The Guarded Princess

LXXII

Standing over the balcony looking over the entirety of the empire below her, the clouds spanned out in the horizon for distances to see as the citizens hurried about their everyday lives, chatting to one another happily as the children ran around freely without a care in sight. The countless city markets bustled with life as goods were traded. Having stabilized fairly well, the country had become one of the leading empires for hiding from the world and making it highly inaccessible caused many to look on with curiosity. The goods that they exported were of the highest quality and sought after in all countries. This was the Celestial Empire that had been built upon the clouds, overlooking the world from above.

Smiling to herself, she perked up as she heard footsteps approach. Turning around, she greeted him with a nod as the accessories on her staff jingled.

"Masrur."

The tall and well-built Fanalis moved over to her, his fur-lined red cape billowing behind him, the golden threads attaching the cape together and the teardrop-shaped rubies moving each time. He looked over the castle balcony with her and she turned her attention back to it.

"You really like this scenery, huh?"

Lucy softened her eyes. "Yes. From here, you could see everything and though the scenery is indeed beautiful, the smiles on the faces of the people are much more enjoyable to see."

Masrur smiled down at her and ruffled her hair to which she showed a rather cute expression. However, she opened her eyes once again but this time, her eyes reflected almost a painful longing as she placed a hand softly on the railing of the balcony.

"It's been three years since we left," she started. "I wonder how they're doing?"

Masrur glanced at her. "Do you miss them?"

"If I said I didn't, that would be an obvious lie," she chuckled and turned to him. "Masrur, too. You miss them as well, no?"

He remained silent before nodding his head. "Three years is a long time."

"But within that time, we were able to achieve what I set out to do and I was able to meet everyone here," Lucy beamed. "If three years was all that it took, then I don't regret it. I don't regret meeting any one of them because they're the friends and allies that had taken the same path as us from beginning till end."

Smiling, he ruffled her head once more. "That's true."

A knock came at the door and Lucy turned around to see Kaede walking in with a handful of reports in his hand. "Sorry to bother you two's time," he gave a playful smile as his white, prince-like cape fluttered behind over his shoulder.

Lucy laughed. "You aren't being a bother at all. Besides, I'm the one that allowed you guys to enter my office freely."

Kaede smiled. "In any case, I'm glad to see you well, Lucy."

In public eye, they referred to each other with their statuses but as of now, they were amongst one another and so they didn't need to put up any appearances. Lucy was the Empress of the Celestial Empire while Masrur was her personal Guard and had all the royal guards - whose duty was to solely protect Her Highness Lucy Heartfilia - under his command. Kaede was second-in-command and in a way, was her Prime Minister for he often acted in Lucy's stead. Wu Kong was in command of the entire Armed Forces in the Empire, Tomoyo was in command of the Air Forces of the Empire, and Hakuyuu was in command of the Navy Forces of the Empire with Hakuren being his second-in-command. Though, other than that, they each had their own jobs regarding the Empire's structure and economic interests.

"So, what brings you here today?"

Remembering his reason for coming, he held the documents in his hand. "The usual," he answered with a serious face.