Royal or Loyal? [A garmau AU] ✔️

Retun to Phoenix Drop [7]

Aphamu dreaded the walk. Her body seemed more limp as each foot dragged on after the other. There were a plethora of reasons why she lingered away from that place for so long.

Hell, she didn't want for even say the name of it.

"I've heard that Phoenix Drop has been doing terrible." Aphmau stated, thinking that maybe Katelyn would just turn around, and totally forget about it.

"Oh, really? That's a shame.  Why don't we just go to Meteli then?"

"Really?"

"No, you dummy." Katelyn smirked, making her friend mad.

"Don't lie to me like that." Aphmau said harshly.

"I'm not lying you.  It's sarcasm and a joke all in one."

Aphmau scoffed, his wasn't really a good time to be bantering with her. The tension was thick between them, but Katelyn was too focused on actually getting her friend there, she would care less.

"C'mon.  We're almost there.  Lighten up." Katelyn punched her shoulder lightly.

Aphamu couldn't scream and yell at her friend, as much as she wanted to, she couldn't be mad at her.  She would only forgive her later.

And Katelyn knew that.  They kept walking through the enchanted forest. They would reach there by nightfall.

Aphmau had tried many times to steer Katelyn off course, but that didn't work. So she moped as she trudged on to their destination.

•••

Aphmau took in a deep breath and approached the gates of the smaller looking city. She threw her blue and gold cloak over her head as Katelyn tried to get into it.

It had been doing better than Aphmau had expected. There was no lord to the village, so the head guard had taken up the position, being the Lord and the Head Guard sounded like a lot of work, stressful.

They checked into an inn that was nearby and started to wander. Katelyn didn't know the area well, so she followed her best friend.

Aphmau wanted to visit her old home. It was on the outskirts of Phoenix drop. She knew her way around every area. She knew where every shortcut and hiding place that there is.

This was her hometown, born and raised.

But now, Aphmau didn't have a home. And that's why she hated always being on the run sometimes. Seeing her home now only made her feel more isolated then ever.

She or Katelyn didn't speak. Due to the tension of being in a different place put the both of them on edge in a different way.

"Where are we going?" Katelyn asked, finally breaking the silence.

"My old home."

"Are you sure it's still there?"

"It has to be."

Aphmau reached the area. In all honesty, it looked like shit. Like no one cared to take care of it. It had only been abandoned for three years. Aphmau took a deep breath and opened the door.

She tried to flick on the lights, which barley worked. They were very dim and she had to squint to see.

Her house was bigger then expected. There was a staircase that lead to three doorways and the bottom floor had a nice kitchen filled with marble.

Dust cluttered the house. Katelyn followed behind Aphmau, clueless of why she wanted to visit her old home.

All of the valuables were still in check. The money was still there and all of the jewelry were in their boxes.

"Let's go upstairs." Aphmau whispered to her fiend, gripping onto her sword as a precaution. She felt a weird vibe when she entered.

They quietly tip-toed up the stairs, Aphmau went to her old bedroom door.

She held onto the knob, twisting it gently. The door creaked open and Aphmau flickered on the light.

It had been dusty. The room had been a nice lilac purple with its queen sized bed and bathroom. The sheets were messy as if nobody ever dared to come to the home.

She grimaced, looking at all of the old things that she kept. Memories kept flashing to her.

"Mommy! Mommy! Look at my dress!"

"It's beautiful Aphmau."

"Me and you can be matching mommy!"

"I would like that a lot sweetheart."

She shook her head, pulling her blue and gold cloak down, gripping onto the very small purple fabric.

Katelyn took a seat on Aphmau's bed, waiting patiently and observing.

Aphamu now saw the jewelry box that she was given when she was ten. She dusted it off and opened it.

"Happy birthday Aphie!" Her mom shouted handing her a wrapped box.

"Can I open it now?"

"Go ahead sweetheart."

"It's so pretty mother! Thank you."

"Your welcome, Aphamu."

She smiled at the memory. She remembered how happy she was as a child, and she deeply wished she could have that careless nature back.

She took out a lilac purple jeweled necklace shaped in a heart.

"This is for you."

"Really? Thank you mama!"

"A kind princess deserves amazing things. Remember that, Aphmau."

"Yes, mother."

She scrunched the necklace in her hand, putting it in her pocket. She patted the area again, making sure that it was securely in there before skimming through other things.

She opened the chest, seeing many combat weapons and old swords and armor.

She picked up the light metal sword, the one she used when she first started training.

"Mom! This is heavy!"

"I know it is. You're only eleven, it'll get lighter the more you train."

"Why do I have to train? Can't I just have guards?"

"Being able to protect yourself is key to survival. What happens when your guards are gone dear?"

"You're right mom. I'll train extra hard!"

"I know you will. Be safe. I love you."

"I love you too, mama."

Tears welled up in her eyes. She gingerly put down the sword, making sure there were no loud clanging when she did so.

She wiped her eyes swiftly, closing the chest. There was nothing of too much sentimental value for her to take.

She opened the closet to see if she could take anything for they go.

It was filled with many dresses for balls and festivals. Aphamu remembered those times.

She didn't find anything that would fit her. She quietly closed her closet and walked back to Katelyn. She smiled at her friend, thanking her without saying words.

They heard the door creak open and they gripped onto their swords.

"Looks like the princess has finally returned home."