Aruki Willhelm Zestiria's Story

After having finished with all the dreaded paperworks, Aruki made his way to the dining hall together with his brother and the two loyal subjects. Well, this has pretty much be a repeated routine everyday that just gone on again and again, but it's his duty as a Prince, so he shouldn't complain much about it. Now he only wishes for something to turn up so that he can have some excuse to get out of the castle. It's going to suffocate me to dead if I were to stuck indoor until tou-sama and Izakyu-niisama return...

When they arrived at the dining hall, Isolde and Mia were waiting for them as their usual table as always. Together, they ate away their lunches and talked about all sort of things going on around the castle and the kingdom itself. It seemed that the arrival of the King had intimidated the opposing force, but it's still going to take a while before the two sides can come to a truce though. Nobody wants war to happen, after all, especially between two equally strong kingdoms.

After having finished with the meal, Mia turned to Aruki before he left to take care of his own business, "Ah, I almost forgot, Ruki-sama. Akiha-sama had requested your presence and he asked that you make your way to his study after lunch. I suggest you go now."

"Is that so? Well, I will be going now. Thanks for telling me." Aruki nodded.

Leaving the dining hall, he made his way to the study of his brother along with Isolde and Kou. Telling both of them to wait outside, he walked in and greeted Akiha, who was sitting in his own desk taking care of the work left by the King and Izakyu that he had to finished. However, he doesn't seem to show any sign of fatigue, which was remarkable.

"You requested my presence, nii-sama?" Aruki asked.

"Yes, normally I would have just do it on my own, but with all of the work I'm having, I need to rely on you." Akiha spoke up, "Earlier this morning, a messenger from the western province of Hythe reported to me about an outbreak of an unknown disease. Many of the inhabitants had fallen victims to this disease and its cause is still not clear. I want you to travel there with Isolde and a medical team that I have personally chosen, find out about what had caused such a disease and leave the job of finding the cure for the team. Is it okay?"

Aruki nodded, "If this is for the welfare of the people, I will do it. Please count on me."

Leaving the room, Aruki exhaled a sigh. He retold that task that Akiha just given him to Isolde and Kou. "It seemed that there's finally some serious work to do, huh?" Isolde commented.

"Figure." Aruki shrugged, before turning to Kou, "Kou-san, it's up to you whether you wanted to come or not. The province of Hythe is quite far and it's not going to be a short ride. I couldn't guarantee that it'll be safe either. So, your choice?"

---

Well, maybe you're just more imaginative than normal people? xD

Aruki nodded to Kou after hearing his reply that he would come along, "Then please get prepared for now. We'll leave by early tomorrow's morning and certainly you don't want us to be all tired before our journey can start, hmm?" He tilted his head and chuckling, "I'll see you later then." Aruki bid goodbye to his servant before making his way back to his room along with Isolde.

"Are you sure that it was wise to let your little princess come along, then?" Isolde questioned, "Not in a million year would I have to worry about you, but he was a total different story. He might be a tough thing on the inside, but I don't think I can say the same for that frail body he had."

"Both of my brothers couldn't come anyway, and I need all the help I can get to solve this problem, aren't I?" Aruki grinned and answered, "You know you really are worrisome sometimes. But relax, I'll protect him, 'kay?"

Isolde shrugged as they both made their way into their own rooms to collect anything they needed for tomorrow's journey. Well, they didn't know whether it was going to be long or not so they just grab all the things that are necessary. Even without the comfort of the castle, they can still manage to do just fine. Most people would be surprise in Aruki's case though, but it's not like he mind much. He knows he shouldn't feel too excited, but a chance to get away from the stuffy study is as good as any.

The evening quickly passed as those who are tasked to travel along with Aruki to Hythe prepared anything they needed for the journey. Aruki had met up with the pharmacists and doctors that will accompany him and grant them access to the medical herbs stock of the castle should they need anything. They all said that it would be much easier if the best pharmacist - Prince Akiha, could come along, but taking into account of how the situation of the kingdom is, it couldn't be helped, after all.

At the first crack of dawn, everything has been prepared. Akiha and Yukazu also accompanied Aruki and his crew as they lead their convoy to the gate of the castle. Yukazu, however, walked from behind with Kou and told him to keep an eye on Aruki, knowing how mischievous he can be, "...But you don't really have to worry much. I'm pretty sure Ruki-chan will protect you like a little princess. Have a safe trip, okay?" He winked. After leaving the palace, Aruki climbed on his horse as he led the convoy into the capital, with Kou and Isolde alongside him, on their own horses.

"So, we can stop by the market on our way to buy some supplies first before heading to the mountain pass which will lead us to Hythe. Do you wanna buy anything?" Aruki turned to Kou and asked.

Aruki nodded to his servant, "I see. Well, let's get going then." He signaled for the rest of the convoy behind him, each person were granted with a horse of their own choice, to sped up as they headed down into town, to the market. The convoy consists of five best pharmacists picked by Akiha himself, ten soldiers from the Exercitus Dei picked by Isolde, and leading them was Aruki, along with his two close servants. It wasn't the first time Aruki had to set off on something like this, so he just knows exactly what to do.

As they stocked up and bought anything that are necessary for their trip, Aruki instead took Kou through some clothing and accessory stalls, where he made his servant his newly model to try out new style and stuffs. Even though he knew that Kou probably wouldn't like it too much, but in the end, he still bought quite some new clothes, a couple of bracelets and necklaces for his servant. Some of them were quite expensive though. Isolde couldn't help sighing as she watched the two of them from behind, but she'd also bought for herself some shiny new weapons.

When they've got all that they needed, Aruki and Isolde led the convoy through the exit of the capital, thus making their way into the forest surrounding. It takes a morning and an afternoon to got through it. On their ways, they stopped here and there for the horses to rest and refreshing themselves. It was expected to be quite a boring trip, but the conversations going on between every single one of them went on quite pleasantly.

Aruki showed Kou around as they traced their steps further into the woods, because there was a lot to see here, other than just trees. There is a small field of flowers, a surplus of herbs of all types, all sorts of birds and animals, and much more. It's been a while since Aruki got to stepped his feet out of the capital, so he was glad to see that the scenery remained unchanged for the most part.

Their journey continued until they've made it out of the forest, and it was already quite dark when they made it to a town, which situated not very far from the mountain pass that stood between them and Hythe. Isolde then offered to find an inn for them to stay for the night, as it would be quite dangerous to venture through the pass at that time. And Aruki, accompanied by Kou and the rest of the convoy, explore the town for some goodies and information as how far they still have left before making it to their destination.

---

Well, I could imagine him being just as dense as Aoi when it comes to this, so perhaps he would ask Isolde if she had any love before, and she'd tell him and give him advice or something xD

Most of the pharmacists had joined Isolde to look for an inn for them to stay the night already, so that left Aruki, Kou, along with the soldiers they brought along exploring and asking information around the town. It wasn't the first time Aruki actually got to leave the capital anyway, so none of them is something that he isn't know of. But nonetheless, it was quite good being able to go out of the city sometimes for a change. Of course, he hasn't forgotten how serious this task is, but there's no rule that told him not to feel a little relieved, is there?

Apparently Aruki and his convoy's arrival had gained quite some attention from the local people. That's quite easy to understand since they don't get to see someone from the royal family and the soldiers from the feared Imperial Army everyday. It seemed that the signature red emblem on the armors of the soldiers following Aruki is intimidating enough to behold, so everyone in town pretend to be as normal as usual.

After having stopped by a map stall, buying a map and asked for the shortest route to Hythe from the merchant, Aruki was intending to catch up with Kou and make their way to the inn that Isolde had just found, so that they can rest for the day and prepare for the straight journey to their destination upon the first light of dawn tomorrow, through the mountain pass. However, there seemed to be a commotion of sort at a jewel and trinket stall not very far from them. So Aruki motioned the soldiers to follow him to investigate.

Upon seeing Aruki and the soldiers, the crowd quickly made way for them and dissipated. And he couldn't be more surprised to see that Kou was arguing with the shopkeeper, "Kou-san? Why are you arguing with her?" He gave his servant a questioning gaze, before turning to the woman, "This is my servant. Can you explain why you are fighting with him?"

The woman politely reported everything to Aruki, about the locket that Kou claimed to belong to him, which was now lying on the ground after he threw it at her. She explained that a merchant from a faraway town found it in an abandoned house and sold it for her. Nodded, Aruki took out from his bag a handful of golden coins and gave it to the shopkeeper, then bending down and picked the locket up.

"Let's go, Kou-san." Aruki hold his servant hand and walked away from the stall, with the soldiers following right behind them. "Here, it's an important object that you've lost, right?" He gave him the locket, with a bright smile, "Next time try not to make another commotion like this again, okay?"

After the commotion, Aruki and Kou, accompanied by the soldiers, all made their way back to the inn where Isolde had rented out the rooms for them. Of course, she was sitting and drinking an ale of beer in a "like a boss" manner, which is why almost everyone who were presented there felt intimidated just by her mere presence. She said that they have rented out four rooms, and that the soldiers and the pharmacists will share the three room together, while Aruki, Kou and Isolde will stay in the smallest room. It might not be as comfortable as it was back in the castle, but Aruki wouldn't mind.

And so, for the rest of the night, the convoy had done everything they could within the inn to keep themselves going. While there aren't as many people here in comparison with the staff's dining hall in the palace, but the atmosphere felt pretty much the same. The attention surely was turned to them, but the sight of Isolde and the Exercitus Dei soldiers is scary enough so none dare to make a scene.

After dining, they take turn to take a shower. Aruki offered to wash Kou's back, but was politely declined. Though he couldn't help noticing that his servant was blushing at the offer. When it has already gotten late, the whole lot of them retreated back to their rooms and settle for the night. Aruki and Kou were the first to walk into their room, since it was Isolde and any other females in the convoy turn to take their shower.

The first thing Aruki saw as he stepped in was Kou curled into a ball and sat at the corner of his bed. Probably because of the incident earlier... He thought to himself. But just when he decided to strike up a conversation with him to cheer him up, Isolde opened the door and walked in, catching their attention. Well, mainly because of the way she's dressing.

"Geez, Isolde. You still dressed like that whenever you go to bed?" Aruki snickered at her sight. Isolde out of her usual uniform, and was wearing nothing but a long shirt that had just barely covered her thighs, and she doesn't even bother to buttoned up the upper buttons of the shirt, revealing her cleavage.

Isolde shrugged, "Ol' habits don't die easily." She then turned her attention to Kou, "I know what you're thinking, having to share a room with slanderous woman like me. But just bear with it." Isolde is well-aware that the two of them didn't have any interest for women, that's why she always being so casual with them. Not like anyone would have the nerve to hit on her anyway.

The night passed by quietly and by the first light of dawn, they've already packed up their belongings and continued with their journey. The trip was quite pleasant. However, the most of unexpected happened when they've made it half-way through the pass. With her acute sense, Isolde was quick to realize an arrow being shot towards her somewhere, and blocked it swiftly with her rapier. Hiding behind rocks, thugs jumped out and cornered the whole convoy.

"Tch. Encountering bandits in the morning? This kingdom's just getting crazier by the minute." Isolde remarked as she jumped down from her horse. The soldiers also entered their battle stance as they pulled out their swords and defended the pharmacists. Aruki told the Kou to stay right behind him as he too jumped down from his horse,
"Stay close to me."