Departure for the Summit (2)

A month and a half, that was how long it took for Sebastian to get from Aurora to the capital of Typhonia. It was the longest month he had ever spent.

He was under constant surveillance not just by Markus, but also by his father, Jonathan, and everyone else on the airship.

There were times where he lodged with the House of Sol and there were also times where he stayed with the House of Luna. The other people on the airship even gave him weird looks from time to time.

The second son of Jonathan Sol was alternating between the two houses.

After being from that pressure...

"I finally feel alive…"

Sebastian took a deep breath. The city's air smelled clean. But, it wasn't just the air. The entire city looked clean.

Aurum and Tidas' capital were clean cities, but Typhonia's capital was on another level. Sebastian felt like even if he swabbed the ground with his glove, he wouldn't be able to get any dust.

Of course, that wasn't really the case. It was impossible for dust not to accumulate where thousands of people walk everyday.

—Are you going to deliver the letter first?

"We aren't staying in the capital for very long, after all."

They would stay in the capital for three days. After that, they would depart in a carriage accompanied by a couple of wagons in a narrow road up a mountain.

Markus had informed him of the path that everyone was going to take, and the schedule they were going to use.

Jonathan would stay for a day before leaving to go to the mountain. Markus would follow him two days after. The House of Leon and the Walt House respectively would follow with the same time gap in between.

They would arrive at the summit within a week from when they landed.

If thing went according to schedule, then Sebastian would have two days of free time. Today and tomorrow. However, delivering Wisteria's letter alone would take an entire day.

"Seriously, could she have come up with a more difficult way to send a letter?"

The task Wisteria had given him was one he never thought that he'd do. Infiltrate the royal palace of Typhonia's royal family.

Sebastian groaned but decided to continue the task. He bought some random disguises he found off the stalls and headed over to the royal palace.

…

A month and a half ago, Aurum. The day of Sebastian's departure.

"I still don't like it."

Amy puffed up her cheeks.

"I know."

Sebastian comforted her by stroking her hair. They were currently in the carriage with Sana.

"And what's with that? As the future head of the House of Luna, I can't just leave the country so easily? The summit is a meeting that I'd eventually have to go to, isn't it right for me to participate as well?!"

"You and Lord Luna only have each other to rely on. Are you really alright with leaving your house's management for a few months to someone else?"

"..."

Amy couldn't say anything back. She turned her head to the side.

"Mama… Don't be too sad. Sana is sad too…"

Sana held on Amy's sleeve. Her other arm was wrapped around her giant dog.

"Ugh…"

Amy held her chest, as if something had struck her heart directly.

"My sweet little girl! Why are you so cute?!"

Amy vigorously embraced Sana and rubbed her face on the latter's cheeks.

"She's going to suffocate."

With Sebastian's warning, Amy reluctantly let go of her.

"I'll bring you two back souvenirs so tell me what you want."

""Food!""

"Of course…"

Sebastian sighed in exasperation.

"Other than that?"

"Sana can't think of anything else!"

"Then, how about a hair accessory? Typhonia has a great amount of imported goods, find me one."

"Got it. I'll get matching ones for you two then."

The three of them chatted until they reached the airship. The joyful mood that the three had just a few minutes earlier seemed like a dream.

Sana and Amy walked with listless steps behind Sebastian.

"Ooh… Do you really have to leave?"

Clarice, with Reimfrey in her arms, approached Sebastian. She had tears in the corners of her eyes as she sniffled.

"Mother, don't worry. I'll be back. I'll even bring gifts."

"B-but…"

"You reacted the same way when I left for Tidas, just think of it like that."

Sebastian embraced the crying Clarice and comforted her.

Just a year ago, he was about the same height as his mother. Now, he was at least a head taller. It made him a bit emotional and he couldn't help but hold back his tears.

Many things happened in just a little more than a year.

It was the most eventful and most painful time of his life. However, he cherished his memories. He wouldn't trade them for anything.

Once Clarice calmed down a bit, she took a few steps back—still sniffling—and wrapped a scarf around Sebastian's neck.

"Typhonia is very cold so make sure to not get sick."

"I will."

Sebastian wasn't a regular person, some cold wind wouldn't be able to affect him. Clarice knew that but still gave it to him.

"You should listen to your father. He may not act like it, but he cares about you a lot too."

"I know."

Jonathan wasn't a very expressive person, but he was a genuine one. He didn't hide behind a mask.

"And… be sure to come back safe, okay? The most important thing is your life."

"I'll be back without a hair on my head missing."

"G-good…"

Clarice began crying once again. Martha went over to comfort her and led her away.

Sebastian reached the airship and turned around. Amy, Sana and her dog had followed him.

'They look alike…'

If he had said it out loud, Amy might've hit him. But, he couldn't help but have such thoughts.

The heads of the three were drooping down and they all wore sad expressions on their faces.

"We have to part here."

"..."

He could see Amy and Sana's eyes beginning to moist.

Sebastian chuckled and leveled himself with Sana and her dog.

"You two be good, okay? I'm counting on you to protect your mama while I'm gone."

"Nn…"

"Good girl. You too."

Sebastian vigorously rubbed the two's heads. Sana didn't even bother to fix her hair and just stood still with tears falling from her eyes.

Sebastian stood up and raised Amy's chin so she'd look him in the eyes.

"Amy?"

"...Don't cheat on me without permission once you get there. I have to meet them first."

"I won't. Even if the world were to flip over, you're the only one for me."

As if that was the final straw, Amy pulled Sebastian's neck and gave him a deep kiss. She didn't mind that they were in front of everyone, which she normally did.

After she was satisfied, Amy let go of Sebastian and licked her lips that had just made contact with his.

"Staking my claim."

"Heh."

Sebastian couldn't help but laugh. He'd believe her if she wasn't all teary but to him, she just looked like a girl trying to make a brave front.

With their farewells out of the way, Sebastian boarded the airship with a peace of mind. Though he would be away from them for a while, he would come back stronger.

Amy was already an Adept and without Balanos, he wouldn't be able to protect her.

If the Valian and the sorcerer were to appear again, what would they do?

He didn't just plan to spend the time in Typhonia for nothing.

Sebastian looked down from the airship that was slowly beginning to rise.

He could see Clarice, Amy, and Sana waving at him. While he couldn't see their expressions anymore, he wouldn't mistake their figures.

Sebastian waved back with vigor and didn't leave the side of the airship until they were in the distance.

"Sentimental, Sebastian?"

"..."

Sebastian didn't even need to turn around to know the identity of the person that had just talked to him.

"Brother."

Sebastian faced Damian and called out.

"She became an Adept at the tender age of 18. Quite amazing, don't you think? And to think such a person is my future sister-in-law."

Damian's words caused Sebastian to glare at him.

"No need to be so tense. I'm just admiring her talent."

As if Sebastian would believe such a thing. Damian didn't seem to be interested in Amy, but Sebastian couldn't help but feel that he was plotting something.

"I'll be off now."

Damian walked away without even waiting for Sebastian's reply—he hadn't expected one.

'He's planning something.'

Damian was a prideful and vain person. Even at the slightest action Sebastian would take against him, he would respond with anger.

Sebastian had glared at Damian and he didn't even bat an eye. He wouldn't be a fool as to believe that Damian hadn't noticed his expression.

Sebastian decided to pay attention to the other faction inside the House of Sol for the duration of the trip. The Walt House too.

If Damian was acting strangely because they had a plan, then those two sides would be moving as well.

It was another source of stress for Sebastian during this month and a half of travel. It wasn't like when he traveled with Amy at all.

—None of them are making any strange movements.

"..."

A few days later, Sebastian used Balanos to see if any of the two sides were making moves but they just acted normally. Was it just his imagination? Or were they not planning to make any moves at all during this trip?

In the end, none of them did anything strange and Sebastian unboarded the airship with a heavy heart.

…

"Agh… That was smelly."

—You could've covered your nose with your energy.

"I don't think that'll help. I could smell it through the shadows…"

The way that Wisteria had told him to use was the sewers. He would go through the sewers and enter the royal palace from below.

—This seems to be it.

"Finally…"

Sebastian looked at the hatch and breathed a sigh of relief. He immediately regretted sighing as when he took a deep breath, he smelled everything.

"Urk…"

Sebastian managed to sneak the letter into Wisteria's room and for the next two days, Sebastian smelled so much that Markus had gotten him a room of his own.