Strong breeze blew across the landscape.Gentle rain swayed in the storm.
Thin strands of water weaved down from the overcast heavens, soaking the world in a lancholic rhythm. But within the downpour, a procession of knights marched undeterred.
Their armor glead silver-blue enshi beneath the stormy sky, and their aura was so dense and fierce that the very raindrops veered away, splitting around their bodies like water eting a rock.
The sheer pressure of their presence was enough to make passersby retreat in silence, eyes wide in awe or fear.
At the head of the formation rode a lone figure, her horse calm beneath her disciplined posture. Her aura crackled faintly, forming a faint veil of invisible power that shimred when the rain touched it. Her hair was tied into a tight braid beneath her helt, her sharp eyes scanning her surroundings with practiced vigilance.
Her gaze snapped to the side. Two younger knights had begun to slack off, one yawning, the other slouching.
"Don’t be careless," she snapped, her voice like a blade slicing through fog. The two jolted upright in terror, their helts clanking as they stiffened.
The estate knights were long used to her commanding presence, but so of the ones from the Duchy whispered with hushed confusion.
"Isn’t she... commanding too much?"
"Yeah... She’s acting like we’re under her command now."
"We are the Blue Knights of Veydrin.How can she order us?She is just a newbie Baroness."
"Shssshhh!"
"STUPIDDD!"
A nearby knight glared and hissed. "Idiots. All of you are fucking idiots."
The whispering knights turned to him with wide eyes.
"What did you call ?"
"Did you call us an idiot.Have you lost your sanity?"
The soldier started to banter until a person shook them off.
"You fail to notice things..Just think carefully."
"Can’t you see how much Lord Kael adores her? What if—what if she beca the next Duchess?"
The mont that sentence was uttered, silence fell like a thunderclap. Several knights swallowed hard, eyes trailing to her back.
They looked at her figure with a mix of respect, fear, and... possibility. No one said another word.
Yes,this was very much possible.
And if this happened for real,won’t they be dood.Thinking this,they decided to beg her for an apology at the next stop.
...
Inside the ornate carriage, a much gentler scene unfolded.
Kael leaned comfortably in his seat, gently patting the soft, snowy dragon curled up in his lap. Elfie purred—if a dragon could purr—while nibbling grapes that Lyria plucked from a small vine and offered with a tender smile.
"It’s so cute," Lyria whispered, watching Elfie rub her snout lovingly against Kael’s leg.
"It really is," Kael replied with a chuckle, his silver hair catching the faint light from the carriage lamp. The air inside was calm and serene, a warm haven amid the storm.
Kael with a snack in his hand enjoyed the mont playing with Elfie and looking outside.
It had been 10 days since they have gone out.Thankfully the entire journey had been hassle free.
After leaving for two lives,he wanted to live peacefully and laze around.
He wished the world would be in peace with no more fighting.
But peace never lasted long.
SCREEECH!
The carriage jolted to an abrupt halt.
"Wahhh!" Elfie squeaked and tumbled forward like a soft pillow flung across the room. She would’ve slamd into the wooden wall if Lyria hadn’t caught her mid-air.
Elfie’s golden eyes teared up instantly, her small body trembling.
"There, there," Lyria cooed, stroking her head. "It happens, Elfie... You’re alright now, aren’t you?"
Kael frowned and opened the carriage window, tapping the side sharply.
"What happened?" he called out.
A knight galloped up beside him and bowed lightly. "My Lord, there seems to be a problem at the entrance."
Kael raised a brow. "We’ve reached Salvatore Duchy right?"
"Yes, My Lord. We are right at the gates."
Kael leaned back, waiting.
Five minutes passed.
Then ten.
Then fifteen.
His patience thinned, irritation curling on his face. He stood, brushing off his coat.
"I’ll take a look at this myself."
Just as he turned to go, Elfie’s voice squeaked up from the seat. "Papa! Take Elfie! Papa!"
Kael laughed lightly and extended a hand. Elfie leapt up happily and perched on his shoulder, nestling close to his neck with a little chirp.
He glanced at Lyria. "You coming?"
Lyria shook her head. "No. I’ll stay back. I have a feeling this is going to get... loud."
Kael stepped out into the rain, Elfie shielded by a light flicker of aura. Soon, Barret, Vic, and Chris ca marching toward him from the front.
"What’s going on?" Kael asked.
Chris answered, face grim. "City guards aren’t letting us in. Baroness Ariana and Gare have gone inside to negotiate, but..."
Kael narrowed his eyes. "Take there."
The group walked to the towering stone gate where dozens of ard guards stood in formation. A rough voice suddenly bellowed from the wall above.
"Veydrin! Do you really think you still have the face to co here?!"
"Do you think we fear your na?! Even if the Grand Duke himself crawled to our gates, we wouldn’t let you bastards in!"
The man slamd his palm against the stone wall beside him, drawing everyone’s attention.
With a twisted smirk, he gestured dramatically at a parchnt nailed to the gate.
Kael stepped forward, water dripping from his shoulders, and read the words written in bold red ink
[Proclamation from the Duchy of Salvatore
Criminal Affiliates, Veydrin House mbers, and Suspicious Retainers]
[Are henceforth BANNED from stepping foot inside these lands.]
Kael’s jaw tightened. The others stared, mouths agape.
Barret pointed dumbly. "Wh-What the fuck?!"
Chris muttered, "Are they out of their damn minds?!"
Vic just hissed under his breath. "This is a declaration. Not a ban, it’s a challenge."
Kael said nothing. His hand slid slowly into his coat, aura beginning to ripple.
His lips curled into a faint smile.
’So this is how it is.’
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