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DevilDarkness#0506

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After the first awkward day and the eventful afternoon where Rio had to talk with king Maximus, came the evening when the kids were planning to visit the Haven city.

The children of the royal family and the Blake family eagerly awaited their visit to the capital city of Haven. According to Royal guards that would accompany them, they would first visit all the famous places and every fun activity that has been prepared in regards to their enjoyment.

As the capital, Haven was already a sight to behold, but due to the princess's birthday celebration the environment around the city was even more lively. Guests and envoys from around the capital have come to take part in the celebrations and it all only added stars to this already magnificent city.

Excitement filled the air, especially for Amelia, who couldn't contain her enthusiasm for indulging in all the delectable sweets the city had to offer. She had even prepared a list of must-try treats, which she proudly displayed to her brother. Meanwhile, Rebecca, who shared in the anticipation of exploring the city and showing off her following & celebrating her upcoming birthday, seemed distant and lost in her thoughts. Alfred, noticing his sister's uncharacteristic silence, which was hard to miss as ever since yesterday it was the only time he saw her being silent and spaced out, attempted to engage her in conversation.

"Hey, Rebecca. What's on your mind? Are you thinking about where we'll go first?"

Rebecca, her gaze still fixed on the floor, sighed softly before responding.

"Brother, do you think I'm still a child?""Aren't you?"

Alfred, a little surprised by what she said, still responded in a joking manner, only to see Rebecca's expression further turning dark. Seeing her brother misunderstood, Rebecca explained what she meant.

"No, not like that. Do you think I'm dumb."

Alfred, a little concerned, asked her back. "Did someone bully you?"

"No, just answer me. Will you?" Seeing her brother only acting big, but not answering her, only agitated Rebecca.

"Of course not. You're the smartest girl. Don't those Royal teachers always praise you? You even get more marks than me. How can you be stupid." Alfred offered some reassurance and asked his doubts again "Now tell me, why are you even asking me this silly question. Did someone say anything to you?"

Hearing his words Rebecca glanced at where Amelia and Rio were chatting happily, but then shook her head and said "I was just_ nothing.."

Though a little doubtful Alfred didn't raise any more questions since she didn't want to say anything. He just assumed it was due to all the news about her birthday and then yesterday night that engagement discussion, must've tired her out. Father never listens to anyone and he knew better than to speak against him, so he kept quiet when the topic started.

"Well, remember we're going to have fun and enjoy ourselves today. So just forget everything and relax. Is there something specific bothering you?"

Rebecca hesitated for a moment before finally speaking up. "It's just... I can't help it. So much is happening, and everyone's saying different things and it's just too much_"I think you should take a look at

Alfred, understanding her worries, tried to reassure her with a smile. "Don't worry too much. Everything will be amazing. Father and mother are here, and Amelia too. You will have a fantastic birthday party, and as for other things, they are not going to happen in a day or two, so don't think about them and leave it to our parents."

As the siblings conversed, preparations for their departure were complete. Rebecca's maid came forward and bowed to Alfred. "Your highness, everything is prepared. We can leave whenever you wish."

Alfred looked around and saw guards standing at their positions in straight lines, the captain was still giving them some instructions or so it seemed.magic

Besides them were the carriages prepared for the kids to depart in. The Royal Family had many cars and other vehicles at their disposal but since the children wanted to roam around the city and enjoy the environment, carriages which were slow and had more space became the ideal choice.

The carriages were true works of art, exuding the vibe of fantasy and nobility, the designs setting them apart from the ordinary. Whoever made them had poured their skills into every detail, ensuring that they captured the essence of royalty.

The carriages, with their intricate designs and embellishments, reflected the grandeur of the royal family. The blend of rich colors, including deep reds and royal blues, added to their majestic appearance.

However, what truly made these carriages exceptional were the horses attached to them. These were not ordinary animal horses but mana beasts, creatures that had undergone a transformation by absorbing mana. Through careful training and taming techniques, these horses had been elevated to a new level of species, which had higher speed and intelligence compared to ordinary animals.

Mana beasts were akin to humans in their ability to absorb mana crystals and potions, enhancing their natural attributes. The techniques to do that were only known to people with higher standing in the world.

In Schilla, apart from nobility and some guilds which were known for beast taming talents, no one had the opportunity to learn these skills. If anyone did try to feed mana to normal animals forcefully the wrong way, they would either end up killing the animal cause their body couldn't handle the outside energy, or the beast in that animal would go berserk and you would be the one getting killed.

The horses here in particular, had been selectively chosen, bred and subjected to mana infusion, resulting in their heightened speed, endurance, and intelligence. The horses were capable of understanding commands with greater clarity, making them ideal for transporting people with safety and style of course.

The carriages themselves were equipped with advanced magical formations and runes, making them not only visually stunning but also sturdy and secure. The materials used, though appearing ordinary from outside, possessed extraordinary resilience. The carriages could withstand powerful blows, even from limit rank awakened without showing a single dent or scratch. The roofs and windows were made transparent from within, allowing those inside to enjoy the view, while from the outside, they displayed the Royal Family's emblem, providing a sense of exclusivity and privacy.

The intricate formations embedded within the carriages served multiple purposes. They provided protection against magical attacks, enhanced structural integrity, and even offered a smooth and comfortable ride. Runes intertwined throughout the surface, ensuring stability, warding off unwanted energies, and creating a harmonious atmosphere for the occupants.

"Come, let's go." Alfred said to Rebecca and started walking towards the carriages. He glanced at the people standing near the horses, it looked like they were talking to those animals. While the horses kept neighing and pawing the ground in response.

With a sense of anticipation for all the festivities he'll see and all the fun activities he would take part in, Alfred moved forward, pulling his sister with him.

Just as everyone was about to leave and climb into their carriage, Rio suddenly halted their progress, causing confusion among the group. "Master, did you forget something?" Esme asked.

"Not something, someone. Wait, he'll be here soon."

Everyone looked at him with puzzled eyes wondering who he was talking about. And their questions were answered as they saw someone coming towards them running in a hurry, it was Bernhardt. The unwanted son of the king and the commoner.

"Burnhard" Alfred muttered with a frown marred his face, as he watched the new boy coming towards them.

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A/N - what's with our little princess, any idea why she's into stress now?