Chapter 405: Guests


    “Is the Queen meeting with Aceline?” asked a tired Staxius.


    “Yes, master,” replied rise with a change of clothes.


    “Right, I’ll be back at ater time,” the excruciating pain resounded with each step. Outside of the underground facility, the airfield felt a little calmer. The initial panic of himing lessened; guards returned to patrolling the area. Vehicles went back and forth between facilities, a normal day at Phantom’s Headquarters.


    “Are you ok?” came a shadow of ady, “-I felt the impulse, did something happen, brother?”


    “Courtney,” the stance broke into a stumble.


    “Easy!” she held his arms around her shoulders, “-I’ve never seen you this bad before.”


    “I’ll tell you everything at ater date. Teleport us to the mansion, I want to sleep so bad,” and as ordered, they vanished.


    .....


    “Who stands there!” yelled a voice towards the garage, “-how did you get in here?” approached a girl dressed in a ck dress with a parasol.


    “Seiran,” returned Courtney, “-it’s us.”


    “What happened to master,” her pace quickened, “-is he ok?” she asked with genuine worry.


    “A little bit tired I think,” she exined, “-standing around here will but make his situation grow tiresome. Let’s have him rest.” Thus, the day on which Aceline had life breathed into her once more ended.


    Date 24 March; three days had passed since the revival process. News of the King returning to Hidros went around those of which were concerned. Mainly the Queen of Arda for she was quick to teleport to the mansion at the capital. As for Arda – the burden of being present for every asion grew to be archaic. The advancements made it all the more simpler. Not to mention the council who were tasked to monitor and resolve conflicts as they rose. The economy built itself up, trade was fruitful and the people were happy. The borders being opened to tourists, mainly those in Hidros themselves, brought around even more happiness. One could say, Staxius achieved prosperity in his realm; vassals, nobles, and the many ns were content.


    “Majesty, are you sure it wise to cook despite us being here?” asked a concerned Rosetta; her hair was shorterpared to before. The braids which once reached her chest now but stood close to her ears.


    “Please,” returned the Queen, “-I can do that much, can’t I?” the sizzling of vegetables made it hard to hear.


    “Y-your right,” said the head-maid apologetically.


    “Don’t worry about it,” returned a joyous X, I’m sure he’ll wake soon, our king has the bad habit of overworking.”


    “It’s very true,” the aroma escaped through the kitchen windows.


    “It smells good,” halted Laura in the middle of sweeping leaves, “-I’m hungry,” said she hanging on the sweeper with water in her mouth.


    “Please sister, don’t,” returned Laurance, “-didn’t you have food an hour ago?”


    “Don’t tell me what to do,” she pouted and resume sweeping the back-garden, “-where’s Rile, I haven’t seen him all day?”


    “Oh, him,” said the brother with a dazzled face, “-egh...” no response came for he suddenly stopped.


    “Useless,” sighed she who turned to the now cleaned grassy area of the back. The trees grew moremon during the five years; it reached the point where nature was a wee addition to the house’s surroundings. To the front, in the massive yard; two helipads were built for emergencies.


    ‘Where is Rile, seriously?’


    Roared as if to announce its presence; a spotless white car with stripes of gold drove forth into the property. The pristine condition meant one thing – the metal steed was brand new. Pulled to the stone bricked porch, the doors opened with the driver running to open the passenger door. Two wings marked the bo; the of Bridjet, a luxurious car manufacturer based in the Wracia Empire. The headlights were big and circr, a show of power in most cases. Yet another addition to the ever-growing collection of motor vehicles. As for the passenger, little feet hopped onto the ground, green hair swayed as a mischievous gust blew.


    “Shall I take the bag, princess?” asked Rile wearing a ck morning coat under which rested a grey-vest, ck tie, white-winged cor dress shirt, and white gloves. The pants were grey with formal shoes. A very elegant fit for a butler.


    “No, Rile, I shall walk by my lonesome,” smugly refuted the princess.


    “As thy wishes,” he bowed with her giggling as she climbed to the door.


    “Wee home, princess,” said Seiran with yet another bow.


    “Seiran!” she ran up to give a hug, “-I heard mother is here.”


    “Yes, her majesty is in the kitchen,” to which she escorted her in turn. The Princess of Arda had two personal assistants; Rile and Seiran. The two of them were responsible for her protection and anything she might require. The emphasis was ced on having her be grown into a cultureddy, one who could possibly stand to inherit part of the Kingdom one day.


    “Mother!” quick to put her bag on the table, she rushed to embrace the queen.


    “Lizzie, I’ve missed you,” the stove turned off as mother and daughter affectionately greeted one another. There in person and not, those working to help tend to the mansion as well as the princess, made themselves absent. In the shadows; waiting for their named to be called – the royal family saw them as part of their household. Rtives bound to serve, yes, but also, rtives who loved their masters dearly; insufficient words of praise for the retainers.


    ‘Kronos, the god of time, the pain, it’s gone.’ The eyes opened to a creamy ceiling, ‘-where am I?’ he looked around and soon memories returned, ‘-the mansion,’ thought he taking a deep breath to sit upright. ‘This is new,’ dressed in a red sleeping gown with leaves iid to reflect light, ‘-when did I even change?’ he wondered as the quiet window bristled the fluttering curtains. ‘The Symbol of Time,’ the hand raised forward, ‘-the Symbol of Death,’ he stared the other, ‘-and not to forget; Nike’s symbol. What did Kronos mean by the truth to Origin? Didn’t Creation... an obvious yet confusing idea came to mind, ‘-is Creation the first ever being, or is there another, Origin. Whatever happens, happens,’ changed into casual clothes, the aroma of food paired with chatter walked up the stairs to his room.


    ‘The ce feels lively,’ thought he venturing into a ce of unknown. It had been a long time sinceing to the mansion. The décor was renovated with more works of art by famed artists. The stairs felt shorted for some reason, as did the entrance. A glimpse through the main door showed a new car. Passing the empty kitchen where the scent intensified and towards the dining hall; the sunlight gave onto an idyllic scene. At that moment, shes from the time spent with hispanions during the adventuring days made an automatic grin.


    “Master,” said Rosetta, “-you’re awake.”


    “Did I interrupt?” he asked courteously.


    “No, we were getting ready to have lunch,” exined Seiran tending to Lizzie as well as her mother.


    ‘X’s here too, what’s the asion?’ sat cluelessly, food was served in haste. A tradition or one should say, a way of living, became true in Arda. Butlers and maids, after the food was served to the masters, were obliged to sit on the same table and partake in the same meal. Discriminating to those who cared for one’s daily needs was disrespectful at its peak.


    “Father, good morning,” said Lizzie swallowing her food.


    “Good afternoon, Lizzie, how are you?”


    “I’m fine,” she giggled with X joining in the conversation. Slowly but surely, the food emptied from the tes. Compliments were given to the chef by Staxius, “-it feels homely,” a quote from his words.


    “That was good,” said he with the tes being taken away.


    “It sure was,” said the princess sat on hisp, “-mother did make the food after all.”


    “My goodness,” he chuckled, “-your mother is a very good cook, I almost ate the te.”


    “Oh father,” sheughed, “-stop,” hershes fluttered gently.


    “My queen.”


    “Yes?”


    “It’s good to see you,” said he casually, “-feels like ages.”


    “I’ve heard of the happenings in Alphia,” her brows knitted, “-Is everything ok or must I be worried yet again?”


    “There have been a few hurdles on the road.”


    “What happened to the hurdles?” asked she slyly.


    “Burnt, kicked, hammered, turned to dust, who knows,” said he in jest.


    “Most importantly, what happened to the girl I saw at the apartment a few days ago?”


    “Oh, her, she’s in Hidros in thepany of Scott and Julius,” the exchange of pleasantries turned deeper and longer. Both had so much to say and little time, nheless, they spoke, made one anotherugh with Lizzie at the center of the discussions. The princess could but be loved by her family.


    “Hey boss,” came a notification from Cake, “-éir said you were doing better. Therefore, I’m sending over guests who wish to speak to thee. A helicopter should be at the mansion in a few minutes, good luck.”


    ‘Damn her,’ thought he with a rough expression.


    “Something the matter. Thine face changed after the message,”mented a very observant X.


    “We have guestsing,” said he to Rosetta, “-Queen Gallienne and the Pride of Hidros are on the way.” The mention of Royalty had many on guard. In what seemed to be an involuntary response, Laura and her brother took to cleaning once more. Seiran flew to inspect the outside of the mansion and call for imperfections. Rile would then swoop in to fix what she pointed.


    “Are they always this on edge?” asked Staxius to the head-maid who rushed into the kitchen.


    “We have guestsing; tis our duty to make sure our masters aren’t shunned,” said as if proud of the duty, the preparation began. X and Lizzie could have been less inclined on the matter being brought forth.


    “Mother, may I please watch the television?”


    “Yes, dearest Lizzie, you may,” hand in hand, she led the way into themon room on the western side. Once bearingrge, transparent windows giving onto the main garden; it was renovated to give more privacy. Lesser in size and hidden by a dark-curtain – the ease of being alone to rx was present. Shut behind the doors, the princess sat to view and listen to ssic music. She chose it by herself – apparently, Julius, who was very much addicted to a heavy style of music, transferred to the princess. She, in turn, sought after the tranquility inside said heavy music – what she found was the piano; dark, and discordant at times.


    The minutes passed without knowing. Over yonder approached the silhouette of a helicopter. “Majesty,” called Laurance.


    “Yes?” turned he who stood on the balcony and eyeing the guests.


    “Shall we go greet the invitees are would you do the honors?”


    “Go on ahead,” he nodded, ‘-in no way can I say no. Thy face and expression speak of the excitement.’


    “Really?” it slipped his tongue, “-I’ll take my leave,” bowed in haste, the figure ran to vanish in the somberness of the staircase.


    In what could be described as vague, Laurance and Laura took to the yard. They would be the first point of contact. The present sound of rotors followed by a moment of serenity; theynded. Two figures dressed in casual-dress wear were stopped to smile and talk. ‘Here theye,’ he moved.


    On the way down; X stopped as if an ambush.


    “Careful,” remarked the King holding her hand.


    “Sorry,” she lifted her head as they bumped against one another.


    “Did you hurt yourself?”


    “No,” the attention was on the door.


    “Shall we?”


    “Let’s.”


    “The mansion sure has changed since thest time I was here,” remarked Queen Gallienne.


    “What do you mean by that?” interjected a curious Aceline.


    “Nothing much,” she eluded the question, “-why does thee look so out of ce?”


    “Do I look that drifted?” asked the idol rhetorically.


    .....


    “Here we are,” voiced Laura with all her might into three sweet words and a grin.