As we arrived back through the teleportation gates within the large and expansive room within the palace that held this technology, the staff operating the magi-tech instinctively saluted before carrying on their work, however, they all looked questioningly at the small girl in their lieges arms.
However, it was non of their business to question, so they carried on with their work.
I then turned and spoke to Diablo, "Contact the head maid and ensure all staff know of my daughter."
Before I continued I looked at the girl who was looking around in wonder, before saying "I forgot, I still haven't asked you your name?" She then looked at me with her little face and said simply "Aurora, that is my name" I then nodded and said "A beautiful name indeed, little Aurora."
Then continued my orders to Diablo "Ensure a room is made for her, and get a tailor from the city to come and design a wardrobe of different clothes, I can not have her looking lesser. Oh, and make an announcement to the city of my daughters existence. You know me I am not one to hide, and there is no point in hiding anything that little king will most likely tell his masters, the imperial family." Diablo nodded thoughtfully before responding "At once, Your Excellency" Then disappearing on the spot.
I then moved along with the unit I appointed for my daughters safety to the dining room, the Head Maid, a very competent woman, should have had enough time to sort out food and prepare for our arrival. This girls sure needs it.
I then looked down and said to Aurora "So, Aurora you ready for food? You look half dead" She looked at me from my arms, with mock hurt in her eyes and replied "Father, can you not point out the obvious" I replied "Very well" before she huffed playingly and said "Yes I am starving!" I then laughed slightly before continuing on to have a huge feast with my daughter and get to the bottom of what exactly happened.
As we arrived at large double doors, Alphonso pushed them open before stepping aside and standing at attention alongside his unit. What greeted us was a row of maids in pristine white and black frilly attire with a middle aged woman at the front who straight away looked directly at the girl in my arms before bowing slightly and saying "Welcome back, Your Excellency. Is this little girl Her Highness Aurora, I heard of from Diablo?" I nod back before sitting at the head of the table, before I placed Aurora on the seat next to me.
The Head Maid Selene replied "Oh good, it will be nice to have some noise around here for a change" With a warm smile on her face, before turning to the maids and stating strictly "Chop chop, lets get this feast underway. Her Highness must be famished!" As she clapped her hands and said this the maids all poured out of the room to complete their task followed by Selene.
With some time before the feast I turn to my daughter before saying "So, what do you think of the palace so far? This will be your home for the foreseeable future." Aurora turned to me after taking in the huge grand dining hall, before saying "I have never seen anything like it before, everything is so huge! And we have barely been anywhere yet considering we came right here, I cant wait to explore!"
I smiled slightly as she then continued "I thought that kings place was grand but nothing like this" I laughed lightly, then said "Well of course it is, I am a Great Mage of course!"
Wait what am I doing, acting like this? Am I trying to impress a child? Before I could think further my daughter had a hint of excitement in her eyes before saying "I know about the elements because of mothers teachings, however, she never spoke of the mage ranks, she said I had to wait until my awakening. Can you tell me father?" She said with an almost pleading expression.
I sighed before thinking, am I being too soft? She is going to wrap me around her finger soon enough. Parenting is tough. I just realised not even a day into it.
I then said "Very well, no point withholding the information, there is no downside to you knowing early. In this world of Magedom, there are eight ranks, Apprentice Mage, Novice Mage, Senior Mage, Lord Mage, King Mage, Emperor Mage, Great Mage and lastly Grand Mage. Your lifespan increases as you climb the ranks and as you most likely know, talent dictates how far you can go."
Aurora looked at me with awe filled eyes, now with the context of the information I delivered her she replied "So you are a Great Mage, wow! No wonder everyone holds such respect for you!" Then she went onto say "So, you are also in charge of a city then?"
I then nodded and said "Yes, Luminosity, it is a mega city, and essentially a city state, independent of the empires, kind of the like the academy. It houses nine million people, and is the core of my power. And right about now they should be hearing of you."
As I said this, she seemed to be hit by some nervousness as she mellowed a little, I noticed this and spoke "Are you nervous?" She nodded meekly and said "I'm just realising the position I am now in after meeting you, I am still happy that we met, and I now have a chance to build a relationship with you, and finally after what seems like forever get to feel some love, but it is daunting and everything is moving quickly."
I thought deeply on what she said, yes it would be for a girl like her, who hasn't been born into this and is not even seven years old yet.
However, this is something she will have to get used to. "Aurora, I know it must seem very daunting, and a lot to take in, so there is no rush, just slowly get used to the palace and your new place in life and then when you are ready, you can go to the city and show yourself to the world. No rush, my child." Aurora seems to have had a weight lifted off her as she looks up and smiles "Thank you, father!"
Just then, the doors open and our food arrives. Time for some more bonding and afterwards, the truth.