Rebirth Of The Fallen Princess

Chapter 6

The countryside in Etherea consisted of small villages and towns, surrounded by vast greenery. Bustling cities were few and far between. As such, the carriage ride from the Rhosyn estate to the capital couldn't be more peaceful. In the past I took this ride often. House Rhosyn's lands lie to the far northwest, with the estate a mere three days on horseback from the northern border. Meanwhile, the capital sat in the center of the kingdom. All roads in and out of Etherea met there, making it the most populous hub in the country. That was my destination.

"We should be arriving at the Crystal Palace within the hour, my lady."

I hummed my acknowledgement absentmindedly as Jerome affirmed our schedule. Through the window, I watched him sitting in the front of the carriage. He and Camille accomplished so much from when they first entered the estate. Just as his sister blossomed in her role as my maid, Jerome was the spitting image of the perfect butler. Even now, he sat with his back straighter than the edge of any sword. No one could tell they were of humble origins.

Nearly a fortnight passed since I had awoken in my fourteen-year-old body. Fate was on my side as my family hardly had time for me. Father had his hands full with work by the king's side in the capital. Kaius was finishing up his term at the Academy before coming home for the winter. And Mother, she only met with me to spar or go over my etiquette lessons. While I yearned for their presence, I wasn't sure I would be able to hold my composure if they all sat before me, alive and breathing. Every day I woke to Camille's voice, I had to fight back the relief that I wasn't dreaming. She was alive. They were all alive.

Mere moments later, I could spy the mighty walls of Ether peeking over the horizon. With each passing second, they grew larger until they loomed overhead. I basked in the shadows they cast over my carriage. Closing my eyes, I tuned out the guard speaking with Jerome. This was a time of peace - one of the few that existed in my lifetime. The gates were raised. There would be no complications getting into the city. Our carriage bore the crest of House Rhosyn; everyone knew it. The accompanying summons Jerome held would help to hurry us along. No guard would be so foolish as to not recognize the seal of King Caesar. As I suspected, we were moving along in mere seconds.

I opened my eyes once more as the carriage rolled through the gates. Ether was only a fraction as busy as it would be in ten years. Due to the late autumn weather, fewer people roamed the streets. It wasn't social season, so the nobles were back in their fiefs. All that remained were the commoners who resided in the city year-round. Those that braved the wind darted from shop to shop, grasping any sort of warmth they could. Even the seasonal merchants from Kyōwakoku and Ahiahi had abandoned their stalls, seeking warmth in the inns. The enclosed walls of my carriage weren’t enough to keep the chill from seeping in.

We rode through the shopping district. The further into the city, the higher end the shops became. Soon, family owned bakeries and tailors turned to patisseries and boutiques. These were shops frequented by the royal family and those that inhabited the Crystal Palace all year long. Many were even business ventures of high standing nobles. In any case, they weren't by any means affordable to the commoners.

A movement from an alleyway caught my eye and I called out, "Jerome, stop the carriage!"

Before we even came to a complete halt, I had opened the door and planted my feet on the stone. I approached the alley slowly. If I hadn't imagined it, I needed to move cautiously. Any wrong moves could spook them. Placing a hand on a wooden crate, I peered around it to see two small children hiding. They flinched upon my appearance; eyes wide as they stared at my monstrous features. They weren't the first to react that way, and they certainly wouldn't be the last. I sensed Jerome behind me as I gazed at the children. Dirt stained their faces; dry blood caked their fingers and toes. I didn't have to look at the rags they wore to know they were children of the slums. There was only one reason for them to be this far into the city.

"I would not recommend you try to steal from anyone here," I warned, "You will get more than a beating should you be caught."

Pushing her brother behind her, the elder of the two children stood up on shaking legs and after giving my deep blue dress a once over, stuttered her challenge, "And.. and why should I haf-hafta listen to you? Some no-noble lookin' down 'er nose at us. Yer no older 'an me!"

She spat in my direction. It landed beside my foot. Jerome moved a hand to his sword and the boy cowered further behind his sister. Holding up a hand, I stopped the young butler in his tracks. These were just children. They didn't choose this life, and I didn't doubt they scorned anyone with better circumstances than them. I could tell the girl was a fighter from the bruises on her knuckles. She had drive.

"Jerome," I commanded, not taking my eyes from the children in front of me, "send Sir Carter with these children to their home. Tell him to make arrangements with their parents to bring them back to the estate."

"What're you talkin' about?" the girl asked incredulously, discarding her fear in place of shock, "Why're you takin' us with you? And who said we're goin' anywhere with you?"

"You are a survivor, a fighter. It is a waste to have such a carnal will to live be wasted away in the slums. Thus, I am taking you in to serve as a knight for my house. Do not worry, your parents will be well compensated for your duties – you will be given the same allowance as each of our squires. If you would like, I can even have some land set aside for them in my fief. Nevertheless, this will be the last time I tolerate your sticky fingers. Return my wallet to me."

The girl's eyes went wide as her hand slid out from behind her back. I took the leather pouch from her grasp and handed it to Jerome. He would take care of passing it along to the knight. Though I certainly wasn't in any position to make promises, this girl and her brother would be investments in my future. The more people I could recruit as allies of House Rhosyn, the more likely we were to stand in another civil war should it arise. Father would understand.

One of my escorts arrived at my side, his black armor bearing no color aside from the crest on his chest. I turned to climb back in my carriage. This small delay would cost me valuable time, and I could waste no more. Jerome bowed his head to me, extending a hand to help me step up. As I took my seat again, the girl called out to me.

"Who're you, miss?"

"My name is Avyanna. I am the sole daughter of the duke of House Rhosyn. From here onwards, you will address me as such. Your training begins today, Squire."

I trailed off, staring at the girl. It hadn’t occurred to me to ask her name. Now that she moved into the light of the street, I got a better look at her features. Her hair lay in tangled heaps around her shoulders, the color several shades darker from the layers of dirt that covered her head to toe. Though I could see her bones, I could also sense her strength. Yes, she would do well in my house.

“Farren," she hurriedly answered, pausing to awkwardly curtsy. "Er... I mean: my name is Farren, milady. Are... are you tellin' me the truth? Will you really help my family?"

"Squire Farren, you will help your family," I replied, meeting her eyes. "You will be the savior of your family through your own actions; I am merely the one who gave you the means to do so. I hope you do not disappoint."

Jerome closed my door and hoisted himself gracefully back into the front of the carriage. Farren lowered herself into a bow, nodding to her brother to follow suit. The two children kept their heads down for as long as they were in sight. I let loose a long breath. My decision had been rash. Yet, I couldn't shake the likeness I felt with them. They risked their lives stealing from the nobles rather than the commoners. All for the sake of their family. I sympathized.

As my carriage slowed to a stop, I pushed the siblings from my mind. There could be no distractions anymore. Here, I started my work towards a new life. First, I would greet His Majesty. He had issued my summon, so it was only fitting I made sure to visit him before I moved on to the real challenge: Prince Cade. The mere thought of him made my hands begin to shake. I could hardly face my own family without showing a sign of the past life I lived; how could I face the man who killed me?

No, he is not that man, I thought to myself, Prince Cade is merely a child now. He isn't the monster that he became.

My own thoughts did little to quell my fear. No matter the excuses I made to myself, nothing would change the facts. Prince Cade had killed my family. His sword was what ended my own life. I'd be a fool not to fear him. If I failed to change anything, my fate would fall into his hands again. The prince made his distaste for me known the moment we met, and it remained until the day I died. I had little faith his opinion of me would change this time around.

I glanced out my window. As I suspected, my father had been sent to receive me. He stood with his back straight as a board, waiting as Jerome opened my door. Despite the required white uniform of the royal army, knights of House Rhosyn wore black uniforms and armor. My father was no exception. It helped to identify him everywhere he went and warned people to act accordingly. The only duke of Etherea certainly wasn’t known for his patience and understanding. The numerous noble houses that had been wiped out were proof enough of that.

I took Jerome’s hand and stepped down from the carriage, lowering my head in greeting, “Father.”

“Avyanna, you are late. You know I do not tolerate tardiness."

Of course.

With a quiet apology, I followed my father into the palace. The guards at the front gate bowed to me as I walked past, and I could hardly hide my surprise. It felt wrong to be acknowledged in such a welcoming fashion. Before, the guards would hardly glance at me whenever I arrived at the palace, let alone bow. I awkwardly nodded my acknowledgement as we passed through. A flash of shock crossed their faces before it was wiped away and they stared blankly forward.

We walked through the massive wooden doors of the palace, entering the great hall. Once, the crystal detailing to the marble walls had been impressive. Yet, after seeing Jerrik's palace, the interior of the Crystal Palace seemed insignificant. Dull, even. The contrast of the white marble and dark wood seemed plain. I doubted there would be any architectural structures that would be as awe inspiring as Helligdom.

I stood at my father's side as we strode through the halls. Our pace no doubt was meant to compensate for my late arrival. My stop in town had lasted all of five minutes, but those minutes were crucial to my father. It was my hope that those extra minutes would pay off later. If Farren lived up to my expectations, I suspected she would become indispensable. An essential piece in this elaborate and complicated game of chess I found myself in. If I was correct, not even Father could criticize me.

"I am sure I do not need to remind you the importance of this meeting?" my father questioned, not bothering to even glance my way.

"No, Father," I replied. "I am meeting His Majesty, after all. This meeting is of the utmost importance."

"Good. I trust you to live up to the Rhosyn name. We are not only bound to the royal family by oath, but King Caesar is a treasured friend. If you dare to offend him, do not look to me to save you."

With that added weight to my shoulders, I continued through the hall. Just as apathetic as ever, Father expected nothing less than perfection when it came to this meeting. I knew this. As we continued towards the throne room, I glanced around. Paintings adorned the walls. Many of them were covered in black shawls. These were the paintings of members of the royal family. Those with black cloaks were members who died. The halls were covered with them, starting with the Liberation King, and ending with a portrait of Prince Cade. I remembered King Caesar's portrait had been covered in black paint the day he died. A warning.

Pushing that from my thoughts, I decided to focus on my current situation and said, "Father, I have just one inquiry."

"What is it?"

"This meeting is in regard to my marriage, correct?"

My father paused and turned to me, "That is quite perceptive of you, Avyanna. Yes. Today you will meet with His Majesty and then greet your fiancé: His Highness, Prince Cade."

I nodded. Of course, I knew this. Having lived through this day once before was already proving to be useful. If I played my options correctly, there was a chance I could alter the course of my future here and now. If I was wrong... No, that wasn't an option. Making the wrong choice meant the end of this game and ultimately the death of my family all over again. Swallowing the nerves that rose to form a knot in my throat, I continued my inquiry.

"Then, my question is this: if not for our sworn oath to House Etherean, would you still agree to this marriage?"