To become the Emperor

Chapter 5

No one POV

"I know I said I could, but I'm terribly sorry for not having a carriage ready. It would seem all mine are being used by family or other people at the time."

Ralph shook his head with a wave of his hand.

"It's fine. All this means is we'll have to ride on horseback like we originally planned to. You're fine with that, right Zenith?"

Zenith nodded as Audrey let out a sigh of relief. The group had spoken yesterday and it was decided they would leave for Maranda first thing in the morning.

"Is it ok for a duke to leave his territory like this? I'm not a genius but even I know that usually doesn't happen."

Audrey nodded.

"It's on official business. Besides, it's my property, no one can tell me how to manage my property but me."

Ralph hummed before just shrugging, Zenith shaking her head in disappointment.

"So, are we heading out?"

Audrey stood with Ralph and Zenith outside his residence, two horses gathered there with them. Ralph hummed before shaking his head.

"I want to, but I don't know how to ride a horse."

Zenith nodded, letting Audrey know she didn't know how to either. Audrey sighed before smiling a bit.

"I expected this. Just in case, I had one of my best warriors on standby if this was the case. Dreija, come out please."

A woman stepped out from behind the main gates, a sword at her side and a stern look on her face. She had long flat green hair and black eyes, and she didn't look the most happy to be there.

Much like Audrey she wore a very prestigious looking outfit, one that had to cost lots of money.

"This is Dreija, she'll be accompanying us to Maranda as my bodyguard but also since you can't ride horses. Now Lady Zenith, if you would accompany me."

Ralph looked to Dreija with a wide smile.

"I guess we're partners! Let's have fun!"

She just turned and head and got into the horse, Ralph getting on behind her with a goofy laugh.

"Let's go!"

The group took off on horseback, running out of Osaka's main gates and heading out into the open. Ralph looked at the open fields and let out a gasp of amazement, enjoying the view.

"It looks so nice. You think so knight lady?"

Dreija just ignored his question, instead focusing on something else.

"My name isn't Knight lady, it's Dreija. Use it or don't speak to me at all."

"Wow, someone's friendly! Were you born with a stick up your ass or did you shove it there?"

Dreija accidentally chuckled, making Ralph smile and laugh a bit.

"So you can smile."

Dreija blushed in embarrassment and looked forward, turning her head to avoid his eyes.

"Shut up. Don't speak to me like we're friends."

"So you're just shy. Good to know."

"Don't speak to me."

As Ralph continued to bother Dreija, Zenith watched them from her horse. She could hear them due to her very strong sense of hearing, and the conversation brought a smile to her face.