Royal Guard

” Sh*t ”

”Don cuss father ” Thalia disapproved of such behaviour.

” Sorry ” the father apologised.

”Father lets hurry before its too late and or else we will be forced to spend our night in Rhysend ” Ambrose reminded the father

”Yes yes ” Elmer responded.

He took both of his children by their hands and started running through the city.

____________________________

” Huff Huff ”

Elmer was panting heavily so were his children.

After running for a while he realised that both of his children didn have his stamina and they were lagging behind him.

So he had to tug them in his lap and start running at his max speed.

Running at this speed while carrying two extra weights was too much for this 40-year-old.

”Huff huff….how much…huff…for….huff… ride…huff…back? ”

”2 silver per person ” the ferryman answered straight-faced.

” Huff…..what?! It was 1 silver per person in the morning ”

” Yes but the return trip is reserved for ticket holders others pay extra ”

” Ticket holders? ”

” Ticket that allows one to travel in the ferries ”

” What I didn know about such a system ”

”Enquire on the port office if you want to know more about it ”

Elmer looked at the ferryman with sorrowful eyes but he didn budge.

Defeated Elmer had to pay 6 silver coins to board the ferry.

___________________________

” Lanceret!!Lanceret!!Lanceret!! Off the board Lanceret!! ” the ferryman shouted.

The Michaund trio got off the ferry and made their way to the shorelines as it was faster through that way to Hillskeep than through the main city.

”Aah ” as if remembering something the steps of Elmer halted.

He jolted back to the port and searched for the ferry office.

” Hello, how can I help? ” said a bored-faced man.

” I was trying to enquire about the ferry tickets ”

” But it was the trip here so buying any tickets won help you ”

” No no, I was asking whats the difference between using a ticket and giving money directly to the ferryman ”

” The tickets come in a variety like monthly ones, weekly ones and daily ones. With validity monthly one having one month, weekly one a week and the daily one for single use on that day ”

”The tickets can be used for one complete trip in a day for monthly one with 15 silvers, weekly 6 silvers and 2 silvers for the daily ones ”

”So I could have saved only 1 silver by using the ticket ”

” Yes but if you buy more tickets you can get a discount ”

” Like? ”

” Like a family of three can buy three tickets for 4 silvers ”

”What?! ” this revelation baffled Elmer.

”So I was ripped!!! ”

”Sir, take your rage out somewhere else its already closing time ”

” What?! ”

” Its already night sir and I have to go, home sir ”

”Ok-Okay ”

Saying so, Elmer came back with drooped shoulders towards his children.

” Father its already late and Im also feeling hungry ” Thalia urged.

” Yeah me too ” Ambrose joined.

” Okay lets hurry ”

The Michaund trio started making their way to Hillskeep.

As they moved under the light of the moon a shout was heard.

” Stop!! ”

Everyone stopped on their feet.

A soldier with leather armour and a spear in his hands came into their view.

”Identify yourselves ”

” Elmer Michaund, current Royal Officer of the Lanceret region ”

Saying this Elmer passed a card to the man.

The soldier took the card and put his mana in it.

The card glowed.

The soldier gave back the card and deeply bowed to Elmer.

” You may leave, Sir ”

Elmer while putting the card in his suit asked the soldier.

” When I used this route during daytime why was no one guarding it? ”

”Sorry Sir, there was a mishap today so our squad arrived a little late. I promise sir such things will not happen anymore ”

The soldier replied in a crying-apologetic tone.

” No no, I was just curious Im not blaming you guys or something ”

” Thank you, sir ”

A look of relief appeared on the soldiers face.

After talking with the soldier about a few more things Elmer and his children made their way toward the villa.

___________________________

” Darling we were a little late ”

A frightened Elmer said.

In front of him was the incarnation of war, death and fear, Samantha Michaund.

Samantha glared through her husbands soul sending shivers through the mans body.

” Darling, please don be angry, we had to search the whole city to find a shop which sells potion equipments ” said Elmer.

” Also the ferry overcharged us and I have to search for different boats ” lied Elmer.

” Yes mother and we were confused between different sets that were presented ”

” Yes mother I also bought a new suit ”

Thalia and Ambrose supported their father.

Looking at the children Samanthas anger eased a little.

” Ok, wheres the set? ” Samantha enquired.

” It will be delivered a few days later ”

”It will be delivered?! ”

” Honey I know its expensive but such sets are usually delivered and set up by the workshop people ”

”Hmm ”

Samanthas anger refused to quell.

But she forced herself to look at her children and asked

” Lets see your dresses ”

”Th-That will also be delivered alongside the set ”

Elmer replied meekly.

Samantha was glaring daggers now at her husband.

” Elmer Michaund not only did you arrive late at night but also with ruined dresses and after being ripped at the ferry you still left the dresses for delivery? Do they also need workshop people, huh? ”

”N-No ”

”Elmer Michaund we need to talk ”

Elmer moved meekly behind Samantha and before leaving the hall Samantha stopped.

Looked at the children and said

” Ah, your uncle gonna visit us in a week ”

___________________________

One week passed, and Ambrose was doing as usual waking up and having food, strolling through the hills of Hillskeep alongside his guards.

Many things happened during the week, a group of people came with the set and set it up.

They also brought a few books on potions as goodwill from the merchantry.

The new dresses were delivered.

Winston raged as everyone forgot about the cheap mana stones.

As Ambrose was exploring the hills he felt something.

He immediately started running towards the villa with his guards behind him.

When he reached the entrance of the villa he saw a carriage rushing at the foot of the hill only to use the well-cemented zigzag road to go up the hill.

He knew it. His uncle has arrived.

He immediately rushed inside the villa and went up to his room.

He put off his dress and used the crystal attached to the bathtub to fill it up.

He took the bottle of chemicals full of floral scent and put a few drops in the bath.

After a short bath, Ambrose got out of the bathroom and started rummaging through the dresses.

He took one of the good-looking dresses and put it on.

Then he made his way to the hall only to find that the guests have already arrived engaged in talking with his mother.

But his arrival was noticed by his uncle who turned to look at him.

” Hello, My little Royal Guard ”

He was greeted by his uncle Viscount Cynehard Boltone.

”Hello, little puffball ”

A red-haired woman who was his Aunt Karina Boltone greeted him also.

” Hello ”

Ambrose ran to his uncle while replying to both of them.

”How are you doing in this new place? ”

” Its pretty fun ”

” Have you taken admission to Secondary Education? ”

” No, Mother said I will start next week ”

” Good good ”

” Ambrose your aunty missed you ” Karina said.

”Me too ” Ambrose giggled.

”Ah…Wheres Johnathan? ” Ambrose asked.

Cynehard and Karina had everything their families were powerful they were rich nobles but only one thing was missing, a child, even after many years of marriage they were childless which saddened them but was quickly coped with due to the presence of little angels of Michaund Family.

But after many years they were at last blessed with their child. His name was Johnathan Boltone.

” You see he is busy with Primary Education so we left him at home for a week ” Karina answered.

” So how about we start playing tag before having lunch ” Karina suggested.

” Calm down Karina you are already 35 you
e getting old ”

” Sister what do mean by that, 35 is the beginning of youth ”

Karina and Samantha were on close terms as Karina used to play Ambrose and Thalia all the time, before the birth of her child, when they were in the capital.

When they were having their banter.

Ambrose asked ” Uncle did father got yu two from the capital ”

” No, why ask? ”

” So why his escort knights alongside your carriage? ”

” Oh, no before entering the City I had to visit Marquee and coincidently your father was also there so we made Villa back with him ”

”Ok ”

” I talked with your carriage man and the knights and asked the stationed soldier of Hillskeep if they had a spare room for the Knights and could let them stay for a few days but if you want I can arrange a room for the knights in the villa if even though it will be a little crowded when compared to soldiers quarter ”

Elmer entered the hall as he said.

” Oh no, we will take our leave tomorrow morning so no need to trouble yourself ” Cynehard replied.

” What?! Brother, you just came here the sun is already over our head and you gonna leave tomorrow morning its not even a whole day. Look the children are gonna be unhappy ” Samantha asked as surprised by his short stay.

” Sister please we left Johnathan alone at home. And you already know it takes three days to travel from the Capital to here ” Karina replied.

” You should have brought him here with you guys ”

” We wanted to but he recently joined Primary Education and is very busy with the schedules. We asked him to not be so hard on himself but he keeps studying like theres no tomorrow ”

As Karina was recounting events taken before their visit Cynehard interjected.

” Okay, Karina we will talk about our sons later first lets move to a comfortable place like in the guest room. I don want to talk while standing in the main hall ”

” Right ”

”Ambrose, can you go and inform your brother and sister that Aunt and uncle came? ”Samantha asked

” Yes ”

” Thanks and Karina lets move to the guest room and tell me what type of tea both of you want. I have asked the cook to bake different types of desserts we will talk over the tea ”

”Sure sister as for the tea ”

Samantha and Karina walked behind them their husbands as Ambrose made his way to the upper floor to inform his brother and sister.