2 Sudden Announcement

As the Emperor, head captain and Princess exited her room they ran into the head maid.

"Sire! Where have you been?" Though she was old the head maid had raised both the Princess and the Emperor when they were young. She was among the few who could freely speak with the Emperor whenever needed.

"Uh, Hilda! How've you been?" Kade and Grin quickly let go of Asta's hand. Hilda continued to eyeball him until she let out a dissatisfied huff.

"Quickly, the people have been waiting." Hilda ushered Kade in front of her towards the open glass door to the balcony.

"Wa- I'm not ready!" Kade's resistance was futile against another one of Hilda's intense stares. He slumped over in defeat but quickly straightened them when Hilda smacked his back. Behind Kade, Asta was snickering slightly. Grin's face remained unchanged but his eyes were laughing as well. Kade silently promised to get back at them later.

As they neared the big glass doors Hilda suddenly stopped Kade. She gripped his arms and stared into his pale grey eyes. Instead of her intense stare from earlier it was filled with love and a weary gentleness.

"Now, let me look at you. You've been through a lot and now your troubles have more than doubled. If you ever find yourself in any kind of trouble this old lady will be there for you. And that goes for you two trouble makers too." Hilda nodded at Asta and Grin. "Good luck, Emperor." Right before they opened the door Hilda stopped them again. "Ah, Grin!" She rushed over and pulled his left sleeve down. "Hide the mark, don't forget this during your trip." Grin's face darkened as he recalled his slave mark.

"I won't." Hilda patted Grin's shoulder and moved out of the way for them.

On the streets below the palace two girls hurried to gather below the palace's balcony. It would be the third time their Emperor came out to view the public since his first when he rebelled against his father and when he won the war against his father, claiming himself as the new Emperor.

"Hurry! We'll miss the best spots!"

"I know!"

"Who cares about old people?! Move past them!"

"But- "

"There is no buts! Seeing the divine Emperor is worth it. Although he is one of the highest people in the empire with his long golden hair always in a braid he can look like a feminine pushover, but I heard that he was undefeated during the rebellion. And on top of that the way his pale gray eyes seem to pierce into your soul is so exciting!" Another girl standing beside them joined in as well, her face practically glowing.

"Exactly! Don't forget the Emperor's mysterious right-hand man. Even though he wears an eyepatch on his right eye it just adds to his looks. With raven black hair and his left blue eye like the sea, he's like a fallen angel! So mysterious and hot, I heard he never changes his expression. Like, he always has that stone face on." Hearing that remark almost all nearby men groaned. They just couldn't see what was so good in that ice cube.

"I've heard rumors! He actually has a twin that works in the palace that covers his left eye and his right eye is actually green like an emerald!"

"No way! I heard that his eye color changes when he's fighting."

"Well I even heard that his name is Grin because all of the men saw his smile is dead! He even defeated more than the half of the late emperor's troops all alone. One man finally boasted about his battle record.

"Yes, I heard it too, an- "

"Shh! It's the Emperor!"

Cheers bellowed out of from the crowd as the Emperor walked out onto the balcony. He waved his hand at the townspeople below. The Princess stood to his left, her angelic smile soothing the people's heart while the head captain was on the right. His stone face unmoving. Girls were losing their minds and screaming 'I Love You' as he stood there. Everyone went quiet as the Emperor raised both hands for silence.

"Dear people of the city Vanaheimr and the Empire as a whole, as your Emperor, though it has not been long, I must leave you to travel to the Middle Islands to attend their new crown prince's coronation ceremony. It will help our Empire to gain SZÖVETSÉGES. And although it isn't finalized a possible engagement can happen between me and their princess. But fear not for your safety as I leave the capital in the hands of the prime minister." The Emperor swung his hand left and from a row of officials a gentle looking old man stepped forward. His greying hair covered by an official cap. As he bowed, he smiled dearly at the Emperor.

"It would be my honor to guard the Empire in your place your majesty." The Emperor nodded at him and the prime minister moved back in line. "Fear not for our safety either as we have the strongest knight in the Empire accompanying us." The Emperor swung his right hand right gesturing to Grin. Grin stepped forward and bowed then went back to standing behind the Emperor. The Emperor put his arms down and as he was about to turn around Asta stomped on his left foot. He stopped and slowly jittered to face the people again.

"And, uh, a sudden surprise is that Princess Asta will be accompanying us as well! That is all." The Emperor waved at the people again and this time they exploded with cheers and yells of safe journeys for the Emperor and the Princess. Kade let out a sigh of relief when he turned away.

"Asta, that was unnecessary don't you think?" Kade tried hard to not use his left foot as he walked.

"No, it seemed like the perfect time." Asta continued walking like nothing was wrong. Kade looked at her in disbelief while Grin just stood there.

"My lord, the ship is awaiting." Before Kade could turn it on him Grin had changed the subject.

"Yes, we will depart immediately." Kade, Grin and Asta re-entered the palace and arrived at the royal's private magic ship.

"Emperor, it's good to see you." The ship captain had waited for them at the door.

"It's good to see you too Stein." Kade shook Stein's hand and continued to walk onboard.

"So, how long will the trip take?"

"If there's no major disturbances, about one and a half to two months."

"That long?" Stein shook his head.

"Even though the coast is about a week of sailing away we still need to transfer to a bigger ship at the sea port. This small one can't possibly withstand the open ocean for long. The bigger ship is slower so it'll extend the time." Kade sighed and prepared his mind for an agonizingly long trip.

Once they boarded the ship a squad of armed women boarded with them. Their tall stature loomed over the ship captain and the Emperor. Each was endowed with a feathered helm, a golden shield, either a spear or short sword, and their pale gray armor was hidden underneath a long silver cape. One of them stepped forward and took off her helmet. Her cape was different from the rest. It glistened an eye-catching red while her helmet had golden feathers decorating it. She shook her head and her amber brown braid settled behind her.

"Valkyrie squad Ember is here to escort the Princess." The tall Valkyrie kneeled on one knee besides Asta. Asta stepped forward and placed her palm on the Valkyries head.

"I, Asta Yri Reinnsson, accept your protection." She stepped backward and the tall Valkyrie stood up, her face unable to hide her overflowing emotions.

"Yes, Princess." The Valkyrie turned around and was about to move back to her squad Asta stopped her.

"Wait, what is your name?" Asta's purple eyes glistened with curiosity, her golden locks bobbling with her every move.

"Uh, Svala Finnvidottir your majesty." Svala lowered her head again.

"And theirs?" Asta gestured at the remaining eight Valkyries. As if one cue each one stepped forward and introduced themselves clear enough for Asta to hear. Their names was Helga Oddottir, Frida Isidottir, Yngvlid Vesteindottir, Runa Dagdottoir, Auhild Unndottir, Ysra Atlidottir, Ingrid Starkadottir and their newest member was Bera Naddottir.

They all went to their knees and bowed at Asta. Asta was quiet for a moment before her eyes lit up again. When she looked at the Valkyries a hit of mischievousness flashed through them before she spoke again.

"Good. Follow me to my cabin, I want to try something." They Valkyries lifted their heads, confusion on their faces. Swiftly their captain responded in their place.

"Yes Princess." The rest of the Valkyries stood up and made a path for Asta to walk. Asta passed by Kade and as she did he saw that her eyes were already gleaming with joy. He felt happy but at the same time a bit pitiful for the Valkyries. Most of Asta's previous 'I want to try somethings' have not ended in the best way. The worst being part of the palace's roof being blasted off due to Asta. Kade sighed and went to talk to the ship captain. Grin however was very uncomfortable. With the towering Valkyries passing him he froze solid even more. One looked at him and it took everything he had in him to not flinch and look away. The Valkyrie saluted to him and he grunted in response with a salute. He was not aware that a squad of Valkyries would be accompanying them. Suddenly feeling exhausted Grin bid Kade and Stein farewell as he went to rest in his cabin.

After all the preparations were double checked the ship finally set off. The engines at the back roared to life and the ship began gaining altitude. It rose in the sky, becoming surrounded by clouds. They were on their way to the sea port.