The carriage rolled along smoothly and noon quickly passed by.
James started seeing roaming patrols of guards on horseback. Each had a black and gold set of armor like the ones James had seen back in Skythorn, at the noble entrance.
He hadn't noticed before but on the chest of each set of armor was a golden sun with a pitch black sword floating in the middle of it.
"Hey why do these guards have such fancy armor?"
His mother responded with a small chuckle.
"Dear, these aren't guards but soldiers. They are our ducal bannermen, sworn to safeguard the territory of Cromwell. The emblem on their chests is the insignia of our house."
'That's badass! I'm glad it's not something lame like a bird or an overused one like a lion.'
"Is there a meaning to it or is it just supposed to look cool."
His mother laughed again and explained.
"The sun represents the Minthra kingdom as a whole while the sword signifies our duty to protect. Our family motto is 'Take Up Your Arms, Safeguard The Light'."
"Wow mom, I didn't think with you in charge, our family would have something cool like that."
His mother basked in his words and smiled happily. She then worked through his words till she understood it was a very backhanded compliment, she was now depressed.
James sat watching the outside world blur by with a nervous knot of energy in his stomach. He hadn't felt this way for his mom when she came to Creekrock because he simply hadn't believed he had any family.
Now that he knew he had siblings waiting for him James was stressing out on how he should greet them.
'Maybe a hug… no I haven't met these sisters of mine yet. A handshake? That's too formal.. maybe a warm smile and an 'I'm back'… ugh, I don't know what to do.'
The sun still shone brightly in the sky when James saw them approaching a… castle.
'Oh my god! Is that our freaking house!?'
James was just starting to realize what it meant to be a Prince.
He had to stick his head out of the window so he could stare openly at the structure.
While the city walls of Skythorn were immense, these walls seemed somehow more sturdy. He felt the impregnable aura from his far away vantage.
It was a huge structure, with fifty foot walls that ten people could walk side by side on. There were five towers that jutted up from even intervals.
It was made out of the same dark black stone as Skythorn's wall and as he got closer it felt oppressive.
They weren't too far now and James noticed something else shocking.
'A goddamn moat?!'
He could now make out huge ballista and catapults decorating the wall. James couldn't count them all in one section between towers even if he used his fingers and toes.
He only closed his mouth when saw his mothers smirking face. But James wasn't alone in his revelry, Justine, Emily and Veronica all looked like they were trying to catch flies.
"James dear, mommy is sorry about this.. but when we get to the gate we're going to have to walk back to the house on foot. Every soldier, maid, farmhand and whoever else works on the estate is waiting to see their Prince return home safely."
James only nodded at her words.
'I guess that makes sense.. I'd want to see a person who's been missing for three years and presumabed dead, too.'
Soon the carriage stopped and James saw the mass of bodies lining the streets.
Ten guards flanked on both sides of the massive gate. As one, they introduced the his mother and him to the people of the castle.
"LADY MALLORY AND PRINCE JAMES, WELCOME HOME!"
After the roaring welcome, cheers and cries of joy echoed out from all around him.
James felt his legs go a little weak and was intimidated by this heartfelt welcome.
*Pssst* "Veronica, carry me."
With a rush of air, he had been brought into her arms.
Veronica walked beside his mother as the rest of his crew trailed behind.
James could see thousands of people lined up along the road and he felt his eardrums pound as the cheering continued.
It looked like a small town on the inside of the wall, but it was obviously over capacity at the moment.
He saw people crying and holding each other as they passed.
'It's like I'm some prisoner of war returning home as a hero.'
They kept walking until James realized he was missing a great opportunity to spread his good image. Catching Veronica's and his mother's attention, they stopped and placed him on the ground.
James stepped out in front of his group and used his hands to quiet the masses.
They was still buzz of noise, but James could talk over it.
'This is gonna be embarrassing.. but I want to make a good impression.'
Clearing his throat he, made his voice carry as far as he could.
"Thank you for the warm welcome! It pleases me greatly to have all these beautiful women cheering me on. Please keep up the good work in taking care of my family!"
The earlier cheering was nothing compared to how thunderous the people were now.
He could feel the air vibrate with the impact of sound.
He had one last thing to do before they kept walking.
James kissed his hand and bent over at the waist, blowing in an arc.
The sound seemed to die down considerably as bodies dropped. More than half the women in his direct vicinity had passed out with blood leaking from their noses.
'This is so cringe man… I'm like a magical girl from an anime or something.'
James kept up his charade and had to blow three more kisses before they stood in front of the main entrance to the castle.
It had been a long walk and he was tired from playing his character, so James didn't notice the three girls standing in front of him right away.
On the left was a girl who seemed slightly older than him. She had brown hair held up into twin tails, her gaze felt a little haughty. She looked to be a regular woman who was slightly shorter than him.
She radiated younger sister energy and looked more youthful than she actually was. Her gold dress made it look like she was trying to be mature.
In the middle was a cool looking girl that was definitely an Ascendant. She had short brown hair that stuck out in tufts from under a headband and a blank expression. She had some sort of black athletic wear on and James could see her well toned physique as her clothes hugged her body.
On the right was a slightly taller than average woman but she didn't seem to be an ascendant. She had bright pink hair and blue eyes, unlike the other two who had brown for both. She had a warm expression on her face and smiled at him tenderly. She had on a light pink dress that contrasted well with her hair.
He heard his mothers outraged voice beside him.
"Gwen! Young lady, your brother has returned and you couldn't even put on a dress!?"
He hadn't even got to greet his sisters yet and she was already ruining the mood.
He saw his sister, Gwendolyn, about to reply but he beat her to it.
"It's not that big of deal mom, jeez. My beautiful sister doesn't need to dress up for me."
"But James-"
He just cut her off with a look.
'Why is she trying to make this more complicated than it has to be… and Gwendolyn didn't really react to words. I wonder if it came off creepy..'
With a sigh James introduced awkwardly to his three sisters.
"Ummm uh.. hello sisters.. it's been awhile..?"
His greeting had trailed off into a question.
'That was not very manly or cool of me..'
The one on the left who was youngest and James remembered her name as Clara just responded with *hmph* and turned her head.
Clara gave him a nonchalant reply.
"Yep, been awhile."
The eldest sister, Madeleine, was the one who seemed to care he was home and rushed forward to snatch him in a hug.
"Oh dear brother.. I've missed you so much."
James had felt somewhat defeated at the first two's somewhat lackluster response, but now he could feel a strange warmth in his chest as his sister held him close.
She stepped back half a step and placed her hands on his face. She turned him this way and that way, inspecting him.
"My brother.. I'm so glad you're alive."
She then planted a kiss on his forehead.
His mother hissed at his other sisters.
"Clara… Gwen… you are going to be very sorry if you don't properly welcome your brother back right now."
Clara gave an unwilling look then stepped forward and embraced James.
'This is so awkward.. I can feel her trembling.. she must really not like me.'
The hug lasted for awhile until Clara snapped her head up and looked at James's face. She then quickly shoved herself off of him.
Then Gwendolyn stepped forward, arms reached out to hug him. Her blank expression was kind of scary as she neared.
James felt powerful arms scoop him up in a bone crushing hug as Gwen sung him around in circles. It might've seemed sweet from a distance but James saw no emotion in her face as breath was squeezed out of him.
Suddenly she stopped and kissed James on the forehead as well.
'This might be one of the strangest interactions I've had since coming to this stupid world…'
After Gwendolyn let him go, he turned to his mother who seemed pleased with herself.
She wore a thoughtful expression for a moment before ushering everyone inside.
They were all swept into a room with a massive table and they sat down.
His mother was at the head and James sat to her immediate right. Madeline pulled out the chair next to him and sat down, scooting close. His other two siblings sat opposite him.
He looked around and couldn't find his three companions from Creekrock.
Noticing his expression, his mom soothed his worries.
"Don't worry dear, your friends are currently being outfitted for armor in the Cromwell family style. It'll be awhile before they are finished."
James nodded his thanks and soon maids appeared carrying plates of food.
His mother was excited.
"Oh my goddess! The first family meal we've had with everyone present in three years, I'm so happy~~"
There was still an awkward tension in the air and James was very uncomfortable.
They ate in silence for awhile, the only sound was the scraping of forks and his mother who was humming merrily.
James was close to done with his food when Madeline caught his attention.
She placed a hand on his chin and took a cloth to wipe his mouth.
*Fufufu* "It seems that some things never change."
James mood soured as he recalled his supposed inclination to get dirty.
James's mom suddenly perked up and she gathered their attention.
"I almost forgot.. silly me. Girls you should congratulate your brother… he just recently got betrothed to Princess Violet. Isn't that wonderful!"
Three clangs rang out from around him as his sisters dropped their silverware.
Nobody congratulated him and Madeline's voice came out from beside him in a stifled tone.
"I see. May I be excused to the washroom mother?"
Without waiting for a reply, she got up and walked away.
Clara followed suit and dashed after Madeline.
James looked to Gwendolyn who was still seated. She finished the bit of food on her plate and proceeded to leave the table as well.
James turned to his mother.
"Do my sisters actually hate me or something?"
His mother laughed loudly as she replied.
*ohoho* "Of course not dear, in fact it's quite the opposite. I bet they're currently plotting on how to murder Princess Violet right now."