♤♡The HALFLING Heir◇♧

Chapter 14: End Era

The official announcement of the Agila's death spread like wildfire. When the news had hit Werston, Lisa and Jennie had already booked for an express yacht back to Middlend by dawn. The Midde princess could graphically imagine Bambam's distress in her head as they boarded the vessel, her own worry for her brother painted dark clouds around her figure. Their ride back was silent, neither of them had anything to say about neither the Middlend monarch's passing nor their talk last night about Bambam's engagement and waning friendship.

Jennie had been hesitant to board the ship without her escorts and usual entourage but the minute that she saw the distraught look on Lisa's face at the breakfast table she knew that this was an urgent matter. She was a little ticked that they couldn't even bring much of their luggage. Lisa gave her 15 minutes to pack her necessities and they were off. She only sent an errand boy to tell RM that she was off to Middlend and that her luggage and things be shipped after her.

Jennie felt incredibly exposed. This was her first time on a public vessel in all her 26 years of living. Gods help me, spare me from any misfortune that might ambush me here. But in reality, none of the ship's passengers had barely paid them any mind. Only giving them a sparse look up and down and then going back to their newspapers.

"I know that look, Jennie." She hears Lisa say after the boat crew member collected their tickets. "Don't worry, it's relatively safe. We both look like aristocrats but they don't know that we're royalty. I doubt someone is out for our blood at the moment. Besides, I'm here to protect you in case anything does happen." The militrike lieutenant offers her a mint and an assuring smile, it seemed to do the trick. Jennie's nerves dial down as she intertwines her arm on Lisa's.

"Lisa... I know what's waiting for us back in Middlend."

"It's going to be troublesome and the whole country will be in distress, Bambam and Auntie will need you..." She begins and Lisa visibly slumps in her seat, her hand goes to cover her face and tussles her bangs.

The heiress hesitates before her next words. "...And I know with Sarawat's passing, my parents will want to hurry the wedding preparations. Running will take me nowhere. It's time I face my future. Oh how quickly, it has caught up with me. I just want you to know that I'll be here for you if you ever need a friend."

The younger girl isn't sure to reply to that, they were both caught off guard with the death of her step father even when they were aware of his health, they did not expect to lose him so soon. Bambam and her mother will surely need her strength when this boat reaches Middlend.

Jennie will most likely be right about the schedule for their wedding. She knew how these matters of court go. So many things were happening at once, she wondered how Bambam could recover. It was getting too much for the both of them. The younger girl shifts in her seat, inching her arm around the delicate waist of the duchess-to-be and pulls her in.

She was not as good with words as her brother, so she didn't say anything else. Lisa only takes Jennie's hand in hers and offers her shoulder for the feline eyed lady to rest her head on.

"I'm here for you too, Nini." Jennie nuzzles her nod further into the neck of Lisa's black coat and they spend the remainder of the trip in silence.

Rosé was the first face the pair saw when they arrived at the Centten palace after days of travel. She looks exquisite in white, Jennie thinks. The tall Norden beamed a relieved grin when she spotted her fiancée riding towards her across the palace grounds, Lisa hastened the pace of her red dappled horse that they had rented back in Manil and left Jennie a few paces back. The older Taito girl let her friend go on without her, she knew that the Midde princess was eager to find her family. She had been antsy the whole ride back to Centten.

"Lisa!" Rosé calls out, running towards the Manshee as fast as she could in heels. The moment that her hands reached the doe eyed royal, Rosé had her locked in a chafing embrace and deposited a sweet kiss on her full lips. Lisa stumbles at the weight, almost losing her footing. Rosie had taken her by surprise at the blatant show of affection but she tentatively returned the gesture nonetheless.