Chapter 34 Arrival
Our carriage stopped along with the princess's carriage and then the large iron gate in front of us was opened with the manpower of many guards.
The gate was huge and heavy; it took a good amount of time to open it completely. Also, when the gears that opened and closed the gate moved, they made an annoying, rubbing and grumbling sound.
After the gate was opened our carriages moved again, some guards have already checked our IDs so we went through the gate without a hitch.
This city, the capital of the Zenith Kingdom, was surrounded by a wall made out of white stones. Its height is apparently not much, around fifteen feet I guess.
When we crossed the wall and entered the city, a whole new world unfolded before my eyes.
This city was nothing like the city I used to live in, uh, how to say it, this place looks more modern. The majority of the houses are built with concrete, stones, and marbles instead of wood.
The carriage rolled down on a white paved road that seemed to stretch on endlessly. I silently observed the surroundings through the window and what I saw was the atmosphere of a capital city.
The design in which the buildings were built, the material by which the road was built, the quality of items in the shops, and even the clothes that people here wore were high-end.
This really is a city worthy of being a kingdom's capital.
Our carriages moved without stopping but after a set amount of distance, the princess's carriage turned on a different road that led to the castle.
We had to first find a hotel and then register ourselves in the academy so we took a different path.
***
Ron dropped me and Anya to a hotel and then went toward the academy to pay our, no, to pay my enrolment fee and get our student ID cards.
"It sure was a long journey~" I yawned and stretched my hands up in the air and did a sort of warm-up.
We left early in the morning—at 9 am—but still it took us half a day to reach here.
Oh, I forgot to mention but Anya also went with Ron. It was a sudden turn of events; most of the reason was that she is the first and maybe the last student who is getting enrolled without paying the fee.
So they wanted proof that Anya is really the person they were told about, and thus, she went with Ron who also took her birth papers and a few other formal documents with him.
As for me, well, I thought about exploring the city but I immediately discarded the idea when my laziness kicked in.
Umm, no wait, not laziness! It was tiredness! YES! I was tired after sitting for this long and my whole lower body was stiff, along with my back.
Hmm, so this is the reason. And I am definitely not trying to convince myself with an excuse.
Okay, that was that. I turned around and entered the hotel; Ron had already booked a room before he left so I just had to check-in.
After doing that I was given the keys to my room, and an assistant escorted me to the room. It was on the third floor; room number 69.
'This is a cultured hotel I see,' I inwardly nodded while I stared at the number plate that was hung over the door.
Then I looked around and saw that the assistant has already left; she was a quiet one, I didn't even notice her presence or absence.
Unlocking the door with the keys I just got, I pushed it open. And it didn't work...because the door was supposed to be open by pulling.
"Sigh!" I couldn't help but sigh over my foolishness. Then I pulled open the door and stepped inside.
I closed the door again and when I was done with that my attention finally shifted toward the room.
The walls were built with concrete and there were many abstract patterns painted on them, the floor also had flooring spread through it, of course, the furniture was also of good quality.
And then there was my favorite thing; the bed. Its frame was made out of dark oak wood and a pure white mattress was placed over it.
'Can't control myself now!' as that thought crossed my mind, I was already on the way to throwing myself on the soft bed sheets.
As soon as my body got in contact with the bedding, it swallowed me like a monster. The mattress was so soft that it felt like I was lying on clouds, maybe it also had springs that fit inside, because the bed has a bouncy effect.
"Ah, so comfortable~" I mumbled and then closed my eyes.
Now I just wanted to sleep but the reality is harsh and it won't let me do as I please.
***
Everything went as I predicted, which in this case I didn't wish for that to happen. An hour later, Ron came back with Anya.
Even though unwillingly, I had to get up from the bed and leave my heavenly sleep.
I was about to go out to pick them up but before I could do so, they entered the room first.
'Hmm, was I too slow, or were they coming at god speed?'
I think the latter is the case here.
"So, how'd it go?" I asked; the question was directed at both Anya and Ron.
However, Ron was the one who answered, "The registrations are done but it seems like the classes for new students will start after a week," he said.
Ah, since there are no cell phones or internet in this world, we had no way of knowing this beforehand.
If so then this leaves us with a question.
"Will the both of you stay here in the hotel for a week or will you prefer to go back home," asked Ron.
The classes for freshmen are going to start after a week and it means we had no choice but to wait. Now we have two choices, either wait here in the hotel or go back to our city and then come again after a week.
If I think a bit logically, no, even without that the right answer will obviously be.
"Going back and then coming all the way here again would be a waste, of both time and energy, so I will prefer to stay here. Of course, that will be if Anya is okay with it," I said.
The decision was now passed down to Anya, taking note of her personality I think she will also choose to stay here but well, can't say if she had a change of mind.
Hence, I shifted my gaze to Anya as I waited for her to reply.
"Huh, I'm okay with staying here, and honestly, I don't want to make that long ride again. So yes, I think it's okay to wait here for a week," said Anya.
'Eh? I thought I was the only one who had problems riding a carriage for a long period of time since I'm not used to it. Guess I was wrong.'
"So it's decided then," Ron was going to say something else and somehow I already knew what it was going to be.
"But will you two be able to live alone? And for a week that is! I think you should come home; you two are not used to living alone after all. How will you manage your meals and chores," said Ron, with an uneasy expression on his face.
"Yeah, yeah, we will be fine. And you are the one who should return now; you've said to Ainge that you'll come back this day, right? You should get going then," I replied, completely ignoring his overprotective behavior.
Anya was the same, we both were now used to his nature and knew how to deal with it; that is, just ignore the useless things he says.
Even after that, Ron didn't want to leave us alone but we somehow managed to kick him out.
He gave both of us some money before he left because we have to live on our own for a week.
The hotel's booking was extended for a week, yes, but there are other things you have to buy.
And like that, Ron left, and we had to live on our for a week.