The Forgotten Princess

Chapter 468  Journey to the East (2)

The next day we were busy with preparing for our departure. Most of the employees in the palace are busy with moving the things we would be on our journey to Atlantia.

We at least have three carriages full just for the things that we would give to both the north and south Atlantia. We have one dozen knights and twenty soldiers to accompany us.

"It looks like everything is in the right order." Regaleon said. "It looks like I will be heading out first before you."

I felt sad that we would need to part ways. But this is our work, and our work is for the well fare of the empire's citizens.

"I am going to miss you." I said while wrapping my arms around his waist.

"And I am going to miss you, my love." Regaleon whispered sweetly. "I will try and head over once I have at least reduced the mountain of work that Chris had been complaining for sometime now."

"Hmm, okay." I nodded. "I am sure Chris is currently being swamped in paper work. Not all of the documents could be done by him after all."

"Yes…" Regaleon sighed. "I feel guilty leaving him with all the work. But I am also conflicted in leaving you and the twins with things going around."

"No need to worry…" I replied. "With me and mom here, any ancient beasts would taste hell. And also Will would be with us to guard the twins."

"That puts my mind a little more at ease." Regaleon said. "But nevertheless, if time permits, I will fly towards you with Tempest just to see you." He gave me a peck on the forehead.

"Do not strain yourself, okay?" I worried. "Just take your time in dealing with your work. I would always keep in touch."

A new magical item was currently in its last stage of testing. It was project under Gladiolous. It was a magical tool that would connect with one another and could project the faces of people and they could converse even with a huge amount of distance between them. It was a innovative device that could beat the use of letters as means of communicating. Regaleon and I had just been handed the latest working prototype. We have already put it to use not long ago and it was working quite well. It is a device that I can say will change the course of communication.

"Then I will be off." Regaleon said.

"Dada…" The twins ran towards Regaleon looking like they were about to cry.

"My Al and Rith." Regaleon picked up the two in his arms effortlessly. "Your dada would need to go back home to do some work. Do not worry, I would visit you where you are going every now and then."

"No, Rith wan dada come." Aerith said while tears are falling down her rosy plump cheeks.

"I am afraid I cannot accompany you for now, Rith." Regaleon replied. "But I promise to visit you, okay?"

"Pwamis?" Aerith asked.

"Pwamis, dada." Alphonse seconded.

"Yes, dada promise." Regaleon replied.

It was the first time that the twins would be apart from their father for a length of time. I hope they would not be very sad about it.

"Talk to you soon." I planted a kiss on his cheek.

"Yes." Regaleon replied.

Regaleon headed tl where Tempest was in his phoenix form. Not long the both of them were off flying in the sky.

"Seems that brother in law had just left." Richard said walking towards us.

"Yes." I said.

"Well, it looks like you still have some time before your departure." Richard said.

"Hmm, we will be departing a little while later." I replied. "Why?" I asked since it looks like Richard wants to tell me something.

"Well… since I have time in my hands right now with the help of brother in law, I would like to ask…" Richardd paused. "Well, I would like to ask if you would like to accompany me on visting big sister Veronica?" He asked as if gauging my reaction to his question.

Years have passed since I really last saw my sister, Veronica. Yes, there have been bad blood between us but since years have passed and the both of us have a family of our own, I think it would be best to face her.

"I guess me meeting with her had been greatly overdue." I said. "I would love to accompany you." I said with a smile.

"Greate!" Richard said in delight. "I will go tell the employees to get a carraige ready." He said while turning around.

"Oh, and I guess it would be great to bring the twins with us to meet their cousin." Richard added. "Our nephew is a behave little boy. I am sure they will be good playmates with one another."

"That woul be a great idea." I replied.

I looked at Richard's back while he vanishes into a corner. I would need to brace my feelings to this upcoming meeting with my sister.

**

The carriage came into a halt outside a small country home in the outskirts of the capital. When I exited the carriage, I looked around and saw how humble the estate was.

"Let me escort you, sister." Richards offered me his hand and I accepted.

"I never thought that Veronica would live in such a humble home." I said while looking around.

The estate was neat and orderly. It was not so fancy looking on the outside and the building itself looks very minimalist.

"Yes, knowing our sister Veronica, who would have thought she would live ins such a humble estate." Richard replied. "Father had offered her a much larger and grander estate more near to the palace, but both her and her husband refused. We know that she was recuperating, and we did not really want to impose."

"Seeing that his husband cane from a humble background, this estate suits him." I remarked. "How is their relationship by the way?" I asked curiously.

Knowing that Veronica was forced into marriage with her husband back then, I had thought that they may have some marital problems.

"In their first yeary of marriage, Veronica was still headstrong and unyielding to her husband. We thought that divorce will be eminent in the future." Richards trailed. "But after mother's departure and sister Elizabeth's untimely passing, she changed a lot. To our surprise, her husband never left her even with her headstrong demeanor at first, and after Veronica's health started to deteriorate he never left her side. I am really in awe with him."

I knew even before then that Veronica's husband was in love with her. She was really lucky to have him by her side.

"Greetings to the moon of the Alyster Empire!" The maids and employees are all lined up neatly at the foyer when we entered.

"Greetings, your majesty." A middle aged man came forward. "I am the butler of this estate. My lord is currently out due to his work but had instructed me to welcome you in case you visit with the grand duke."

"Thank you." I replied.

"Mama, new pepol." My twins said.

"Yes, so be nice." I said. "We are guests here and we need to courteous to our hosts."

"Yes!" My twins answered in unison.

I then realized there was a little boy hiding behind one of the maids and was taking a peek. He looked at the twins as if wanting to play with them.

"That is out nephew, Vincent" Richard said. "Little Vince, won't you greet this uncle here." He smiled.

The little boy shyly came out of hiding. He was older than the twins by a few years. He had his father's features but the way he moves, I am reminded of the graceful Veronica.

"Greeting to the moon of the Alyster Empire." The little Vincent gave me a perfect bow. "Greetings to the grand duke."

"Polite as usual." Richards patted the little boy's head lovingly. Vincent seemed very happy with the gesture.

"Hello, Vincent." I said. "You can call me aunt if you like. I am your mother's sister." I said with a smile.

"O-Okay…" Vincent replied shyly. "… a-aunt."

"That's good." I also patted his head, something that looked like Vincent really liked.

"H-Have you come here to play with Vince?" Vincent asked.

It was cute that he addressed himself in a third peroson's point of view.

"Hmm, I will after meeting your mother." Richard said. "But I came here with someone that I know would love to play woth you. Here, let me introduce you. Alphonse, Aerith." He called the twins.

The twins that were running around heard their uncle and rushed to him.

"Akol!" Arerith rushed to her uncle's arms and was lifted to the air. "Hahaha…" She giggled in excitement.

"This little princess here is Aerith." Richard introduced.

"Me, Rith." Aerith introduced herself.

"This little guy here is Alphonse." Richard introduced.

"Al." Alphonse imitated how the grown ups offered their hands as gesture.

"I-I am Vincent." Vincent took Alphonse's hand and shake it. "Call me Vince."

"Play, play!" Aerith said while throwing her arms up.

"Why don't you go and play by yourselves for a while?" Richard said. "Your mother and I will be meeting Vince's mom first."

"Hmm." The twins and Vincent nodded.

"Do not worry about them, your majesties." The maid that was close to Vincent a while go said. "I will look after the highnesses."

"Thank you." I replied.

"Then let us go, sister." Richard offered his hand and escorted me.

"Let me lead the way." The butler said.