A couple of days later, with all preparations finished, Yamato, Yuki, Pheobe and Petrisha entered their carriage. A special kind, reinforced with all sorts of magical defenses and comfort, of course. Though visually it was also designed to shine, the black wood of the base being reinforced with gold wherever possible. As to the degree of protection, one would not even notice if it rained outside, or if it was hit by a meteorite. But most importantly, the road felt as even as can be. Though Petrisha felt little of that, as she drove the carriage from a not so magically optimized seat. Arguably flawed design, though Yuki could fix it this if she wanted. Which, of course she did not, since the dirver was only Petrisha.
"Are you excited, Pheobe~?"
"Pheobe is very excited! But she will behave, like a grown up!"
"Very good… Y'know, you're basically a princess! People might come to you with all sorts of offers, so it is important to stay polite and think carefully before responding! Though it is best if you stay near either of us or Trishy at all times, and listen to us!"
"Pheobe understands! But she has a question…"
"Ask away!"
"If Pheobe is supposed to behave, why doesn't mommy have to behave like a grown up…?"
"What do you mean, mommy always behaves like a grown up!"
"Really? But isn't she acting lazy right now?"
Pheobe looked at Yuki, who was indeed in a not so mature looking position. Lying on her side on the seat, with her head in Yamato's lap and her sparkly white dress, though beautiful, not fitting her posture at all. She did manage to look somewhat serious when talking to Pheobe, but that illusion only worked when one would go lying down on their side as well, to level with her and match her perspective.
"Nonsense~ Mommy is just resting, and you are free to do so as well, of course! But only as long as we are still traveling. Once we arrive, you'll have to drop that like mommy is gonna do as well!"
"But there's no space on daddy's lap for Pheobe to rest as well…"
"Yeah, that sucks for you, huh… You just go practice being grown up right now, and time will fly by in no time!"
"Okay! Pheobe will be the best grown up!"
Stopping the head pats Yuki had enjoyed throughout the conversation so far, Yamato moved his gaze from outside the window onto Yuki.
"Being called out to be lazy by the incarnation of sloth and still managing to act as though you are teaching her something is a new low, boo…"
"I am teaching her something! Sometimes space is limited and those who endure in lesser comfort will be the ones being the most mature and best grown ups later!"
"Really, is that true!? Pheobe will be the best and most mature!?"
"Sure!"
"No, Pheobe, you can also come rest on my lap, if you want. You will be able to act just as mature later on, I promise. Yuki, you get up. You can lean against my shoulder if you want to instead."
"Fine… Pheobe, your grown up training is paused for now, because you did so great until now!"
"Yay, Pheobe did well!"
Pheobe jumped off her seat, and went to the space to Yamato's right, while Yuki sat up straight and leaned against him on his left. It was designed for three people on each side anyway, so two sitting and a child lying down with her head in the middle was not even cramped, as long as Pheobe did not completely stretch out. After securing her spot, Pheobe immediately fell asleep and remained so throughout the entire trip. Arriving at the familiar mansion, Elara's wealth once again became apparent as they could not help but admire the architecture, despite having been here already once. Except Pheobe, of course.
"Wooow, Pheobe's impressed by the many expensive looking things!"
"Yeah… But nothing against home, right~?"
"Pheobe likes home best!"
"That's right! My Absolute Citadel remains the pinnacle of architectural achievement~!"
"Mistress Yuki, would you like me to take a look around the area first, before going inside?"
"That won't be necessary. But good girl!"
"Yes, misses maid, good girl!"
Pheobe prompted Petrisha to lower her head by jumping up to try and reach and pat it. The first head pats Petrisha had received in her life, and she chose to cherish them for ever. Her young lady Pheobe was truly the pinnacle of kindness and innocence, though, Pheobe had no real idea what she was praising Petrisha for, and just repeated what Yuki said and did what Yamato did when praising.
Arriving at the gate, they were stopped by a butler of the Luminara household. Yamato still remembered him serving drinks from last time, though they never spoke directly.
"Names, please?"
"Yamato Tasumaki."
"Yuki Hikari."
"Ah, yes, we have been expecting you. If you would follow me this way, please?"
As he was about to turn around and lead the way, Pheobe ran up to him and looked up with big eyes.
"Pheobe's name is Pheobe!"
"…That's very good, young Lady Pheobe."
He then walked inside, while Pheobe grabbed onto Yuki's hand as they all followed him. By the increased amount of stairs they had to climb, it became obvious that they would not be at the same floor that they had been last time. Though, the fact that there were multiple floors for different kinds of events was not all that surprising, given the size of the building. But visually, there was not much of a difference. Marble floors, paintings and statues, whatever filled and decorated the space, alongside the large amount of people already present. Upon entering the main hall, many but not all eyes locked onto them. Yuki's beauty, as eye catching as always. Though Yamato was not without looks either, and got his fair shares of glances. Lucky for then, this was a public event, otherwise Yuki would have had a few things to say and do about that. The butler interrupted a conversation to announce their arrival to one of the men, who then walked over to them.
"Thank you, Sebastian. Please go back down and welcome our other guests."
"Yes, of course, Sir."
"Now, I welcome you, your highnesses, it is truly an honor to—… Wait, forgive me for the question, but did you two not go to school with my daughter Elara?"
"Why, you have good memory, Mister Luminara. We did in fact go to the Magic Academy, and were in the same class as Elara. I hope she is doing well."
"Yes she is, but I'm sorry to inform you that there must have been a mistake then… Because my invitation was addressed to the Emperor of the Absolute Empire. There must have been a mix up then, since you two seem to share the same name. But since you're already here, please feel free to stay and enjoy the event."
"That's very generous of you, thank you very much. But there has not been a mix up."
"I don't think I follow?"
"Well, we did visit the Magic Academy briefly. But we are no longer students there, and have not been for quite some time now. I am currently Emperor of the Absolute Empire, which you addressed."
"And I am the head of the Absolute Church, of the Absolute Empire. So nice to be here again, I very much enjoyed my last visit."
"And Pheobe's name is Pheobe!"
"Yes, and that's our daughter, Pheobe."
"I-I see… I believe I understand it now. I apologize for my confusion. In any case, I welcome you and as host, hope you find everything to your liking. Later on, there will be a quieter session for you to hold discussions as you see fit. Until then, please don't hesitate to ask any of the personnel for anything. Now, if you would excuse me, I will go greet my other guests."
"Thank you again."
After he had left, Yuki got her glass of champagne, like she had wanted to earlier. Looking indeed like an empress as she sipped on the drink of which the alcohol had no effect on her whatsoever.
"Go on, Pheobe, try to make new friends. Mommy's rooting for you~!"
"Okay! Phoebe will go find friends!"
"Trishy…"
"Yes, of course, Mistress."
As Pheobe confidently walked into the masses, in search of other children, Petrisha followed her closely. So now it was just Yamato and Yuki.
"Boo, what are we thinking of this charming event?"
"It doesn't feel like what was described in the letter. Though, he did say we'd have a private session afterwards, why not start with that right away?"
"Yup, super sketchy! But more importantly, hey have little crackers in form of hats and rabbits, look!"
Yuki handed him a small hand full of said crackers, which she had mysteriously acquired even though Yamato only saw her get a glass of champagne and nothing else.
"When did you get those…"
"Who cares, aren't they adorable? Wanna say aaah for me~?"
"…Maybe later when we're alone…"
"Mhm, fine~"
"Excuse me, but do you have a moment?"
One of the nobles chose to approach Yuki, which seemed to have moved many more to follow. Both women and men, seperated Yamato and Yuki as they swarmed each, ruining Yuki's mood as well as testing her patience.
"I could not help but notice your extraordinary beauty, and that I have never seen you here before. If you'd like, I would gladly introduce you around?"
"…No, thank you."
"Really? But I could not help but notice you standing here all by yourself, and I can't bring myself to leave you like that."
"Wasn't on my own, buddy."
"U-uhm… Were you not?"
"…What's your name?"
"Tobias, pleased to make your acquaintance!"
"Tobias… Where do you come from?"
"From the east, a kingdom called—"
"—Yeah, okay, bye."
Yuki turned around, her cold forming an exit in the crowd around her, straight to Yamato.
"And where are you from? Your dress caught my attention right away, surely where you come from there are other things as remarkable as this?", Yamato said one of the women that had approached him.
"Ah, please, I'm blushing… You look so young, what's your secret?"
"Hey, you, get lost.", Yuki coldly said to the woman Yamato appeared to be flirting with.
"E-excuse me?"
"Urgh, slow as well…"
Yuki shoved her aside and grabbed Yamato out. But not before pausing and looking back at the flabbergasted woman.
"…The dress isn't even special. Floozie."
Then she left with Yamato without looking back, going out of the entrance area and deeper into the room, staying near the windows before eventually coming to a stop at a relatively quiet spot.
"Stop that, boo!"
"What? We have to get to know the people here, otherwise we really could have just sent a representative."
"Well, you're gonna have to do it differently from whatever that was. And I swear if another guy offers to introduce me around!"
"Isn't that a good thing? You can use them to get into a conversation. You don't have to engage any further with them after that."
"If you make me do that then a chandelier is gonna drop from the ceiling and crush at least six people, and I'm gonna make sure whoever "introduced me" will be among them. And I am going to kill that woman from earlier. Also, thoughts on expanding east next?"
"Okay, I get it… And why east?"
"No reason…"
"I guess…? I can't tell you that off the top of my head. The Naru Empire is in the south, and would be my next choice though…"
"Well, after that, know I want east."
"I'm gonna keep it in mind…?"
"Yay~"
She gave him a kiss on the cheek, then deciding she wanted one on the lips before getting more crackers. Pheobe on the other hand had not found anyone yet, still wandering around the crowd.
"Misses Maid, activate your secret children finding magic!"
"I'm… Sorry, I don't have that…? That'd be a weird kind of magic to have, miss Pheobe…"
"Then we will have to improvise!"
"Of course. I'm all ears, miss Pheobe."
"Pheobe's plan is to have you come up with something!"
"…Of course, miss Pheobe. I will think of something right away."