Chapter 191: Leaving The Skargardian Capital

The sisters followed their escort through the long corridors of the royal castle, their steps echoing softly over polished stone.

The closer they came to the outer gate, the more the atmosphere changed.

The private, muted quiet of the royal family's wing gave way to the organized movement of a castle preparing for a noble's departure. Servants carried trunks down staircases. Stable hands crossed the courtyard with horses in tow. Knights spoke in low voices as they checked straps, weapons, and the seals placed upon the Rubenhart luggage.

Then Esther saw the light beyond the open doors.

"Outside," she whispered.

The three sisters stepped into the courtyard.

The royal gates stood open before them.

Beyond the gates lay the capital's broad streets, still watched closely by royal guards after the demonic attack.

The Rubenhart carriage waited at the center of it all.

Four horses stood at the front, their breath faintly visible in the cooling evening air.

Hendrick waited near the carriage.

He stood with more than a dozen Rubenhart knights mounted on horseback.

And Ulrich was there.

He stood beside the carriage door, dressed for travel.

His formal clothing from the ceremony had been replaced by a fitted black traveling coat that fell to his knees, worn over a dark shirt and sturdy boots. His gloves were back on his hands. A crimson scarf had been wrapped at his throat, its color matching the carriage and the banners attached to the knights' lances.

He looked almost entirely recovered.

The faint weariness remained around his eyes if one looked closely enough, but he stood straight.

He was not alone.

Princess Camellia stood before him.

She had come to see them off.

She wore a pale cream cloak over a light rose-colored dress, the fabric falling softly around her figure. Her platinum-pink hair had been tied back with a ribbon, and though she carried herself with the natural elegance of a royal princess, she did not look like she had come merely to fulfill a courtly duty.

She had come because she wanted to.

Ulrich appeared to be finishing a quiet conversation with her. He inclined his head as Camellia spoke, while she held one hand lightly over the small pouch at her side.

The pouch that held the pendant.

Esther saw her first.

"Princess Camellia!"

The sound burst from her before Hermione could stop her.

Esther hurried across the courtyard, blue skirts lifting slightly around her feet. Her face brightened so completely that it seemed impossible she had been crying only the day before.

Camellia turned.

The moment she saw Esther approaching, her expression softened into a smile.

"Esther."

Esther stopped before her, breathing a little faster from the sudden rush.

"We were just leaving," she said, as though the waiting carriage, mounted knights, and open castle gates had not already made that obvious. "I thought you were inside with Her Majesty."

"I was," Camellia replied. "But I wanted to come down before you departed."

Hermione and Airam arrived a moment later.

"Your Highness," Hermione said. "There was no need for you to come all the way here."

Camellia shook her head.

"I know there was not."

Her gaze moved between the three sisters.

"But I wished to see my friends off."

Esther's eyes widened.

Then she beamed.

"You called us your friends."

"Of course I did."

Camellia's answer was simple, but it warmed Esther more than any grand declaration could have.

Hermione smiled a little.

Airam remained quiet, though she gave Camellia a short nod of acknowledgment. It was far from the formal curtsy expected at court, but Camellia had learned enough about Airam to understand that it was sincere.

The princess looked toward the carriage.

"It is unfortunate that you are leaving so soon."

Esther's smile faded slightly.

"Yes."

"We will not have many opportunities to see one another again before the academy," Camellia continued. "Three years is a long time."

Esther's shoulders slumped.

"I will not be going in three years."

Camellia looked at her.

"Lord Ulrich said I have to wait four years," Esther explained. "Hermione and Airam will go with you, but I will stay at Rubenhart Estate by myself."

"You will not be by yourself," Hermione said immediately. "The estate is full of people."

"But big sister and eldest sister will be gone."

Esther looked down at her hands.

The excitement she had shown when Camellia first mentioned the academy had dimmed again. She was trying not to complain, Ulrich had told her she was too young, and Esther understood he had meant it. Still, the thought of Hermione and Airam leaving together while she remained behind made something lonely settle over her.

Camellia stepped closer.

"There will be other opportunities," she said.

Esther looked up.

"Really?"

"Yes." Camellia smiled. "The academy is not the only place we can meet. I can visit Rubenhart Estate. You may visit the capital. And perhaps, if Mother permits it, you can stay at the castle again."

Esther's blue eyes brightened.

"You would visit us?"

"I would like to."

"Even though New Ruben is far away?"

"I have traveled farther," Camellia chuckled.

Esther thought seriously about this.

Then she nodded.

"Then I will wait four years properly."

Hermione looked at her with faint surprise.

"That is all it took?"

Esther smiled.

"Princess Camellia said she will visit us after all."

Camellia laughed quietly.

"I will try my best."

Hermione stepped closer to Camellia.

"It was an honor to meet Your Highness," she said. Her words were polite, but there was warmth beneath them now. "And thank you for the kindness you showed us, especially after… everything."

Camellia's gaze softened.

"You do not need to thank me for treating you as you deserve."

"But we do," Hermione replied. "Not everyone would."

For a moment, Camellia did not answer.

Her eyes drifted toward the Skargardian Keep. The court had not been kind to the sisters. She had seen it herself: the wary stares, the cruel whispers, the fear people used as an excuse to be unkind.

Then she looked back at Hermione.

"I am glad you came," Camellia said. "I think the ceremony would have been much poorer without you three."

Esther smiled proudly.

"Even with the demons?"

Camellia blinked.

Hermione covered her face with one hand.

"Esther."

"Big sister?"

"That is not what she meant."

"I—I know." Esther looked toward Camellia, panicking. "But it was very exciting before the demons came…"

Camellia fought a smile.

"I will admit that it was memorable."

"It was the first time I danced in a real royal ballroom," Esther continued. "And Lord Ulrich danced with all three of us. And then Princess Camellia liked the gifts we chose. And we ate at a table with the Queen."

Her expression turned thoughtful.

"Though the Queen is still scary."

"Esther," Hermione whispered sharply.

Camellia covered her mouth, concealing a small laugh.

"She can be," she admitted.

Hermione stared at the princess, horrified.

"Your Highness."

"It is all right." Camellia's smile widened. "My mother knows she can be intimidating."

Airam spoke without looking away from the carriage.

"She is not intimidating. She is observant."

Hermione looked at her, surprised that Airam had defended someone, and even more so the queen of Skargardia, maybe because they were alike in several ways.

Camellia smiled at Airam before turning her gaze toward Ulrich.

"Perhaps we should not keep Lord Rubenhart waiting."

Esther looked toward Ulrich.

He stood beside the carriage with Hendrick, one gloved hand resting on the open door. He was not calling them over. He was not showing impatience.

But Ulrich did not need to.

The waiting knights, the packed luggage, the horses ready to depart, and the deepening evening made the message clear enough.

It was time.

Esther's smile weakened.

"Oh."

Camellia noticed.

She took Esther's hands gently between her own.

"Do not be sad," she said. "We will meet again."

Esther nodded.

"And when I go to the academy, you will be my senior."

"I will."

"You will show me around, Your Highness?"

"I promise."

Esther's expression brightened.

Then she threw her arms around Camellia in front of everyone's dumbfounded gazes.

"E—Esther?" Hermione panicked about to reach out to her to pull her away.

The princess stiffened for the briefest moment, surprised by the sudden hug.

Then she hugged Esther back with a small smile.

Hermione watched them, relieved.

Pulling back, then Camellia turned toward Ulrich.

He had been waiting respectfully at a distance.

"Lord Rubenhart," she said.

"Your Highness."

Camellia took one hand from the pouch at her side and rested it lightly against the pendant hidden beneath the fabric of her gown.

"I wished to thank you again."

Ulrich's eyes moved briefly toward the gesture.

"For the gift?"

"Yes."

"You have already thanked me."

"I know." Camellia smiled faintly. "But I wished to say it once more before you left."

Ulrich waited.

Camellia took a slow breath.

"The pendant is beautiful," she said. "But I think I understand why it matters even more now. You did not give it to me because I am a princess. You gave it to me because you thought I might someday need to protect myself."

Ulrich's expression remained calm.

"It is merely an additional safeguard."

Camellia's smile became softer.

"Perhaps."

She did not argue.

"I will wear it," she said. "And I will not forget the thought behind it."

For once, Ulrich did not immediately correct her.

He actually didn't expect her to wear it.

Perhaps she was just saying it out of politeness. He doubted he would see it around her neck in three years in the academy; however, despite the fact that he wished she would, especially knowing that the Phoenix Heart would not be worn by Camellia because Kaliantha would still be alive.

He gave a small nod.

"I am glad."

Camellia held his gaze for a moment longer.

Then she lowered her eyes slightly.

"Please return safely, Lord Rubenhart."

Ulrich looked toward the carriage, the waiting knights, and the darkening road beyond the castle gates.

Then he looked back at her.

"As will Your Highness."

Hendrick stepped forward at last.

"My lord," he said. "The road will be safer if we depart before night fully settles."

Ulrich nodded.

He turned toward the sisters.

"Get into the carriage."

Esther looked at Camellia one last time.

Then she stepped forward and hugged the princess again, this time more quickly, earning a giggle from her this time.

"I will write to you!"

Camellia laughed softly.

"I will wait for your letter."

Hermione curtsied.

"Farewell, Your Highness."

"Farewell, Hermione."

Airam gave one final nod.

The sisters moved toward the carriage.

A knight opened its door. Esther climbed in first, turning back immediately to look through the open entrance. Hermione followed, gathering her skirts carefully so they would not catch beneath her shoes. Airam entered last, pausing just long enough to inspect the carriage interior before taking her seat.

Ulrich stood outside for another moment.

Camellia remained near the castle gates, her cloak moving faintly in the evening breeze.

"Lord Rubenhart," she called.

Ulrich turned.

Camellia looked down briefly, then back up at him.

"Thank you for protecting Mother."

He nodded at her and entered the carriage.