After staying for a week we decided to go home. The ship had several masks so I was covered as always. The minster had insisted we stay another day but Oleg had enough of him drooling on me. We made to our ship and I smelled musk. I looked at the crowd to see King Velmir Griffin and his general Athos Drakar. He was leaning on the platform where the harbour master would give us the go ahead. They watched as I walked the ramp. I waved at the Queen before I went inside. She waved back as the ramp closed. Before I said anything they did a head count. I sat down when Oleg gave me a chalice full of blood. I placed the chalice aside and kissed his knuckles. He grinned ear to ear as he picked me up and sat down. I was jealous that she was so interested in Oleg. I was annoyed the minister who insulted me was insisting I stay. Personally I wanted to slap him but that wouldn't achieve anything.
When we reached home my family were waiting for me. I was so happy to see them. I tried to make them all feel loved and appreciated. They smiled as I walked back to the royal state car. It bounced a little before it rose to the legal limit. Fae drove us home. I got to see it resembled Izmilovo Kremlin. I was amazed how beautiful it was. There was a love maze, tennis court, a swimming pool and a basketball court. Once we came inside I saw Velor raise our national flag. It was a rectangular piece of cloth with purple, red and blue lines on it. I saluted the flag and moved towards the throne room. I received a present from Malachi. Misha opened the package and read the note. It was from the minister. Oleg ran to hurl it across the room. I ordered her to return it. I have no intentions to have any sort of romantic relationship with him. I am very happy with my spouse. I told her to return to the messenger as quickly as she could.
Oleg came back and sat down. He gave me a smile as he tried to stop himself from ripping that old man to shreds. I got a different present but there was no note so I was curious. Inside was a necklace shaped like a few vines braided together with a few small daisies and leaves. The center had a large pink peony. I placed it with the other jewellery and went back to the throne room. I sat as the tourists came to see us. They waved at us and went to tour the rest of the palace. I saw the profits were rising. I congratulated everyone for their hard work and wished them the best. They thanked me as they continued working. I had to attend the inauguration of the first festival of this year. The Crepuscule festival it is held in the vampire district. So I got dressed in a cornflower blue frock. But Nyssa insisted I switch to something black. Vampires loved that colour. So I wore the Graphite robes with platinum belt and a few gold hairpins. Oleg wore deep sea robes and we went to open the festival.
There was a shooting competition, a bow and arrow contest, horseback riding, a bon fire, dancing and different types of beverages. We tried all of them and took pictures to bring home. I was thinking something different for the festival next time. There would a haunted house, an axe throwing competition, booths filled with sweets and other delicacies and sledge riding. Maybe even a fire dance by the Samoans. Square dancing or jousting or something a little livelier. Hay bales, scavanger hunt and souvenirs. This one felt a little awkward. It felt like it was staged. Everyone agreed. The next was one in four months. I wanted a festival that the attendees wouldn't stop talking about. They should look forward to it. They should write it on their calendar so they don't miss it. The others promised to put their heads together and come up with something exciting.
I asked to change my clothes and go on a tour to see the city. I quickly changed back into cornflower blue frock. I quickly braided my hair. I wore high heel shoes and walked out to check out the city. I wanted the scenic route. If I get lost I want to be able to find my way back so no one worries. I tried to sit in the front to drive but everyone politely asked me to sit in the back. I didn't argue. Family only wants what is best. I sat in the back and watched the scenery. The car rose up and I saw the city in all its beauty. Each building had personality. I just needed to learn the route. For the last few weeks there has been attempts to kidnap me. I need to be able to come home safely. This raised alarms. Oleg was on standby mode again. The Wraiths and Reapers were out on the streets in plain clothes. The dark knights were informed. People were scrambling. After ten minutes we had to switch cars. We waited another for the all clear and off we go.
The first few blocks were just high rise buildings like New York city. Oren explained they were apartments. The next block began with a spiral building. The windows were all opaque. It was the dark knights central command centre. The next twelve rows were normal high rise on either side. The window panes on one side was blue. One was a motel you can rent for an hour. The rest were just apartments or parking spaces. On the other side was green. They were a mix of hotels and spas only. Next block started with a building that looked like a sail. The surface appears to be all glass. It was a hotel with the deepest indoor pool. It resemble a sunken city. Honestly I would have nightmares if I had to swim there. Next building was for parking only. Then a building that looks like a plus sign from above. It was the official medical centre. Some empty space came before we saw a blue dome. Sebastian curiously asked me why I was saying we.
I wasn't trying to be arrogant. I had to remind him I was linked with everyone so they all are mentioned as well. Oleg was genuinely flattered. The next dozen blocks was filled with eccentric looking buildings. One looked like a needle like the old palace named Bloodstone. One had balconies which protruded. One had pools on the roof which protruded on all sides. Every building had a gimmick. I was told they are all hotels, restaurants, malls and recreation centres. Finally I saw a river up ahead. The car came to a stop. It bobbed up and down for a few minutes before I heard Zeb on the radio giving the all clear. Then it turned slowly to the left. For twenty minutes all I saw was trees. Then I saw a dozen rows of buildings that looked like cubes lined up neatly. They were all warehouses that stored food, spare parts and so on. I saw empty space before a huge building came in my field of vision.
It was the factory that makes the vehicles and all their spare parts. Then I saw apartment buildings. A parking building, a hotel that looked like it was a pyramid and a dark knight holding centre. I saw a building dedicated to repairs. Then I saw the official bank. It looked stern and very unforgiving. As I explained what I felt staring at it I heard my family laughing. Some empty spaces before I saw the row of apartment buildings. Then I saw the City Square where I saw tourists were taking pictures of artist performing. I saw the City hall. Tourists and citizens alike were gathered there. Some going in and others leaving. Majority were there to see the astronomical clock. I saw a guide explain what it does. I saw people leisurely riding bicycles. I saw someone had pitched tents to sell fresh produce. It was filled with tourists and chefs flocked to buy them. The scene was delightful.
I wished to go down there and see them up close but that will not be happening for the next hundred years. The next was a building that looked like rectangular bars of varying heights been clumped together. Oren explained to me that it was an auction house. Which was selling alien artifacts from all over the galaxy to locals and foreigners alike. It was only allowed here after they had agreed not to sell our heirlooms. The next block began with a mental health wellness centre. A row bespoke clothing stores was next. A place to clean everyone's laundry and a butchers shop. A convenience store and a small clinic. A few apartmentsa later I saw the national park. It had a pond, a place to fly kites, a barbecue area and a campsite. On side had multiple trees and on the other was a single tree whose branches had overgrown grew roots. From above it looked like a forest from below it was one single tree. I applauded their brilliance. I felt I was distracting everyone as they looked for the one who wants to kidnap me.
I watched as we reached the no fly zone. Only those with clearance is allowed. Anyone else is warned to turn around or they will open fire. It was government buildings only. The first was the ministry of defense. Then Health ministry and then the agriculture and resources. The next building was the army base which the barracks, the military hospital a mess hall and a dozen bunkers and storage units. A few miles afterwards I saw a high rise followed by a greenhouse right next a farm to table restaurant. A movie theater. Pizza shop, a taxidermy, a small library followed by the theatre. Across
the street was the opera house. I saw high rise and then there were mostly one storey buildings. They were repair shops, artisanal bakery, florist, candy store and souvenir shops. So I looked up at the horizon and I saw a strange building. The closest description would be a circular cylinder. I was told it was the prison. I took refuge in a prison during the zombie apocalypse. I have no interest to go back there ever again. My family assured me that I have nothing to worry about.