and it's pretty!

Shane is with me inside while the knights are around the chariot with their horses. It is also a vehicle working because of magic, it doesn't need a horse for it to drive.

I'm getting all the excitement as we starting our ride.

I open the window and some of the knights greeted me. Sir Betram must be leading in front. I'm getting thrilled!

"Calm down, Lady Elora. I'm really nervous about this! Goodness, gracious!"

I pouted as try to calm myself down.

"But I'm really excited..." I whispered in the air but she heard it.

"I know, my lady! But this sudden trip is worrying me because of your excitement, I think I will lose sight of you any moment!"

I laughed because of that. I'm not a kid to roam around jumping and hopping!

"Don't worry, Shane, I will hold your arm and we will never lose sight of each other because I will be like a sticky material."

She sighed.

"Fine. It's good that there were plenty of knights with us, so I'm more assured."

I nodded my head.

"Of course, and for sure this will be a fun short trip!"