Royal City

3rd POV

"You really did a good job in acting though I didn't expected you to have other motive~" Karilf grinned as he waltz towards the shaking manager who was still lost in thought on how his planned didn't work. He had even used his charm on her since she already ate it.

'Why didn't it work on her?'

The manager ran towards the kitchen fearing for his life (as if the kitchen can save him).

Karilf turned back to his brother.

"Wanna find out who can cut off most of the limbs?~" he challenged his brother who let out a low growl. Both of them swiftly made their way towards the kitchen and disappeared in a blink of an eye.

Muffled screams echoed the whole floor, three men still sat in the dining table having their peaceful breakfast while the other meek fellow was standing with a look of horror written in his face and holding his stomach still not use to it.

"You should be getting use to it, there were times far worst then this" said the slick brunette after finishing his other glass of blood martini.

"B-but he was not in our list" Samuel said as he gulped visibly. He had seen his seniors kill their targets mercilessly during their mission. He just stayed behind being a healer but he didn't even had a chance to use his ability as they never got hurt let alone a scratch while executing their enemies.

"Our mission finished yesterday but Fred's a rapist and a murderer and he targeted one of our own citizen this morning, we must not only follow the given instructions but also act according to the situation which could save an innocent life" their advisor Jean replied back with a serious and stern looked at the knight in training.

The kitchen door opened revealing the twins with blood smeared on white shirts but soon removed with a spell it has only been a minute or two when they entered the kitchen. The meek knight watched them with awe.

"Shall we get going?~" Karilf said as he licked his sharp knife before letting it slide into his arm.

The rest got up from their seats and went towards the stables meeting the burgundy haired lightly yellow skinned girl who had already mounted on her black stallion and went passed them followed by a gush of wind ruffling their hair but mud splattered their legs.

"Sorry….just blame the road and weather" she said with a smirk and returned back to riding her horse towards north.

"We'll catch up soon~" replied Karilf to thin air as they mounted on their own horses and rode towards her direction.

~ Time skip brought to you by Karilf's knife~

Cinne's POV

It was nearing afternoon by now but the wind still felt cool on my face and no sun was in sight only gloomy clouds covered the sky but no sign for raining.

Upon reaching the forest, I turned back to see if those men are behind but I didn't see a single soul. Smiling, I hold my reins tighter and signaled Star to move forward, he gave a side neighed (If that's even possible).

The road inside was better than the open road as it was drier and somehow sturdy but the atmosphere was dark as tall and large trees covered the sky above like a dark ceiling so similar to earth if I just compare on the outside that is but otherwise the inside is totally different.

Chirps of birds, hiss of snakes and so many different noises ring the entire forest like a group people singing different songs at the same time.

"Crack!!"

I turned around after hearing a branch break from my right side but the sound was further away. An eerie wind blew behind my back encouraging my goose bumps to come out.

'Nope not today not ever am I going to be distracted like those curious people horror movies do and search for the source'

Instead of slowing down, Star noticing my distress state started running faster and deeper into the forest.

"What am I to do without you star~"

We (me & star) reached the R.C faster than I had expected. I looked at the time it was 3:45 pm.

After reaching the end of the forest it opened up into a very, very humongous walls maybe 40 storey high? I'm not sure myself since I don't live in the city back on earth, father being a creationist made our own piece of land invisible to human eye but most of my childhood I had to stay with my 'relatives' as father went on different world tours to modify and remake the Veller mansion.

The pathway turned into a road of black stones leading to a large 'very large' gate of iron infused with some sort of a defensive spell. No wonder it's the place where most of the important people of Drikun reside there.

There is a massive food wagon outside the gate and the soldiers inspecting every item, the owner gave a scroll to the soldier in full armor as if ready for battle any minute.

Next to the wagon was me and star. I gulped nervously but didn't show it on my face. I kept on reminding myself why I was here and what would I do when I reached the gate.

("Show them your traveler license when you reach the gate")

Remembering what my father said I step out of my trance. The wagon went inside and the same soldier marched towards me examining me and my clothes with somewhat of a permanent scowl.

"State your business" said a robotic voice.

"I come to attend the Royal Court ceremony" I replied as I lowered my hood to reveal my face.

"Your identity"

I gave the new citizenship card but it was plated in gold.

His eyes widen at the card and carefully took it with his gloved fingers afraid like it will break.

'Please it's just gold even if it falls down it will not break.'

"Welcome to the Royal City…. Miss Veller" he gave back the card.

"Do you need any escort Miss Veller?" he asked with a confused expression.

'Of course he will be confused. No traveler goes alone without a guard well except for me who is a first time traveler with no guard'

"I'm fine without an escort otherwise how would I reached R.C right?" I replied without looking at him but I can guess he is bowing at me.

'People and bowing I have to get use to it and try practicing it too'

I got down and started to walk alongside with Star. Looking around I see ladies and gents with very expensive dresses and suits walking around and stopping carriages some boarding them and some just go from building to building with their maids and guards following their every steps.

'Looking at them makes me feel so full of burden I can't stand people following me around'

The city was magnificent as expected for the Royal City. What fascinates me most is the very big water fountain with statues of their gods and goddess. Why do I like the fountain? Easy because our means of transport is through water bodies mostly we use fountains on earth 'is what my father told me'.

I thought I'd stand out because of my dressing but I was wrong. The Royal Court ceremony was just a week away and Drikun being the most well known among other world (No.1 city among the other worlds) there were so many people in different extravagant attires, different physiques and appearances.

Me? I was in my same loose burgundy jacket which was zipped down revealing my white cotton shirt, indigo jeans and my large black stallion. Star pushed me in front with his head motioning to move forward and to stop gawking at every different species I see.

I stopped in front of a black building with lots of signboards but finally found one written in English saying 'money changer'.

"Um, excuse me Sir could you tell me where the horses are kept?"

I asked the guard who was stationed outside, funny thing is that we all speak in English but the writings are different.

"You can just let it stay outside" the guard replied without ever giving a glance at me.

"…?"

"…"

"O-okay" I replied.

'Wow security is that high huh'

I opened the door and a bell chimed I expected a gush of wind but I was invited with the smell of metallic coins.

'So much for a dramatic entrance'

There were about ten counters and people lined in almost all of them well except for the one written in English. In earth only a handful people knows about other worlds apart from the 7 travelers family residing on earth.

Why I didn't bring my relatives? It was because father told me not to because he and I know how greedy they are well except for the youngest uncle's family.

I went to the counter and saw a beautiful black lady in her mid 40's. She looked up at me with dazzled eyes I got confused and turn back to see if someone was behind me but could see no one. I just smiled back as politely as I can.

"Hi Miss…Amari I'm here to exchange gold coins to silver" I said as looked at her name tag again 'Zuri Amari'.

'Maybe a Black Latin?'

"Hi Miss.."

"Veller"

"Miss Veller" she pauses and flashes me a big smile as she continues "How much would you like to exchange?"

"How much silver is it for one gold?"

"It's 50 silvero for one goldo"

"Okay then please do exchange it for 20….goldo?"

I replied unsure. 'So its silvero for silver and goldo for gold. I hope it's not bronzo for bronze since it's my husky's name back at home.

"What's the name for bronze?" I asked as I took out a ring from my pocket. It's a spatial ring my father created for me to store my items telling me to travel 'light'.

"It's called bronzo" Amari said as she took the 25 pieces of gold.

'Dang! My husky's a bronze'

Amari returned back with a velvet pouch and gave it to me.

"Say miss Veller is it you first time travelling?" She asked me with her curious eyes.

"Yes it is, um do you happen to know any hotel or apartment buildings around here?" I asked with a glint in my eyes.

'It would be so much easier instead of searching around like I did to find this building.

"I stay in a building two blocks away from here. My landlord said that there's an empty room and was requesting me if I could find someone, so it would be nice for a fellow earther to come and stay there and everyone there are earther's" She said all that without skipping a beat like a machine but full of excitement.

".."

"Oh I hope you don't mind my sudden burst of excitement" She stood up and bowed at me multiple times until I stopped her.

Thanking her and asking her for its name I went out of the building to be greeted with a pink sky and cool air.

Star stood at the same place but was staring at me as if to say something.

"What is it Star?" I asked because I only met star after I travelled from earth to Drikun and I ended up in a black lake. Star was the one who pulled me out of the lake as I was drowning from the sudden depth. At first I thought Star was a mermaid with an upper body of a horse but after bringing me to the shore I saw that he was a very handsome black stallion or a wild stallion. Since then we were inseparable.

'I thought only a few people knew about other worlds from earth guess I was wrong'

Reaching the yellow building I looked up.

"Verite"

The sign was written in English.

Going up five steps I rang or pulled a wire which made a chime inside. I hear footsteps running towards the door.

As the door swung so suddenly it took me off guard and slammed me on my cheeks. I screamed in shock along with the person who opened the door.

"Miss!! Oh! I'm so sorry, Arthur is so very so sorry"

A curly blonde haired man who named himself Arthur continuously apologized as he unknowingly took me inside the building and led me to the suppose to be kitchen passing the parlour. I would have stopped him from pulling me inside but due to concentrating too much on the throbbing pain on my left cheek I lost my rationality for a moment and got dragged inside but I was going in anyway.

There was an old song playing in a gramophone on the other room which Arthur had rushed to. The song was a classic one none other than 'La vie en rose' but it was sang by Laura Fygi.

Arthur came back with a small glass filled with purple liquid in one hand and a ball of cotton in another hand. He slowly came closer his mouth agape as he looked at my left cheek.

"I'm sure its oka- Ah! ouch" I try to reassure him as I touched but was greeted with a flood of pain.

'Just how much pressure did he give?'

I grimaced inwardly.

"Desole- je I-I mean I'm so sorry miss_" Arthur stuttered as he took some few steps towards me. I looked at him and meet his green eyes which glisten a bit teary. He stopped in front and for some reason there was an awkward silence between us.

He dap the cotton in the purple liquid and guessing what he was about to do I reach out my hand.

"Thank you for being concern but I think I'll be able to clean my wound by myself" I said as I took the glass slightly grazing his fingers.

Arthur turned red to which I just brushed it away and concentrated on my swelling cheek.

"R-right I-I'm being careless again" he said that but he was looking away from me scratching his red cheeks.

The song changed to 'Sympathique' by Pink Martini.

As soon as the wet cotton touched my cheeks I felt the pain subside. I looked up at Arthur who was now studying my swollen cheek subsiding. Not comfortable with the 'cinnamon roll' staring at me I cleared my throat which made a loud crack breaking the silent atmosphere. Out of embarrassment and shock we looked at each other and started laughing our guts out.

We reintroduced ourselves. His name was Arthur Gustin and the owner of the 'Verite'.

"And you would be?"

He held out his hand, not wanting to be rude to the cute cinnamon my hand rested on top of his.

"Cinne Veller, just Cinne will be fine"

He squeezed my hand and was about to kissed it but I pulled my hand from his grasp. My action surprised myself as well as him.

"Um, I came here because Amari told me there's a vacant room…"

"Oh! Yeah! We do have a vacant- oh praise Madame Zuri" Arthur exclaimed happily trying to keep away the awkward atmosphere.

He explained that we all share the same kitchen but different bedrooms and bathrooms. The building was surprisingly only two storey inside but when I look from outside it was about ten storey high. Four bedrooms with bathroom attached, a spacious kitchen with dining room and a sitting room with a fireplace adjoining the kitchen. We first meet the parlour room then the kitchen and from the sitting room we go up to the four rooms. My room was the last and surprisingly we have a balcony which overlooks the other side of the city.

The price for a room was 25 silvero a month. After learning that the Royal Court ceremony takes place every weekend for six months after every 2 decades I felt ghosted inside since I had to stay here for whole six months time.

Arthur insisted I pay only 15 silvero for the first month in compensation for slamming the door on my face, to which I decline and to no avail.

I looked at my watch it was 6:46 pm. I stood up from the chair in the parlour room and called Arthur who was changing to a new song from the gramophone.

"Do you know a stable to rent? For my horse"

"Oh! Yes! I do it's in the end of our street. There you can rent not only a stable for your horse but even for other creatures…. Should I company you there?" Arthur asked as he got up still cleaning a disc.

"Nah I'm good, you can show me around tomorrow if that's okay with you"

"O-okay if you're fine with it. Just be be careful okay I mean it's not dangerous here in Royal city but since so many-"

"It's okayyy I'll be fine" I smiled at him and left the sitting room.

"Hello Star~"

He was there in the same place I left him. I hugged his neck whispering sweet sorry's for making him wait for me. If someone sees us they would fine it weird but our bond grew so deep. It was like Star understands every word I say and he would nudge me every time I speak.

Mounting on top of him we made our way to the end of Art Street. Just like Arthur had said there was a large stable for horses or so to say different creatures?

A man came to open the gate and received us warmly like an honored guest but I know it's for the money.

"We just want a regular stable with daily food and combing for Star here, can you fulfill my request?"

"Of course Miss we can! We'll take upmost care for your marvelous Stallion"

I agreed. The price was 10 silvero in a month which was quite okay for me. Leading Star inside his stable I looked into his night like eyes and placed my head on top of his. After a moment I kissed his forehead which made me shiver from a sudden cool watery feeling on my lips.

Going out if the stable I looked around the lively street. Beautiful and handsome people sitting in the open eating and chatting away, the sky was dark but the street lights decorated the whole city. I saw a noble lady selling baskets and I went there to buy one as I was planning on shopping some vegetables if I can find one. This place was like in the modern times but instead of electricity they use magic for light and fashion was not so far behind. Except that not many woman wore pants and instead opted for short dresses or any style according to their taste.

After buying the basket I went inside a somewhat grocery store.

There were so many things unknown to me. After searching the whole aisle I came into the section which said "Earth".

Smiling at myself I looked at the similar items. Being a spice lover myself I searched for the one and only 'ghost pepper', some jalapenos, garlic and ginger. Going to the meat section I bought the already chopped pork ribs which was placed inside an icing container.

The total was 2 silvero. Being satisfied with what I bought I went back to the 'Verite'. Opening the door I was welcomed with the homely scent of lasagna with cottage cheese.

"Hey! You took quite a time so I thought of preparing dinner for all the three of us as a welcoming party for you" Author said happily as he placed the lasagna in the middle of the dining table and taking off his apron.

I looked at the time. It was 7:55.

'Shit! Guess I was over excited'

Only both of us ate dinner since Amari still didn't return and the other was out on duty. Going back to my room and locking it I rushed to the light blue bathtub and after much difficulty and adjustment turn the icy cold water into steaming warm water.

Stripping down from my slightly stinky clothes I stepped inside the tub. The warm water quickly relaxes me and I closed my eyes.

After rigorous scrubbing and cleansing I wrap myself with a white fluffy towel and I went straight to my bedroom as I plopped on my springy warm bed sleep quickly enveloped over me.