Chapter 11- The Emperor said yes-part 2

Gemma's POV

We were supposed to have left for the outer kingdom of Terrinas two months prior to Jasper's second birthday, but when the Emperor learned of Jasper's up-coming ceremony, he pushed back the departure date until after the ceremony in the Imperial city.

Most parents, if they were able to travel to the imperial city for their child's ceremony, they would do it and consider the extra expense well worth it.

"To answer your previous questions" Adrian said dryly " I sent a letter along with the annual report for permission to travel to the Imperial city for Baby girl's upcoming ceremony and mentioned wanting to find Sapphire a mentor while we were there. I'm certainly glad I send it with the last annual report or else we would not make it in time for baby's second birthday."

I nodded admitting it was just a taste of how good at planning Adrian was.

"So according the the letter my replacement should be here in about four months, which is cutting it close, but Sapphire and Jasper are no longer small and baby is very quiet and good, so I think we might be able to cut off some of the travel time," Adrian said as he studied one of the maps on the wall.

The office was quite large with a large, wooden desk with piles of papers on top of half of the while the other half was clean with a simple writing utensil adorning the top. A couch and several chairs and tables made it comfortable for meetings and the maps on the walls added an intelligence base feel to the room. One of the maps was a detailed map of the capital of Terrinas, the kingdom the family was currently residing in, another was the entire kingdom of Terrinas, and the last was a map of the entire empire; including the 12 kingdoms and the Imperial city.

While Adrian was lost in thought, looking at the maps and beginning to plan our route, I rushed back to the children's wing of the house to tell them the good news.

I found Sapphire first; she was diligently practicing her elemental control in her courtyard. She was ecstatic when I told her that she was going to get a mentor from the Imperial city, a desire of any mentoree, and then peppered me with more questions. Two hours later I was still in her room, specifically her closet, weeding out the clothes to take with us and which to leave and replace when we arrived at our destination.

By the time I left Sapphire's room it was time for dinner. I headed down to the dining room after being reminded of the time by Lily, our maid and cooks assistant; with the assurance that she would also be notifying the rest of the family.

A short time later we were sitting at the dining table. Adrian had talked to Jasper about the upcoming changes the family would be making after seeing me being 'detained' in Sapphires room.

"Dad!" Sapphire yelled indignantly. "You make my room sound like jail...or a detention center...or something." To which she added her newly acquired almost teenage pout; which in my opinion was adorable.

Adrian just smiled and held his piece. 'Smart man' I thought before changing the subject.

"Dear, what do you think about us having baby eat here with us in the evenings?" I asked. I felt bad having her cooped up in the nursery with just her nurse and now that she was completely weaned and on solid foods, there was no reason for her not to join us.

"I'm good with it" he replied simply.

I looked at both of the children's responses. Jasper merely smiled and nodded while Sapphire just shrugged before focusing on her food. I couldn't help but internally sigh. I was really hoping this year of getting to know her little sister would change her heart. Initially it looked promising, but within a few months of baby's birth, I realized that Sapphire had spent little to no time with her sister. In fact it would be amazing if my youngest even knew she had an older sister.

"Alright, we'll begin having baby join us starting tomorrow" I said, both to my family as well as the staff that was just outside the doors to the dining room.