A week passes.

“Are you ready yet?” The princess asked. “Almost!” Lacos shouted back. Sarine stemmed her hands into her hips. A week had passed, preparations were made, talks held, letters written. She had been crowned too. Both Sarine and her uncle had agreed on a small ceremony in the circle of the most influential nobles and priests. The news of their agreement had been met with overwhelmingly good responses, but one could never be sure what extremists would do.

The princess couldn’t wait to leave the capital either and stood in front of her carriage tapping her foot as she looked up at Lacos who in turn looked down from the window on the second floor. “Reiline I think the princess is about to fire me.” Lacos said in a slightly miserable voice.

“Well, tell her to help me then!” Reiline groaned as she pulled at the bundle that was her luggage. “What even is in there?” Lacos asked as he tried to help her. The bundle was so heavy he barely could lift it of the ground and after three steps he had to drop it again. “My stone collection!” Lacos was aghast. “Are you serious?” “NO!” Reiline returned, “Of course not, these are books. I need something to do besides looking at the countryside.”

“A great idea but I don’t think we can take that many with us.” Lacos admitted, “Can you take three or so and then we just go?” Reiline sighed. “I guess…” She picked three books at random and then walked off. “Are you coming?” “Are you just going to leave that there?” Lacos asked as he followed. “Lazy fuckers can at least do one thing for me after all the comments I had to live through the past days.” Reiline said.

“When was the wedding? Time for honeymoon already? Oh! I hope Lacos cures you of your foul mouth.” Reline cursed “Wankers, all of them.” Lacos just chuckled. “We can’t all be such balanced individuals as you are.” “We also can’t all be on time it seems.” Sarine said, her face bleatingly stating her disapproval. Stef at her side had a very similar expression. “I am tempted to just leave you here, Reiline, you seem to be a bad influence on my advisor.”

Reiline became a bit pale. “Please don’t, Princess.” She said, “I really want to come with you.” “And I really want to see my parents.” Sarine returned. “Don’t treat this like a trip for your amusement, this is for Falbrein.” The princess walked to her carriage, Stef in toe.

Reiline stood there, confused and a bit afraid. “She will get over it.” Lacos tried to calm her down. “Let’s just get into the carriage.”