Re: Zero Ghoul

15# Return to the capital

Some days after the unexpected visit from the capital, everyone made preparations for a trip to the city. Subaru also took advantage of that, and spoke some more with Emilia about the whole ordeal of being queen and proper attitude. She still was very defensive about it, she was a good person through and through, but she also started comprehending that sometimes a more harsh attitude was necessary. Subaru was glad that she understood.

Everyone packed many things for the stay on the city. Subaru brought everything that he had. Even the village children's presents. It was a bit dumb, but he wanted to have them close.

After loading everything, Subaru, Emilia, Rem, and Roswaal hopped on their carriage, making their way to the capital.

In Subaru's opinion, after so much time in the mansion, going away seemed quite refreshing. And yes, Emilia had to do her thing as a queen candidate, but surely he could afford some time to fool around and search for other ghouls.

As the vehicle advanced fairly fast through the road, Subaru also felt the urge to lean out of the carriage and feel the wind against him. He always wanted to do that. Such childish behavior..., Subaru chided himself, with a tiny, restrained smile. He knew better, and would stay still on his seat.

That was for some minutes, though. Despite of his previous thoughts, he decided to be lax just this one time, he got up and opened the door. Emilia tried to stop him, but Roswaal assured Subaru could probably hold on to the carriage no problem.

Emilia relented, and Subaru leaned out of the carriage, like a sailor on a new adventure. But for some reason, he didn't feel a strong wind against him. Then Roswaal and Emilia told him the existence of 'divine blessings'. Very strange magic that some beings were born with (Ram's ability to see through animals' eyes had to be one of those). Apparently all earth dragons had one that nullified wind resistance. Nifty. Also people were sometimes born with a random divine blessing. These things could range from awesome and useful, to harmful, or just utterly useless. Could Return by Death pass as a divine blessing?

As Subaru stood there, out of the carriage, imagining possible divine blessings and their applications, Rem made him go back to the present with something he didn't expect.

- You look cute - she said, blushing a little.

- Wha... - Subaru stuttered.

He wasn't cute! He was... a bunch of things. But not cute! Still, he was turning redder and redder.

- I... ehm... If you say so... - Subaru said shyly, trying not to make a fuzz about it.

So, the boy sighed, and looked up into the blue sky, trying to get his mind out of the whole situation.

As he stared up, he started thinking about Roswaal's instructions. Both knew something big awaited in the capital. So big, that apparently Roswaal had to give Subaru instructions. That, gave some sort of comfort. If Subaru needed instructions, then he wasn't acting like a cog on a big machine. Then, he still had some sort of power over his future. Like... he could ignore all instructions and let whatever happen. Unless having me disobeying was part of the plan..., Subaru remarked.

He pressed his teeth, still unwilling to wrestle with the question of whether he was heading towards an inevitable future or not. This time he would obey Roswaal's instructions, and before that, he would enjoy what time he had before facing the damn events that awaited. And so he would.