Kingdom of the Rising Sun

"COACHMAN! Stop and bring me the doctor immediately. The princess isn't feeling well! Hurry up!"

What happened? Where am I? I was just in the ballroom and... I died. No, calm down Amelia, think about what happened.

"Princess Amelia, has something happened? Your coachman said you weren't feeling well."

"I'm fine, maybe just exhausted. A little water might help."

"Very well, Your Highness, please have a little patience. We are only a few hours away from Asahi, but the area is swarming with monsters and robbers, and the captain thinks it would be unwise to stay in one place for a long time. So we should hurry up."

Asahi, right. Now I remember again. My mother sent me to the eastern kingdom of Asahi on a political assignment to deliver a message. Was everything, what happened in the ballroom, just a dream?

"Here is your water, Your Highness. Can we move again then?"

"Oh, Captain Edward, what have you done with the Doctor?"

"Sorry for my boorish intrusion, but I've asked your doctor to get back in his carriage as I want to move on as soon as possible. I'm not fond of the area at all, you know. Please sit back, relax and try again to sleep. We should soon cross the border to the Eastern Empire and then, after a few hours, reach the capital city named Shuto."

"Of course, Edward, thank you. Please resume our journey as soon as possible."

Edward said goodbye, and after a few minutes, we continued our journey. It was the middle of the night, and the moon lit up the area in a beautiful shade of blue. Though unwise, I decided not to sleep against Edward's suggestion and instead attempted to replay the events of my last dream. But the more I tried to understand what was happening, the more confused and exhausted I became. The entire process was very surreal, and yet everything felt so realistic... Was it really just a dream...

When I opened my eyes again, it was already broad daylight, and birdsong could be heard everywhere. I could hardly believe my eyes when I looked out the carriage window. The entire path was lined with cherry blossom trees. It's such an idyllic region.

"You're lucky princess, it's sakura time here in Asahi. And with that, it means that all the trees you see here are beginning to bloom, and as soon as a mild wind blows through the avenue, the blossoms are gently blown from the trees. A dreamlike sight when seeing him for the first time."

"You're not entirely wrong."

I noticed that my coachman isn't in the area for the first time as he knows so much about this country. Maybe he's from this region. Another sign of my assumption was that he had a completely different demeanor than the other coachmen in my country.

"Say, coachman. Are you from Asahi?"

"Oh yes. You must know that my parents met just before the war between Westphalia's empire and the kingdom of Redmond. My father had a keen sense of avoiding conflict, which kept him alive."

Westphalia... There has been a war between their empire and our kingdom for several years. Damned militants! It's your fault that my father had to die so young...

After about an hour, we reached Shuto, the capital of Asahi. Like every eastern nation, Asahi was very advanced. It is said to be the most technologically advanced country in the world. This was probably due to their forces since all of their soldiers were increasingly trained in long-range combat with strange but powerful sticks. The only thing my country is probably better at would be our magic skills. Few in Asahi seem to be able to use magic. In my home country, the magic affinity among the population is very high instead. Nevertheless, in the event of war, my country would probably be destroyed by them...

Trumpets and fanfares tore me out of my thoughts. It seems we are being escorted towards the palace entrance.

After some time, we finally stopped, and when I got out of my carriage after this long journey, I could hardly believe my eyes. The way the people dressed and the way they were built was like being in a completely different world. Edward came towards me, and he and his men accompanied me towards the monumental palace entrance.

"Before we forget. Please put these earrings on, your Highness. Since you do not speak the language of this country, these earrings will translate every word for you."

I put on the earrings and immediately tried to focus on the conversations in the background.

"Wow, she's hot! Why do state guests always have to be such treats!"

"But really. And those boobs, are you sure she's only 16?"

There are probably newts and perverts in every country... Nevertheless, I had better things to do than to be impressed by such comments. In a few moments, I am to speak with the leaders of this country about a political settlement... if I fail, it will spell the end of my country.

"Dear Princess of the Western Kingdom, you are now receiving Her Royal Majesty, King Harada. Please address his Highness in a manner appropriate to the status. Your guards must remain here for security reasons, but you are permitted to have your bodyguard accompanied with you."

We were ushered into a small audience room where the king knelt on a plain and raised seat cushion. He was an older man with long gray hair and an equally long beard which matched his hair color.

"Dear Princess, please have a seat. We have much to discuss, and most importantly, I've been told you have a letter for me?"

I handed the King's Guard the message my mother had given me and sat on a cushion on the floor in front of me. Edward stayed behind me, trying to keep track of every movement in the room.

"Your Majesty, I apologize that my mother has not been able to come here in person to discuss matters with you, but unfortunately, the war in my country requires her presence. As heir to the throne, I am acting as my mother's representative, and I hope we can resolve matters that can clarify in favor of both countries."

Although I had a pretty good feeling about my speech, the king didn't seem to care what I had to say. Instead, his interest shifted to my mother's letter, which he eyed.

"Tell me, princess, how experienced are you in dealing with magic?"

My magic skills? I didn't expect this question. While I'm not bad at using the elementals, I'm not proficient in practical magic arts like healing magic.

"I would rate my skills above average based on my bloodline, Your Majesty. But if I might ask, why exactly does that matter?"

"Guards, please take the princess to Kudo immediately without being seen! And you captains of the western kingdom, your services are no longer needed. You can therefore return to your country."

"Yes, Your Majesty! Princess, I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. Farewell."

What is going on here? Why am I just being sent away? Why is Edward leaving me alone? Have I been expelled? Have I failed my country?