Chapter 29

Ecchelon, a country brimming with health, wealth, and ample sun. Although they are smaller than Alkaraz in a lot of ways, their military prowess is not to be underestimated. For Ecchelon is where the first and most powerful Sant was born. Arambara Elechior Edouard Vicksburg D'Ecchelon, my great, great grandfather. When he departed from this world, he also left a legacy that none of his successors could surpass to this day. He is the very reason other countries would rather seek our alliance than to wage war with us. That is how powerful my great-great grandpa was. 

Now that I am finally here, I realized that I truly missed my homeland. There was a lump rising in my throat as I beheld the sight of the trees and mountaintops of the outer cities. We passed by many green meadows and crop fields that looked like they were wide enough to have met the end of the sky. The fresh air brushing against my bare skin felt exhilaratingly good.

"I am finally home." I murmured.

"Wow! It is so beautiful here!"

"The rumors about Ecchelon being a prosperous growing country must be true. Look at the greenness of these pastures. And the golden wheat field fields thriving under the light of the sun."

"Truly magnificent indeed."

They poked their heads out on boths sides of the carriage's windows to marvel at the beauty of the sceneries as we passed by. I was filled with a sense of pride.

"Get back into your carriages this instant lest you want to cause an accident!" yelled Miss Bettie from her window.

Good thing I sat back down before she saw me.

"Uh-oh, I think…we're stuck." said one maid, who still had her head out of the window.

The others began to yank her from behind, to no avail. She was not budging. The maid who was stuck with her is way smaller than her, therefore I think she should try to wriggle her way out first. However, the scene is far too amusing for me to offer my insight just yet.

"It's all futile!" yelled the smaller maid in frustration.

"Her big bosoms are stuck over the edge of the window."

Upon her remark, everyone, including myself, burst into laughter as our journey to the capital continued.

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"The Alkaraz delegation has just passed the border and is now heading straight to the capital, your highness."

Perfect timing. They arrived a day sooner than planned, which means I will have plenty of opportunities to seduce him before he leaves. He may be younger than me, but I'm sure he won't be able to resist my charms. I must use my cards well this time.

"Instruct the chefs to make tonight's feast as lavish as possible. And also treat his servants as you would a noble."

"P-pardon? But princess, wouldn't that be too…"

"Silence, Raulin! Do as I command and do not ask questions." 

*sigh* How is it that I am surrounded by a bunch of idiots?

"What of Bassup prison? Any news of my father's arrival yet?"

"His and her majesty should arrive there soon. They departed by means of a carriage because of the icy roads of Bassup, hence it is taking quite the delay. However, I shall relay the good news once everything is done, princess."

"Very well. You may excuse yourself." I replied as I shooed him off.

I failed to take the throne twice. However, this time will be different. I must tie every loose end, no matter how painful the process. No one will stand in my way and live.

+++++

~Meanwhile, Alkaraz Imperial Palace~

*sigh* What a long day. My poor neck has turned stiff because of all the stress. I should turn in early tonight.

"Your majesty!" yelled my secretary while running towards me. 

In his hand was a small envelope that he hurriedly extended to me. There was no name or address written on it, only a seal I didnot recognize.

'Yo! Admiral Mockingbird! How is it going?'

Upon realizing the culprit behind the secret letter, I could not stop myself from laughing out loud. My secretary and knights all kept staring at me with a befuddled expression on their faces. As if wondering if their emperor had finally gone senile.

"Haaa…This takes me way back."

Back when we were mere children, Dominique Kartier took it upon himself to assign us monikers in order to communicate secretly. We tried many others before we decided to use bird names.

"How about captain fish?"

"Do I smell fishy to you?" I yelled angrily.

I was the older one in our strange friendship, hence I always wanted things to go my way. However, Dominique would always end up winning by sheer wits.

"Hm…Then, captain idiot?" he pondered as he tilted his head to the side.

"Now that's just crossing the line, Dominique!" I shouted once again as I chased after him.

"Wait! Did you hear that, your highness?"

"It's just a mockingbird. The most annoying one of them all. There is one that comes to sing by my window every single night." I explained, while gripping my fist.

"Oh! I know! Your highness' secret name shall be: 'Admiral Mockingbird'. It has a nice ring to it." 

Despite my strong disapproval of the name, he continued to shove it onto me until I grew used to it. I remembered wanting to pound his head so very badly that day, but my mother was watching us so I could not.

"And my pet name shall be Fluffy Lion! How about it, your highness? Cool, isn't it?" he said with a proud grin on his face.

"Ha! Suddenly, I'm not so upset about mine anymore. Haha!"

At that time, his front baby teeth had already fallen, yet not a single person in his entourage dared to tease him about it. Though he was a bit of an oddball, our friendship thrived like a couple of young sprouts on fertile land.

'Admiral, it seems that the wolf was indeed the one who attacked the doe. What's more is that the young mockingbird is heading to the wolf's den in the company of the said doe. At this rate, she will yet again fall prey under the wolf's fierce fangs.'