The royal capital of Albion, the city Leandon, was a world famous city known for its major role as a location in some of the most pivotal moments of history. From its land being the site of the legendary battle that led to the nation’s founding, to it being one of the main settings of the Great War, it had no shortage of historical significance.

With the great River Vestius at its heart, which led to the Sea of Albion that was located on the south of the nation, it had always been a prospect for trade and commerce also. It had gone on dozens of both golden and dark ages throughout the thousands of years of the kingdom's history, led by kings, queens, and regents that have either wished for its prosperity, or their own.

In short, it was nothing less than extraordinary.

The airship in which Marilyn and Cecilia have boarded had now landed upon the Leandon Airport, the aircraft itself being led towards the hangar for refuelling and maintenance for its next flight.

One could ask however, why couldn't the people of this world just use teleportation circles to transport people en masse from location to location, considering the existence of tomes being capable of such things?

Like any other mass-employed field of technology, the logistics and cost for that mattered a lot. But simply put, too many people using it could lead to unwanted problems and complications. Henceforth, it would only be used by Pathfinders, their guilds, and specific special organisations that reside within this world.

As for the two girls themselves, as well as Sebastian, they were nowhere near said commotion. They were actually presiding over the airport’s entrance, a few people that were there noticing them, some were even taking pictures because of Cecilia. But in any case, the group was awaiting for—

“Hmm…” The old butler contemplated, “It seems we have arrived several minutes earlier than expected, Your Majesty. Your personal fleet of carriages has yet to arrive.”

“I see, understandable.” Cecilia replied, before turning towards Marilyn, “Welp, any other things to talk about, dear Marilyn?”

“Umm….” The silver-eyed girl hummed for a bit, as she tried to think about any sort of topic they could inquire about together. She wouldn't want to abandon her friend for her own journey until she could depart for the palace, hence the sudden importance of this endeavour.

They could perhaps talk about the carriages of this world, under the guise of Marilyn being curious as to what kind of carriage Cecilia has as a princess. Though in truth, that would just be her being curious about the cars of this world in general, as she had never actually been on one before. Flying was just that effective to her.

From what she heard at least, they were silent, like those electric vehicles back in her world. They also produced no waste, as Essence could easily be recycled and refuelled cleanly with the right techniques the people of this world have developed.

“Ahh-!”

But as she would try to think so, a pair of arms suddenly wrapped around her, startling her.

“There you are, my favourite little baby sister~!” It was a familiar voice, it was—

“Helena, y-you know that I am your only sister, right?! You almost gave me a heart attack!” Marilyn retorted loudly, causing the older girl to smile and laugh.

“Sure sure~! Sorry about that.” Helena proceeded to mess with her sister's hair through her head pat, before moving onwards and facing the group directly in front.

“Sir Helena, you are on break?” Sebastian asked her.

“Yep! Well, kinda? I don't think you could consider five more minutes as a break, but I decided to stroll here due to boredom and all.”

“Uhuh…” Marilyn said quietly, before realising, “Oh, I almost forgot!”

“Hm?” And Helena paid attention to that call.

“My friends wanted to deliver their congratulations towards your inauguration as an actual knight, plus I do want to do that too.” She explained, “Sooo, congrats on the promotion, sister!”

And the emerald-eyed girl blinked, before snorting, her black hair startled a little by the sudden movement. “Really now? Pretty late huh?”

“Y-yeah…”

“Well, thanks for that! I appreciate it, even if it's way too outdated. I guess the academy really did occupy most of your time for you folks to think about that…”

“Yep, definitely the academy…” Marilyn would try to hide the fact that it was not the academy that made them busy, it was the Sanctioned Veil they've been chipping at for the past three months. The grind never stopped until that fight with the golem.

Nonetheless, Cecilia interrupted the flow of conversation, “Seems like you two are bonding quite well with each other…but congratulations on my part too, Sir Helena.”

The princess bowed gracefully for a brief moment, a small smile present upon her face. Helena blinked at that, but offered her a smile in return.

“Yep yep, appreciated also, princess.” She said, “You're still acting like a brat though?”

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“Tch-! You do know that you have the responsibility to maintain your manners around people like me, right…??”

Once again, if this was a cartoon, a visible red bulge would appear on Cecilia's forehead. As for Marilyn, she could only watch the two banter onwards.

“So? I’m on break, I don't have to!” Helena responded.

“H-helena, didn't you say that you disregard the five minutes as—”

Helena placed her index finger upon Marilyn's lips, “Shush, my lovely little sister, let me tease her for a bit.”

“Oop-!” Marilyn could do nothing but shut up after that. Weirdly enough, this was nostalgic for her.

“Hmm…” Sebastian could also only watch the two girls going at it.

“That's still breaking your code of maintaining honour towards your superiors! Even though I am not a knight I still know that!” Cecilia retorted.

Helena proceeded to fire back, “Haha, did you read a book about that? Man, what a nerd.”

“No, it was because I was surrounded by knights during childhood! Also don't call me that, it's offensive.” The princess pouted.

“...nerd.”

“You-!!” And that pout turned into brief rage. “You’re lucky I have other matters to attend to, I would've had you arrested otherwise, this is not the academy you know!”

“Ohohhh, scary~!” Helena laughed, “I wouldn't have teased you like this if I didn't know the rules, y’know? Getting arrested for calling the princess a brat isn't in the code of knights.”

“B-but, slander towards royals!”

“Outdated five years ago, replaced with a new law that relaxed the definition of it. I can still call you a brat and I would not get reprimanded, mostly scolded if Cassian is here.” Helena said, feeling a bit proud about herself there.

“Lia…” Marilyn suddenly called out to her friend, with a gentle voice one might add.

“Y-yes…?” Cecilia truly felt defeated by that, turning her head towards Marilyn with a soft tone to her voice.

“Maybe try to not be easily upset by these…? It was too childish of you.”

Cecilia looked at Marilyn for a bit, then back towards Helena, who had a jeering smile. Truly, she felt defeated by the battle of words here. Therefore she could only concede and sigh. “Fine, I apologise for the sudden anger.”

“Huh? No need to do that, princess.” Helena responded, “Just acknowledging that your subordinates can still criticise you like this is enough, I think. But sure, the apology was accepted.”

“And you…Helena.” Marilyn turned to face her older sister.

The black haired girl’s mood suddenly changed to that of fear, “Y-yes…?”

“Please don't rile her up like that. You do know the business she's about to go into, right?” Marilyn's tone was quite more serious as she said that. She was genuine.

“Hrk...y-yeah, I know that. Sorry. Should’ve not raise your emotions in a mood like this, right?” Helena said those words with a tone of remorse, she really did mess up for a bit there.

“T-that is correct.” Cecilia commented, crossing her arms. “But I’ll let you pass just this once. Fix your behaviour for times like these, please.” She continued.

Helena gave her a quick thumbs up, smiling, “Sure thing!”

And Marilyn smiled as the two made up after that banter they had. She really had to awaken her ‘twice older mental age’ mind to do just that.

It also impressed the butler quite a bit, as he was stroking his beard in a delightful contemplation. “My my, that was a rather interesting exchange…” He said, in a mostly neutral, thoughtful tone.

The four of them managed to settle down in terms of mood afterwards, no words said within those few moments. However—

“Ah, they have arrived.”

Sebastian commented with such words, as a fleet of black carriages, flying the flags of Albion and the royal family respectively upon their front fenders, arrived at the airport. The bystanders that saw their sudden arrival were quite perplexed, and stood on edge upon such commotion happening.

They eventually stopped shortly after their arrival, several of these vehicles opening their doors, revealing what seems to be armed men in white uniforms guarding the entire fleet. The middle carriage opened right in front of Cecilia herself, her personal vehicle.

Another man in a white knightly uniform, carrying a sword upon his hip, would step out of the front passenger seat of the car. Just from that context alone Marilyn could see that this man, like the rest, was a knight.

“Your Highness, your carriage has arrived.” He said, bowing, “But I see that you have arrived minutes earlier as well…”

“That won't be a problem, will I be briefed on the journey back to the palace?” She said to the man.

“Her Majesty Queen Marigold Lenore will call you along the way, Your Highness”

“Understood.”

The princess looked at Marilyn, and then Helena, “Well, I’d most likely not return for a while, at best tomorrow morning I’ll be back in the Royal Academy. This would be my farewell for now.” She said, a bit saddened, but her heart steeled itself.

“Right, just be careful, Lia.” Marilyn responded in kind.

“Make sure to not mess up whatever it's you’re doing, Your Highness. We're counting on you.” Helena also responded.

Cecilia nodded, and with a quick bow, she would then enter her carriage. The knight and butler also entered the vehicle, before its doors would then close in front of the two girls.

Eventually, the entire fleet departed under the signal the knights had given each other, prior to entering their respective vehicles. They left as quickly as they arrived, but now it was just the two of them left in the group. Even the crowds quickly dispersed.

“Well…that was definitely something.” Marilyn commented.

“What are you doing here, anyway? Shouldn't you be in class, sis?” Helena suddenly asked.

“Uhh, I have a free schedule today, so no.” Marilyn replied, “Plus, my staff broke and I also want to sell this loot I got. Professor Winston recommended that I head to the Gilded Tail if I want to do both effectively.”

“Riiight, that would mean I get to accompany you as I return to patrol!” Helena declared, happily even.

“You’re allowed to do that…?” Marilyn raised an eyebrow, a bit confused.

“Why not? It still counts as patrolling.”

Marilyn was a bit sceptical about that notion, “Uhuhhh…well, lead the way then, sister!” She shrugged it off.

Helena smiled widely, “You got it!”