The four hours to Glaecia passed quickly. Amelia, talked about her family and her life. She said she was the third child of the Kaerius family and that she had two older brothers. The Kaerius family was a family of merchants. Most of the goods passing through the Kingdom of Quizen could be attributed to the influence of the Kaerius trading company. They even had influence over the Azeron continent and could be named as one of the three biggest merchant houses of this continent. She told me that they traded regularly with the other two continents and goods coming from them passed frequently through their trading company.

She said that she was a student at the Astrya academy of magical science. She was on vacation and had gone to the port city of Eblana to meet her aunt who managed the maritime trade aspect of the Kaerius company. They had about 40 escorts but the larger part of the escorts were delayed and they had promised to meet at Flaedan but they never showed up. So they had to make the journey to Glaecia with a small number of escorts. That's when they were ambushed and thankfully met Rayce who helped them.

She asked about me and I told her that I was an adventurer and an alchemist and was on my way to Astrya. I was just camping near a Lake when I heard the sound of fighting and came to help. That I come from the Andon continent and was just traveling and familiarising myself with this continent.

I looked at her status.

[Name: Amelia Von Kaerius

Race: Human

Skills : Magic (Fire, Wind), Energy recognition, Chantless magic, Business Acumen]

(Looks like a student from a magic academy)

(Yes, though that Chantless magic skill is rare.)

(But I don't chant.)

(It's because you have me!)

"We are almost there," Auzier said from the front seat of the vehicle.

I looked out of the window and I could see a big city. Much bigger than Flaedan. With tall buildings rising up and an even taller building on the left side of the city. I assumed it was another magic tower. The city was covered in gray walls shining in the sunlight. And a large flag of the country was drawn on the walls.

We soon reached the gate. It was crowded with a line of people waiting to get in. I could see a few bikes here and there. The knights went ahead and showed something to the guards and the ones managing the gates saluted and let us through. And another bigger gate came into view. There were two gates side by side. One was for people who had come to the city by walking or in carriages and another one was for vehicles. Vehicles like the one I was riding on were lined up to enter the city.

"It takes a while," Amelia said regretfully.

I smiled and assured her that it didn't bother me and I was happy to wait.

Soon we were let through and made our way inside.

The roads were spacious and a large number of people were walking on the sidewalk with tall buildings hovering above them. The scene looked right out of a movie. Watching me show interest in architecture, Amelia said that 10 years ago, the city didn't look like this. The buildings were smaller and living areas were congested. But after a researcher discovered a substance that could hold bricks in place for a long time without magic, new innovative ideas were formed and many new types of buildings were constructed. I figured it was probably cement or something like that.

If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

"Please come with us to the Kaerius estate." Amelia said looking at me.

I sighed. I had no choice but to agree looking at her puppy eyes that were looking at me expectantly.

We soon reached another smaller gate and after verifying the details we were inside an area where there were big mansions on each side of the road. I figured it was probably an area for nobles. We soon came upon a sprawling estate with large gardens and an even bigger mansion in the distance. A couple of guards opened the gate and saluted. It took us over 10 minutes just to get to the mansion. It was the biggest property I had seen. Since they were a big merchant family, I expected it but it still surprised me.

Auzier got out of the car first and opened the door on Amelia's side. She got down and I followed her. Then Martha came out of the car.

There were rows of maids standing and bowing on either side of the path leading to the mansion.

"Welcome Madam Amelia. Welcome Sir Rayce."

They said in unison. I was shocked at the sheer magnitude of the welcome. I figured that one of the knights must have gone ahead and informed about me.

I followed Amelia inside.

Three people were waiting near the door. A man who looked to be in his late forties, a woman in her early thirties and a boy who looked to be in his mid twenties.

They ran up to Amelia as soon as they saw her.

"Mom, Dad, Brother."

She must have been holding it in. She cried as soon as she was in their arms.

The father and mother shed tears holding onto their daughter. The brother also smiled and patted her head.

"I'm so glad you're okay, my little baby."

The father was still crying holding on to Amelia. The mother rolled her eyes looking at it.

"Wa waa waa. What would I have done without you, my little bunny!!!"

Amelia was visibly annoyed and with a red face was pushing away her father's crying face with one of her fingers as he tried to hold onto his daughter. His face was covered with tears and his nose was dripping. I looked around and the servants were nodding with some wiping their tears with small handkerchiefs. Those handkerchiefs disappeared like magic as soon as they noticed I was watching them. They seem to give off the vibe that it was a normal occurrence is every family.

(Master.....)

(Don't say it.)

After Amelia was able to get her father away from her, they looked at me. The father wiped his face and came forward.

"Ahem, you...must...be...Rayce." The father said. He looked me up and down. The words were said with clenched teeth.

"Still...I'm not going to give you my daughter!!!"

He said that and bolted inside the mansion.

"Dadd!!!!" Amelia screamed and ran after him.

I stood there with my mouth half open. Then the mother came forward.

"Oh my, I'm sorry. Rayce, right?"

"I'm Clarice von Kaerius."

I composed myself and bowed.

"Henry can be a little possessive. I apologise for his behaviour. He hadn't been able to sleep these past few days and had been continuously muttering and pacing the mansion waiting for news about Amelia."

I nodded.

"Our family owes a lot to you so we'd like to give you a reward."

"Lady Clarice, there's no need for a reward like I had told Amelia. I just did what anyone would do."

"Tsk, tsk, that won't do. Why don't Marlin show you to your room?"

He beckoned to her son and he came forward and extended a hand which I shook.

"I'm Marlin von Kaerius. Thank you so much for taking care of my angelic sister. An unparalleled beauty, and a smile that lights up the whole world. Thanks to you that she is able to keep blessing this world with her smile. We are forever indebted to you!" His eyes seem to become hearts as he announced that.

(Master, another one.)

(I see it.)

I smiled and followed him inside the mansion.

-----

I was given a spacious room which was five times the size of my room at the inn. There were even maids outside the door waiting for instructions.

It came with a large bath attached and I had a nice bath after a long time. In the inn, there wasn't a place to have a bath. You just had to wash and wipe yourself and you were clean.

As I was relaxing on the big bed in the center of the room, someone knocked on the door after a while. I opened it and it was a butler of the Kaerius family called Hans.

He bowed and said, "Pleased to meet you, Sir Rayce. My name is Hans. The count has requested your presence in the study."

He beckoned to someone outside and a few maids brought in a dress. They even tried to help me dress forcefully with an eerie smile but I refused. I felt shivers. After getting dressed by myself, I made my way towards the study. The house was beautiful. Portraits of people which I assumed were relatives hung on the walls. The staircases were made with white marbles which shone in the light of the magic lamps. The flooring had intricate designs to them.

Soon we came to a beautifully carved door which I assumed led to the study. The butler pushed up his sleeve and knocked on the door twice.