2 Beginning of the Journey

"Where's mother?" Hyde Falcon glanced at his father as he munched on his bacon and eggs. Rhine was seated on his left side, she sipped on a warm cup of hibiscus tea, a bowl of porridge still untouched.

"I believe she is feeling unwell to join us for breakfast." Marquess Falcon answered his son, while reading a parchment of who knew what; he didn't even bother to get anything except for a cup of earl grey by his side.

Hyde held back a sigh and played around with his bacon strip… when did this become a norm now? Well, he would make sure that his mother would at least see them off.

"Oh, shame, guess I'll have to eat up her portion then." The young man pulled a grin, the idea rather silly. He was sure that Rhine rolled her eyes at his statement, but at least his father managed a small smile- right before he returned to reading the document.

Hyde looked down at his plate, his eggs nearly finished before he looked at the breakfast laid before them. The table was filled with enough food for a banquet and several seats were vacant, it was rather lonely.

"Ugh, hey Gus, care to join us?" Hyde looked back at the dark haired young man standing beside a decorative suit of armour. Gus was older than them by a couple of years but that didn't stop him from calling the man by name. Said man's eyes widened for a fraction of the moment before someone else stole the scene,

"T-that's-!" Rhine had sputtered some tea and wiping her chest with a napkin. Her face heated up as she put her cup down on a saucer, "a suitable idea for someone who shall accompany us for our journey."

"Sir Hyde, I am grateful but-" Gus flourished a bow, a hand on his chest whilst his hair fell over slightly his face. The 'sir' seemed rather distant, but Hyde figured it was because his father was present. Well, he could change that.

"I insist, Father, isn't he like family?" Hyde looked at the Marquess for support,

"Hmm, you are the closest companion that my children could have." The Marqess's gaze lifted to the young man, "It would be an honor to share a meal with you."

"Ah… if it pleases the Falcon House, how could I refuse?" Gus lifted his head, dark eyes lingering around the unoccupied seats.

"Just sit beside Rhine." Hyde bit back a chuckle, the butler was too concerned with the seating arrangement.

* * *

At the Gates of House Falcon

"Is there anything else you would like to bring my lady?" Rhine sheepishly smiled at Gus who finished loading another chest of empty spell books inside carriage. If she were to gauge the carriage, it was filled with at least two-thirds of them belonging to her and one-third of it was Hyde's and an assortment of diplomatic gifts.

"Ah that is all, shall we wait for my parents and brother?" she rubbed her cheek, who knew what kind of knowledge that Zourian Kingdom held that she needed to inscribe?

"Of course my lady." He bowed for what seemed like the hundredth time within the passing hour.

"Call me Rhine."

"Pardon?" He blinked.

"You call my brother by name; I only think that it's fair you should call me by name." She cast her gaze at the road ahead, why was she acting in a manner like this?

"O-oh, um…"

"Heeey!" Rhine and Gus turned to look at a familiar redhead scampering towards them. "Guess who's here to bid us a safe journey~" The Marquess and Marchioness walked behind him, a suitable distance between them. The young lady felt her throat parch up; her brother was incessant to say the least.

As they drew near, Gus once again bowed in greeting as she curtsied.

"Ah father, mother-" Rhine was cut off by the woman enveloping her into a tight hug. Her heart warmed at the gesture, it's been awhile since she received such a thing.

"Make sure to take care of yourself and your brother." Marchioness Eva murmured softly as she finally pulled away and took her daughter's hands into hers. "I want to give you this." She placed a silver crescent locket necklace.

"What about me?" Hyde placed his hands on their mother's shoulders and tilted his head at her, "Do you have something for me as well?"

Marchioness Eva laughed, crow's feet crinkling at her eyes as she handed Hyde a dark crescent locket. "Here you go, guard it well and it shall keep you safe."

"Huh?" Hyde blinked but accepted it eagerly. "Thanks mother."

"Well then, now that your mother has given the both of you presents for your journey…" The Marquess began to speak.

"Do you have something for us too father?" Hyde asked while his sister winced at the abrupt question. The Marchioness and Gus merely kept a straight face.

The man in front of them coughed a bit, "My son should consider the fact that I have provided a carriage and men for your travel as a gift in itself already." If one were to look closely, there was mirth in his eyes as he spoke to the young man in front of him, "If not, know that I shall earnestly pray for your safe return."

"Thank you so much father, we are grateful." Rhine lowered her head, "We shall not fail you and His Majesty. We'll certainly bring back good news."

"I expect great things from the both of you. Non enim vale"