Chapter 70: Homem, Sweet Home

Ferdinand POV

Bucharest, how I had missed this beautiful city, I feel my feet touching the ground of the Airport, with me just getting off the plane, Tanya leaving right behind me, with the Imperial Guards putting our suitcases in the luxury car that was already waiting for us, I then see a man come to me in a Legionnaire uniform, until I finally manage to see his face and see that it was Valeriu Continiu, Arthur's right-hand man, with him having 2 Legionnaires from the Legions of Archangel Michael with him.

"My Prince, welcome back to Bucharest, the Imperial Family and the Legatus will be happy to see you again, as will everyone in the Nation" Valeriu said to me as he knelt in front of me, with the two legionnaires doing the same.

"Stand up, Minister Continiu, I thank you for the welcome, I am happy to return to the Imperium" I say with a sincere smile on my face as I help Valeriu to stand up.

"Minister, this is Tanya Degurechaff, you must have heard about her from the newspapers and lately, she has been ensuring my safety with the Imperial Guard" I said to Valeriu as I introduced Tanya, as I was sure that he, as well as my Family and the Central Government, would be suspicious of her and would want to know why she was with me.

"Nice to meet you, Minister Continiu, it is an honor to meet one of the Ministers of the Dacian Government" Tanya said calmly with a fake smile on her face, I had already warned her about the possibility of someone from the High Echelons of the Central Government coming in person, so she had already practiced her lines.

"Nice to meet you, young lady, on behalf of the Dacian Government, we thank you for helping to maintain the safety of Your Imperial Highness" Valeriu said as he offered his hand for a shake, with Tanya accepting.

"Well, I won't keep you long, my Prince, the Imperial Family and Cezar await you at the Imperial Palace, I hope you have a beautiful day" Valeriu said as he bowed to me.

"Thank you, Minister, Hail Dacia" I said as I gave him a Roman salute, which not only Valeriu but also the two Legionnaires did the same.

"Hail Dacia!" The three said seriously, I then got into the car, already prepared, letting Tanya get in first before one of the Imperial Guards closed the car door, and then felt the car start to move.

"Ready to get to know the Imperium now?" I asked Tanya as I looked out the window.

"Hmm," Tanya nods seriously at me when I focus on her. I could see that behind all that seriousness, she was nervous, but she had nothing to worry about. As long as she does her part, no one will complain about her working as a Centurion of a Foreign Division of the Legions of Archangel Michael, nor will they worry that she is someone who comes from the Empire.

I decide to go back to looking out the window of my car, with me seeing my beloved Bucharest. I can also see that the entire population was waiting for my return, since I see several people in the streets waving Imperium flags, in addition to having a high concentration of police and legionnaires to ensure that my car could go to the Imperial Palace without any problems.

3rd POV

Bucharest was happier than ever. People looked at Ferdinand's car as it passed by and shouted while waving the Imperium flags they had in their hands, with others giving the Roman salute, in addition to shouting "Prince Ferdinand!" and "Hail Dacia!" with smiles on their faces and eyes shining with fanaticism.

Tanya saw this and sighed, seeing that the country was as she imagined it would be, a semi-fascist state where everyone admired Ferdinand and the Imperial Family, with her knowing that she would have to play her role as a fanatical follower too to get along with the Legionnaires or she would have serious problems in the future.

When the car arrived at the entrance of the Imperial Palace, you could see dozens of Imperial Guards ready to welcome Ferdinand, with all of them with serious faces, our protagonist then got out of the car with Tanya, with the Imperial Guards gave a military salute to Ferdinand as he passed by them with Tanya.

After entering the Imperial Palace, Ferdinand saw his mother, Dmitrievna, his father, Johan, and his grandfather, Frederick, who were waiting for him.

"Mother, Father, Grandfather...I'm back" Ferdinand said with a smile on his face before he was hugged tightly by a Mama Bear who was crying with happiness for having her son back.

"Welcome back, my son" Johan said as he went to Ferdinand, also giving him a hug and touching his hair, it was then that Frederick came to Ferdinand and patted him on the shoulder while laughing.

"Hahahaha, Ferdinand, I have to say, you had this old man worried about this trip you made, especially your most recent feat in Edo, but I'm glad you're back," Frederick said as he also hugged his grandson.

After this happy moment between the family, Dmitrievna was the first to focus on Tanya, becoming serious and looking deep into Tanya's soul, she was a little nervous when she saw the Russy Noble Woman looking at her as if she had committed a cardinal sin against Ferdinand.

"You must be the young girl who was recently with Ferdinand on his trips around the world..." Dmitrievna said seriously as she circled Tanya, looking at her with an analytical look, wanting to understand why Ferdinand took her with him.

'Did my son happen to fall in love with this Little Imperial Girl?' Dmitrievna thought seriously; if that was the case, she would have to stop it as soon as possible, first because Tanya was a commoner, she had no noble blood in her veins, and second because she could be a spy sent by the Empire.

There was no way she would leave her son in such danger, she would send the Secret Service to take care of Tanya quickly if that was the situation, maybe even ask her father to lend her some Cossacks to interrogate the girl.

"Y-yes, My Imperial Majesty, the Augusta" Tanya said as she bowed to Dmitrievna, already worried for her own life.

"What is your name, little one?" Johan asked Tanya, standing next to his wife.

"Tanya Degurechaff, my Imperial Majesty, the Cezar" Tanya said while still bowing, out of respect for the Dacian Emperor who was in front of her.

"Well, Tanya Degurechaff, I thank you for protecting my son during his trip, especially in Edo," Johan said with a small smile, not being as harsh with Tanya as Dmitrievna was being with her.

"My son is right; feel welcome to the Imperial Palace, little girl; you will be treated well here," Frederick said calmly as he signaled for some Servants and Imperial Guards to come closer.

"Take the little girl to a guest room, make sure her luggage is placed in her room, and most importantly, I want her to be well treated and protected," Frederick said seriously before looking at Johan, who nodded, agreeing with his father's decision.

Tanya then looked at Ferdinand, who nodded seriously, showing that everything was fine, she then sighed in relief before bowing once more to the Imperial Family before going with the Servants and Imperial Guards.

"Ferdinand....we need to talk....and seriously" Johan said as he looked into his son's eyes, who nodded, knowing he needed to do his part now.