Two days later all the preparations for the trip had been completed. The Party was set to leave by noon, in hopes to make it to Drachium Palace in four days time for the celebrations.
The knights selected to join were, Gabel, Ursuline, Garrow and Ulyseon.
Princess Agnes offered to have a royal carriage come for them but Riftan immediately declined the offer. Everyone knew he had found no joy in staying at the Palace for long periods of time, and if he had accepted the offer he would likely be made to stay longer.
It was minutes from being noon, Elara kissed Nura on the head, then her lips before passing her to Betsy. Next to her stood Ludis who was holding both Triton and Roem's hand. Behind Ludis, Cassian sat on the floor already starting to play with the many Calypse children's toys.
"Cassian, come give mother a kiss."
The little boy stood and ran over to Elara excitedly. He had recently hit a growth spurt and Elara could hardly believe how grown he was looking. His dark hair flopped over his forehead as he ran to her.
"Mother loves you Cassian."
After hugging her son for several minutes, Elara kissed him on both his cheeks then ushered him back to the toys scatter about the room.
A second later Maximillian appeared.
Elara widened her eyes at her beautiful attire. She had an elegant purple dress with gold embroidery spread across the bodice.
Her long red hair braided beautifully over her shoulder.
Elara then looked down briefly at her own attire. She had put on the simplest dress she owned. While it had no beautiful embroidery, it did have black ties on the sleeves and bodice, that she had thought looked pretty against the dark green color of the dress. But now seeing the countess, she felt very underdressed.
The minute Roem and Triton saw their monther they ran to her. She hugged both boys in her arms before kissing them on the sides of their heads.
"Be good my loves."
"We will be fine my lady. Enjoy your trip." Ludis spoke with a sweet smile.
Elara rubbed her arms as she glanced over at her Nura and Cassian once more .
"Let us go join the rest of the party Elara, what do you say?"
Maximillian wound an arm with her, guiding them out of the playroom.
When they reached the bottom of the stairs Elara spotted Gabel leaning against a pillar with his arms crossed.
His eyes seemed to be fixed on the grand chandelier hanging from the ceiling. A moment later he turned his head towards them.
"Everything okay? The Commander sent me to fetch you both, we are all set to depart."
His face bore a strange expression, not one of his usual happy go lucky looks.
Though their conversation on her joining the group ended on a neural note, Elara still felt tension between them.
Over the last several days he had made it clear that he was upset.
Maximillian squeezed Elara's arm.
"Yes thank you sir Gabel. We were just saying goodbye to the children."
"Very Good My lady. Shall we head outside then?"
He motioned with his hand then turned walking several feet in front of them.
Elara frowned.
Was he intending to ignore her?
Not once just then did he look her way.
When they made it outside, Lord Calypse jumped off his steed and rushed up, taking his wife's arm from Elara.
