Three days went by. It was now the day the Princesses would make their return. The preparations were all completed; tonight would be the start of the banquet celebrating their safe return.
The sunrise illuminated the open sky. The Kingdom of Watanabe was bustling with excitement. The news of the two Princesses returning spread around the kingdom like wildfire. Many of the citizens were all enthusiastic about their return.
The banquet was set to be held inside the royal palace, where only the most important figures were allowed to be in attendance.
The sound of birds chirping could be heard through the open window. Various sounds of people could also be heard outside as the princesses would be arriving in a few hours.
I lay comfortably on my bed, still fast asleep. The cold air drifts through the open window. Froze my feet; I gently wrapped my body with a warm blanket to shield me from the cold.
However, the cold air was enough to wake me up from my half sleep state, and with that, I slowly opened my eyes. The first thing I saw was the wide ceiling before me. I then slowly looked around my room. It was clean, and the interior was spacious. When I first came here, I remember I was too nervous to fall asleep.
It was my first time sleeping in a room as opulent as this. Not to mention the bed I was sleeping on was so massive that it could hold five people and still have more room, now that I have spent a few weeks here, I'm starting to get used to it, which once again made me uncomfortable. Could I be getting too comfortable, I wondered?
With a small yawn and a stretch of my hand, I slowly got up from my bed. Making my way towards my wardrobe to pick a suit of clothes. Since today is the day of the princess's arrival, I have no choice but to wear something appropriate for the occasion.
With that, I started going through a list of clothes. After going through the clothes that were in the wardrobe, I chose two different suits. First was the suit I was to wear upon their arrival in the morning, and then one I was to wear in the afternoon during the start of the banquet.
With that, it took me a few minutes to get fully dressed. I was now wearing a blue collarless shirt and black pants. While it was very stylish in appearance. It was also really easy to move around in.
(Since it was just the reunion of the princesses, there was no reason for me to dress too heavily. during the banquet, I'll have to go all out)
I thought with a tired face.
With that, I went to the bathroom to wash up.
***
After leaving the bathroom, I happened to bump into Princess Scarlett on my way out.
"Oh, hey, Princess."
I said in a slightly surprised voice.
"Haruto, good morning."
She said with a wide smile.
She was wearing a short pink skirt that reached her knees. Her red hair went straight down her back. I was surprised by her beauty. Even though I'm supposed to be used to it by now.
"G-Good morning, Princess."
I said nervously.
"You know you don't have to keep calling me Princess, you know? I'm fine with being called just by my name. Though it would be a bad move when we're with others, you don't have to when were alone."
She said with a slight frown.
"Oh, well then, if you don't mind, Scarlett."
I said with a somewhat shy smile.
The permission to call the second Princess by her first name is a huge honour. For the record, only someone high in status can have the privilege to call a princess by her name, and even then, that person would have had to have the princess's permission first. I'm surprised she would give me such a bestowal. However, it would be bad if anyone heard me call her by her name openly.
(I'm sure many would see it as an insult for a commoner like me with an unknown background to call her that)
With that thought in mind, I decided to be more careful of how I interact with Scarlett from here onwards.
"So, Scarlett, is it time for us to go now?"
"Yup, they should be here within the next few minutes."
She said with a bright smile pestered on her face.
Thus, we both made our way towards the main gate of the royal castle.
***
The right and left sides of the golden castle gate both opened. With knights standing on both sides. Every member of the royal family was present, starting from the King, who was standing before the castle's main entrance, the Queen was, of course, standing next to the King while stifling her excitement of seeing her daughters again. Princess Scarlett was standing on the right side of the King with a smile on her face, welcoming her sisters. I was standing with the lower rank nobles who were a few meters away from the royal family in the back, as it would be a bit awkward to stand with the royal family.
A few minutes later, a gorgeous horse-drawn carriage with the royal family crest came into view. The sounds of the carriage wheels gradually became louder. Until the carriage had reached the gate entrance. The knights all bowed promptly towards the carriage.
The reddish golden carriage door slowly opened as a butler who looked to be in his late 40s, wearing a black suit, came out of the carriage and held out his hand. His hand was then grasped gently by a young, beautiful girl with bright red hair and deep crimson eyes similar to Scarlett's; however, her demeanour was different, unlike the gentle Scarlett, her eyes were much fiercer and sharper. Her long red hair was tied into a ponytail from the back with a flower clip on the side of her hair. Her long yellow dress completely covered her feet. She seems to be in her late teens. Once she had stepped down, she did a light bow before her. She went to the side of the carriage to make room so that others could step down.
The butler then held out his hand once again, and it was grasped by a younger girl who seemed to be in her early teens. Just like the royal family. She had bright, silky red hair and deep crimson eyes. However, the innocence of a small child remained on her face; her conduct, however, was that of an experienced royalty. Once she had stepped out of the carriage, she did a light bow of her head.
"Welcome back, you two. I hope you had fun on your journey."
King Almous welcomes them back with open arms. He no longer looked like the King of the country; he now carries the air of a doting father.
"Yes, thank you for your kind words, Father. We had a wonderful time."
The girl with the ponytail said with a delighted smile on her face.
"I'm glad to see you two in good health. I'll be looking forward to hearing the stories of your life in Alberta."
Queen Annie said with a charming smile.
"Of course! I'll tell you everything that took place from start to finish."
The younger girl said enthusiastically.
They both then turn their attention to Scarlett, who was staring at them a small distance away.
"Welcome back, Hinata, Rachael."
Scarlett said as she made her way towards them. The two sisters smiled as they both hugged Scarlett from the front. It was a gleeful sight; the King and Queen both watched with the expression of a delighted parent. As for the nobles, they decided to watch from afar; no one had the audacity to interrupt the reunion between the royal sisters.
"Well, we should head back inside the royal palace now."
The King suggests. As it was still really early in the morning, the outside was still chilly.
"I agree, we still haven't had breakfast, so going back inside is best for now."
Thus, everyone then went back inside the royal palace. Their report was going to happen in the throne room as soon as possible, as the King was rather curious about the affairs of the Alberta Kingdom.
***
In the throne room, all members of the royal family were now present, and high-ranking nobles were also present. The King took up the first seat, while on the right, the Queen took up the second one. The first princess, Hinata, took the third seat next to her, while Scarlett took the fourth seat. Princess Rachael took up the fifth seat.
As for the nobles, the higher rank stands at the front while the lower rank stands at the back. Another meeting was taking place; however, the room was filled with tension as every member of the royal family was now present.
"Now then, this meeting will commence!"
The King declared loudly.