Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail
Hisui hummed a tune as the capital city got bigger outside the train windows, never did she think that month of being away from Crocus would cause her to be like this. It's a contradictory feeling, being able to see her father again was great news for both parties. Yet, knowing that she may deal with the inconveniences of someone holding power made Hisui have second thoughts. Karie, on the other hand, showed no complicated emotions, only a small smile that none but Hisui can detect. Hisui flipped the flap to her briefcase on her lap repeatedly, ultimately closing it and moving her hands away from the bag.
"Is there something wrong?"
"No, I guess I'm just nervous at seeing the city again."
"That doesn't seem plausible, I believe that you're trying to say you don't want to handle the small talk."
"That might it. There are times where I wish you don't know me as well as you do."
"It's in my job description, I wouldn't be serving you for as long as I am if I can't read you somewhat. There are times when you just seem distant."
"I suppose I only myself to blame. Perhaps royalty is distant by nature."
"Then I believe that you're an exception, when you're around the streets Magnolia or Crocus, you'll find people that will support you. Hisui, I think it's time for you to cast away that false notion of yours, it's unhealthy to think about it too much. Maybe Natsu-sama is correct and you do need to lighten up."
"I wish it's that simple."
"But it is, when you're talking to Fairy Tail members, I find that you show sides that I rarely see, and I've been your shadow for a good part of your life."
"Speaking of talking, have you made any friends or acquaintances in the month we've been in Magnolia? Like you said, you're my shadow, I hate to rib you of your social bonding because it's your duty."
"In that regard, I get along well with Erza-sama. While I'm shopping, I would bump into Mirajane-sama, we seem to share an interest in cooking, we've been teaching each other recipes, she would teach me local and household food while I teach her the foods you can only find in parties held by nobles."
"I can't say that I'm surprised that you get along well with them. You all prioritises family before yourself, the older sister in a family."
"Taking care of a little sister like you isn't easy you know, considering how you can't do any chores."
"I wasn't taught how to! The maids would tell me to play outside, or go back to my study."
"You could ask me."
"It's a bit too late now. I'm busy with other matters."
"Like what we're doing right now?" Karie took the briefcase off Hisui's lap and moved to the train door.
"Yes."
"Looks like nothing has changed." Karie said while waiting for Hisui to get off the train.
"We can't expect big changes in only a month. Moreover, we're only in the train station." Once they were out the station, Karie summoned a parasol and walked besides Hisui. "Didn't I say to go in the shade?"
"We're in public." Karie gestured to the citizens looking at the two. "Don't worry, I put sun screen on beforehand."
"I still don't like it."
"Just bear with it."
The people in Crocus were slightly more well-dressed compared to Magnolia, no one was shirtless from physical labour for one, and the clothing were less worn due to the less active lifestyle they lived. Housing was similar, but different enough for ordinary people to differentiate. Using stone bricks as a foundation, the second floor was made of wood. Full stone houses are more abundant. Standing proudly at the centre, was a massive palace that overlooked the entire city, with equally impressive walls guarding its residents.
They shielded themselves from both sunlight and the stares of admiration by entering a carriage that was prepared by Karie before coming here. Hisui breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that they don't have to walk to the palace.
"I forgot how big the city is."
"It's not like you to neglect details like this. Can you tell me what's been in your mind?"
"I rather not…"
"I can't help you if you don't tell me."
"Because it's something that I don't need help with."
"That is?"
"You're not going to let up, are you?"
"Not anytime soon."
"I was excited to see the capital again. So I forgot."
"That's understandable I guess."
"An—anyway, do you think we have time to visit mother? I want to tell her what I have been doing."
"No problem, should I prepare some flowers?"
"Please do." Karie made the driver pull over and she stepped out the carriage.
"Azaleas, correct?
"Yes, they were her favourite."
"Then I'll meet with you at her resting place."
"I'll see you there." The carriage sped off after Hisui gave the driver her instructions, leaving Karie with a heavy heart, worried for her master.
Hisui was walking in a garden, well-trimmed bushes surrounding her; giving her two options to go. Passing an archway of white flowers, Hisui saw the monument that she hated and loved so much. It was surrounded by flowers holding every colour Hisui could think of. She stepped closer. The monument was the symbol of Fiore, at the bottom, laid a gravestone, Hisui knelt and traced the message on the slab longingly with her index finger, noticing a bouquet of Azaleas lying on the gravestone.
"I'm home." Footstep replied to Hisui's declaration.
"Forgive me for being late."
"As long as you got the flowers, it's fine." Karie handed the bouquet to Hisui and walked back to the archway.
"I'll be waiting back here."
"Thank You." Hisui, placed her flowers next to the other one gently. "Mother, I'm finally walking down the same path you did, bettering the country. Though I'm sure I can't match up to what you did, I don't think anyone can. I'm sure you must be worried that I might suffer the same end as you, but please don't worry, Karie is taking care of me, she's making sure I get enough sleep, eat enough food and drink plenty.
"Also, I made some friends that I can talk freely to, not just Emily but wizards from Fairy Tail, they're all so special in their own way. Especially a person called Natsu Dragneel, he may seem dense but, he can be surprisingly sharp at times, I'm sure you would love meeting him.
"Father is doing a good job running the country, he's working hard to make your vision a reality, though, I'm sure you heard that from him. Did he exaggerate his feats like always? I'm going to meet him after this, I'm making my first big change in Fiore, I'm trying to expand the railroad network to reach out to the smaller towns and cities. Didn't you always say that you wanted to visit some places, but you can't because of how inconvenient it is? If my plan goes through, I think I'll solve that problem.
"I wish you can see how much I've grown, father says that I look more and more like you but, I don't think so, you're more beautiful, talented and well-loved than I am. I can't even do household chores like you. I can't put aside time for others, I keep getting engrossed in my work. How did you do it?
"At the very least, can you please keep watching over me? Even on the other side, I'm certain you're busy. However, can you listen to my selfish request? I have support from the people and my friends but, I want your approval. I want you to tell me that I did a good job, just like when I was little. Most of all…I…I want to see you again…
"I miss you…so much. I want to see your proud smile…I want to hear you laugh…I want to be in your arms. Can I see you again? Mama?" Hisui wiped away the wet spots of the gravestone. "I'll…be going now. It was nice talking with you, I promise I'll visit you soon." Hisui walked back to where Karie was waiting.
"Should be wait until tomorrow?"
"No, I should be fine."
"Just don't push yourself."
"I won't, let's not keep father waiting."
"Understood."
Hisui was walking to the throne room with Karie—having gotten her composure back. Hisui placed her palm on the door.
"Karie."
"Yes?"
"Do you think…she will be proud?"
"Yes…Hisui is, her pride and joy. You're someone that Caroline-sama will risk everything for."
"I see. Sorry for asking such a strange question, even though I should know the answer to it already." Hisui pushed open the door with a clear goal. The king was seated on his throne like the last time Hisui was in the throne room, not losing a bit of his regal visage.
"Good afternoon father, I hope you've been well."
"Hisui, welcome back. I have been well. In fact, I've been looking forward to your return, Karie's reports just doesn't do it. A father does want to see his own daughter grow in person."
"Can we leave it until after we talked about my plans?"
"What's wrong? You're not like yourself."
"I'm fine."
"Hisui-sama visited Caroline-sama."
"Karie!"
"I see." Toma's face softened. "I'll wait until you've calm down."
"Father, I'm fine."
"Hisui, what did your mother tell you?"
"To do what I love…and…reject the things I hate."
"Then follow it. I believe she said reject, not, become it. I want to see my daughter, not the Princess of the land." Those words shook Hisui to the core. Hisui dropped to the floor and, she cried, screaming her heart out. Pain emanated from her heart, inching closer to her head. Before it could reach the brain, Hisui felt a weight press against her back. Then, another weight hugged Hisui from the front.
"Toma-sama, forgive me for doing this without permission." Karie said while stroking Hisui's hair.
"It's fine, what kind of father will I be if I don't let my daughter's friend comfort her?" Toma wiped away Hisui's tears. "Dear, we're here for you, and hopefully, someone else will do what I can't." Hisui sobbed for a while, slowly turning to stifles, before only puffy green eyes remain.
"Thank…You…"
"Are you ready?" Hisui nodded. "May I see your plans? I'll give you time." Upon Hisui nodding, Karie handed the documents to Toma and he read it methodically, turning over the page every now and then.
"What…do you think?"
"Hisui, do you know how long this could take?"
"Each station will take nine months or so, six months if we used magicians, that'll up the cost."
"That's not what I meant. Do you think Fiore has enough manpower to do this in a timely fashion?"
"I don't know…"
"Your suggestions will certainly get rid of the problems concerning money, manpower is a different problem. That was just the stations, we're not including the tracks. Granted those will take less time than the stations. However, this many will take time."
"Then, how long will it take?"
"Aren't you the one that's supposed to tell me? Or did you come here without preparation?"
"I didn't."
"Then tell me how long it'll take." Hisui didn't reply and went into deep thought, turning back deep into her brain for a logical solution.
"Two to three years." Hisui's voice held no ambivalence, her eyes met Toma's without looking away.
"How? No matter how I long at this, I see that it'll take at least five years at best."
"We'll use the citizens. Financially compensated of course."
"What do you mean?"
"We'll have someone teach the citizens on how to build the tracks, since tracks are easier to construct compared to a building that takes professional recognition, that means that even normal people can build tracks without much trouble as long they have suitable supervision.
"Once the people are sufficient on their own, we can have the teachers focus solely on constructing the stations. Of course, we'll have to open a channel of communication if any problem arises, and we'll have the professionals do a thorough inspection of the tracks every month. Hiring wizards can speed up the process as well, the more well-off cities can afford to hire wizards to help them. If we want to speed things up even more, we can reach out to the neighbouring countries for talent. Following this method will increase the costs tremendously, however, as a long-term investment, it'll pay for itself.
"With increased pathways of travel, we can increase the amount of trading and attract more tourists. Not to mention the quality-of-life changes the expanded network will bring, the citizens will be happier. Furthermore, hiring citizens, preferably jobless people, we can offer those people a stable income until they find a better job. Adding all this up, I believe we can finish this up in two to three years." Toma chuckled before speaking.
"I was just testing your resolve to follow through with a massive project like this one, who would've thought that you would come up with something like this?"
"That means you'll approve!?"
"Of course, I want to better the kingdom as well."
"Thank goodness…"
"Looks like my decision wasn't a mistake after all. Sending you to Magnolia made you a better person. Looks like you found some good friends. Hisui, I'll handle the advertising for the citizens, you just handle your duties as the mayor."
"Understood!"
Thanks for reading! I get a feeling that Hisui is having too easy of a time doing what she wants, let me know if that's the case.
So I got a bit of character development for Hisui, yeah I know it's a cheap and cliche way to do it. But hey, there's a reason why it's used so often, I do want to ask is how I did on this crucial moment.
Anyway, I'm getting stuck in gathering ideas, of course I can't ask for ideas because you guys don't really know how the story is progressing, I'm just telling you this because it might slow down my writing, it won't affect the updating rate though.
Until then, hope you enjoyed, have a nice day!