“I think that it is about time that we get out.” Marcus said to Mrazivý who was resting against his chest.
Sighing she nodded her head and stood up from the water.
She and Marcus had been enjoying a long relaxing bath together, but they had to get going soon or Marcus would be late for his own party.
“Just give me thirty minutes to get ready and then we can go.” Mrazivý said as she dried herself off.
Once she had left, Marcus got out of the bath himself, and went ethereal letting all of the water fall off him before reappearing in his form as Irene.
He then put on a dress that he kept in his item box. Before sitting out in Mrazivý’s living room and waiting for his fiancé to finish getting ready.
After thirty minutes just as she said, she came back out and was now wearing a stunning blue dress that matched her hair.
“Wow that looks really good on you.” Marcus said feeling that she wanted him to compliment him.
“Yeah, normally I would save a dress like this for more ostentatious events, but I just felt like wearing it today. But what about you? Your dress is pretty ordinary. If you want, I could let you borrow one of mine that is more flattering?”.
Shaking his head Marcus said, “No that is fine. I prefer less flashy clothing in general since my appearance is already eye catching enough.”
Shrugging her shoulders, Mrazivý had really just been hoping to use Marcus as a dress up doll again. But they were short on time so she figured she could do that later.
Once they had finished up their little chat and received word that the carriage was ready. The two of them headed out of the castle and made their way back to Marcus’ estate.
“Welcome back Lady Geist, and it is good to see you again Princess Mrazivý. Also, Lady Lilia has already arrived not long ago and is very eager to see you again” Amy, who was manning the front gate said upon their arrival.
Nodding his head, Marcus thanked his loyal servant for the update, before beckoning the carriage to continue on to the main residence.
When they arrived, Clara was already there waiting there for them and began greeting them.
However, her greeting was cut short. as barreling out of the front door came Lilia.
Wham!
Smacking right into Marcus with a tackle hug, Lilia grabbed ahold of him like a vice and squeezed hard.
Luckily Marcus was able to take Lilia’s monstrous strength, but any normal person would have been snaped in two like a toothpick.
“I am happy to see you as well Lilia.” Marcus said as he returned the hug with one arm and patted his sister’s head with the other.
It had been many months since they had seen each other last, so both of them were very happy for their reunion right now.
Once the two of them had finished with their initial embrace, everyone entered back into the estate. Where Clara showed Marcus the preparations for the gathering that would be happening soon.
“Everything looks great. You and the other maids have outdone yourselves as always Clara.”
Bowing her head, Clara thanked Marcus for his praise with a slight smile creeping onto her face.
She had very much enjoyed her time as Marcus’ head maid. Especially since her career was close to falling apart until he hired her.
“Um big sister Irene. Since we have some time before everyone else arrives there is something I would like to talk to you about.” Lilia said a bit bashfully.
Turning towards his sister, Marcus leaned over and said, “Sure what is on you mind Lilia.”
However, contrary to what he was expecting, Lilia pulled out a sheet of parchment and said, “Would you please sign this form?”
Taking the form curiously, Marcus looked it over.
“How did you get the opportunity to get this Lilia. I was pretty sure that this trip was only for those in their last year?” Marcus said with a bit of confusion.
Every year the royal academy would take its students into a wild area. So, that the young adults would get some experience handling dangerous situations away from the safety comforts of the city.
Of course, it was monitored by the teachers, but they only intervened if the situation were to get deadly.
“Actually, my combat professor recommend that I go since he said that I was already as strong as the top students in their final year. He got special permission from the headmaster for me to attend, but I need my guardian’s permission.” Lilia said, an expectant look in her eyes.
Seeing this, Marcus could tell that she really wanted to go, maybe missing the bit of adventure he had given her a taste of.
‘Hm, I brought her into a dungeon and let her roam around without me, so it should be fine. As far as I know Lilia is probably the strongest student at the academy anyway.’
“Sure Lilia. If you want to go that is fine.” Marcus said as he signed the form.
Yet before he handed it back to her, he said, “But just make sure to not let those older students push you around. You have a lot of valuable skills, and you are strong. So, make sure to stand up for yourself.”
Nodding her head with a fierce look in her eyes, Lilia agreed that she would not be a pushover.
After that, Marcus brought Lilia and Mrazivý to the library so that he could get the two of them better acquainted
Truthfully, they had only had a few conversations together and he wanted his top two people to get closer together as well.
Fortunately, the two of them hit it off pretty quickly. Being a quite a bit similar to each other.
Unfortunately for Marcus, the main topic that they were talking about was him.
“That must have been terrifying. But at least he gallantly came into rescue you from those slavers. Though he tends to do that a lot as he braved an entire dungeon to come save me.” Mrazivý said as the two of them talked about Marcus’ habit of jumping headfirst into dangerous situations.
Eventually their conversation moved on from the past and to the future, when Mrazivý said, “Oh yeah! We have made plans to go and explore this remote area that is really beautiful over the summer. Would you like to come with us Lilia?”
With bright eyes she began nodding her head and looked towards Marcus for approval.
“Yes, if you want, you can come with us Lilia. But make sure to keep your grades up if you want to go.”
Smiling and jumping up and down, Lilia agreed to do her best in school as long as she got to accompany them on the trip to the crystal caverns.
Not long after that, Clara came back in and said, “Lady Geist, your first guests have just arrived at the gate.”
“Okay thank you for the update, Clara. Make sure that some one is ready at the entrance to receive them, and we will go into the lounge to wait for their arrival.”