The Forgotten Princess

*KNOCK KNOCK*

“Your majesties, I am one of the count’s maids.” A voice from behind the door said. “I am here to inform you that dinner will be served in the dining room shortly. The count’s family will be waiting for your arrival.”

“Thank you for informing us.” Regaleon was the one to reply. “Tell the count and his family that we will be there shortly.”

“I will relay your message your majesty.” The maid replied from behind the door. Not long we heard her footsteps receding from the hallway.

“Let me help you with that.” Regaleon said to me.

I was wearing my dress and was having a tough time buttoning up the back.

“And who was the one who is at fault for us being this late to get dresses?” I sarcastically asked him.

“I am sorry if it took a while for us to get dressed.” Regaleon chuckled. “Here let me help you with this.”

Regaleon stood behind me and started to button up my dress. After buttoning up the last one, he hugged my waist from the back. His lips rested on my neck making me ticklish.

“It has been a while, so I was a little carried away.” Regaleon said with a satisfied smile.

“I cannot help but think what will happen after we have parted here.” I giggled.

Regaleon’s smile turned into a frown. Our initial plan was for him to drop us off until the border and he will go back to the capital city after. He only has a few days off after taking care of major work needed.

“After what happened, I think I do not want to go back to the capital city.” Regaleon replied. “I wish to go with you to your whole journey.”

“But you did not prepare for a long time away from your work.” I said. “Your work cannot be left alone without anyone taking care of it.”

Even though I want Regaleon by our side the whole way, I cannot be selfish and keep him for my own. Th empire needs him as well. I would have cut this trip short, but with what just happened I would also want to see the resurfaced Atlantia. I cannot help but think there is a connection with the resurfacing of Atlantia and these new creatures that emerged. And for me to investigate, this trip is essential as well.

“I know.” Regaleon sighed. “That is why I decided to go back to the capital city and deal with my work. I plan to let the others take care of all the work while I am gone.”

“Can they take care of your work for a while?” I asked.

Regaleon was talking about the people in his inner circle. They are the people he mostly trusts the empires work to.

“If they cannot handle the work then it was useless for me to choose them into my inner circle.” Regaleon replied rather proudly. “Chris can lead the others while I am gone. He knows how I work after he had been my assistant after I became an emperor. Dimitri also trained him perfectly, so I am not worried.”

Aside from Chris, Regaleon selected brilliant minds to head every department that runs the empire. With them running the empire while Regaleon is away make me reassured for a bit. A part of me also still worries because they have only been doing their work for years after Regaleon had taken the seat of emperor, but he has overseen these people with a hawk’s eye, so their work has gone smoothly.

“I am still a little bit worried without you leading them, but they are your direct subordinates so I think they will do an excellent job even without you.” I gave my honest opinion. “Are you sure about your decision coming with me on this trip?”

“Of course.” Regaleon replied. “How can I leave your side knowing there is danger lurking around. I will not want to part from you like what happened in the past.” I can feel him hug me tightly.

“I do not want to part from you either.” I said and turned around to face him. “I plan to leave Alphonse and Aerith in the capital of Alvannia with father and Richard. I do not want them to be in danger if our journey will be dangerous because of unknown danger.”

“I believe that will be a good idea.” Regaleon replied. “I am sure that General Robert would also be thrilled to have the twins there. I am sure your father will have his hands full with the twins and will not miss your mother for quite a while.”

“Mother was firm on him not coming with us because this will be mother daughter bonding.” I giggled remembering reading mother’s letter and how she described father sobbing because of not being able to go with us. “But now that you are coming, I am not sure if he would stay still in the capital even with the twins there. You know how obsessed my father is with mother.”

“I know because I am also obsessed with you.” Regaleon chuckled and gave me a peck on the forehead. “Now let us go to the dining room. I am sure they are waiting for us.”

“Then come on.” I replied with a smile.

We walked out of our room and saw a maid waiting for us at the end of the hallway.

“Your majesties, I am here to show you the way to the dining room.” The maid said with a bowed head. “Please follow me.”

Regaleon and I followed the maid arm in arm. I looked around the mansion while walking. The count’s mansion and its contents does not shy away a duke’s mansion. But I cannot judge them because even there are rich commoners that have successful businesses here in the continent. The only question is if the counts finances came from clean means and not shady businesses.

We arrived at the door of the dining room and the maid pushed it open.

“Please go inside your majesties.” The maid said and bowed.

We make our way inside the dining room. The dining room was just a correct size for family dinners such as this. At the center was a ten seater long dinner table. Our seats were at the other end of the table while the count’s family were already seated at the other end.

After our entrance, the Forger family stood up and bowed their heads as a greeting. Regaleon and I headed for our seats and sat down.

“Please be at ease.” Regaleon said.

After hearing Regaleon’s words the members of the family relaxed and took their seat once more.

“We are pleased to have you in our table your majesty Emperor Regaleon and Empress Alicia.” Count Forger said. “I apologize if the dinner tonight is not something special because of the short notice of your arrival. But I assure you that the chef had done his best to make your food delicious.”

“Our chef cooks delicious food your majesties.” The countess added. “I am sure you will love our humble dinner.”

“No need to apologize count and countess.” Regaleon replied.

“We are beyond thankful with what you have to offer us.” I added. “Every food that you serve is a product of our continent and we are thankful that we are blessed with the food that is served.”

While we were talking, the personnel served mozzarella sticks for appetizers. The food was plain as what is expected but what caught my eye was the porcelain plates. The silverware also has what I call such an exotic design.

“I cannot but help notice your dinnerware.” I said with a smile. “They are quite unique.”

“Oh, her majesty has quite an eye.” Count Forger replied with an excited voice. “I like collecting beautiful things your majesty and this dinnerware are actually one of my collections. The porcelain plates came from the country of Xing. They make such great porcelain, the vases outside are also from Xing. The silverware in the other hand came from Albaster. They are particularly good craftsmen. They also craft good weapons.”

“So, you have connections with the countries from the east?” Regaleon asked with remark.

“O…Oh, well it is not really like that, your majesty.” The count looked perplexed with Regaleon’s sudden question. “I know a merchant that sells products from the east. As you know before the resurfacing of Atlantia, Alvannians were open in trading with the eastern countries. And as one of the cities that borders Alvannia, I have known quite a few merchants, hehe.”

“I see.” Regaleon replied and did not ask any further. I know by the looks of Regaleon that he was getting more suspicious of Count Forger.

After the brief conversation, the main course was served and after that was the dessert. We dined quietly with having small conversations along the way. Mostly the count was highlighting his eldest son’s abilities.