A Welcome Fitting of Royalty

“Something’s different about this place.”

Zida looked around at the crowd of people gathered before him. Honorary flags were held up in pride, with an escort of elite guards paving the way for his group.

“The Southern Region has always been in strong support of the Adikos Empire’s ruling family,” Sina begged to reason. But Zida’s concerns laid not with the grand welcome they received, but elsewhere. Something about the look in their eyes felt… odd. A churning in his gut almost. Like an intuition of sorts.

“What’s this place exactly?” Toyo asked Sina.

“The Southern Region is the second most powerful district within the Adikos Empire. The previous liege of this land had suffered from negative chakra diffusion. Apparently after interacting with an artifact that was imbued with a failed script. While questions lingered on where the artifact came from, dealing with the effects that began to spread in his body like a rampant disease nearly killed him. The Sovereign sent his personal Ayur to save his life, and ever since then, the Southern Region has served the Adikos Empire with the utmost loyalty. Even years after the previous liege’s passing.”

“The Sovereign has his own personal Ayur?”

Sina gave Toyo a blank stare, when it finally came apparent to her that the Ayur in question that she was referring to had been herself.

“Oh…”

Toyo then shifted her questioning, focusing on whether Zida had a specific plan in mind, but Sina didn’t have much to say in response, as they were likely walking blind at this point, simply hoping to bump into something useful.

Upon arriving at the Southern Region’s Capital House, which much like the Royal Manor, served as both the seat of governance and the liege’s residence, the group was welcomed with a grand feast.

Toyo noted the culture of the Southern Region as feeling somewhat different than that of the Central Region or the other smaller villages they’d passed in and out of during their travel. It’s culture shared parallels to American customs, while its people were also more notably diverse than what she’d seen in the Central Region. What struck her the most, however, was the liege himself.

A young fit man who appeared barely any older than Zida. He had long braided hair and skin of bronze. His attire was muted, settling for a black turtleneck with a beige sash that hung from around his neck, falling over the front of his shoulders on either side. His pants resembled grey straight legged chinos with equally subtle black shoes. The one standout accessory being his gold wrist cuffs.

For someone of such high standing, his rather subdued appearance felt misplaced in a world seemingly so steeped in spectacle. But in a way, that same restraint somehow magnified his stature even further.

The banquet was no less impressive. Maids in matching uniform moved in perfect unison around the table. The dining hall itself was grand, and the presentation even grander. And then there was the sight to behold that was Daku and Nertu, who were so intent on cramming food into their mouths that Toyo began counting the seconds until their cheeks might burst open.

As the liege formally greeted the group, his commanding voice easily drew the room’s attention. Despite his apology for subjecting them to such a frivolous event, he didn’t pull any punches in his flattery of the royal family. His words of praise, and particularly the respects he paid to Sina were like listening to a poem from the mouth of a hummingbird. His only disappointment aimed at Zida for visiting so rarely.

“If I spent too much time here the walls would talk of how we conspire to send my father into early retirement,” Zida joked.

“Let them,” the Daim chanted playfully.

Toyo found herself feeling out of place. The glamour and stale air of high status unsuited for her preference of going unnoticed. It was in the face of crowds such as this one where Toyo began to empathize with Akari. Her beautiful appearance always drawing attention and well-crafted words of praise. It’s no wonder she rejected it so much, choosing to be as ignorant to it all as possible. As Toyo sat surrounded by people she still hardly knew, despite the past few days together, her yearning to see her friends again weighed on her heavily. If she could bask in Akari’s glowing smile once more, she would never waste another moment with complaints.

“I was told there’s a shopping district within the House’s grounds,” Daku chanted, suddenly standing up right with a piece of bread sticking out of her mouth.

“That’s not what we came here for,” Zida maligned, but Daku was adamant about making the most of her first time entering the Capital House of the Southern Region.

“Don’t say we when you’re the one who decided to go on a treasure hunt!”

“Who said you needed to tag along?!”

“As your leader I’m responsible for your safety, silver spoon!”

Clap, Clap!

As the sound permeating from his hands echoed throughout the room, everyone turned their attention towards Daim. “My, am I impressed to see that the Mu clan doesn’t fail to live up to its name.” He took a sip of his drink, before raising from his seat and steadily making his way towards Zida and Daku. “As entertaining as watching you two are, insolence towards the royal family won’t be tolerated here.” He placed his hand on each of their shoulders, trading glances with both of them. “There is a shopping district on the grounds, and yes you are free to go. Considerate on the House.” He then took a second look at Daku, her still chewing away at her dinner, “But please… be frugal.”

The liege then walked to the opposite shoulder of Zida, informing the rest of his guests that, “Zida and I have some things we should discuss in the meantime. I assume you don’t mind?”

Zida nodded his head, and upon standing from his seat, he turned to Sina and asked her to stay with Toyo.

Daku and Nertu sprung up in excitement, with Toyo struggling to tell whether their faces were overstuffed with food or joy. Despite Daku’s insolence, Toyo did appreciate her and her brother’s carefree personalities. With it being one of the only things that kept her grounded.

Toyo was reluctant to go, however, as for once she preferred to spend the rest of the day without the hustle. But Daku would drive a wrench in her plans, clasping her hand around the collar of Toyo’s shirt and dragging her along against her will. With defeat glazing her eyes, Toyo watched in despair as the dining hall stretched farther and farther away, and with it the prospect of finding a quiet corner to disappear into.

As the others departed for the shopping district, Zida and Daim made their way towards the House Main Hall, time slipping away on his opportunity to stifle the onset of chaos threatening the Adikos Empire.