The morning sun barely crested the horizon when Zane, Maria, and Gloria started preparing to leave Ashford estate. The journey ahead was going to be long; there was no mistaking it. And it was well-known that it took two weeks to reach the Royal Capital from Valeria City, even under the best of weather conditions.
Gerald stood next to the front of the stable court, watching as the last of the supplies were loaded. "Is this the things you came with?" Gerald asked as the last of the bags were packed in the carriage.
The carriage was plain brown with not a hint of any emblem or flashy golden decorations, reminding most of a common traveling wagon on the road. On top of that, Zane had refused to be accompanied by any royal guards or escort knights.
"Are you serious about this?" Gerald asked as he crossed his arms over his heavy armor.
"Yeah, I don’t need that; I already have Maria and Gloria by my side anyway, so that’s fine," Zane said while walking towards the carriage.
"If you say so," Gerald muttered while letting out a heavy breath, choosing not to argue with the young prince.
"Well, we will see each other again. You guys go and protect my brother."Zane said.
Gerald walked to the side, opening the carriage door for them. As Zane was about to step up, he paused and turned his head back towards the mansion entrance, where Clara was standing nervously by her mother.
"Ah.... before I forget, Clara, don’t let me down, okay?" Zane said while raising his thumb and closing one of his eyes playfully.
Clara’s face lit up with a soft blush as she replied, "Yes, I won’t let you down." She was wearing a brown dress with white dots and nodded her head.
Zane smiled before entering the carriage followed by Maria and Gloria. The heavy wooden door clicked shut and with a flick of Zane’s reins, the horses began pulling. The wheels rolled smoothly down the cobblestone road as Valeria City began to disappear into the distance.
After they left, Gerald turned back and walked back inside the mansion, heading straight up the quiet staircase until he reached Prince Arthur’s medical room. He pushed open the heavy wooden door and stepped inside.
"Are they gone now?" Arthur asked as he lay on the bed covered in bandages.
"Yes, but why did you choose to hide, my Prince?" Gerald asked while walking till he reached the bedside.
"Nothing; it’s just feeling ashamed. Can you take off these bandages please? It’s boring," he replied while shifting uncomfortably against the pillows.
"Ashamed... ashamed of what?" Gerald asked, walking towards to unwind the thick white cloths wrapped tightly against Arthur’s arms and torso.
"Mmm... can’t you see? I want to be a king, everyone knows that, and seeing my little brother stronger than me and even giving me credit for donating ten thousand gold coins; how can you face your younger brother after that?" Arthur said while watching as Gerald unwound the bandages.
Gerald set the long strips of cloth down, unwinding them carefully from his skin, which had already healed. "That’s understandable, but you should have at least asked him to help you ascend the throne," Gerald said, putting away the bandages he had removed from his hand into a bucket.
"I will, but for now, it’s too early since he does not have enough influence yet and also don’t think he is interested in becoming this nation’s king," he replied, stretching out his hand to test his movement and letting out a relaxed sigh.
"I see," Gerald said, setting the bucket down near the corner of the room.
Meanwhile, on the open dirt road, the plain brown carriage rumbled as it continued down the trade route heading towards the kingdom’s heart. Inside, the cabin was quiet and comfortable.
"Prince Zane, why did you choose to leave this quickly while Prince Arthur is on the sick bed?" Gloria asked out of curiosity while leaning forward from the seat across from Zane.
"He is okay, he was just pretending," Zane replied while looking at the ceiling of the carriage, resting his hands behind his head.
"What makes you say that?" Gloria asked, tilting her head.
"Because of his breathing... I checked if he is injured, and he isn’t," he replied while sitting properly, crossing his legs as he looked out at the passing trees.
"But why would he do that?" Gloria asked, still looking a little bewildered.
"Because he wants to be a king, so he is ashamed of being outperformed by his younger brother," Maria interjected, offering a calm knowing smile from the corner of the bench.
"Oh, I see," Gloria replied while looking at the window, watching the rolling hills pass by.
They then spent their two weeks without any problem. The road was peaceful with not a single rogue bandit or stray monster attack threatening to interrupt their travel, allowing Zane to rest and gather his thoughts.
On the fourteenth day, the scenery outside began to change dramatically. The open dirt road widened into a massive stone highway that bustled with carriages, merchants, and travelers from all corners. Rising in the distance was a sight that commanded awe; a giant, towering wall that stretched as far as the eye could see in all directions, surrounding the grand city completely.
As they drew closer to the capital, the towering figure of the capital came into full view. A golden castle was shown as they neared the capital, with its splendid spires gleaming brilliantly against the afternoon sun. The house roofs were displayed to be well maintained including the walls, with the closer they got, the more they would feel the atmosphere changing from the rural tranquility to bustling and energizing life.
"All visitors from other nations come through this gate, please!" a guard shouted at the outer perimeter.
Zane and his companions entered through the official gate using Maria’s royal guard emblem. The guards immediately stood at attention, clearing a path for their plain carriage without delay.
Once indoors, the sounds of the bustling city washed over them like a wave.
"Tomatoes and onions here, only one silver!"
"Weapons here on special, come buy!"
Merchants shouted every way, filling the air with vibrant shouts, the aroma of freshly roasted spices, and the rhythmic clatter of trade.
"Wow, that’s amazing and having things this cheap is amazing, and everyone here looks healthy," Zane commented while leaning closer to the window. He looked at people smiling, walking with their family and children running around happily through the stone-paved plazas.
"I can’t even see any dirty streets or beggars, which makes me happy," Zane said, his eyes scanning the clean, immaculate alleyways.
"That’s how amazing the king is; he doesn’t want his subjects to suffer. If he found out that the Valeria city area had dirty streets and beggars, he would have sent people to maintain it," Maria said while shaking hands with a small girl through the window, giving the young child a gentle smile.
"That’s nice," Zane said while observing the golden castle towering in front of him.
A quiet shadow crossed his thoughts as he rested his chin in his hand. ’If he is that kind of person, why did you push me away though?’ Zane thought to himself, holding his cheek as he pondered the mystery of his father and the secret framing that took place within the family.
Maria looked up at Zane and noticed how his mood had suddenly changed, seeing his face looking unhappy.
"Are you going to the castle or to Princess Sofia before going to the academy?" Maria asked softly as she broke his train of thought.
"Mmm... let me see, let’s go to see big sis Sofia then go to the academy since it’s starting five days from now," Zane replied, brightening up.
"Okay," Maria agreed while steering the carriage towards Princess Sofia’s mansion in the upper noble district of the capital.
A few hours later, they reached the grand iron gate of the estate. The guards recognized Maria instantly and opened the gates, letting the carriage roll up the cobblestone driveway.
Inside the mansion, footfalls echoed down the high-ceilinged hallway. "Princess Sofia, Mrs. Maria is here to see you," a maid shouted in the corridor outside the primary quarters.
Inside her private chambers, Sofia was sitting in front of her vanity mirror. "Maria.. let her in," Sofia answered while finishing tying her hair in her bedroom.
The door creaked open gently. "Greetings, Princess Sofia," Maria greeted while bowing respectfully.
"It’s been a while, Maria," Sofia said while turning her chair and looking at her with a warm expression. "So what brings you here and where is my brother?"
"Yes, yes ma’am, how have you been?" Maria replied, setting down her travel bag.
"Good, and how have you been, my dear friend?" Sofia replied, giving a light chuckle.
"I have been great as always, and as for the young master, he is waiting for you downstairs, my princess," she replied while picking some clothes from the ground that Sofia had removed while getting dressed.
The moment the words registered, Sofia’s eyes widened. "My brother is here!" Sofia shouted, standing up and running downstairs without even waiting to put on her shoes.
"Energetic as ever," Maria said while folding the clothes on the bed neatly.
Down in the main lounge, Zane was admiring the crystal chandeliers when the sound of rapid footfalls came rushing down the marble staircase.
"Zane, you are here!" Sofia shouted while jumping into Zane’s arms, colliding with him at full speed.
"Ouch.... sister, that’s hurt," Zane said, staggering back a step as he caught her.
"You are still a crybaby even after experiencing a life and death battle," Sofia teased, stepping back and pinching his cheek playfully.
"Is there anywhere it is written that if someone experiences a life and death situation you should change your personality?" Zane said while sitting on a couch and rubbing his arm.
"No, but you have to keep it at least hidden," Sofia replied while sitting next to Zane, leaning in close with a warm smile. "So are you ready to enter the academy?" Sofia asked.
"Yeah, I am," Zane replied, looking around the room; seeing fancy things around, from rare enchanted artifacts to intricate silver vases.
"Well, Leon has been waiting to see you; by the way, maybe you will meet at the entrance exam," Sofia said.
"Mmm...Leon....oh yeah, I can’t wait too," Zane replied.
Leon had been born four months before Zane which meant that they were both... ’Oh, he is fifteen now,’ Zane thought, recalling some memories of his childhood before he was pushed away from the palace.
Sofia reached out and grabbed his wrist, noticing the heavy metallic bands wrapped tightly around his arms. "You are still wearing these weight bracelets? Why are you wearing them?" Sofia asked, holding Zane’s hand.
"I will remove them when I feel I am strong enough!" he replied, giving her a confident grin.
"You are really obsessed with becoming strong, huh?" Sofia sighed, looking at him with a mixture of affection and concern.
"If I am not strong, how am I going to protect you, sister, and others who I love?" Zane said, looking at his hand.
Sofia smiled softly, her eyes warming at his words. "So are you ready to meet Eveline? She is attending the academy too," she asked.
The moment the name left her lips, Zane’s face turned red and he started blushing fiercely, turning his head away.
"Sister, you have started again!"
"Started what? I am not the one who said you two should get married," she said while standing up with a mischievous giggle.
Zane stood, his eyes widening in complete surprise. "The way you are saying that... does that mean they haven’t canceled the agreement?" Zane said out of shock.
Sofia turned back towards him, her warm smile carrying a deeper, reassuring truth. "Are you forgetting what I told you before? Those are people who still stand and love you, Zane; always remember that," she said, smiling.