The golden rays of the dying sun streamed lazily through the arched windows, casting long streaks of amber light across the marble floors of the ladies' chambers. Soft music from a single-stringed lute played in the distance, accompanied by the faint rustle of silk and the gentle whispers of maids moving about.
The air was thick with the scent of rose oil and powdered sandalwood. The time had come.
Mirha sat gracefully on a cushioned stool as one of the Magili duchy's maids gently twisted her hair into intricate loops, pinning them with gold combs shaped like tiny crescent moons. A second maid dabbed the deep crimson tint on her lips, while a third adjusted the fine veil of midnight blue and gold that trailed from her shoulders. Her eyes were soft but sparkling—eager, humbled, and unaware of how breathtaking she looked.
Gina, by contrast, had a regal stillness about her, the kind bred from years under her mother's stern grooming. But today, there was something warmer in her stillness, a quiet power, like a flame controlled but not extinguished. The Magili maids worked with precision, laying folds of deep blue silk trimmed with gold around her waist, arms, and shoulders. Her earrings, bold golden hoops gifted by Tando's mother, swayed as she turned when a maid stepped forward and said gently:
> "My Lady... His Grace, Duke Rnzo, has made a request. He has asked that you wear a veil for the journey."
The room paused. Even the lute seemed to stop mid-note.
Gina blinked once, her expression unreadable. Then, with the faintest smirk tugging the corner of her lips, she nodded.
> "Of course," she said coolly. "His Grace's wish is my pleasure."
Her voice was smooth, almost teasing—but the flicker of defiance in her eyes didn't go unnoticed by Mirha, who offered a knowing smile from her seat.
Meanwhile, Kanha was seated near the far window, the red and gold robes of the Empress's court draped around her slender frame like fire woven into cloth. The gold embroidery danced with every breath she took. Her hair was braided tightly, crowned with ruby pins. There was a quiet dignity to her today—no sign of yesterday's tremble.
One maid leaned in with soft reverence, adjusting the gold necklace around her neck. "You look like the Empress herself, my Lady."
Kanha gave no reply, only a nod, but her eyes found Gina's reflection in the mirror. Their gazes met for a beat—two women who knew what it meant to endure.
Mirha, always the gentle breeze in the room, turned to them both.
> "Do you think we'll see snow in Lamig?"
> "At this time?" Kanha answered, lips curling softly. "If the gods are poetic, maybe."
> "They usually are," Gina added, standing slowly as the final veil was secured over her head—light, sheer, delicate. "But not always in our favor."
Their laughter was quiet, feminine, and fleeting like smoke—but genuine.
The door opened slightly and a page stepped in, bowing.
> "Ladies... the carriages await."
The grand study, nestled in the eastern wing of the palace, was draped in hues of regal gold and deep midnight blue, with bookshelves stacked high against every wall. A few flickering candles provided warmth, their light dancing across the dark wood furniture. The air was heavy with the hum of anticipation, and the distant sounds of servants preparing the final touches for the grand procession seemed muted by the stillness in the room.
Emperor Arvin sat in a large chair behind his grand desk, the weight of his crown settling lightly on his brow. The intricate design glimmered in the soft candlelight—gold intertwined with emeralds and sapphires, symbols of his lineage. His deep blue robes flowed effortlessly over his frame, the delicate stitching almost too fine to see unless you looked closely. His posture was perfect, poised, yet the tension in his shoulders betrayed the impatience simmering just beneath his composed exterior.
Queen Mother Raina stood by one of the grand windows, looking out across the courtyard. Her expression was soft, but her eyes were far away, lost in thought. Her own regal gown, a sweeping creation of dark purple and gold, caught the light in a way that made her look almost ethereal. She had arrived from her journey with only a hint of the weariness she had felt. But tonight, something more pressing lingered in the back of her mind.
Duke Rnzo, ever the fidgety figure, leaned against a tall bookshelf, his arms crossed in a display of indifference. He had been staring at the flickering flames of the hearth for what seemed like hours. Every now and then, his fingers drummed absently against the wood of the shelf, betraying his growing boredom. His attire, the deep blue and gold, was sharp and well-fitted, but his expression was less than enthralled with the slow-moving nature of the evening.
Lord Kaisen, standing near Rnzo, shifted slightly. His posture was much more at ease, but the gleam in his eyes showed he too was somewhat impatient, though he hid it better than Rnzo. His long, dark hair was neatly tied back, and his coat of deep green and gold blended perfectly with the room's ambiance, though he still stood with the calm demeanor of one waiting for something important to happen.
Finally, the door creaked open, and Heman, ever the diligent servant, entered with a brief announcement.
> "Your Majesty, Lady Raina, My Lords... the ladies are finished with their preparations."
Arvin's gaze sharpened immediately, his shoulders straightening as he leaned forward slightly, his hand resting lightly on the armrest.
> "Good. Have Kain arrived yet?"
Heman paused, looking briefly at his notes, then shook his head.
> "Not yet, Your Majesty."
A brief silence settled in the room. Rnzo shifted, clearly uninterested, but Kaisen caught the subtle shift of Arvin's expression, noting the Emperor's impatience despite his calm demeanor.
> "It's unlike Kain to be late," Arvin muttered more to himself than anyone. His brow furrowed ever so slightly, and there was a momentary flicker of something in his eyes—worry? Something darker?
> "Perhaps he's busy making sure the journey is clear," Queen Mother Raina remarked softly, her voice carrying the weight of experience. She turned from the window to glance at her son, her eyes reflecting a warmth that only a mother could express. "You know how meticulous Kain is."
But Arvin remained quiet, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the edge of his desk.
> "I trust him," Arvin said, though his voice lacked the full conviction that those words usually carried. He looked to Heman. "If he's not here within the hour, send word to him. I want everything set in motion promptly."
Heman bowed in acknowledgement, stepping back and quietly leaving the room.
The room went still again, the only sound the crackling fire and the occasional shift of a foot against the cold stone floor.
> "It seems we are all in suspense tonight," Rnzo finally spoke, his voice smooth but laced with his typical cynicism. "Will the journey begin, or will we all just stand around and wait for the night to swallow us whole?"
Kaisen shot Rnzo a sideways glance, his lips pressing into a tight smile, but didn't respond. It was clear he was as eager as anyone else to be on their way, but Kain's punctuality was something he respected.
The air was thick with expectation, but it seemed fate had other plans. Time passed slowly, dragging the moment out before the awaited presence of Kain would break the stillness.
The fading sun painted the sky in hues of violet and amber, casting long shadows across the palace yard where the grand carriages stood in majestic silence. Their gold-trimmed frames shimmered in the evening light, and the tall, broad horses—so regal they looked nearly divine—stood perfectly still, their polished tack and tassels gleaming like starlight. There was an air of hushed excitement, of something significant just beginning.
The ladies stepped into the yard, their silhouettes framed by the palace arch behind them. Their gowns whispered against the stone path with each graceful step.
Lady Kanha, clad in the Empress's signature red and gold, walked with poised confidence, her lips painted a vivid scarlet and her hair tied into an elegant high bun with delicate gold pins.
Lady Mirha, dressed in deep midnight blue with gold accents—the colours of Magili Duchy—held her head low in awe. Her eyes were wide and sparkling, her soft curls pinned up with care, a sheer silk shawl draped across her arms.
Lady Gina, glowing in her midnight blue gown trimmed in finer gold embroidery, had a subtle veil pinned lightly over her hairline, cascading down her back like mist. Her steps were slow but certain, her expression calm despite the nerves fluttering in her chest.
Ahead in the yard, Kiara sat laughing gently beside her husband, Lord Tando, outside their grand teal and gold carriage. He rested one hand on the hilt of his blade, the other casually draped around her shoulder, murmuring something that made her shake her head and smile.
As the other carriages stood empty, it was evident everyone else was still within the palace.
The deep, clipped sound of boots striking the stone echoed from the corridor—Heman, ever efficient, emerged carrying a slender scroll in hand and approached the ladies with a respectful bow.
> "Ladies," he began, voice clear, "please allow me to walk you through the arrangement of tonight's journey."
He unrolled the scroll and glanced briefly at them before continuing, his expression as measured as always.
> "Lady Gina, you will be riding with Duke Rnzo in his private carriage. It has been fitted and prepared accordingly." He paused slightly, offering her a small nod. "The veil was his personal request."
Gina raised a single brow, her lips twitching.
> "He forgets I'm no blushing bride yet," she murmured softly. Kanha caught it and gave a short chuckle.
> "Following the Duke's carriage," Heman continued, "Lady Mirha will ride alone, accompanied by one trusted guard of the Magili Duchy riding beside the driver."
Mirha tilted her head slightly, a soft, nervous breath escaping her lips.
> "Do not worry," Heman added gently, "the guard is among the personal men of Duchess-to-be Gina. You are in good hands."
Mirha nodded, her gaze flicking to Gina for reassurance, which Gina returned with a calm smile and a subtle squeeze of her hand.
> "Next will be Lord Kaisen's carriage, accompanied by his guards," Heman went on. "Then Duke Tando and Lady Kiara, whose carriage will follow."
He gestured toward the pair already seated, exchanging a fond look as Kiara waved at the girls.
> "After them, General Kian and his unit will ride. Then, the Queen Mother's carriage. Lady Kanha—" he looked toward her with a bow, "—you are to ride with Her Majesty the Queen Mother and Lady Mei. The Queen was firm in this—she did not want to overburden the palace staff with an additional carriage."
Kanha gave a tight, regal smile.
> "And of course, I shall respect her generosity."
> "After them," Heman continued, "will be His Majesty the Emperor, in the imperial carriage with myself."
He gave a short nod to each of them, pausing before speaking again.
> "The Royal Guard will ride after His Majesty. Finally, the remaining Èvanan soldiers will follow in two groups—some will ride ahead to keep the path clear, and others shall guard the rear. As for the men under Duke Rnzo's command, they are still posted in the Emperor's study and will be deployed after our departure."
He rolled the scroll up with practiced ease and bowed once more.
> "If you are ready, I will escort you to your designated carriages."
The ladies exchanged glances, adjusting their shawls and gowns. Gina's fingers drifted briefly to the edge of her veil, as if tempted to remove it.
> "You think he'll talk the whole ride?" she asked dryly, more to herself than anyone.
> "Probably tease you until sunrise," Kanha teased back with a smirk.
> " thats If he even looks my direction" Gina muttered. Mirha grinned but remained silent, clearly trying to hide her amusement.
As the sun sank below the horizon, the ladies moved gracefully toward their carriages, skirts swaying like waves of silk and gold. Heman, ever patient, stood nearby, eyes flicking to the palace doors—still waiting on Kain's arrival.
The study was quiet, steeped in the soft glow of lamplight and the amber hue of dusk that filtered through the tall windows. The heavy scent of parchment, oil, and incense lingered in the air. The Emperor, Arvin, sat with his crown set perfectly atop his head, dressed in dark formal robes lined with gold thread. The imperial seal shimmered on his chest, and his expression was unreadable—stern, composed, but faintly distant.
Across from him, his mother, Queen Mother Raina, sat with quiet dignity. Her posture was flawless, her hair arranged into a high wrap befitting her station. Lady Mei stood at her side, hands folded. The flicker of the candlelight danced across Raina's calm features as she glanced once again at the doors.
Meanwhile, Duke Rnzo leaned dramatically against the wall near a towering bookshelf, arms folded, sighing loud enough for everyone to hear.
> "By the time Kain gets here, Gina would've changed her mind and vanished," he muttered.
Lord Kaisen, seated on the edge of the desk, gave him a warning look but didn't say anything. He looked more tired than impatient, one booted foot tapping a slow rhythm against the floor.
Suddenly, the doors opened with a gentle knock. Heman entered, his ever-composed face betraying the faintest urgency.
He bowed low first to the Emperor, then to the Queen Mother.
> "Your Majesty. My lady." Then he turned to the rest of the room. "Lord Kain has arrived."
At that, Rnzo straightened immediately.
> "Finally," he muttered, brushing imaginary dust off his sleeve.
The Emperor didn't react at first. Then, with a subtle tilt of his head, he stood. The room seemed to shift with him—the gravity of royalty.
> "Then let us begin the journey," Arvin said softly, voice low but firm. "The path to Lamig will not wait for any of us."
Queen Mother Raina nodded once to Lady Mei, who helped her rise. As they moved, she turned to Arvin with a brief glance.
> "The women are ready?" she asked calmly.
Heman answered before Arvin could.
> "Yes, my lady. Lady Gina is with Duke Rnzo, Lady Mirha is secured, and Lady Kanha has been informed she'll ride with you. All other parties are aligned. The carriages await."
Arvin gave a small, approving nod.
> "Good."
As the nobles gathered their things and the quiet rustle of fine robes filled the room, Lord Kaisen stood beside Heman.
> "He arrived alone?" he asked under his breath.
Heman nodded.
> "He's at the gate with the riders. His unit's already positioned."
Kaisen gave a thoughtful hum but said nothing more.
The Emperor began walking toward the doors, and the others fell in line behind him—first the Queen Mother, then the Dukes and Lords, their footsteps heavy with meaning and the weight of duty.
As they stepped into the evening, the cool wind kissed their faces, and the light from the courtyard caught the polished gold of their garments and the glint of the horses' armor. The journey to Lamig—four days of road, of tension, of whispered thoughts—had officially begun.