Karmagisa: Our Fate Upon The Crown

87 | S2: Land of Brilliance

<Karma>
Once we arrived at the port, Nagisa gleamed with warmth and held my hand. The troublesome clouds that had shadowed above him disappeared and his complexion was far greater.
With a tight squeeze to his hands, I couldn't help but to smile back. I have to thank Kaede later, without her I wouldn't have been able to convince Nagisa that everything would turn out in our favor.

"The air here is rather rough, don't you think?" Kaede side whispered to Karasuma who cleared his throat.

"Act appropriately." Was all he said.

Before us was a dozen knights and a few advisors wearing similar a uniform like Hazama.

"We welcome you to Scienion." They bowed their heads and Hazama was also amongst them. The man who looked like her superior stood ahead of everyone else.

"As you already know, the four of you will be in our care. The rest of your vessel and men will stay here docked during the duration of the coronation and a few days after. We will supply your men with food and essentials, so worry not."

"We appreciate that." Karasuma replied. "And you must be?" He stuck out his arm and he shook it.

"My name is Okajima. I am apart of the Queen's Guard like lady Hazama here. I hope she was able to provide you with information about Scienion?" He wondered.

"More than provided." Karasuma said with a caustic straight face and Okajima awkwardly chuckled.

While I observed the knights and the members of the Queen's Guard, they were rather younger people. I guess these men and women are handpicked at a young age to become what they are now.

Compared to us, the Tempus Five consists of members around my father's age. So the fact that these guys that were probably near my age holding so much responsibility is uncanny. Then again, we do have superb people like Kaede amongst us.

"Well, why don't we get out of the sun? A carriage has arrived, it's best to make our way to the palace?" Okajima insisted.

"That would be lovely." I agreed.

To my side, I notice Nagisa making a facial expression at Kaede and she responded with one of her own. They both saw me looking and they giggled quietly amongst themselves.

"Something on your mind?" I raised a brow.

"No, nothing at all my King." Kaede tipped her head and smiled, "everything is fine."
•••••••
The carriage ride itself was rather quiet. For the sake of not wanting to accidentally let something slip, we kept to ourselves. Kaede and Karasuma were given their own horses to ride along side us so it was just Nagisa, Okajima and I.

Okajima every now and then clicked open his pocket watch and eyed the time carefully. He would even mouth how many minutes have past and how much longer it would take.

Nagisa awkwardly fidgeted while staring out the carriage windows. Rather than the atmosphere inside, it was breathtaking to see so many buildings with glass exteriors. Whether we deem Scienion a threat or not, it may be safe to say that they are technologically more advanced.

"We'll be arriving shortly." Okajima said aloud.

He was right, buildings were less concentrated in this area and was filled with shops and small complexes. But it was strange that not many citizens grazed the streets.

When Nagisa and I stepped out of the carriage, we were greeted by another set of knights. Kaede and Karasuma were by our side once more and could translate the similar vibes we felt in the carriage.

"Is there a reason why there's barely anyone around." Karasuma questioned.

Okajima glanced away from his pocket watch and smiled, "well of course. Scienion's clock is organized throughout the day. Right now no one is permitted outside until 4pm. The ones you've seen dawdling around are merchants setting up for work."

"Interesting, I must say." Kaede nodded her head.

"We're very strict." Hazama appeared before us with a mysterious presence and pointed at the large clock tower not far from us. "The average person wakes up around 7am in the morning. People can waltz the streets around then but once it's noon, no one is allowed outside until 4pm. Again at midnight until the next morning at 7am." She explained, "orders and tradition from the late King himself and executed by the military general."

I nodded my head with my hand to the chin, "I'd like to learn more about this when the time permits, if I may?"

"Why, of course." Okajima tucked his watch away and made a hand gesture that alerted the knights to split into two groups and line up shoulder to shoulder, facing the other group.

Essentially, we walked between these two groups and made our way into the palace. Nagisa quickly glanced over with an worrisome expression.

"Everything will be fine." I patted his head and his ears and cheeks burst into redness. Like a ripe tomato ready for harvest, I quietly chuckled to myself.

"Hm? My Queen, is something the matter?" She asked and even Karasuma looked over too.

Nagisa sighed and shook his head, "it's nothing." He assured and nudged my arm.

"Sorry." I whispered, "can't help it."

When we all walked in, I couldn't help but feel the tension swarming the halls. It was the heightened security that made you feel like all the eyes were on you. Sure, we have palace guards that enforce formidable security but something definitely felt off.

Just by Nagisa's reaction, he kept looking behind him and it wasn't the weariness of the silver knights behind him It was something much more.

Kaede kept her hand near the grip of her sword, hovering over while coiling her fingers like she was about to grab it any second.

Karasuma noticed and shook his head.
She bit her bottom lip and placed her arms by her side.

The grand pearled white doors led into the royal ruby throne room. The knights stopped by the door and guarded while the four of us along with Okajima and Hazama entered.

The air inside was icy cool and possessed the aroma of lavender and vanilla.
Behind the black throne sitting upon the lilac carpeted steps, was a gold plated portrait of an angel caressing a branch of a large tree. Next to the black throne was a older female who wore a silky dark peach dress with long sleeves cuffed at the wrist.

What an intimidating presence indeed but unfortunately by the look of it the soon to be Queen may as well serve as a puppet.
The young lady on the throne was a beauty, timid from a distance and wore glasses that shielded her soft purple eyes.

The woman next to her smiled and folded her arms.

"Welcome to Scienion our dearest neighbors."