#francescaprieur

Along with the overwhelming nausea that had plagued him for the entirety of his journey, Edgar felt a great sense of pride. Nobody here seemed to have given up. Every citizen moved with purpose, determined to carry on and thrive in spite of the difficulties thrown their way. The town may very well be in a state of disrepair, but the people have never been more united.

Well, Kefka could take that and stuff it right up his arse!

The minute his boots met the surface of the narrow boardwalk, it was as though each set of eyes in the nearby area were drawn his way. He moved through the sea of faces that soon gathered - some of elation, but most shocked, especially those of the Castle guardsmen, most of them now out on duty in the town without a King to protect. The crowds parted to let him press ahead, maintaining a safe distance as though he were some ghostly figment.

All was silent, until a single uniformed man finally managed to get a grasp on reality and resume that which he'd likely only just got out of the habit of. He skidded to a halt at his King's side, shortly followed by a handful of other guardsmen all keen to protect their leader - and to likely try to find out why he'd been missing for so long.

"Presenting His Majesty, King Edgar of Figaro!"

On cue, the faces that were previously transfixed on his form all bowed low in respect. Though he felt undeserving and altogether awkward about the whole thing, Edgar made no move to stop any of them. This was how it would always be from now on; no longer would he be able to roam freely without recognition, and that was how it was always meant to be. These were the sacrifices he had to make for his Kingdom.

The citizens probably had plenty of their own questions, but he would have to address those officially at a later time. He had more important things to take care of back home.

...Or at least, in the place he'd have to call home for the time being.

Returning to the mansion wasn't a terribly nice prospect, given the actions of its previous occupants, but there was no other choice. This was the Royal Family's designated palace in times of an emergency back at the Castle, so he'd have to grin and bear the unpleasantness of it all - both the situation and the surroundings.

Edgar did have a bit of a wobble upon reaching the main entrance-way, hesitating in the doorway for just a few seconds, but he stepped inside nevertheless, determined not to turn back now. He was anxious -- had been for the entire duration of his travel, left to simmer below deck and think over every possible reaction that his return might bring.