Lost

Chapter 2 : The Medeis Scroll

After satisfying themselves with a hearty breakfast, the royal family hurried off to prepare for Vania's arrival. Although she's a family member, it's probably good manners - and the royal standards - for royals to look their best during meetings. Which is why Thea grumbled under her breath as she licked her index and used it to brush Louis' hair aside before fastening his navy cloak. Just the second she had finished with that, the golden bell began to toll. Signalling Vania's arrival.

Before marrying The King, Thea and her sister, Vania, lived modestly at the nearby town. Thea worked as a royal maid who serves the royal family while Vania chase her dream of being an expert archeologist. Even after Thea and Eric are wedded, Vania still chose to live modestly back at her home town instead of living in the luxury her sister and brother-in-law provides. Although the two are far apart most of the time, one visit a month is enough to quench their thirst of seeing each other.

Louise watched intently as the front gates began to swing open and three people entered the courtyard. One of them is his aunt, Vania, flanked by two serious looking soldiers. Vania has thick, curly, brown hair tied in a high ponytail. She likes to wear her expedition attire which consists of a short sleeved, tan shirt and knee length olive green skirt. Her face is filled with freckles and she wears a thick, green rimmed, circular glasses. At the sight of his aunt, Louise gulped loudly and began to fiddle with his clammy fingers.

"Aah, the royal family! It's a pleasure to see the royal family's still in one piece!" Vania grinned as she did a rather low curtsy.

"It's a pleasure to see you too, Ms. Vania." Eric smiled back before bowing back to her, followed by Thea and Louise.

"Thea! My little sister!" Vania straightened from her curtsy and began to shake hands with Thea before embracing her. "All's good?"

"Yep, all's good." Thea nodded.

"Now where's my smart, little Louise?" Vania pulls away and swivels her head right and left in an attempt to spot Louise.

"Uh, aunt, I'm here! And also, I'm not little anymore." Louise added when Humbert, who's standing at his post as usual, began to snigger.

"Ah yes, there he is! My little genius. All's well with your studies?" Vania asks after hugging Louise.

"Yep. Everything's fine." Louise replied proudly.

"And what about your trainings? In our last meeting you said that you've upgraded your ranks into a squire, hm? How are those trainings going?"

"Uh...." Louise hesitated. And before he can answer, Humbert butt in to the conversation and replied it for him.

"Uh, actually he's doing good. But not too good. A bit slacking in his sword practice lately. Needs a lot more practice than I thought. Didn't even dare to give me a light scratch even when I'm wearing my best armor."

"Thanks for the unnecessary comment, Humbert." Louise thanked sarcastically as his fists clenched.

"You're welcome." Humbert replied, oblivious to the sarcasm. He then reached out his hand for Vania to shake. "I suppose you still remember me, ma'am?"

"Of course! The crown guard Hubert isn't it?" Vania shakes his hand merrily.

"Humbert, ma'am. Humbert. With an 'm'" Humbert corrected.

"That's what I just said. Hubert. Anyways Hubert, Louise told me quite a lot about you in his letters." Vania informed.

"Oh, did he now?" Humbert's head slowly swivels towards Louise.

"Y-yeah, but that's not the pressing problem now. We need to focus with the task at hand. King Eric says that you needed some help with your recent findings." Louise stammered. Even though he's dreading to see the artifact his aunt brought him, he'll do anything to change the topic.