After finishing brushing his shoes, Kazumi got up from the chair, the Empress following him up towards the deck. The Lorcha had docked on the port, 2 crew members held a plank and set it on to the side of the deck facing the dock of the port. "Royal maids," he called upon their presence,"Bring thee Rickshaw,"
"Hai!" Heichō (Lance Corporal) Fuji Setsune.
Who then signaled Ittōhei (Private First Class) Kiyofuji Kissa. To bring out the Rickshaw. She took the handle and pushed it towards Setsune and stopped beside her, who then held the Rickshaw at the side to support Kissa when she was pushing it downwards on the giant plank which seemed frail but supported both the rickshaw and the Royal maids. When the rickshaw was on the dock the royal maids went back onto the deck to grab their Musketeers and Wakizashi, while the Prime Minister and Empress take their luggage. the Royal maids escorted the PM and Empress down the plank and onto Rickshaw, the maids started pushing when the Prime Minister signaled them to go on towards the Solventis Palace.
The Prime Minister along the way, was reading a book and admiring the architecture of Soleanna, while the Empress, is staring at the food markets serving the common people of Soleanna. Kazumi notices the Empress' indulgence to exotic and foreign food and smirks, "My word," Kazumi says very abruptly to the Empress, "Is our chef not good enough to satisfy your monstrous appetite?" he said, laughing very lightly.
The Empress wasn't very happy and took his book from his lap and smacked it on his head and in anger, hissed the word "baka!" and turned her back towards him.
"I am sorry, Empress, please don't take those words in heart," he replied trying to cheer her up.
"Don't make humorous comments on the royal diet the Empress has," says Setsune, looking at the Prime Minister, "After all, she has a love for food, "I see," he responds to the Royal maids, he then reads from his book.
The Empress, after awhile looks towards Kazumi and ignites a conversation, "So what will your reasons be for attending this Ball?" she asks.
"It's for diplomatic and economic reasons, we need to diversify our markets and try to stay away from any wars" he responds.
"And will there be food?"
"You and your 'royal diet', I believe we are staying here for awhile so expect food to be there for you to indulge my Empress."
"How long shall we be here for?"
"I say 3 days, including this one,"
"Very well then," she concludes.
"Prime Minister and my Empress, we have arrived, to the Solventis Palace." Fuji Setsune says.
"Thank you royal maids, you have done a good enough work from here, me and the Empress shall disembark," Kazumi says.
"Prime Minister, it's very ill-mannered to have our Empress trek the rest of the way here, get back on the rickshaw and let us take you there," Setsune replies.
"Ladies, you have done enough wa. . ." Kazumi was interrupted.
"Nonsense!" Setsune says thunderously,"We have been born and trained to walk a thousand miles on the scorched Earth,"
The Prime Minister, a bit shamed for putting them down was in an awkward position, though Empress Taeko touched his shoulders lightly,"Please excuse the Prime Minister for his language Royal Maids, he was only concerned of your condition," she said to her Royal maids, making them understand his actions.
"Very well my Empress," they say as they approach the Palaces gates, Kazumi feeling at ease. Then the Empress grips his jacket and brings him closer to her, whispering in his ears, "Don't disappoint the my husband, Prime Minister, the countries faith is in your hands, do remember," she then lets go of his jacket.
Kazumi feeling again at unease then replies,"Thanks for reminding me. . ."
"You're welcome! It's my duty to remind you of your role," she replies smirking at him.
The Rickshaw goes through the gates and into the palace grounds, "You may get off now" says Setsune, "Ittōhei Kissa, take the rickshaw somewhere appropriate,"
Kissa guided the Rickshaw towards the giant walls that separate the outside world and the palace and parked it next to it within the Palace ground.
Setsune was guarding the Prime Minister and Empress, Kissa when she finished parking the rickshaw near the walls of the palace. Then went to her usual job, guarding both the Prime Minister and Empress.
"So, what now Prime Minister Kazumi Keita?" Akagi Taeko questioned him,
"We shall wait upon the presence of the Emperor and Empress," he says, "You want a Kiseru?" he said taking the tubular shaft of bamboo.
"I believe it is illegal to smoke here" she says.
Then Kazumi puts the tubular shaft of bamboo in his pocket. "My bad," he apologises.