Dominic watched as the drivers swapped out for a pair of Riflemen who were gunslingers, skilled in close range pistol work.
"Commander, we are ready to go. Two drivers, plus three in the Royal retinue, myself included. We won’t be bringing any extra guards with us." Dominic informed the Dagos unit’s leader.
"Are ... are you sure about that?" The Commander asked.
"The Second Prince is adamant." Dominic agreed.
The soldier shrugged. "If he’s sure, he’s sure. It’s not my place to argue with Royals. Rest assured, we will get you safely to the Palace."
Dominic turned to leave and heard the soldier mutter. "I’ll be damned if I have to find out what that psychopath of a Prince does if someone attacks his transport on my watch."
Once Dominic was back on board, the truck turned to join the escort, and the Cygnia Royal banners were hung from the sides of the passenger compartment. There would be no mistakes about who was inside, only about what exactly their intent was.
Dominic kept his word and made another twenty rounds of mortar ammunition for each of the drivers as the travelled, while the Prince gave him a bemused smile.
"Are you expecting them to need that much artillery in the Palace, or hoping they’ll need that much artillery in the Palace?" He asked.
"I’m hoping they don’t need any Artillery in the Palace. But realistically, I fully expect to kill someone in the first hour after we arrive." Dominic explained.
Princess Alexis nodded. "That would not surprise me. But if someone does challenge you to a duel, I recommend that you choose either magic or unarmed as the mode of combat. Unarmed combat only prohibits any form of external weapon, so you’re technically free to roast them with flame breath."
Her brother gave a dramatic, very fake, gasp. "My dear sister! Surely, you wouldn’t encourage your Advisor to take such dishonourable actions on your behalf?"
"Would it be better if he bombarded them with fireballs or fired a mortar at them?" She retorted.
The Prince chuckled. He would pay good money to see the Noblemen’s reactions if Dominic took out a mortar launcher as his weapon in a duel. They would only be standing ten paces apart, he wouldn’t even be out of the blast radius of his own weapon.
The truck entered the city, and Dominic heard the crowds hush as they rolled past.
Moments earlier, they were loud and curious about the dignitaries entering the city. But now that they had seen a Cygnia transport with the Royal standard on it, the citizens gathered along the road had fallen silent.
The silence of the crowd followed them all the way to the gates of the Palace, and Dominic stepped out of the truck to announce the Royals, as they didn’t bring any staff.
"Presenting the Second Prince and the Ninth Princess of Cygnia." He stated simply, in a voice that carried over the hushed crowd.
Normally, a herald would give as many formal titles as they had time for, but Dominic had forgotten to ask before they had reached the city. The simple and direct announcement had the desired effect, though.
The crowd exploded with noise as the two Royal stepped out without an escort or any guards, looking supremely confident and walking arm in arm toward the Viscount Boscom, who had come to greet them.
Dominic moved to stand behind them as they greeted the Viscount, who had a welcoming smile on his face.
"Good, you made it on time. I was unsure if you would receive our invitation." The Viscount announced.
"Indeed. We couldn’t miss such a monumental occasion. It isn’t often that a new King ascends the throne." Prince Alex agreed.
From off to Dominic’s right, a second welcoming committee approached, led by Prince Kaizon. His eyes looked haunted and hollow, as if he hadn’t been sleeping at all lately, and he had lost weight since they had seen him in Cygnia.
But he still carried himself as a Prince.
"Welcome, honoured guests from Cygnia. It is our pleasure to welcome you here for the coronation of our next King." Prince Kaizon greeted them.
"It will be quite the event, I am sure." Prince Alex replied dryly, while the exhausted Dagos Prince leered at Alexis.
The two sides of the Dagos delegation were standing apart, leaving a clear three-metre separation, as if it might turn into a battle at any moment.
"Future Kings, it has been a long campaign, perhaps we could meet after my lovely sister and her fiancé have had a chance to freshen up?" Prince Alex asked.
Both of the candidates for the next King of Dagos froze in shock.
"Fiancé?" Prince Kaizon finally stammered.
"Yes. Father has already approved the match, and the wedding will be set for a date that doesn’t interfere with international affairs." Prince Alex agreed, while Alexis blushed.
Kaizon looked as if he as about to explode, even before Dominic winked at him.
"We will see about that. Before the wedding, plans can change." He snarled, then turned and stormed away.
The Nobles nearby shook their heads in dismay.
The Prince was becoming increasingly unhinged as he lost power and influence, but he still had control of most of the military, and few would dare to cross him.
Viscount Boscom cleared his throat. "Allow my men to escort you to your suite. There is a formal dinner arranged for this evening, and it will be attended by Royals from most of the region."
Prince Alex nodded. "We will be there. Please arrange one suite for our party, and rooms for our drivers."
"Of course. This way, please. The staff will show your drivers to their rooms. Tell me, are they Nobles or commoners?" The Viscount replied.
"Noble sons. But I would recommend not putting them near the maid’s quarters, they have been on campaign for some time." Prince Alex replied.
A few of the nearby Nobles chuckled at his response.
It didn’t matter whether they were near the maids or not, most unmarried young soldiers would go looking for a pretty lady as soon as they were left unattended. The fact that they were born of Nobility just made them an even greater threat of misbehaviour, as they would have some money and perhaps even a portion of the estate to manage.
Much more attractive than a penniless commoner drafted into the militia.