The trip was quite uful, even rexing. Or at least for the others. This carriage was moving about as much as a broken-down washing mae. I didn't feel dizzy, but I had to be careful not to open my mouth. I wasn't that used to my sharp teeth, and I didn't want to experience what it was like to bite my toh them.

  There were no bandits, monsters, or an enemy army waiting to attack us on the road, just a long, very long line of buildings oher side with a few dozen people walking the city streets, quietly going about their daily lives despite how early in the m it was. I supposed it made sense.

  When I said I early, I meant, too early. You could barely see the light from the sisters in the sky (yes, I've started calling the suns the way they do here. Better get used to it sihis is my new home), and I was not at all happy given how hard I had struggled to sleep the night before. Acc to my calcutions, it was dawn at about 7 or 8 am, and that was early in this world, and fusing given that I still wasn't able to get used to having 30-hour days. In a way it felt like jetg, or should I call it isekaig?

  Anyway.

  The sisters' light was ing from behind the buildings to the left of our carriage; what I transte as the east, predominantly colored white and terracotta, with architecture very simir to what it would be like ih or 18th tury. Houses and buildings made of brick or white stone, or even filled with lime or whatever they used here. I wasn't even sure if what I was saying eriod-appropriate, it was just what it looked like to me. The point was that it all looked very period drama, and that aspect gave it a certain look of romance.

  Most of the trip ent staring in fasation out the half-open window, enjoying the alien sery outside, excited to be out seeing the city for the first time.

  There were so many different types of people walking the streets that I simply could not describe them all. I could only say that there was a very, very wide range of shapes and sizes; and a small portion of them were not even humanoid in shape, or a little bit away from that type of shape.

  I could see a couple that were extremely tall; maybe about 3 or 4 meters, covered in a rge dark robe, with intricate patterns all over it, that pletely cealed their bodies. What I assumed was their ned head, rose a little over a meter from where I could see their arms, and ended in something simir to a hood from where I could only see a single huge eye; or so it seemed. I was uo tell if it was just a gigantic eyeball or if there really was a head holding it, hidden behind its strange clothing.

  And that hadn't evehe stra being I saw.

  How many races or tribes existed in this empire that were so fasatingly different from what I, as a former human, uood as "intelligent beings"?

  Paying a little more attention, and straining my eyes a little, I could see even very small races, perhaps simir to my height, walking on a raised part, just above the sidewalks of the street, as if they were bridge paths between buildings. Others, hung from the shoulders or heads of some taller people as they talked happily. They were more humanoid than those previously described, but it was still amazing to see such small beings walking around normally.

  "-just look at her, so incredibly caught by the view outside."

  Maki's sudden voiapped me out of my fasation with the outside world. A chuckle apanied her words, and another echoed off to the side. When I turo her, Ameli was c her mouth with her hand, amused at the sight of me.

  I felt embarrassed for a sed, having shown such a... childish appearance. But I quickly remembered that I WAS a baby, and that was the kind of behavior that was expected of me.

  ...

  That didn't ge the fact that I felt embarrassed about it.

  I decided to ighem and just keep watg the sery outside, refusing to listen to their adult teasing that they were amused by my curiosity.

  With the slow pace we were going at, it took about an hour for the ndscape to finally begin to ge. There were fewer small buildings, oners' homes, and small businesses, exged frounds with giant mansions, eae rger tha, and surrounded by stone and iron walls that encircled the eate. There were some trees pnted on the perimeter of those walls, giving a more natural look to the pce, but also showing that it was an area of the rid powerful. Which could well be described as a noble district.

  On what I would call sidewalks, there were no civilians, at least not as many as in the previous district. It was entirely crowded with soldiers marg in small groups of 5 or 6, led by another soldier.

  They wore different types of family crests marked on the chests of the armor they wore, and on the cloaks and shields on their backs, showing that they were knights in the service of their lords who patrolled the grounds maintaining security.

  That reminded me that, on this little trip, it wasn't just us and the an.

  o the carriage, esc us, was a retinue of about 15 knights mounted on Ekus, who positiohemselves around us in defensive formation. Some carried swords, others with spears, and some with maces, but with the same basic design for their armor. Breastpte, gaus, greaves, promi shoulder pads, and a full helmet that was ized for each race to which each of the knights belonged. On their chest and their cloaks, they bore the family crest, ohat I had only seen a couple of times, and one of those times it was Zenya who showed it to me.

  The design was simple, a shield divided in two vertically. The left se had a jet-bck horn; representing the Friasan, on a red background. The right se had a tree with deep roots. It ainted in a bination of gold and silver, running from the roots to the leafy bra the top, all highlighted by an emerald green background. This represehe strength, prosperity, and long history our family had in the empire. It was said that the bination of gold and silver was for our abundah, but, even Lady Grawfalls, seemed to be a bit doubtful about it, since, from what she told Zenya, those kinds of depis are usually pletely different on family coats of arms, especially for families of high nobility. Zenya seemed to share her thoughts but did not speak further on that subject.

  For the moment, I was just enjoying the ride and watg the knights mobilizing alongside us with their rather menag looks. Would it be okay to say that I was getting prireatment? It's not like I wao be one, but it felt surprisingly satisfying, almost ving me otherwise. Emphasis on almost. If I was going to be a "princess" it would be because anirl would make me one.

  ...

  And that was the most embarrassing thought I have ever had... I will hink of anything like that again.

  Leaving that aside, we passed at least 5 estates with huge mansions. From the soldiers' shields I could only reize ohe Gormantis, a family of ts that beloo no one's surprise given our destination, to the territory of the Nazzik.

  And speaking of them.

  The carriage slowed down as roached the rgest estate so far, and also; like our owory, it had several buildings apart from what seemed to be the main mansion.

  We stopped in front of the rge gate of the mairance while I heard the heavy steps of one of the Ekus advang rapidly towards the front, the metallic sound of armor, possibly of the knight dismounting, and a versation that I could not uand very well. I barely mao catch a few words, the mention of our family, invitation, party, and young dy.

  "Are they really going to let us in?" asked Ameli with a nervous tone.

  Maki merely smiled silently and rearranged my position on her p. Outside, the footsteps of several knights began to be heard approag the carriage, then the sound of someone knog on the door.

  "Pardoerruption, dies. I must make a brief iion before you proceed. Would you please open the door?" said a knight in a very polite tone.

  Ameli looked at Maki who nodded immediately. The girl proceeded to open the door farthest from us, the one on the right, letting us see the knight standing oher side.

  "Good m, sir Knight. As you see, it's just my maid, my daughter, and I ihe carriage. Do you need any proof or to i further?"

  The male, who was also a Kibi; by the feline ears protruding slightly from his helmet, was silent for a moment. His keen green eyes had searched every inch of the carriage, looking for anything out of pce. Deteg nothing, he put on a smile that highlighted some slight wrinkles and age marks on his fad owards Maki. "For the moment, I just o see the invitation."

  "Of course," Maki replied with a smile, theured for Ameli to hand the envelope to the gentleman.

  This whole situatio like a mere procedure. A mere formality, given that the knight knew perfectly well that this carriage beloo the Baelian family. It simply seemed that it art of his duties to ply with the protocol of iing whoever entered his emplrounds.

  Also, I should point out his professionalism by not making a face at us, and keeping his tone and expressions formal and polite. sidering that both families are supposed to "not get along", it was reassuring that we were not treated as enemies.

  As he read the letter in the envelope, his brow furrowed into a frown. He looked up from his reading, staring at Maki and then back at the envelope. He folded the letter and ha baeli, who promptly tucked it away in her apron.

  With a serious expression, he addressed Maki again, his tone sounding somewhat sterner, showing that he was a veteran among the knights in the service of the Nazzik. "The letter states that the guests are young Lady Orinthya Baelian, Duchess Irna Baelian, and Madam Fiana Baelian de Gari. I reize the young Lady; however, I do not see either of the two madams ihe carriage."

  Ameli tensed in her pce. She seemed frightened of the knight's words. Though there was also a slight annoyan her expression. I could share that se. Was there any way to prove that Maki was indeed Fiana Baelian de Gari? I didn't know, aher did Ameli, given the anxious look she gave to Maki.

  However, my seother remained calm and rexed in the face of such a situation.

  "I am sure Duchess Katarina must have informed you of the slight ge in my appearance since I informed her by letter a few days ago. But, to make it clear, I am Fiana Baelian de Gari, Irna was uo attend due to other appois. The girl with me is Ameli Vialea, one of our servants." Maki replied with plete calm, but with special emphasis on her name. She gracefully poio Ameli, who tensed again as she received the old soldier's hard stare at her.

  The guard looked at us seriously for a few moments, trying to assess us, but quickly returo his earlier professional smile.

  "We were certainly informed of such a ge, but it was my duty to be sure to check. You never know when some sort of an or assassin in disguise would show up."

  "Certainly, admirable work, Sir. May I assume everything is in order?"

  "Of course, my dy. I will instruct my bruards to opees immediately so that you may make entry to enjoy the event." The gentleman took a few steps backward, slightly away from the door, then stood his ground, bowed slightly pced his left hand; whied a fist, on his chest, and with a clear and firm voice stated, "You are wele to the grounds of the Nazzik house. May prosperity and good fortuh you on this glorious day."

  With those words, the knight walked away in the dire of the gates.

  "A great fellow Sir Lorbend." Said a new voice approag the carriage door. It was one of our knights who had helped Maki and Ameli into the carriage when we left home.

  "He certainly is. Do you know him, Sir Derham?" asked Maki in a curious tone.

  "Not formally. Though I had heard of him." Sir Derham said as he gave Maki a quiod. "Among the most famous knights of the Nazzik family, Sir Lorbend is one of the most promi. Able to see through magical illusions with just a gnce, dis between truths and lies just by hearing a few words. A veteran of dozens of battles. No wohey left him to guard the gates to someone as incredibly capable as Sir Lorbend is."

  "He must certainly be incredible if Sir Derham speaks of him with such respect," Maki ented with some amusement in her voice. "I almost feared that our knight captain might run for an autograph if I didn't know better."

  "HAHAHAHAHAHA! If it were my younger self, I might certainly go so far as to sider su a. But no. I respect the knight, but I would not so easily lose my posure by questioning the seriousness of Baelian knights with su act."

  "I'm gd to hear that Sir Captain."

  The versation ended in that instant, before falling into a quiet silence. In the background, only the guards of the Nazzik could be heard and the heavy sound of the doors opening. Sir Derham resumed the versation after a few moments.

  "Then, madam, I will leave Erick, Virielt, and Zeam with you. The rest of us will head immediately to our position." The captain said as he gave a respectful bow upon seeing Maki nod at his words. Behind him, he closed the carriage door and before long, we started moving again.

  "Madam Fiana, what was that all about?" asked Ameli, her voi a still nervous tone.

  "What was what?" replied Maki in fusion.

  "Sir Lorbend."

  "Oh, that? He was doing his job. He already knee were, thanks to the letter I sent to Katarina, but he had to get on with the act. One ever be sure of anything until one sees it with one's own eyes. Besides, there are still soldiers among the Nazzik and Baelian ranks who hold grudges, being stri this situation clear doubts as well as build trust," Maki expined, resolving the doubts in Ameli's mind, who nodded, looking satisfied and enlightened by her words.

  Shortly after passing through the rge entraes, leaving Sir Lorbend behind, we were already stopping in front of a rge building attached to the mansion.

  There were not many people around, apart from a couple of maids and some knights standing guard. Whe out of the carriage, helped by one of our soldiers, I could see that there were several carriages of other families parked in a nearby spot.

  "Your Excellency." One of the nearby maids spoke. Different from what I expected, she was not a Kibi like many of those who seemed to serve the Nazzik. She was, surprisingly, of the same race as h. Her face was covered by that mask they wore, and the antennae on her head looked different thah's. Much longer, fluffier, and bright pink. She was also a little taller. "We've been expeg you. My name is Calta and, if I may, I will be yuide to the location of today's event."

  Maki oward her, indig for her to guide us. Ameli did not look pleased to see that she was left out, but she remained silent, accepting that there was, in faothing she could do about it.

  Calta walked in front of us, with Maki carrying me in her arms behind her, and Ameli slightly behind and to the left. The maid led us through the door of the building, and down a long hallway.

  The look and decor of the interior were very different from our mansion, where we had a more Victorian style, the Nazzik's had a more... I wouldn't know how to describe it well. Maybe the best parison would be that it had a Nordic feel to it. Lots of animal pelts, trophies, shields, and ons hung on the walls. Some armor was also more remi of that style. Surprisingly it trasted nicely with the whole design of the building.

  There were different types of paintings, maing what looked like epics or historical moments of the empire, in a style very simir to the ones I had seen myself in my previous world. There was even a character that reminded me an awful lot of Thor, which was incredibly strange.

  "Have all the guests arrived? I'm worried that I'm te, after seeing so many carriages outside."

  "Not at all, Your Excellency. So far only half of the guests have arrived. Your arrival has been eagerly awaited by the Duchess."

  "Really? I couldn't imagiarina beied for me."

  Calta ughed lightly, amused by Maki's ent. "You'd be surprised how much she expected it. The Duchess has been very ied in seeing you ever since she read your letter a few days ago. She might even jump on Her Excellend not let her i with the rest of the guests all day."

  Maki shared a ugh, revealing a very happy as well as nostalgic expression. "True. Katarina is someone who would do that."

  As soon as she made that ent, Calta stopped in front of some double duarded by 2 guards in uniform. They both kept bnk expressions. As soon as they noticed us, they immediately moved to open up, allowing us to enter.

  Calta entered first, announg our arrival.

  "Dear guests, my Duchess, Her Excellency, Fiana Baelian de Gari, and young Miss Orinthya Nita Baelian."

  After those words, Maki advanced fidently and gracefully, showing off her neearand great beauty. The eyes of several people, including Katarina, opened as wide as possible, surprised by what they were seeing. A couple of women, at the back of the room, which was quite a bit rger than I expected, seemed to be versing in a very low voice, looking ily at us, or more specifically, at Maki.

  But she didn't care about such a thing a walking as if uned.

  "Duchess Katarina. It is a pleasure to see you after so many years." Maki said as she arrived in front of the Duchess, who was looking at her very excited, with a bright smile on her face. Maki made sure to emphasize those st words, hiding the fact that we had met her before. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long."

  "Not at all!" Katarina answered immediately. Theook Maki's free haween her hands. "I'm gd to see that you were able to attend, especially since I get a ce to see this little sweetie finally." The Duchess said, looking directly at me, and winking.

  Including Katarina, there were five women clustered around us. Three of them were tht and 1 to her left. The Duchess, after leaving those words, gently cradled my cheek, an a that made me squint and enjoy the sensation. It didn't st long, though, as she pulled away, stepping back, and nodding to the other four women.

  The lone woman to her left, whose race I did not know, but was quite simir to the Valven, only without her tail. She wore an emerald green silk gown adorned with gold embroidery snaking dowted bodice. The long skirt fell in soft pleats to the floor, with a high nee adorned with small pearls that subtly shimmered. bined with her dark violet hair, which reflected the light in a trast that highlighted the goldeails of her dress. Her golden amber eyes, a little lighter than Maki's, looked between us with curiosity and anticipation. She greeted Maki gracefully, introdug herself as tess Alnara Klesrund.

  o present herself was the first to Katarina's right. She wore a dress of deep blue velvet, ched at the waist with a gold band encrusted with gems. The long sleeves were of fine ce, delicately revealing the skih them, while the skirt fred out in a wide flounce, revealing silver embroidery along the hem.

  Her shiny silver hair, falling in soft waves down her shoulders, plemented her dress perfectly, further highlighting the gold and silver details. Her sapphire blue eyes, deep and bright, resembled polished jewels, attrag attention and matg her simirly colored horns, almost as if they were made of the same type of gem. She seemed to be of a race whose horns were actually made of precious gems, for in her greeting she highlighted that fact. Maki seemed impressed by suformation, and they agreed to talk about it ter. The female also introduced herself as a tess, by the name of Era Silbrook.

  Tht, the o introduce herself was a female of short stature and more robust features. She barely reached Maki's waist, but veyed a presehat was unmistakably that of an adult.

  She wore a royal purple brocade gown, with a square nee and short puffed sleeves. The skirt fell in delicately flowing pleats to her ankle, adorned with gold details highlighting the floral design of the fabriplemented by a gemstohat sparkled with every movement as she stepped forward.

  Her coppery red hair, pulled ba a low bun, with several locks on the sides of her head, bounced merrily as she gave a slightly more pronounced bow than the previous nobles. Her dark emerald green eyes, gazed at Maki with enormous resped fasation, as she introduced herself as Vistess Seraphina Derkoon.

  Finally, the st of them stepped forward, revealing her ivory satihat ed her tall body elegantly. She was about 2 heads taller than Maki and her dress was decorated with silver d crystal beads creating a floral pattern all over the dress. The long, tight sleeves ended in embroidered cuffs, while the skirt extended in a soft swirl, showing subtle pearl embroidery at the bottom, almost remi of seashells, supported by the number of pearls and crystal beads it was adorned with.

  Her dark green hair, remi of seaweed gently swaying with the currents, and further enhang that oic image she gave me. Her eyes were the most striking thing. A steel gray color that almost reminded me of my own gray eyes. Her face, free of imperfes, highlighted the most striking and bright colors of her hair and slightly purple skin.

  She introduced herself as Baroness Linnea , and, as with tess Silbrook, they promised to discuss her race ter, which seemed to hail from the south coast.

  With introduade, the women seemed to want to start a more pleasant versation but were interrupted by a small boy roached Seraphina, ging to her dress, tugging at it with his little hand.

  "Mommy." Said the little guy. "Hungry."

  "Oww, do you want some sweets, Ten?" asked the little mother, as she lifted the equally small child into her arms.

  The situation made Maki remember that I was still in her arms. As Vistess Derkoon excused herself to give some snacks to her son, Maki excused herself from the group as well, leadio an area where the rest of the invited children were. There were 6 children there; none looked older than 2 years old, divided into 2 groups plus a lone ohe group on the right sisted of 3 children, 2 males and a female, remi of the 3 females who greeted us earlier. The roup was a boy and a girl, possibly the children of the 2 women who were in the background and seemed to still be whispering to each other. And finally, the lone girl.

  Maki lowered me to the ground where I stood not knowing what to do other than look at her a little nervously.

  "Nita," she called in a motherly tone as she stroked my hair. "Why don't you go and py with the other children? They look cute and friendly, maybe they be your friends." She said with a reassuring smile. It wasly the best way to push a baby to i with other children her age but to be ho, it didn't seem like such a bad idea to try to py with the other kids. It still made me feel a little worried, though, given my adult mentality.

  I averted my gaze to the other children, clearly notig that they were avoiding the lone one, who was on her bad leaning towards the ground as if she was very focused on whatever was there. I returned my gaze to Maki, but she had already returo the other women.

  Treason... TREASON I SAY.

  I sighed i. At this point, I had no choice but to i with the other children.

  I looked towards both groups, but they seemed strangely relut for me to approach them. I wasn't going to do it if they saw me that way, so I decided to go for what seemed to be the only and, perhaps, best option.

  I was a big girl now, so I could walk, albeit slowly and somewhat awkwardly, but well enough to reach the girl.

  She was wearing a light blue, sleeveless, strapless dress that revealed her plump, soft arms. Her long pink hair fell down her ba a cascade, c most of it and hiding aail that the back of her clothes might have had. Her dress seemed to reach her knees and had white ce embroidery around the edge of the dress. The girl wore no shoes, as I could see her sitting with her little bare feet. There was something else there. An elongated, fluffy thing of pink fur just like her hair. It moved gently from side to side, flowing freely. A tail.

  Suddenly I felt a throbbing in my chest. I felt something from that little girl. I gulped as I walked around her so I could see her from the front. As I moved forward, I noticed something above her head, a pair of small pink ears that moved in my dire as they picked up the sound of my footsteps. The girl did not turn towards me, but it was obvious that she was aware of my presence.

  I took a couple more steps and stopped when I was right in front of her. The girl didn't pay attention to me for a long time, pletely focused on whatever was on the floor.

  Curious, and due to the hat had suddenly attacked me, I decided to see what it was that had captured all her attention.

  I immediately opened my eyes in surprise. It was a dybug. A very, very small os shell was an incredibly wonderful, shiallic violet. The little i was walking slowly across the wooden floor, wandering around looking for some high pce to take off from.

  I pletely fot about everything else and crouched down in the same manner as the girl in front of me. Admiring the incredible beauty of the dybug.

  An i from my world was also here, causio feel nostalgid also very happy. I brought one of my fingers close to the little i, leaving it close so it could climb up and walk towards it on its own. The dybug didn't hesitate for a sed and climbed up happily. It walked on my hand for a while as it explored the new unfamiliar pce it was in.

  Suddenly, the girl's face came closer and she looked with very bright eyes at the little i walking on my hand. She tried t hers closer but seemed to hesitate for some reason.

  Suddenly I had an idea, and wheried t her little hand close again, I did the same, and brought them together, causing the dybug to ge pces and walk along the irl's hand. She, of course, smiled the most incredible smile I had ever seen in my life, on both of them. She was so absolutely happy and pleased that she let out loud the most unbelievably adorable ugh I had ever heard in my life. ON BOTH OF THEM. This got the attention of everyone in the pce, who turheir full attention to what we were doing.

  Did I care? Not in the slightest. All my attention was on that little girl's joy.

  The dybug finally reached the top of her hand, opened her shell, prepared her wings, and uself into the air, flying away from the girl's hand.

  Surprisingly, she did not cry et angry but followed the little i's flight with a gawking expression.

  When she finally lost sight of it, she looked down at me. We both watched each other in silence, without moving or even blinking.

  (I didn't put her in spoiler because I wanted you to always be able to see how incredibly adorable she is! No, I'm not being biased, it's simply a fact that everyone must accept. Oh, and you still haven't seen little Tya!)

  It was at that instant that I noticed her beautiful yellow eyes like gars. Her round face with soft adorable chubby cheeks, her pink hair and small feline ears, with cute white fluff stig out of them, her half-open mouth. That expression that seemed to be w who I was, but which, fortunately, didn't seem to pull herself away or me away.

  I felt my heart beating again. And I reized that feeling right away. It was the same feeling I had when I first saw my little sister, Nadia. The feeling of knowing with plete certainty that I would be and live for this person.

  I k that moment that this little girl would be my whole world.

  FivesZeta

  The regle is the carriage. The red circle is the captain, Sir Derham. The green circle is Sir Erick, his lieutenant, and the yellow circles are the rest of the knights in the unit. Captain and lieutenant are proteg the doors, the most important part of the carriage. I felt this was the most effit formation for this escort. Yes, Captain Derham could have been in another position, where he could have a better view of the whole picture and give better orders, but he and Sir Erick work so well together that, by each c one side, they respond to any enemy attack effitly and in a plementary way with the other.

  [colpse]done! See you week, with maybe, chapter 1 of ? before the end (I still don't know if there will be 3 more or how many, but I'd like to finish everything oh chapter, even if I have to do a 6k words chapter xD) Anyway, SEE YOU!