Jaakuna had been completely silent when Reia and Lorenzo had been talking. It was in his best interest to do so. It was even more so considering he got scolded by both of them for simply looking, though it was in different ways. Nonetheless, it taught Jaakuna a valuable lesson: no matter how pretty, if you  are spoken for, even looking will get you put in the dog house.

And in moments, they touched ground on Archadia. 

As the trio walked through the doors of the Aerodome from the private section where all those who had their own airships came to the public section where one could book flight on commercial ships, Jaakuna felt something stir in his stomach. It wasn’t pride, but just a warm feeling. Maybe it was all the times of being away, being in foreign land, that Jaakuna -no, not Jaakuna today. Jackson Darcone was home. Jackson Darcone, for the first time in years, was home. He wasn’t Jaakuna returning for a visit. He was the crown prince who had dressed for the part.

“[color=ed1c24]I guess this is what it means to return home, huh?[/color]” Jackson mused, a smile of pride on his face.

Jackson could tell that, even with them barely arriving, they were getting looks from everyone and whispers that followed.

“Is that Prince Lorenzo of Rozarria?”

“Is that Empress Reia of Rozarria?”

“Is that the Crown Prince, Jackson Darcone?”

While these whispers weren’t ignored, they weren’t acknowledged either. Jackson wouldn’t subject himself to that. These people, while they mattered in an overall sense, he wasn’’t going to give them teh satisfaction by turning his head to them. If he did, that would only invite them to indulge in their trivial gossiping. There was just far more important matters for Jackson to focus on.

And as he, as well as Reia and Lorenzo, would soon realize, these important matters had decided to come to them rather than the other way around.

“Prince Lorenzo, Empress Reia, and Prince Jackson,” an Archadian Soldier said, looking at the three. He stood tall and presentable. “Judge Darcone has sent me to receive you as your personal escort to see his eminence, Emperor Roman.”

Jackson looked at them briefly. It wasn’t a confident look. Hamut hadn’t told him about roman and where he was. And now he sends a soldier to escort them. It just didn’t send a good feeling through his body. Even worse, Jackson was not keen on this soldier. His voice sounded shady. 

“[color=ed1c24]Tell my Grandfather that, while we appreciate the gesture, we can see our own way to roman. But thanks though.[/color]” He said, waving the soldier off.

The soldier took a moment to respond. Silence spoke volumes, as it didn’t do anything to quell Jaakuna’s suspicions. But, after another moment, the soldier said, “Very well. I shall carry your words to Judge Darcone’s ears.” The soldier bowed, “please enjoy your stay in Archadia, Empress Reia and Prince Lorenzo.”

When the soldier had left, Jaakuna let out a relieved sigh, then looked at Reia and Lorenzo. “[color=ed1c24]We’re not even out the gate and already a bad start.[/color]” Jaakuna scoffed, “[color=ed1c24]I’m starting to think that this treaty might’ve been a bad idea.[/color]” Jaakuna said, clearly agitated. If he had known it would have been this dangerous, he would have opted for Roman to come to ROzarria as compared to what was happening right now.