It's been ages since I'd been out of Prima. As I sat in a train compartment staring at the barren open land outside I strangely started feeling lonely. But there was something exhilarating about this venture which made me realise how much I needed to step out of that toxic Lazar Castle. Everything about Bahamut's geography reminded me of Hira. The piercing blue sky, the cold weather and the thick white fog.
"Do you plan to stick to public transport?" Harriette, my companion asked me. "I'm planning to hire a two wheeler," I informed him, "But not now, after we enter the Earl's territory."
With adequate resources and good sense of direction, travelling to North was more or less a cake walk. Within half a day we were already hundreds of miles away from Prima. It was pleasing how we got mixed into the normal crowd like any other ordinary men. Nobody spared a second glance at us. The more we travelled north the less we spotted people and housing buildings. I made a mental note to buy camping equipments. The grass on the ground started getting replaced by stone and snow. I could feel within a day or two we would reach the North Region.
On the fifth day of our venture trouble found us.
We found a group of human right activists burning a life size doll in the outskirts of a small northern town with my face on it.
The scenery was so peculiar I and Harriette stood few yards away from them watching them with awe and disbelief. People were holding placards with words like "Go Back Dirty Suryan" ,"Status May Change But Blood Remains The Same". It only started making sense when we found banners of "Justice for Paolo Cassio: A Life Loss in Meaningless Violence."
"Alright, here's the plan," said Harriette but my phone started buzzing. Havard was calling me.
"You talk to your babysitter," Harriette said, "I'll go buy supplies and get what's going on."
I picked up the phone, "Havard-"
"Don't watch the news!" Havard shouted from the other end of the phone.
"What's going on? Why do people hate me?" I asked, "Answer my questions if you don't want me to find them myself."
It was the first time I heard Havard having a nervous breakdown. There was something unsettling about it.
Basically the news of me beating Paolo Cassio had been published. That he died after having an interrogation with me. Also, people were talking about how Harriette tried to threat the reporters when they were 'enquiring' me. The Human Rights Association had filed petition before the Emperor to have me summoned infront of the Royale Court and judged me properly.
"I have told Javis to organise his medical reports on Paolo Cassio," informed Havard, "You must come back."
"Don't reveal them now!" I forbade, "If people find out FFF are not only entering the mainland from North but also they are getting treatment for their diseases and everything it might cause a public panick. People are already edged on how two FFFs entered even Prima."
"But sir.."
"When's the trial? Not before three weeks," Havard informed, "T-the Crown Prince has also gone missing."
"That's great for now," I said.
"But the Empress is blaming you for his absence!!"
"What the fuck is- " I took a sharp breath, "Look Havard I'll hurry back to Prima within a week or two. Meanwhile have Ritaishi prepare my shadow and get house arrested in my stead."
"Alright," Havard took a shaky breath, "I've also informed about everything to Her Majesty the Duke."
"Just assure her...wait! You told her I'm travelling to North?" I couldn't control my temper anymore, "With Harriette?"
"She had commanded you to return in an instant and wait at home for her orders," Havard continued.
"Why did you inform her without asking me?" I said.
"Because I serve Her Majesty the Duke?" Havard sounded confused.
Ah. "Right, you're her people," I said.
"Master Bale?" Havard asked, "Please return home."
I cut his call.
As soon as I cut it my phone buzzed again.
"Havard if you call me fucking again-"
"Language, Mr. Bale," It was Clara now, I held the phone away from my ear and checked the name, it was really Clara.
"Clara, I'm sort of in the middle of something right now," I huffed.
"We might have to investigate whether you're mistreating your butler later," she said and added, "Share your location with me, I'll have Mr. Freefall pick you up."
"I can find my way back alright," I said.
"Yet you keep messing up," Clara said, "You failed to report properly about Paolo Cassio's death and the reasons behind it and also about the nasty little incidents you had with the reporters."
My hands felt cold. All this time I was trying not to put more burden on Hira's shoulders. And if I could successfully venture in North I could probably track down how the FFFs were entering the country. But everything I did seemed never to be Enough.
"You've been stripped off all of your powers and authorities," Clara said, "Deliver the Royale Seal back to Her Majesty the Duke and wait at Prima for further orders."
"And if I don't?" I checked, almost mockingly.
"The Emperor, if you're unable to attend the Trial, will surely take your status as the husband of the Western Duke away. You'll be divorced arbitrarily and send back home," she informed mercilessly.
"Good. Then the Emperor can find a suitable son in law of proper lineage. It seems the perfect time to coronate Hira as the new Crown Princess since Marcus has gone missing," I added.
"Have you lost your mind?" Clara asked, "I told you to wait for Her Majesty's orders. This isn't the time to throw tantrums."
"And what do you think I've been doing till now? For three years? Waiting on her orders!" I snapped.
"So what did you expect when you married her Mr. Bale? Picket fenced houses and evening parties?" Clara scoffed. She had never really liked me. And she had always shown it openly.
"No," I said, " I wanted some honesty and communication. Why did I have to hear about Murman Sea and Project from Harriette and Rita?"
"You're really mad about the Murman Sea?" Clara laughed out a sharp angry laugh.
"It's not just about the Murman Sea," I uttered, somewhat at a loss of words. Everything I was trying to shove down, the insecurity, the stressfulness, the hopelessness, Hira's absence - everything started piling up.
"Bale we really don't have time," Clara said impatiently, "Wait at Prima and sort things out with Her Majesty when she returns."
But I was suddenly terrified of meeting Hira.
"I s-sent back the Royale Seal under your name," I said.
"You did WHAT?" Clara shrieked.
"I'll try to get back before the trial but if I can't I'll accept the arbitrary divorce. Once you return at Prima, just prepare my documents in case I have to return to Surya."
''You fool-"
''Also Her Majesty Ritaishi said she misses you."
"BALE!"
I cut the call and switched off my phone. Harriette returned looking distraught and anxious, "We need to get back to Prima," he informed me.
"I'll keep going North," I informed him stubbornly.
"Bale," He clasped my shoulder, "it's realy dangerous. The whole country's is in riots. Who knows you may get hurt."
"I can't return, not now," I begged him, "Just give me a chance to prove my innocence by myself."
Harriette's face fell. He brought out his phone and I grabbed his hand.
"Bale, let me go," He said, "This is serious." He elbowed me lightly to get the phone back and I threw it on the ground. I'd have stomped on it but Harriette body tackled me and I fell on ground.
"STOP THIS MADNESS!" He barked at me.
"WHY DOESN'T ANYONE JUST TRUST ME!"
I kicked at me. He flew a good five meters before crashing against a lamp post. People turned and started at us. Someone even started recording.
"PUT DOWN YOUR GODDAMN PHONES!"
I shouted. Suddenly everyone started screaming. Smoke blew everywhere and people started running around with bloody hands. It took me a moment to realise that all the phones of the spectators had started exploding.
"Bale!" Harriette groaned, "Please."
I ran to him and sat by his side. "I'm so sorry I'm so sorry!" I chanted, with shaking hands I opened a water container and held it by his lips. He took two big gulps of it.
"My back-" He complained, "I can't move. Give me few minutes."
It dawned on me that it was now or never. I fished out my own phone and turned it on. As soon as I did it, I could see Havard's incoming calls.
"Here," I gave Harriette my phone, "Get yourself some help."
He weakly pulled at my sleeves, "Bale don't."
I tore myself away from Harriette feeling heavy with guilt and sorrow, "Goodbye my friend."
"Please," He whispered.
And I ran into the chaos of people and smoke. Small pops of explosion could be heard even now. Only my phone didn't explode. It could be some sort of terror attack. But things like this could wait.
I noticed a running bus and lunged myself inside it and found myself a seat. The driver didn't protest.
Faraway I could see police forces gathering where Harriette was supposed to be.
"Goodbye Harriette, " I whispered to myself .