Chapter 5: Chapter 4: Her Highness is a Non Believer.

Looking back for a moment, I could see Argos and Arya waving goodbye. Irene merely stared at my general direction, aided by the sound of the mare's hoofs striking the road.

I nodded towards them, then urged Coco forwards. The trip to the capital would take around twenty minutes, tops, it would more likely take longer for me to reach the Princess's side.

I didn't have to bother Coco too much, as she was a smart mare with plenty of experience, leading us steadily to town.

"You keep calling it a town, aren't you underestimating the capital too much?"

The capital CITY where we're headed, is connected directly to the palace. A well built place, it has remained standing since the youngest years of the Empire. The city continuously expands to the north, as the palace is built southside, on the very corner of the continent.

"If it's anything like it was in my time, it ought to shine under light."

The palace's roofs were made of a special, glass looking material. Although you can't see trough it, the lands of the empire are sunny, and if the light strikes the roofs they fill the whole city in revolving orange red colors. 

"Go ahead and ignore me, then. Hmph."

Some people don't very well realize that they're very, very old, and the city should look nothing like it used to. Only thing I'd be able to rely on their memory for, is the castle.

Coco kept moving, even with my lack of effort into guiding her. A while later, the morning sun rose, and from afar the roof's and wall tower's light hit the road softly, guiding travelers.

I admit it was a beautiful, clever thing. Even through the Empire's warmongering, its people still came up with that human desire for innovation and art.

I reached the main gate without any trouble, my uniform telling every traveler and merchant that I should be left through. This position is useless in the Palace, but outside the uniform is respected.

The guards stared at me, handed me over my official identification after checking my blood was truly black (Lucerne's own proof of identity), and I was let through, to step into the bustling city.

Un spite of the amount of people walking around, the roads were wide, to give space to both horses and carriages, and, well, big lizards among many other creatures people brought along.

Coco, again, didn't care much about the thoughts of people or the peddlers and their wares, and just continued onward. I did my best to memorize the way, even though I've never had much in matters of memory to begin with.

"Are you feeling melancholic, Omen?"

"..."

Not wanting to bother him too much, I slowed down the pace for my companion and I to enjoy the view. The closer we got to the Palace, the stronger the coloured lights got. In spite of my deliberate slowness, we reached the Palace gates. 

There was five of them. The main one was reserved for the imperial lineage or important guests and heros, the two on its side were somewhat smaller and less grandiose, meant for normal nobles, and the other two smaller and unadorned were meant for paupers and servants.

Of course, the Palace thought very highly of me, so I was guided away quickly on sight, towards the smallest doors. Really, aren't I still a noble?

"They really like your bubbly personality. It's charming."

"Thanks, Omen. I appreciate it."

All I got in the form of directions was the name of the Second Princess's manor. The Palace was a city of its own, to be honest. With the name of the manor, Omen told me which one it was, as thankfully no one ever bothered to change the name of it during many years.

Seeing the manor after a while, I felt a bit of pity. This Princess truly wasn't much better off than House Lucerne, because in spite of the good state of her manor, it was very clear there was no servants to attend to the place. Only side door showed signs of use, as propably the paupers came to drop off essentials and left as fast as they came.

Knowing no one would come and greet me, I tied Coco to the small stables at the right, and headed back to the door.

"Just go in, there's no one to guide you along."

I knocked anyway.

And certainly, no answer. I closed my eyes a moment, making use of my new body's senses. The lack of people in the manor made everything more clear.

One servant, and the princess. The surroundings vaguely smelled of steel, most likely patrols. The servant I noticed, as they were the only smell I could trace to multiple rooms from the window, and the other one smelled a tad like perfume. They were both on the top floor. Perhaps staring at me through the window?

I cleared my voice, "Deneve Lucerne, Imperial Watcher, reporting to her Second Highness." After a few seconds I continued, "I will enter now, excuse the rudeness."

Inviting myself in, I stepped into the old hall. Although the furnishings were a tad old, everything was clean. I followed what I smelled, as weird as it sounded, upstairs.

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"So you ARE a mutt."

"With whose help, I wonder."

I continued. The steps creaking under me, I was thankful that despite my lack of mastery relating Omen, he was still capable of keeping his liquid form, wrapping around my arm conveniently. 

I reached the last floor, and looking around I found the correct door, the carpet on its side being the most worn by use. I knocked.

"I don't want a child for a guard." I heard, through the gap. A young sounding voice.

"Your Highness and I are the same age."

I heard her move, and then curiously stare at me through the gap through which her voiced pass. Not difficult, considering the condition of the door.

"You're unarmed. And small. Even with a weapon, how would you defend me?

"I'm sure your Highness heard me before. I'm a Lucerne."

"I've heard of your House before, but I've not seen." Still staring at me, she went on, "I don't trust rumours."

I raised my eyebrow, making eye contact with her though the side. Fair enough, even an abandoned Princess has learned to distrust. Or maybe it's precisely because of this?

I looked around, and found a thick metal decoration. These were common in the Empire, usually engraved with animals. Picking it up, I brought it towards her sight.

"Do you see?"

She hummed affirmatively.

I held the decoration tightly, and turning my hand for her to see my thumb, I bent the tube.

"Not enough."

I used my other hand to twist it this time, into a knot. She stared for a while, then moved away and asked to the other person in the room.

"Marie, you've seen the knights train. Can they do that?"

"They might bend it, Your Highness, but they cannot twist it with that ease."

Perhaps feeling bad about leaving me standing around like a clown, Marie went on.

"More than that, Miss Lucerne is only five. I've heard from the patrolling knights that she's only just begun training, and that she'll most likely grow up to be as strong as Lord Irene Lucerne in due time."

"Look at you, all popular. Aren't you the talk of the town?"

"You mean city, don't you?"

I heard the door move, and I straightened my posture. A woman around her twenties who I suppose is Marie opened it. I gave her a slight nod, and she invited me in.

I saw the Second Princess, sitting properly and elegantly on a little rocking chair.

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AN: Heya folk! Today's update was a bit late from usual, but it's here as promised.

Tomorrow you'll get to properly meet Deneve's new boss!

As always, thanks for reading.

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