The airship was one of the more significant inventions during the magical technology revolution. Much like how the aeroplane changed how the world travelled in Marilyn's previous world, it changed the way people travelled in this world too.

The craft came in different forms, both big and small, slow and fast. In fact, it could essentially be deemed as the equivalent of aeroplanes for this world.

Because of this piece of technology, the magic-less people of this world could travel around the globe in a much faster and more practical manner. No longer did they have to tread dangerous waters, nor be incapable of crossing great oceans in general without having to go to a country that possessed a coast.

Marilyn has always been intrigued by the concept of these things, for these aerial vehicles — the large transport airships — were a sort of 'what if' scenario for the airships of her world, a 'what if they never failed.'

Some of these crafts even took the form of said classical vehicles, just powered by Essence instead of a more volatile form of energy. It was much safer as a result, and because of the centuries of progress it would also be more sophisticated and elegant.

And the inside of it was…

“Fancy, right?” Cecilia would say, slightly bragging to her friend.

The both of them were sitting across each other, a table nestled between them. The princess had booked a ticket back to the capital with the best and most private seats they could reside within for the journey.

She had also ensured that she would use the funds to pay for each expensive meal they could get along the way. It would be a rather quick trip, but she wanted to give the best experience for the both of them.

“Yeah…it is!” Marilyn said, a smile plastered on her face as she looked by the window, seeing the clouds from the safety of the glass. “I thought it was going to be a lot more of a headache, but this is actually very calm.” She would say again, turning to face Cecilia now.

“Is that so? You’ve never went on one, even a year ago?”

“Yeah, I actually flew all the way here by myself. Awesome, right?”

“Hohh…” Cecilia was visibly impressed by that. Such a feat of navigation would be quite a challenge to do alone. But then again, Marilyn did have more opportunities to be independent. “Yeah, it certainly is!”

Marilyn would feel quite proud hearing that, smirking for a bit. But then something caught her mind, “By the way, where's your butler?”

Cecilia had finished taking a sip of a drink. It was wine. “Oh him? He’s residing with the other servants, the aristocracy likes to ride these things so much you could figure their servants should have a dedicated section themselves, no?”

“Ah, I see.” She replied, “Makes sense, yeah.”

“Indeed." Cecilia remarked, before clearing her throat, “You have any more questions?”

“Hmm…” Marilyn tried to think, “What is the capital like, from your view? You have explored it, right?”

“Dozens of times, yep.” Cecilia answered, nodding “It would very much be like how you expected it. Very busy, very rich in history. The sights never get old too. I would also recommend heading to the St. Helen’s Cathedral, dedicated to the goddess Seraphina if you want the most amazing sight.”

“Woah…yeah, I’ve seen pictures of those! It looks amazing! It was like, built a thousand years ago, wasn't it?”

“Correct, commissioned by the late King Berthold the Pious himself.” Cecilia said, sitting neatly, “It was built over the course of over 200 years, with many architects passing knowledge of its plans down many generations. It wouldn't have made it to completion if it weren't for their dedication.”

“Yeah, I’m well aware of that.”

The capital itself would essentially be how one would imagine 19th century London to look like, at least from the pictures and glances Marilyn have taken a look of. It possessed clear presence of magic and arcane technology that made it on par, if not even more advanced, than her world's analogue to the city.

If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

From magic-powered cars, lights, and road signs, to many more things she had yet to see. It was very much an amazing thing for a otherworlder like her to want to behold.

In fact, it could seriously top her awe towards the Royal Academy once they do reach this destination of theirs. And that would be saying something, because the Royal Academy itself was already an impressive structure that she had roamed and explored dozens of times.

“You know where the shopping district is, right?” Cecilia asked her.

“Mmm, yeah, Bethany gave me pointers before her own departure by train.” Marilyn answered, “It would be located on the western side of the city, right? Near the palace district?”

“Indeed, I shall congratulate you for that knowledge gained.”

Marilyn chuckled, “No need to do that at all, it's so simple you know?”

“As a friend that's a good thing to do, though?”

“It is, but stretching it that far kinda makes you sound weird, I guess?”

“Hm, I see. Duly noted, dear Marilyn.”

Marilyn hummed for a bit, that way of calling her name. It felt tingly for her. She could not exactly put it into words, but it was quite…

“Dear Marilyn…why have you decided to call me that?” The silver-eyed girl asked the princess.

“Is it not allowed for me to refer to you with a term of endearment?” Cecilia asked, with a rather dignified tone, as if she was slightly jesting.

“No no, it's alright if you want to call me that. It's just…how do I say this…” Marilyn trailed off for a bit, “...weird for me, I guess? I don't exactly know what you think of me now for you to be that way.”

“Hmm…” Cecilia was now in deep thought. It would seem she does indeed want to give a good answer to her friend.

“Dear Marilyn.” She quickly said.

“Yes?” Marilyn answered back.

“You really need to ask such a dumb question like that?” Her smug smile had returned.

“Wha…?” And an air of confusion emanated from Marilyn.

“Is it so tough for you to comprehend that I, the Second Princess of Albion, would refer to you as ‘Dear’?” She said, “I’ve clearly emphasised my relationship with you a year ago, that I see you as a friend worthy of my help, of my endearment.”

“...right.”

Marilyn would be reminded of that time, when she did die to the assassin under the beauty of moonlight upon that balcony. Cecilia's shock and rage, it was a terrifying yet relieving thing. That time she realised that people outside of her family did indeed care for her, that she could indeed rely on them too, not just Bethany or Helena.

That time she also learned the importance of being prideful. In a way that made her more impervious towards the vulnerability of relying too much on people to keep going. She had always appreciated that.

“...Marilyn.”

“...yes?”

“I’m glad that I can have a friend like you.” She stated, “I would’ve died much earlier, if you didn't save me back during the entrance exam.”

“...I see.” She smiled, “And I thank you for being so rageful, for my sake.”

“I wouldn't have learned the importance of people like you. I would've turned all my pride towards myself if I hadn't met you first-hand too.”

“Really?”

Cecilia nodded, “Because of people like you, Adrian, and Elysia, but especially you, I felt prideful for having friends I could trust my life with.”

“I see. Well, I am glad that you were angry at me when we bumped into each other then. Wouldn't have this conversation otherwise, right?”

Cecilia nodded, “Wouldn't have talked to you like this otherwise, dear Marilyn.”

Marilyn would turn towards the window again. She could see her reflection, her eyes felt tearful and looked to be tearful. That whole exchange had brought a degree of emotion within her. Good feelings all around, for she was truly thankful for this second life she had.

“Hey, Cecilia, can I ask you something?”

“Go ahead, what shall you demand of me?” Cecilia responded.

Marilyn turned her head back again, “Can I use a nickname for you too?”

“Hm?” Cecilia was a bit confused, “Marilyn, you are aware that my term of endearment isn't exactly a nickname, right?”

“Yeah, but I feel like I could use a nickname to call you whenever. Shows our friendship with each other, you know?”

“I see. Very well then, what shall you call this princess, in your own special way?”

“...Lia, will that be fine for you?”

The princess blinked, a small blush appearing upon her face. She smiled widely, proudly even. “Then Lia shall be what you can refer to me as, dear Marilyn.”

And so the princess has declared such. A deepening of their bonds.