Mid Morning - Early Winter : Kingdom of Kaelallan

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*rumble* It was a beautiful morning to fly, with the sunrise causing the snow just above the clouds to glisten. With such dense white clouds as well, it looked like a winter wonderland where everything was covered in snow.

But I didn’t have too long to enjoy it since I rapidly started approaching Kaelallan’s capital. -This should be close enough…-

Finally deciding to descend below the clouds, I dove down and quickly came out of the bottom, but it was a bit hard to tell.

The snow was so thick, I could barely see anything, but thankfully, I happened to know exactly where I was in relation to the city.

Continuing forward more carefully this time, I eventually found the draft blowing up the side of the palace, lowered myself closer to the ground, and finally changed forms. -Wow, dragons have some insane memory…-

*puff-thump* Gently landing in the several centimeters of snow that covered the courtyard, I set down Ilios and started making my way to the palace entrance.

*Click-fwooosh* A strong breeze blew through the door the moment I opened it, immediately grabbing the attention of a nearby maid.

*tap-tap-tap-tap* Quickly running over, she politely bowed in front of me. "What can I help you with, Sir Whyte?"

Quickly brushing off the snow clinging to my clothes, I checked for auras but didn’t notice anything I was looking for. "Do you know where the king or queen is?"

"His highness is currently in the relay city of Zan, and her highness is in her office." (Kingdom of Zans old Capital is the relay city)

"Sweet, thanks."

Promptly continuing down the hall, I got some odd looks from the surrounding maids and butlers, but it was nothing too unusual. -I think I’d be more surprised if there was no reaction…-

Eventually winding my way down several hallways and making it to her office, I lightly knocked and walked in. *knock-knock*

"Who is i-"

*Click* "It’s been a while. Have you been well?" Although Father had visited several times over the last six months, I hadn’t at all.

"Vasilias!" Helen immediately hopped up and ran over to give me a hug. "Kaelallan has never been so prosperous, and it’s all thanks to you!"

Her hug was tight, but I didn't seem to mind it. "That’s good to hear. I was originally just planning to swing by and pick up Maria, but it might be good for me to catch up on the news too." I idly glanced at the pile of paper on her desk. "Did anything major happen?"

"Just a lot of small things. Nothing too significant." Noticing where I was looking, she glanced back at the desk. "We recruited several new Nation ranks with the absorption of Zan and Byria, and giving people nobility is no easy task…"

-Understandably so…- "How about Lawton? What has he been up to?"

"He’s been doing well. After he suppressed the dungeon to the east, he went with Oliver to Zan so you would have to go there if you need him for something. Other than that, he has been holding up well."

"Good to hear. Is Lucy still in school?"

"Haha, yes. Most people in the academy do not know she is the princess still, but she is still treated like one. She is honestly a people magnet."

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"Sounds like the aura of a queen is in her aura, huh."

"Haha!" *knock-knock* Her hardy laugh was cut a bit short. "Who is it?"

"It is me, Miss." Martha’s voice quickly came through the door.

"If it isn’t urgent, could you give us a moment?"

Seeing her about to send Martha away, I spoke up. "Can you bring Maria over when you get a chance as well? I have come to pick her up."

There was a short pause as if she didn’t immediately recognize my voice. "Right away, Young Lord."

*tap-tap-tap-tap* Her footsteps slowly became distant as she walked down the hallway, but it left us in silence.

But eventually, Helen spoke up again. "I heard you were moving."

-Did Father tell her?- "Yeah, we are going to our proper home. We will probably be there for a while."

"Sounds exciting! I hope things go smoothly for you."

"Haha, hopefully." Helen's genuine smile quickly spread to me as we continued to talk for several more minutes.

But eventually, Martha returned.

*knock-knock* "I have returned With Maria, Young Lord."

-Hm? Oh…- "Alright, I will be out in a moment." Quickly turning back to Helen, I slowly stood up from the couch. "Well, it seems like it’s time for me to head off again. Sorry I can’t stay and talk more."

Slowly getting up, she straightened up her posture and gave me another motherly hug. "Don’t worry about it, I just wanted to express my thanks for everything you have done for us. In any case, thank you for coming! Tell your mother I said hi."

"Haha, I will. I’ll try to visit again sometime soon."

"Alright, don't worry if you can’t, just remember that you will always be welcome here!"

Giving one final wave, I made my way out of the office and gently closed the door behind me. *click*

But as I turned around, I was met with a familiar face giving me a formal-looking bow. -She looks quite natural now…-

Martha was quick to give me the rundown. "She is still a little clumsy and rough around the edges but she should have a strong enough foundation to be able to improve on her own now."

"Nice!" I immediately turned to Maria with a smile. "So, how do you feel?"

She lifted her head slightly but didn't come out of a bow. "I feel great, M..master..."

"Just call me lord." -Master doesn’t feel right…- "In any case, you can relax a bit now." Turning back to Martha I politely nodded, so as to not show too much courtesy. "Thank you for training her on such short notice."

"It was my pleasure. Your wish is my command."

-She really is a good maid…- "In any case, I will get out of your hair and let you get back to what you were doing. Please have a good day."

After seeing her lower her head, I finally had Maria follow me and started making my way out of the palace.

I did start some small talk though. "How did you like your training?"

"It was.. Nice…" She reluctantly glanced back as we turned onto a different hallway. "T..thank you…"

-Hm?- "What are you thanking me for?"

"For uhm.. letting me live and not selling me as a slave…"

I slowed my walk to turn to her with a look of disbelief. "You really did change quite a bit…" -Her arrogance is completely gone…-

But she just tensed up, not quite realizing what I meant. "I-is that a bad thing?"

"Haha, no, not at all. Your new temperament is actually much better."

Her expression turned conflicted for a moment before she averted her eyes. "So.. where are we going?"

"Home, first. But before we leave, is there anything you want from Kaelallan?"

Her expression immediately darkened. "N..no… I do not."

-That’s a lie…- "Are you sure?"

She looked up at the ceiling before putting on a smile. "Hooh… Yes, my Lord."

-Seems like she’s over whatever it was…- "In that case, I'll pick up the pace."

She stared at me with wide eyes as I picked her up like she weighed nothing.

"Ilios, I'll let you on when we get in the forest, alright?"

"Woof!

Jumping up onto a close rooftop, I dashed toward the edge of the city and eventually made it to the wall.

-I can probably make it…- "Hyup!" *fwoosh*

Managing to cleanly jump over the wall, I quickly landed on the other side and started dashing toward the forest, quite a ways from the city.

But I didn’t have to go that far, after running for a few hundred meters, the walls disappeared in the snow, and I finally went to set Maria down.

But her face was flushed red.

*puff* -Hm? Are halfies this susceptible to the cold in their human forms?-