"Prince! There it is, Sol Falena!"

The speaker, a young girl in her teens with dark-coloured hair and large dark-blue eyes, grasped the railing tightly while smiling.

Her skin was a pale white, yet not unhealthy-looking. Her features were the picture of childlike innocence, yet the outfit she wore contrasted with her appearance. She wore the standard Queen's Knight uniform but with noticeable alterations done as to give off the uniqueness of her person. A sheathed sword was neatly placed at her side and an almost unnoticeable small pack containing two deadly daggers were positioned inside the upper part of her boots.

The way Lyon carried herself was a mixture of obliviousness yet with a hidden guarded persona.

The person she was talking to stepped forward, a nostalgic smile lighting up his features. With one look, you could tell that he emitted a regal aura, yet there was a softness to him that made him slightly different from his peers. His bright silver hair, a symbol of the Falenan Royal Family, was tied into a long, thin braid at the back with a small red lace. He was also a bit taller than average, and his body looked fit enough to complement his handsome appearance.

However, due to his innocuous sapphire-blue eyes that were framed by his long lashes and his smooth, fair complexion, Freyjadour Falenas was usually described by the others as a pansy-looking person.

"Finally, home. I'm really not sure how to feel about this, though, after all we've been through…" a woman spoke, her eyes which were the same shade as the Prince's softening at the sight of the floating palace.

Emitting the same regal bearing as her nephew, Sialeeds Falenas looked every bit as royal as she actually was. She donned a fashionable-looking outfit which she designed herself and had tailored by a famous expert and her light-chestnut hair was done in a curly side 'do that often hid her right eye. She almost always gave off an uncaring, casual vibe, however, and the way she spoke made her seem like a normal person. The people around her, on the other hand, deeply admired her due to her good head in politics and also because of her beauty.

"Lyon, you must feel like your burden's been lifted a little, huh?" she added.

Lyon looked surprised. "But, Lady Sialeeds…" she said almost immediately with something akin to pride on her face. "I've never once thought being the Prince's bodyguard was any kind of burden! Whether in the Imperial Capital or away, I'll always gladly do whatever it takes to protect the Prince!"

"Being a bodyguard is different from baby-sitting, you know. Make sure you don't overprotect him," a tall, imposing-looking Queen's Knight told the young girl. He was a man with an intimidating aura and posture, coupled with his short black hair and olive-green eyes in which an eyepatch covered the right one.

Georg Prime looked like he could kill you with one strike, and he had the skills to exactly do so. With his lean, muscular body and the wary, guarded aura he always seemed to give off, some people were scared to even go near him.

Lyon looked slightly offended. "I'm not 'baby-sitting' anyone, Georg!" she said almost defiantly. "And even if I was, so long as the Prince is safe, that's all that matters."

Sialeeds giggled pleasantly. "Isn't my nephew a lucky boy, then?" she cooed.

Georg gave a short laugh. "Heh! Sure is!"

At that moment, the sound of vomiting pierced the air, causing the aforementioned person to glance at the people who were not too far behind him.

"Hey, are you four all right there?" Georg called out.

"Ah, please don't mind us," a girl no older than nineteen informed him. "Our teammate Natsu over there just has motion sickness."

"He's no good with any type of transportation," the guy beside her agreed.

"Ah, I see," Georg said, nodding briefly in understanding.

The trio before him was actually a sight to behold. Since they were not from this world, their outfits naturally differed from the usual customs.

The lone girl was an authoritative-looking woman with long, vibrant scarlet-red hair and sharp brown eyes. She radiated a no-nonsense aura about her, and from what Georg had gathered, she seemed like a polite, responsible person who took her duties seriously, like an upright, loyal soldier. Also, her features were arranged in such a way that she looked very pretty once you get past her intimidating expression. She wore what seemed to be a Heart Kreuz armour, a plain blue skirt that was about two shades darker, and brown boots.

She called herself Erza Scarlet, an S-Class mage of the guild Fairy Tail in their world.

The guy beside her was almost as serious-looking as she was. He had dark, messy hair and equally dark, narrowed eyes. He wore a white coat over a dark-blue shirt with a brown 'X' on the front as a design. He also donned brown pants along with black sandals.

His features were what you could say handsome and rugged, but there was a mystery and intensity about them as well which added a cool sort of look to his appearance. He called himself Gray Fullbuster.

The other guy they were with, who was currently hurling at the side, was rather exotic as well. He had spiky salmon-pink hair and dark-coloured, slanted eyes. He wore what seemed to be a open black tunic with orange trimmings, held at the waist by a black belt. It was, however, covered by a red long-sleeved vest which was buttoned open as well, revealing the front of his chest down to his midriff. He also donned white trousers as well as black sandals.

His appearance, on the other hand, was casual and goofy, though sometimes more in an aesthetically pleasing manner rather than a goofball idiot. His name was Natsu Dragneel.

What was more unusual was the blue feline beside him, actually. It looked like a normal cat, though with rare blue fur, but the wings it sprouted on its back spoke otherwise of the idea of it as a normal animal. The three of them referred to it as 'Happy' and said that he was a mage just like the three of them. He appeared to be comforting Natsu, though Georg couldn't tell what he was saying due to the distance between them.

They had encountered the four of them during their way back from their business trip and needless to say, their story was certainly outrageous, yet none of them ever doubted it was a lie. The sincerity in their eyes told Georg all he needed to know.

At first, though, the latter was hesitant to help them since they had absolutely no clue as to what they should do to bring them back to their homeland. Frey, however, had stepped up and made the decision for him. The young Prince had always been very kind, always willing to help others in need. Unlike Georg, Frey believed that they would find a way to help them.

It was a battle which Georg had no qualms about losing.

"I'd have to warn you, though," Sialeeds said, placing a hand on her hip while eyeing the four mages tentatively. "The people at home don't take well to others treating the Royal Family with informal speech, so it would be best for you four to speak the right words."

"Do not worry, Lady Sialeeds," Erza said promptly. "I shall teach them how to be polite." Slowly, she turned her head towards the three males, and suddenly to them her face became dark and her eyes were glaring blood-red daggers at them, causing them to freeze in fear. "…Isn't that right, you three?"

"Y—Yes, Erza!" they stammered in unison.

"Good."

"Oh, and that goes for you too, Georg," Lyon prodded. "When we get back, you'd better watch how you talk. Be polite and use the proper forms of address, okay?"

"You know, you are ever so right, Lyon!" Sialeeds exclaimed dramatically. "Georg may have forgotten, but I am the younger sister of our glorious Queen." She took a few steps towards the mentioned man and continued on, making graceful gestures in the air as she spoke. "One's language must always reflect one's social standing. Wouldn't you agree, Sir Georg Prime of the Queen's Knights?"

Georg looked like he was about to roll his eyes, but preferred to shake his head slightly and turn away from her instead. "Aw, shaddup, Sialeeds," he remarked.

Sialeeds placed both hands on her hips, looking playfully offended. "Hmph! How dare you address royalty that way!"

"…Well, that's the Georg we all know and love, so he can get away with it when it's just the three of us," Lyon interjected, smiling faintly. But then, in her next words, her expression crumbled slightly, giving her an apprehensive look. "But if Her Majesty hears a Queen's Knight addressing the Prince improperly, there'll be trouble, Georg. And think of Ferid, too! After all, he's the one who recommended you to the Queen's Knights in the first place…"

"Hmph, don't worry," Georg said casually. "I'm used to court service, you know. I can take care of myself." He crossed his arms. "But, jeez, lighten up! I thought the Queendom of Falena had more of a laid-back reputation than this."

"Considering the fact that they let someone like you become a knight, I think it's laid-back enough!" Sialeeds jested. "…But even I'm afraid of my own sister right now. We really can't afford to make Arshtat mad!" Before she could add more, however, she recognized the slowing of the boat. "Look sharp now, guys," she advised, looking at the harbour. "We're about to arrive."

"All hands, prepare to dock!" the captain of the ship announced.