"Young master you can not imagine what happened to me at home?"
Abelion excitedly said as we all got out of our respective carriages.
"Really?"
I turned around and helped Seraph down, and I got rewarded with a sweet smile. Since the month had passed, it was time to head back to the capital.
Coming back home had really reinforced my belief that home is the best. I can do my experiments with no trouble of guards busting in and just a peace of mind.
"Yes, my father found out I was associated with you, and his tone changed very fast; that was why I was able to come to the duchy instead of the capital. "
I could see the excitement and wonder in his eyes. It was understandable, given that he had never been treated well; this was something completely out of the ordinary.
"TThat’sgood to hear."
I answered curtly. Abelion was unfortunately too naive for his own good. I wouldn’t be surprised if that baron tries to use the Bloodmoor name for his own benefit.
"Young master, shouldn’t we have transported the siren and child first before you went to the capital?"
Donovan asked, confused, unlike the first time, when I had sent those two first; this time, I didn’t.
"The capital isn’t like the duchy, the seventh prince doesn’t believe the siren is dead, that is why I can’t send her there before I’m at the capital. "
Donovan nodded. They all knew about the saintess’s preference for the siren; she was a hard nut to crack. I was pretty sure she would find a way to get her hands on it.
The capital isn’t my playground, hence I had to be cautious all the time, I couldn’t risk carelessness.
"But she also talked about liking the lake, says it’s more freeing, will she really accept your move?"
Jeneviv, the necromancer, asked. She was dressed exact same way as the first time I had met her. Her face was fully covered, with only her pink eyes looking up at me.
"We’ll see, I’m not in that big of a hurry. Cora will probably wake up after two weeks, i want to prepare a place for her in the mansion."
Donovan stumbled and turned to me with surprise on his face.
"Are you not putting her in the laboratory?"
He asked confused. I stopped and turned to him, resignation painted on my face.
"Seraph fell in love with her."
I pointed at Seraph who was walking next to me. She also stopped and turned to me.
"You can’t leave such a young child alone in that laboratory of yours, " she said curtly and continued forward, " hurry the portal is ready."
We all hurried after her as we entered the large portal room. We stepped onto the magic circle, and it lit up, whisking us away to the capital.
Two uninterrupted stops later, and we were standing at the capital’s portal. I walked out of the building and looked up at the massive capital walls.
Just like the duchy, the capital placed its portal outside the walls.
"I miss the capital. "
Abelion said bringing everyone back to reality. Teleportation can be a bit of a burden to the body but only for a few seconds.
"Really."
Donovan shot back sarcastically. It flew over Abelion’s head since he didn’t notice the jab.
"The carriage is ready we should get going. "
I nodded and walked towards my assigned carriage, the middle of the three. Seraph got in, and I was about to follow when Luna held the tail of my coat, causing me to pause and turn to her in confusion.
"Is something the matter?"
I got down the step and turned to her.
"Master look."
She pointed down the road. Two little figures were walking staggeringly towards the capital gates. I could recognise them without even trying to, the two children I had met in Essex, the western duchy border town.
This was a surprise, I had already forgotten about them, thinking they had died in their travels and were unable to reach the capital, but here they were, alive and barely well.
"Donovan, can you bring those two to me.?
Donovan, who had been lying on the driver’s seat, eyes half closed, visibly startled before he turned in the direction I had pointed and nodded.
"Who are they?"
Seraph asked, opening the curtain after I had not followed her in.
"Children I had previously met."
I answered vaguely. I didn’t have time to explain everything since Donovan literally scooped them up and ran back before they could react.
He placed the clearly scared and struggling children before me with no regard. They stumbled and fell at my feet before their purple eyes looked up at me.
"Lord?"
The older one asked as they scrambled back and stood up. I smiled down at them causing them to step back even further.
"This is an unexpected encounter, I didn’t think I would meet you two this early. "
They looked at me, still surprised, before the oldest avoided my eyes, his little fists bunching up.
"My lord, you promised that if we come to the capital, we’ll be able to enter b..."
I looked at both of them in confusion.
"Of course, I know how to keep my promise. I left one of my slaves to wait."
I said, but I was still a bit confused. Even though I had thrown them out of my mind, I had instructed Donovan to leave one slave at the gates.
I turned my gaze to Donovan.
"I don’t know, young master. I left two slaves, actually. "
I nodded. That was even weirder.
"Why are you at the southern gate instead of the western?"
Four main gates could be used to enter the capital facing each duchy.
"They said there was no one and since we didn’t have a pass, we were not allowed. This was our last attempt. "
The oldest said. I could see that tears were starting to gather in his eyes. They must have gone through a lot.
"Well, I’ll be taking you with me then," they beamed at that. I turned to Donovan, "Take them."
"Aren’t they too young young master?"
Abeloin, who had been surprisingly quiet, said the moment I gave the order. I groaned inwardly and turned to him, he always has to open his mouth.
"Abeloin, get back into the carriage!"
He looked at me, his eyes widening in surprise, before he nodded and pulled Isis into their carriage.
"Lucian get in the carriage. "
I glanced at Luna one last time before I entered the carriage. It was annoying since I couldn’t sit with her and Seraph in the carriage.
This was one of the few downsides I got from being a noble.
"What were you talking about with mother?"
I asked Seraph, who had disappeared into Mother’s office for a long time the night before, and came after three sand glasses had passed.
An awfully long talk that was.
"Nothing, she was telling me to be careful. The wind seems to be blowing in a different direction in the capital than normal."
I nodded. The church and the royals were starting to move. This was predicted a long time ago in the family, and it has happened.
"Well, the kingdom does not tolerate non-humans well, it’s good that our family had leverage in our arrival into the kingdom. "
I said glancing out at the swaying grass. I like the natural environment here, unlike earth where getting fresh air was nearly impossible.
"STOP!"
A loud shout cut through the noisy gate. Our carriage ignored it and continued forward, and no one would stop it. I assumed it was probably one of the other travellers, but it wasn’t.
"LUCIAN BLOODMOOR, SON OF DUCHESS LILITH BLOODMOOR, YOU HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO STOP!"
The obnoxiously loud voice came again this time more violent. Heavy footsteps were heard before our carriage slowed to a stop.
"What is the meaning of this? I don’t think I deserve such a welcome from the royal guards."
I opened the carriage curtains and looked out the window towards the captain who was a few steps from my carriage, sword drawn.
Donovan was standing by my right, and Luna by my left, her sword also drawn.
"We have been sent to keep an eye on you until your trial."
My mind went blank. This caught me by surprise. I don’t remember doing anything that warranted such extreme measures.
"And why am I being put on trial?"
I asked the captain who sneered and ignored my question. Luna wanted to move, but I held her shoulder, I didn’t want impulsiveness to ruin whatever balance was being maintained.
"That is for the king to tell you."
I smiled and nodded. My other hand softly pressed Seraph down when she tried to stand up and go outside.
"Okay, I will remember this, Captain. "
I said with a small smile gracing my face. I hold grudges a lot.
"Yes, we’ll be staying at the mansion and wait for tomorrows trial. "
"Can I send a message to the duchess?"
I asked. This scenario seemed weird and off. I just couldn’t put my fingers into it.
"Yes, the duchess has been informed. "
I nodded and the carriage continued forward upto the estate. I got out of the carriage and extended my hand to her.
She held it delicately, came down, and turned to fully face me.
"They were lying."
I chuckled and nodded.