(James)

I was out on the thick clay courtyard when the Decretas carriage pulled in. It was a grand thing, three compartments to it and very spacious. Blue velvet dribbled across the golden walls and it took ten black horses to pull it.

"Go get your sisters." Father murmured as he helped bring a few bags to our carriage.

I nodded and ran up the stairs to Milana's tower. She was hugging her maids and crying, saying goodbye. She and Ly were only allowed to bring one member of staff with them, so I supposed Aaida made the cut.

"What?" She asked as she saw me.

"Carriage." I found myself close to mumbling. You've got to go down." She started crying again so I left to go get Lycho from the gardens. She wasn't there for a change though.

I searched all around the castle walls, thinking how strange it would be when they didn't come back with us. I knew it had to happen with Lana, but Lycho I never thought I would say goodbye to.
She bumped into me as I turned a corner. She was wearing a dress.
"Carriage is here?" She asked, I nodded, my eyebrows working their way up into my hairline.

"Yeah... Are you wearing a dress?" She smirked and nodded.

"I hate it, moves wherever the wind wants it to and it gets in the way. I suppose I'm appreciating the skill that Milana has now though." She chuckled grimly.

I sighed and hugged her. "Are you ready for this?

She shook her head, pulling her upper lip in with her teeth. "Not really, but a new adventure I guess. I've said goodbye to my roses. Kiro's taking his things out."

I chuckled. "Have you figured out how to sneak him in yet?"

"Dance master maybe? Or teaching me etiquette?"

I laughed out loud and she punched my shoulder. "That's not nice. I'm trying my best here."

"How about just a friend and advisor?"

She shrugged and nodded. Her eyes kept on straying to the walls, every groove and crevice on them. I put my finger on one.

"Do you remember this? When father got so angry at the twins that he stuck his butter knife into the wall?" She giggled and ran her fingers over it.

"I still don't understand how he did it, I've tried but I can't get it that deep." She pointed out shallower scratches just below it. "Do you think they'll let me visit? Once I'm married?"

I shook my head and hers dropped, but I put my hand under her chin and lifted her head until her big black eyes met mine.

"But I'll be the king, soon if your plan works, then you can come here whenever you want." I picked her up and rested her on my hip, she still weighed practically nothing. Her head fell onto my shoulder.

"What if I can't get you your kingdom? What if I'm not good enough for them?"

I shrugged and shifted her across to the other side. "You'll learn how to adapt to them. Your little brain is like a sponge. Use how you can mirror Kiro and try and mirror Queen Sara. I'll come as often as I can to the capital. You'll be able to take care of yourself, I mean how many weapons are currently on you?"

She smirked, "Five but I can only access two in what Lana calls 'polite society'."

"Come on then, let's go to the carriage."
When we got to the courtyard I put her down as the coach driver from the capital made me feel uneasy.

I kissed mother goodbye, the twins were already packed away. They were travelling behind in our carriage with the staff and luggage. I as the heir had to go with the girls to present myself to the court and help father protect them should the need arise. There were four beds between two of the compartments so we would waste no time in any inns, and four velvet seats facing each other built into the main compartment. It was like a house on wheels.

Lycho hugged Kiro goodbye and Lana did the same for Aaida, both said goodbye to mother and then father gave them a hand up into the Decretas carriage. It was sorely needed by Lychorida who was tripping constantly on her dress.

"Get in." Father said as he passed me, on the way to speak to mother.

And thus the journey began.