7-04: The Castle

A smooth carriage ride with a highly trained group of soldiers as an escort was one of the many things Veronica and Cassidy ever thought they'd experience.

"So... w-what's your family like?" Veronica asked, subconsciously wondering if Eleanora has told them anything.

"I can really only speak from experience and bias. However, from what I've seen, my mother and sister are both rather kind. Especially my sister, who is too kind for her own good. My mother is typically strict when the need for it comes. Though, I'm sure she'll be good to you. Unless you act like my father, then she'll be especially strict on you." Eleanora answered, giving her own view on her family.

"I've noticed you rarely talk about your dad. Did something happen?" Cassidy questioned.

"He was a major person in the starting of the Human-Elf war. Many, including my family, believe he was the mastermind behind it. Though, there were a few discrepancies, there wasn't enough to prove his innocence. So, we had him imprisoned, and my mother had officially divorced him. He was also a... shitty father." She explained, casually cursing.

"He was... wow. Well that answers more questions than I asked. Hm." Cassidy cupped her chin, collecting her thoughts.

It truly was interesting. It made Veronica wonder why he was chosen to be the King Consort.

"So, do you know the driver?" Aviris asked. "He seemed as though he knew you more than some others."

"He's one of the best Royal Guardsman in the service, and has been in the Royal Guard before I was born. He's my swordsmanship instructor."

"Well, that explains why you're rather skilled with a blade." Aviris responded.

The rest of the ride was rather silent, though quick, as they pulled into the mansion grounds.

"This looks more like a mansion than a castle." Veronica said, staring in awe regardless.

"My family had stopped correcting people and had started embracing it. It more fortified than a typical mansion as well. You'd need an extremely powerful mage to even scratch that wall. There are various secret passages to ensure our safety, as well as many, many, trained guardsman who are skilled in guerilla warfare and stealth hidden all over the mansion. Not even I know where their exact positions are." Eleanora had been revealing information that, if these girls weren't as close as they were, would've been more than enough to arrest her for treason.

Finally, the carriage had stopped, and the door had opened. The girls each took their turn trying their hardest to get out of the carriage as elegantly as possible. And, Eleanora was the final one out of the carriage, really showing how elegant and graceful a princess truly is.

The girls made sure to not do anything that Elenaora wouldn't do. So, they patiently waited from Eleanora to take the lead, following her movements exactly.

They were surrounded by Royal Guards on each side of them. They stood straight and tall, unmoving and silent. A familiar female butler had opened the door, welcoming the princess and her guests inside.

"Welcome home, Your Highness." She said, clearing the way.

Maids and butlers had formed lines that led up to the throne, which sat an older woman, and a younger woman standing beside her.

"Mother, sister, I've come home." Eleanora said, bowing to her family. The rest quickly copied her actions, bowing to the Queen and First Princess.

"Please, rise. My daughter, there is no reason for you to bow. And your friends are rather close to you, and I doubt they mean any disrespect. So please, rise." She said gently, as if she was right in front of the girls, gently caressing them.

The girls rose, and stood tall, just trying to make sure that they were still being as respectful as possible.

At least, that was until the Queen and Princess had ran up to Eleanora and embraced her.

"We heard about the ambush. We are so, so happy you're alive." The queen said, trying to hold back tears.

Eleanora's sister didn't say anything, as she was too busy bawling her eyes out.

"She ReEks of iNnOCence..." The voices had comeback...

While Veronica was trying to push the voices back into her subconscious, the Queen had embraced Veronica and the other girls.

"It must've been a harrowing experience. Please, rest here for a while. I'll tell you all why you're here in a few days. Enjoy your stay." She said, breaking the embrace and motioning for the servants to escort the girls to their rooms.

And thus, their first day in the mansion has been started.