She Belongs To The Devil

Almost everyone in the Wyverndale Palace was awake very early in the morning of the day of the travel.

Adeline had ordered seven of the carriages to be prepared. Five for each of the Prince and Princess, and two for the food provisions for the road.

The coachmen were busy readying the horses and making sure the carriages were neat and tidy. The servants were busy loading the luggage in the carriages.

All the Princes and Princesses were having an early morning breakfast so that they wouldn't feel hungry as soon as they hit the road.

Kenneth was explaining a few things to Ariel and her cousins before they all set out. "We will have to travel by road for two days. We will reach the port of Aberdeen in the third morning. My ship is docked there. It might take an hour or two to load all the food grains and our luggage on the ship. And after that, we will sail for three days.

We shall reach the port of Brenalia in the evening of the fifth day."

"Will we stop at the Enchanted Valley?" Niylah asked in a soft voice. She wanted to know if she would be seeing Silvia, daughter of Wulfric, and her other relatives.

Kenneth shook his head and denied it, "No, the Enchanted Valley doesn't fall in our route. It might take one more day for us if we stop there."

"We will go there next time," Ramon looked at his sister and said so that she wouldn't feel bad about it.

Ramon then turned to look at the Crown Prince and asked him, "And what about our stops? Are you in contact with specific guest houses that can offer us shelter or will we be setting up tents?"

Kenneth answered while spreading butter on his toast, "We will be setting up the tents tonight since we will have to stop in the middle of nowhere. And tomorrow we will reach near the port so a lot of guest houses are available. We will rest in the one which I normally stay in."

All the while, Ariel was taking in deep breaths because she couldn't help but be nervous about this. She couldn't even properly swallow her food and kept on coughing and choking.

Zach gently slapped Ariel's back when she choked for the umpteenth time. And he whispered to her, "Ary, don't be so nervous. I will stay with you the whole time."

Ariel cleared her throat and nodded her head.

When they finished their breakfast, one of the servants came to inform them they were ready to set for the travel.

"Let's go then, shall we?" Kenneth was the first one to get up and leave the room.

Everyone else followed him outside.

All the parents had gathered to send their kids off.

Nigel and Rhea hugged the twins.

This was not the twin's first time traveling 'alone' to another Kingdom. But still, Nigel couldn't help but caution them.

He looked at Ramon and said, "Ramon, don't leave your sister's side. She might sit in a corner and cry rather than look for you if she gets separated."

"Father!" Niylah frowned because her father never stopped treating her like a baby.

Nigel then glanced at his daughter and said, "Niylah, if some supernatural entity is to cause trouble, it's your job to protect your brother. Also, don't let him challenge the Royals of those Kingdoms to a fight. He won't know when to stop."

"Father, I know!" Ramon whined like a big baby.

Rhea laughed and put her arms around her husband's waist. "Nigel, they are going to be fine. They are adults. And they will be back soon."

Nigel took a deep breath in and nodded.

Rhea then looked at her kids and whispered, "Do not shy away from looking for partners. Who knows, maybe one of you will find someone who interests you."

"Mother…" the twins frowned simultaneously.

Rhea winked at them and smiled.

Fenris was also giving last-minute instructions to Zach. "Don't buy everything that you see. And stick together with the group when you are in public. And don't give trouble to anyone."

"Yes, Dad." Zach hugged his father and his mother. He then further said to his father, "I will make sure to keep everything that you said in my mind."

"But I will do as I please," Zach mumbled and ran towards Ariel.

"Ahhh! Why is this kid like this?" Fenris sighed as he watched Zach run away.

Nefriti laughed and replied, "He's a teenager. Leave him be."

Ariel was surrounded by a lot of people – her parents, Joyce's parents, Raphael, and now Zach.

Adeline was briefing her daughter, "I have packed some gifts for the Royals. Osanna will tell you which one is for whom."

Edwin also added, "And we've also packed some gifts for Joyce and her in-laws. I've also briefed Osanna. Make sure they receive them."

"Tell Joyce that we love her and miss her. And if possible, ask her to visit us soon," Juniper said with a sad smile on her face.

"I will," Ariel hugged Edwin and Juniper.

Raphael simply gave a smile to his niece and said while hugging her, "Don't just focus on the diplomacy and all. Make sure you enjoy to your fullest."

"Sure," Ariel smiled.

Zach popped in and teased his uncle, "And shall I find someone for you? Maybe you will like a Brenalian or a Romanian lady."

Raphael dramatically ran his fingers through his hair and said, "Shall I send my portrait with you? That will make your job easier. I bet ladies will line up to come here."

"Tsk! You are so full of yourself. That's why you are unmarried till now." Zach mocked Raphael.

"You..." Raphael took off his shoe and Zach ran away to find shelter with Kenneth.

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Raphael waved his shoe and shouted at Zach, "Come here, you brat!"

Ariel laughed and winked at her sad uncle, "Don't worry, Uncle Raph. I will put in good words for you if I find someone lovely."

Finally, Theodore hugged his daughter and tried to soothe her nervousness, "I have talked with grandma. So, forget about everything and enjoy the travel." He looked at her and whispered, "And don't forget to bring a souvenir to your mom. She loves to collect hairpins."

Ariel smiled at her father and gave a nod. She then hinted at her father, "I won't discriminate between you two. I will get something for you too."

After briefing his Royal Guards, Kenneth came to find the Queen and the Prince Consort. He bowed to them and the others.

And he thanked them, "Your Majesty, Your Highnesses, I am extremely grateful for your kind hospitality. I will take good care of everyone. And I will ensure their safe return."

Adeline gave a polite nod and said in her soft voice, "We are grateful to you too, Crown Prince. We will leave everyone in your care. Have a safe and enjoyable journey."

All the kids bid goodbyes and then headed toward the carriages.

Though separate carriages were prepared for everyone, the twins sat inside the same carriage.

Zach followed Ariel like a tail and sat in her carriage.

Kenneth was about to settle in his carriage alone.

But Ariel peeked out of the door and called him, "Kenneth, why don't you join us? You might get bored alone."

Kenneth gave a huge smile and said, "I thought you would never ask."