Hal Family Estate

  Solance took a quick look at the map before pointing at the central part of the city. 

  "This is where the Hal Family Estate is at. However, it is located at the core region of the city, which, while not exactly forbidding tourists from entry, the inspection is already a perfect deterrent," he said, looking at the map intently.

  "So, how do we get you to your family home?" Ryker asked, the others currently busy having a look around this part of the city.

  "You should get an inn for the others first. Then we can go, both of us," Solance said. 

  Ryker nodded. While he didn't want to separate from his family, it was better for him to go to the Estate alone to not arouse suspicion.

He watched as Solance pointed at several inns they could spend their time at, Ryker getting the women to take their pick. In the end, they pick one closest to the core region, so he can return as quickly as possible.

-x-

  After sending his family to the inn, Ryker and Solance put on their plan. While Solance took the part of 'cargo', Ryker would be the driver, driving the carriage to the Estate.

  As Ryker led the carriage to the Estate, he was stopped at the border of the core region.

  "Halt, what do you have with you?" a guard stopped him, Ryker giving him a smile.

  "I'm sending a cargo to the Hal Family," he said, the guard nodded. 

  "In that case, please enter," the guard let him enter the place.

  As they entered the core of the capital, Ryker couldn't help but ask the young master. "I thought they would have to check us,"

  "For other families, yes. For the Baron Family and Three Great Families, we were given a huge leeway. At least the journey would be easy until we entered the area owned by my family, then there would be people stopping us. But don't worry, just say the keywords I told you and we can enter the area," Solance said before he stopped talking. After all, cargo couldn't talk.

  As Solance said, they were not even stopped, must less having their cargo checked by the guard. They easily passed the guard until they reached a gate, a bluebird emblem on the main gate. In front of the gate, guards with strength at the Genesis Foundation stopped them.

  "Halt, what is the reason for you to enter the Hal Family Estate?" the guard asked, looking at him in suspicion.

  Remembering the keyword, Ryker said, "I have something to deliver at the secret room at the back of the house," the guard stopping him looked at him in puzzlement. 

  "What did you mean by that? If it was a joke it was not funny!" he yelled. Before he could harm, or attempt to, Ryker, the guard next to him stopped him. 

  "Get the captain, know! Tell him someone wants to deliver something to the secret room," the second guard said, the first guard not knowing anything but still did it.

  The second guard looked at him with a smile. "Please wait until the captain arrives before you can deliver your cargo,"

  Ryker nodded. He could wait. The only one who couldn't would be Solance who was currently inside the hot and steamy carriage. But letting his friend suffer for a bit is a very friendly thing to do so he took his time waiting.

-x- 

  In 20 minutes, the captain arrived, looking at Ryker with a stern expression. 

  "Password?" he asked, Ryker answered it quickly, "Bluebird in trees," 

  The captain's eyes went wide with shock before his expression turned back to normal. "Follow me," he said, leading him into the Estate.

  Ryker followed after the captain. The atmosphere was silent, neither party tried to start some small talk. He took the silence to observe the estate. He had expected the Hal Family Estate to be impressive but even with all of his imagination, it didn't come close to the real deal.

  The Estate had several buildings at its center, with gardens and trees surrounding the center. To the left of the main mansion, there is a training field, where guards practice. He looked around before the captain started talking.

  "We are nearly there, please prepare your cargo," he said. Ryker looked to his front to see an underground room. He gets the carriage inside, the captain watching him.

  "The cargo better be valuable or I will have your head right here and now," the captain threatens.

  Ryker laughed dryly, "If you don't find it more valuable than your life, I will kill myself," he dryly said before opening the cargo, a very uncomfortable Solance dropped from the carriage.

  "Now I know how cargo feels. Let's never do that again," he said to Ryker, the older brother pointed to the captain.

  Seeing the captain, Solance smiled at him, "Captain Low, how's my father doing?" the question shocked the man out of his stupor, the captain bowed to the young master.

  "Young master! I'm so glad to see you!" he said, glad the heir to the family was safe.

  "It's thanks to my friend over here. If not for his assistance, I would be dead," he said, the captain bowing to Ryker.

  "In the name of the Hal Family's Guard, we gave our thanks!" not knowing how to react, he gave a pleading look to Solance, who pretended to not see him.

  Preparing a revenge plan, he decided to let the captain bow until he stopped. Unfortunately, he didn't take into account the captain has immense stamina and wouldn't stop until he said something.

  Solence decided to help his friend by ordering the captain. "Captain Low, please get my father. I have something important to talk to him. In the meantime, I will lead my friend to one of the rooms. Can you get one of the rooms empty?"

-x-

  As he promised, he got them to a room, the captain promising to get the servants to get them some snacks. Solance nodded, eager for something to fill his stomach, Ryker the same as him. As the two wait for the patriarch of Hal's family, Solance's father, the two have a small talk.

  Solance mostly talks about what the capital has to offer, along with some good houses for him. Ryker mostly talked about his family, though he kept most details about his lover's secret as it was their secret, not knowing they had talked about it when Ryker spent his time having his breakthrough.

  As they currently digging through their snacks, a man with white hair, a moustache and a beards adorned his face, entered the room.

  Solance stood up, saying, 

  "Father!"