They returned to the carriage and got on their way to the castle. The crowd was still watching closely the parade in an attempt to see the princess. They would get nothing. All the girls were shut inside, talking. Gurf was riding a horse behind the carriage and Aidan on the driver's seat.

"Funny how they had uniforms in both Cythrel's and Gurf's sizes in stock. And Lola, did they really seem like they were expecting you?"

The maid nodded. "Yes, aside from calling out me by the name they were expecting us with packages already prepared and ready for handing out. We didn't even ask the person. They just handed us the packages and asked to check if everything we needed was there. It was."

"And the headmaster struck me as the rather eccentric type. Is he an old friend of your family, darling?"

"He is. My... Aidan's father and Astromelicus belonged to the same adventuring party back in the day. I think King Helios traveled with them as well." Dawn answered.

"The headmaster is an eccentric person, but I believe that was more an act. I don't think he is crazy or anything. I believe he was testing us." Sora added.

"I like him. A little mischief is a great spice in a person's buildup." Cythrel stopped checking her own academy uniform to quip. "Aren't these skirts too much on the short side?"

"Yes, and that is why a proper lady must be careful," Pearl answered Cythrel looking at Dawn. The elf noticed and giggled.

"What? Me?" Dawn pointed at herself.

Pearl gave her a death stare. "Yes, you. Dawn, my dear, you seem to require a humongous amount of effort to properly behave like a lady. When you relax, you begin to trudge like a limp ape."

"Oh, well. I've been doing this lady thing for only a couple of months. Excuse me for my lack of manners." She drooped and pouted.

"No, no. We are not chastising you, just pointing out a fact. I believe I am at a fault for not helping you out. All the time and no training. It is still hard for me to look at you and not see Lumina."

What Pearl meant about not helping Dawn because she looked like Lumina is unknown.

"I hate to break it but we are minutes away from the castle, and they will notice. What should we do?" Asked Sora.

"We go with the amnesia route. Lumina's movements were entirely calculated, born of years of practice and her natural talent. I think it is the same reason that makes Dawn a better fencer than Aidan. She naturally has greater body awareness even though the boy has better fine motor skills."

"He's very good at drawing, indeed." Sora agreed, looking straight at Pearl's eyes. "Especially magic symbols."

Pearl knew that if she blushed or stuttered even a little the squirrel-kin would win. She made a blasé pose and scoffed.

"I can testify to the efficiency of his spellcraft skills. The etheric conversion rate of his diagrams is astonishing." She opened her palm and a white plume of steam spouted forth.

The two girls laughed and Dawn shrunk a bit on the seat.

"I think I can put a simple darkness enchantment in the inner hem of the skirt. It would block sight of what lies underneath." She proposed, trying to veer the subject away from her male half.

Pearl deadpanned. "And what is the fun in that?"

------------------------

As they approached the castle, dread made its way inside Aidan's throat and refused to be evicted. Aidan felt ill as they passed by the hospital.

And through the castle gates, they went. In the courtyard, several maids and servants were already lined up to receive Lumina. Who knew what was in store for the runaway princess? At least Pearl's presence as an outside observer would refrain more drastic reactions.

They stopped and a man in butler clothes came to open the carriage. Some maids threw flower petals on the ground.

"That's fitting." Mumbled Pearl, thinking of another princess.

Dawn began to hyperventilate. Pearl held her hand.

"Just glide, smile, and wave. Don't talk to anyone. I'll be right behind you, my friend."

She prepared to step down and was interrupted by the butler's hand floating in front of her. She reluctantly took the hand and climbed down.

"We are delighted to see Your Highness in good health." The butler told her. He turned and cried aloud. "Her Highness Lumina of Yutis."

Dawn walked forward and was swarmed by the servants. They were pushing her forward like a human ocean threatening to get her away from the shore. She looked behind and saw Pearl with a concerned face being brought off the carriage by the same butler. She decided to throw a princess tantrum.

"Get away from me this very moment! You are stealing my air. I am winded from the trip and need to breathe, can't you see?" The servants retreated after feeling the tingling and the ozone in the air. She was leaking a little lightning.  It allowed her to back down and grab Pearl's hand> Dawn held onto it fearing for her dear life.

"Yes, we need space. Good grief, Lumina, I can't believe these..." Pearl glared at the butler and trailed off on purpose. The servants took a step back, afraid they were intruding on something. Two princesses holding hands was very unusual and it was not in their protocol. They usually stand far apart enough for each one's own spotlight.

"I want our entire group and the luggage in my chambers immediately. We are not to be separated. Understood?" Dawn spoke to the butler.

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"Your Highness, his Majesty the King wants to see you immediately."

Dawn made a disappointed look, sighed and answered.

"I won't show his Majesty this disgruntled visage straight out of the road. I need time to freshen up."

"I share my friend's sentiments. I need to remove this grime from my person before I can see anyone. I am sure his Majesty can understand our sentiment." Pearl made her best annoyed face.

Afraid to irritate two princesses at once, the servants gave them a wide berth. Dawn commanded some maids to show them the way and they went through the corridors until someone intercepted them. They were at the entrance to the guest wing of the castle.

"Lumina!"

An imposing figure, well-trimmed beard, a military uniform filled with decorations, and a crown on his head. King Helios in person. The servants skillfully stepped out of his way as he made a beeline towards his daughter. Moments later Dawn found herself in a bear hug. She noticed how strong King Helios' arms were.

"Lumina, you are finally back. I was so worried about you." He looked at the entourage and especially at the savage huntsman. "The servants will assign chambers for all of you. I want some time alone with my daughter."

"Your Majesty, we have a royal guest." Dawn pointed out. The king released her and bowed.

"Crown Princess Pearl, it is a pleasure to see you in good health again after all these years. You surely grew even more beautiful than before. Knowing that you are friends with my Lumina brings a tear to my eyes. You are a guest of honor in this castle. Everything you need shall be provided to you."

Pearl curtsied perfectly. "King Helios, I am grateful for your hospitality. I must say that I greatly enjoyed the company of your daughter, and her friendship is delightful."

"Your words warm my heart. How is King Jett doing? Still polishing his gems himself?"

"Father is going through a marvelous phase. He found a vein of sapphires and now that mine is his pet project. I must say I got a little jealous of these rocks myself." She made a modest laugh.

"But how did you meet Lumina?" He was suspicious. There was barely enough time to cross into Gohar and back. That it happened during winter and with runaways was even more concerning.

"We met by chance but we hit off right on the first day. After that, we went through thick and thin in our adventures, your Majesty. There is nothing better to cement an everlasting friendship than surviving hardship hand in hand."

"You must tell me all about them." He eyed the rapier in Dawn's waist. "You took the sword, Lumina? I thought you deemed weapon mastery barbaric."

"I changed, your Majesty. A lot. The Lumina from before the accident barely exists."

"Call me father, Lumina."

"As you wish, your Majesty." Dawn curtsied.

King Helios left the two princesses aside and addressed the rest of the entourage.

"Lord Aidan and Lady Sora, I thank you for escorting Lumina in this adventure of hers. I was only able to lay my head to sleep because I knew she was in your care. You have my gratitude."

Another probing chain of statements. Everyone there knew Aidan was comatose when Lumina escaped. To Helios, it was another big mystery how these kids escaped the best medical facility in the country barely able to move only to return seemingly healthy.

"I summoned the entire court tonight, we are going to have a banquet to celebrate your return. The servants will lead you to your chambers. You are dismissed. Lumina, come with me. I must talk to you."

He tugged her arm, but Dawn resisted. "Your Majesty, please give me time to freshen up and remove the dust from the road." She wanted to get away from there at any cost. Being alone with the King? It was the prelude to a disaster.

"Lumina?"

Lumina was stirring slightly. Aidan hugged Sora and used her to keep his male half from reacting. Cythrel held his other hand. Dawn began to hyperventilate again.

"Yes?" She asked, obviously startled.

"Call me father." His tone left no doubt it was an order.

Dawn's mind was spinning. She asked for help. "Pearl?"

"Don't worry, Lumina. I will keep our friends safe. No harm will come to them."

The king looked at both girls and asked.

"Why should you worry about that? Daughter, I don't care if you are a bit dusty or completely drenched in mud, come with me at once."

And he literally dragged Dawn away.

Pearl looked around, pointed at a door and stared at a maid.

"What is behind this door? Is anyone using these chambers?"

"A lounge, your Highness. No, nobody is using it right now."

"Good. We are taking a break in this lounge right now. Bring tea and some pastries for us. Right now."

The maid froze for a while, but it was an order from a royal. "As you will, your Highness." She curtsied and left.

"Sora and Aidan, get in the room now. Gurf, guard the door. Lola and Deb go with the castle servants to find where we will be lodged and to secure our luggage. We need to prepare to assist Dawn."

Sora and Cythrel helped Aidan inside. Pearl looked around and nodded at Gurf. The big hunter turned paladin took his place right in front of it and she closed the door.

"Aidan, control yourself and tell us everything the King asks. We will think about the answers and you relay them."