The day of departure dawned clear and unremarkable.
Which was exactly how it was supposed to be.
The emperor was going to disappear for a couple of weeks, but the empire itself would still think he was within the imperial palace, locked in internal policy etings, or planning out national defense or perhaps the next expansion campaign.
No trumpets echoed through the Imperial Palace.
No banners were unfurled from the high towers.
No crowds gathered in the streets to cheer or speculate.
His leaving of the Imperial Palace and the Eternal city itself would be missed wholely by all except those at the highest levels of the established governnt.
Standing in an exterior wing far from the ceremonial wings, fastening the final clasp of a travel cloak that bore no sigil, no embroidery, no mark of rank.
The fabric itself was not impressive just looking like a classic mantle worn by just about any travelling rchant or rcenary.
The exterior was a thin layer of leather, while the inside was a tight weaved cloth allowing for both waterproofing as well as adequate insulating properties should the weather get colder, or using the mantle in place of a blanket at night.
I caught my reflection in the polished bronze mirror.
No crown.
No imperial colors.
No visible blade beyond a simple sword at my hip.
Just the face of a young man with Silver hair, and Blue eyes staring back at .
A face i had beco used to seeing after living in this body for years now.
A soft knock ca at the door.
But before i could even answer the door opened a crack and a soft voice flitted into the room.
"Ready?" Serena asked.
"Co in." I responded, only needing another mont or two before i was ready to go.
She stepped inside—and for a mont, I forgot how to breathe.
Gone was the dignified regalia of the future Empress, the flowing silks and carefully chosen jewelry ant to command respect with every step.
Instead, she wore practical riding clothes: fitted trousers, high boots, a light traveling tunic, and a short cloak clasped at the shoulder.
Her hair was braided simply, tucked away beneath a hood she hadn’t yet pulled up.
She looked... amazing.
Her current look now reminded of the way that Yuri looked back when i first t her, back when the Princess was a Moral bounty hunter.
Packing the last of my small objects into a backpack before slinging it over my shoulder.
We walked together through service corridors and unused passages—The imperial palace being a system creation had nurous surface and hidden routes.
The one we were in now, was a simply hidden route from one side of the palace to another.
Allowing our inconspicuous selves to move around without raising attention, or running the risk of encountering envoys or diplomats who could expose the nature of our trip.
Following the simple underground passage, we exited into the imperial stable, only when we arrived aside from the majestic stallions and mares housed within, there were three rather common looking horses also waiting.
Three who already were saddled up and fitted with bardings for the coming trip ahead.
This was an addition to the plan.
To once more raise the inconspicuousness of our voyage we aquired a set of standard horses that would be found quite literally anywhere in the world, gave them a week of good feed and treatnt in the stables before they would be used as the royal mounts during our trip.
Seeing the three i first approached my personal mount whom i nad Bolt, thanks in part to the horses nature of running from the first ti it saw , anwhile Serena gently approached her own horse, whom she had nad Jewel, after the gleaming green eyes the horse bore looking like eralds staring back at her.
The final horse was the unlucky one not getting to be a mount but rather a pack mule carrying most of their supplies and gear as they ride off.
With the stableboys having already prepped the horses for the trip ahead, and saddle bags already ladden with supplies, rations, and gear, all that remained was to mount up, and set off from the stable into the waiting city, and countryside beyond the palace.
"Ready to go?" Julius asked a hint of concern etched into his voice.
"Yeah... I think i am."
His concern was due to Serena being a noble lady had at worst ever travelled in a carriage stopping with a whole host of guards and serveants to setup a proper camp.
But for this trip, aside from shadow guards they would be entirely on their own.
Living off the land, sleeping on the ground, enduring grueling daily rides lasting hours, only occasionally getting to visit civilization as they restocked on supplied.
With nothing remaining to be done.
Julius stepped into one of the stirrups, kicking off the ground while sweeping his other leg up high.
Swinging it around until his action had him sitting in the center of the saddle, hand resting gently on the horn as he shifted his weight from side to side adjusting himself to the saddle, while letting the beast of burden beneath him, adjust to having his weight upon its back.
Serena on the other hand, hadnt made such a majestic mounting, having chosen to use a step ladder to rise up to an easy mounting height from which she could almost simply step into the riding position atop Jewel.
Motioning for Bolt to move a few paces forwards, Julius reached out grabbing onto a rope already tied to the bridle of the pack horse, and securing it to the cross strap of his own horses saddle.
Seeing Serena having gotten comfortable enough to grab hold of Jewels reigns, Julius gave a subtle kick with his heels signalling Bolt to move forward and exit the stable, Tony the pack horse following the lead line behind him, with Serena trailing as the final one to exit the stable.
But before they could fully set off there was a little surprise waiting for them.
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