Elias Leywin POV
The sharp autumn air bit at my skin as I let out a heavy exhale, fogging up the window of the carriage I found myself in.
A Loud yawn from the boy who sat opposite me drew me out of my head.
Curtis sprawled across the plush seat with his arms behind his head, looking entirely too comfortable for someone in stiff formal wear. His navy-blue jacket had come half-undone somewhere between getting in the carriage and waiting for the gate to open, and his silver cravat now hung loose like a ribbon dangling off a cat's neck.
"Ugh," he muttered, stretching. "How much longer do we have to wait for this stupid gate? I thought being a prince meant I could avoid boring travel."
"Being a prince doesn't mean you get to ignore magical laws of spatial interference," Director Goodsky said lightly, not looking up from the slim book in her lap. She sat with her back straight, her white robes glowing faintly in the low mana-light of the cabin.
"The anchors must realign every few minutes when using the gates over such long distances. You would know that if you actually paid attention in your theory classes."
Curtis rolled his eyes dramatically, then turned to grin at me. "See what I have to deal with? Imagine getting lectured during a carriage ride."
I smiled a little as I cut in. "You started it," I commented, leaving him to the dogs.
"Traitor," he said with mock hurt, placing a hand over his heart.
The tension in my shoulders eased just a bit. It was hard not to relax around Curtis, even if his jokes were dumb half the time. He had been like a goofy older brother since we met, someone who treated me like an equal even when I was clearly younger, by slot at that and... less royal.
The carriage jolted slightly as it passed through the gate. A faint hum of mana washed over us, followed by a brief shimmer of light. I watched as the fog on the window cleared, revealing the first glimpses of Etistin beyond the glass.
Beyond that gate lay a giant city, stretching far and wide in every direction. The smell of salt filled my nostrils, and the sound of seagulls played in my ears. It was a marvel of architecture, and easily bigger than Xyrus city.
Our journey continued as I let out a breath I hadn't realised I was holding.
"That was your first time travelling via Teleportation, wasn't it?" My teacher asked, closing her book with a thud, a thin smile lining her lips.
I nodded my head.
"How do you feel?" She asked, looking down at me as if she was my grandmother.
"I'm fine, thank you, Director", I replied, smiling back at the now-annoyed woman.
The Adventurers' district was the first thing we encountered as we entered, followed shortly by the living district of the common folk, then came the shopping district, its outer edge catered to both the Adventurers and the common masses.
It had everything, from stalls selling freshly caught fish laid out atop giant slabs of ice that were clearly made from magic to keep them fresh, to shops selling shiny beast cores.
My eyes continued to scan the storefronts until one caught my eyes far more than the others.
I pulled the cable hanging from the ceiling of the carriage, causing a horn to beep, and then kicked the door open.
"Lias, what are you-" I heard a concerned voice call out from behind me.
Before it finished, I jumped out of the carriage. Using wind magic to soften my fall, rolling forward before landing on my behind.
Not wasting any time, I continued my sprint back towards the store we passed mere moments prior.
The sign above the storefront had barely finished swinging when I slipped through the door, the chime of a bell echoing overhead.
Inside was like a different world. The lighting was dim, but warm; the golden lamps set into the high ceiling made the polished floors gleam and throw long, dramatic shadows across the walls. And those walls were covered by... Swords.
Swords of every making and style were mounted in careful rows: curved sabers, straight longswords, thin duelling rapiers with ornate guards, even a massive greatsword hanging above the hearth like a dragon's fang. Some glimmered with embedded gems, others pulsed faintly with mana. I had never seen anything like it.
I took a slow step forward, breath catching in my throat.
A man emerged from behind the counter, tall and narrow-faced, his thinning hair slicked back to a greasy shine. He wore a dark vest over a high-collared shirt and squinted at me like I had just tracked mud onto a sacred temple floor.
"Well?" he said, raising a brow, voice sharp and impatient. "What do you want?"
I blinked. "I was just looking-"
"This isn't a toy shop, Kid", he cut me off, stepping out from behind the counter. "We don't do gawkers. Go play knights somewhere else."
His words struck me harder than they should have.
"I wasn't going to touch anything," I muttered, but he was already waving a hand toward the door.
"You think I haven't seen kids come in here trying to show off with their little mana tricks? Out, before you break something you can't afford to breathe near."
I stood my ground, though my cheeks burned. "I'm not just some kid."
"No?" He sneered. "Then where's your coin, boy?"
He took another step towards me, intently, as my guardian's voice rings as it rang out in time with the store's bell, "I'm sorry about the boy," she said tightly, though her eyes were locked on me like a hawk that had just spotted a mouse. "He was told to remain in the carriage."
I winced. "I just wanted to look-"
"I can see that," she replied, her tone cutting through the air like a blade. "That doesn't mean you should have run off."
"I didn't run," I mumbled. "I-I-um..." I say, fumbling, unable to come up with an appropriate response.
Her gaze narrowed. The clerk cleared his throat.
"Well, I- of course, no harm done," he said, his tone changing so fast it made my ears ring. "We welcome all kinds here, truly, especially when accompanied by such... distinguished guests." He gave a slight bow, eyes flickering with new interest. "You'll forgive me, Madam Director. I didn't realise the boy was yours."
Cynthia exhaled through her nose. "He isn't mine, he's my student."
"Of course," the man nodded with a strained smile. "Please, young sir," he added, turning back to me with a sudden syrupy politeness, "Feel free to browse. All our pieces are of the finest make, imported from the likes of Elshire and Darv."
I blinked, caught off guard by the complete reversal of this man's attitude. My teacher crossed her arms, unimpressed.
The door opened again behind us, and this time it was Curtis who strode in, dusting imaginary lint from his shoulder and squinting as he adjusted to the interior light.
"There you are, Lias," he said, his voice casually upbeat. "You know, when you jump out of a moving carriage, you make me look irresponsible."
The clerk's eyes fell on the young prince, then widened like saucers. He stumbled back a step.
"P-Prince Curtis!" he stammered, colour draining from his pallet, face turning ghostly white.
Curtis frowned. "Uh... yeah?"
The man didn't wait for confirmation. With a strangled gasp, he dropped to his knees so hard the wooden floor gave a dull thump, his nose nearly brushing the edge of a display pedestal.
"Your Highness, please forgive my ignorance, I didn't recognise you, or your companions, I meant no disrespect."
Curtis blinked, clearly thrown off. "You're... bowing."
"Please, allow me to offer the finest service this establishment can provide you," the clerk blurted, still prostrated. "Anything, anything at all is yours, no charge, your presence here is an honour."
"Okay, yeah, this is getting weird now," Curtis muttered, cupping his hand, glancing at me with a 'what did he mean?' look.
I snorted at his expression.
Cynthia shook her head, already turning toward the nearest display wall. "You have five minutes, Elias," she said coolly. "After that, we are leaving."
"Yes, Director," I replied quickly.
~~~
The city seemed to get fancier and quieter the deeper we went, until we arrived at the noble district.
And in its centre, placed cleanly on the shore in a way that overlooked the entirety of Etistin, was Glayder Castle... Though I think that it would be insulting to say that this is a mere castle, this thing is more like a war fortress!
The Castle loomed before us, a sprawling colossus of white stone and silver trim, its towering spires piercing the sky like the masts of some ancient sea-bound leviathan. The banner of the Glayder house, royal blue trimmed with gold, fluttered from the battlements above, snapping in the ocean breeze that swept in from the coast.
Sunlight glinted off the crystal-inlaid windows and the intricate latticework that lined the outer balconies. It was breathtaking. Intimidating, even.
As our carriage came to a halt at the base of the marble stairway leading to the front entrance, a small army of attendants surged forward in a perfectly timed motion. Maids and butlers –clad in the Glayder crest with prim white gloves and dark coats– lined both sides of the courtyard like soldiers welcoming their monarch back from a war.
Curtis gave a low groan as the carriage door was opened with a soft click.
"Showtime," he muttered, and then plastered on a dazzling smile as he stepped out, raising a hand in mock salute to the waiting staff.
My teacher followed, every inch the dignified mage, descending the steps as though she floated rather than walked.
I swallowed, nerves fluttering like butterflies in my chest as I stepped out onto the smooth stone courtyard. The wind tugged gently on my clothes, and my boots echoed as I moved to stand beside Curtis.
At the front of the waiting group, a tall woman stepped forward. Her hair was a soft grey, pulled into a tight braid coiled at the nape of her neck, her face was lined with age, authority and experience.
"Master Elias Leywin," she started formally, voice calm and clear. "On behalf of House Glayder, allow me to welcome you to the royal estate. I am Gerra, head of the domestic staff. It is an honour to receive you."
I flushed slightly, unsure how to respond, but Gerra rose before I had to say anything. She gave a slight nod toward the rest of the staff, who all bowed in unison before stepping back to resume their duties.
"Your quarters have been prepared," she said, turning to me with a faint, courteous smile. "If you'll follow me, I shall escort you there at once. Your formal attire for the evening banquet has been arranged to your specifications."
My eyes widened. "You know my-"
"We make it our business to know, young master," she replied smoothly, already turning with measured grace. I hurried to follow, glancing once at Curtis, who simply gave me a thumbs up and wandered off in the opposite direction.
We passed through the grand entryway, a high-arched hall of marble and polished oak, chandeliers of crystal mana-glass glittering overhead. Every step echoed faintly, swallowed by the hush of the thick rugs that lined the floor. The walls were adorned with grand portraits of Glayder ancestors and tapestries woven with the history of Sapin's royal line.
Gerra guided me through a maze of corridors and up a spiral staircase, her pace perfectly matched with mine. Eventually, we arrived at a heavy-looking wooden door, which opened soundlessly at her touch.
"This will be your room for the duration of your stay," she said, stepping aside to let me in.
The room was... elegant. Not in the extravagant, gaudy way I might've expected from royalty, but in a refined, quiet sort of way. The wide bed was already turned down, and a fine blue and white ensemble laid neatly atop the comforter. The window overlooked the ocean, and the setting sun cast the whole room in golden light that made it shiny.
Laid out across the bed with precision was my outfit: a tailored white tunic with silver trim, a deep blue sash, and black trousers with polished black shoes sitting on the floor. A navy cape hung nearby, clasped with a brooch that shimmered faintly.
"We took the liberty of enchanting the stitching for comfort and temperature control," Gerra explained. "Should you require any adjustments, our seamstress is on standby. The banquet begins at dusk."
I nodded slowly, still taking everything in.
She bowed once more. "A servant will be stationed just outside. Ring the bell by the door if you require anything."
And with that, she turned and left, closing the door behind her with a soft click.
I just... stood there for a long moment, staring at the outfit, the sunset, and the soft light of the mana-crystals flickering in the sconces on the wall.
"Okay," I hummed to myself, running a hand along the fine fabric of the tunic.
I sat on the edge of the bed and scanned over the laid out clothes.
I walked towards the door and knocked on it. A young man in his late teens opens it with a slight smile.
"Young master Elias, how can I be of service?" he asked, raising one hand to his opposite shoulder.
I moved my body to the side and pointed to the clothes on the bed. "Do I need to wear all of those?" I questioned with an air of confusion.
"Well, Young master, as tonight is just a meal between yourself and the Royal family, I believe it would be acceptable for you to wear just the Tunic and Trousers", he suggested, thinking intently, his spare hand raised to his chin.
I nodded at this, and slowly closed the door.
~~~
I sat straighter than I ever had in my life, hands folded neatly on my lap beneath the heavy linen napkin, and did everything in my power not to knock over the crystal glass of water trembling by my plate.
The royal dining hall wasn't as grand as I had expected, not to say that it wasn't still enormous, yes, with polished marble floors and towering windows, but the long table was only half-filled, lit warmly by a flickering chandelier overhead. The walls were painted with soft landscapes instead of battle scenes or stern portraits, and the servants, though present, stood discreetly to the sides, silent and almost invisible.
What stood out most, however, was the sound of laughter.
Curtis chuckled around a mouthful of bread as Kathyln wrinkled her nose at him from across the table.
"You're a barbarian," she declared primly, watching her brother struggle to chew with his mouth shut. "Honestly, it's like eating next to a troll."
"That's Prince Troll to you," Curtis corrected, grinning as he wiped his mouth with a napkin in an exaggerated pomp.
"You're just so...," she muttered as her hands tightened around her cutlery.
King Blaine let out a soft snort from the head of the table, lowering his goblet. "Children, at least wait until dessert to insult each other."
[E/N:🤣🤣🤣]
"They've been like this since they were small," Queen Priscilla said as she looked to me, her voice lilting with amusement as she sliced delicately into her roasted pheasant. "Curtis used to hide olives in Kathyln's pockets."
"I only did that once!" Curtis protested, leaning dramatically across the table to make his point. "And it was funny! Extremely so."
Kathyln narrowed her eyes. "They were squashed olives. I had to change gowns."
I pressed my lips together, trying not to smile too obviously. I did not known what to expect when I was invited to dine with the Royal Family of Sapin, but I certainly hadn't imagined this.
"Elias," the King said suddenly, and I nearly jumped. His voice was gentle, but it carried the weight of someone used to being heard. "You've barely touched your food. Is it not to your liking?"
"Oh! N-no, Your Majesty! It's really good, I mean, delicious. I'm just-um-eat slow," I stammered, ears burning.
Curtis nudged me with his elbow. "Relax. He's not going to banish you for not finishing your carrots."
I gave a nervous chuckle, though I wasn't entirely sure if Curtis was right.
Queen Priscilla gave me a kind smile. "You're our guest, Elias. You don't need to be nervous. We're not so different from commoners," she added as she sliced another chunk of pheasant.
King Blaine cleared his throat softly, setting down his goblet with a faint clink that gently cut through the conversation. "Not so different in some ways, perhaps," he said, his voice calm but firm, "Though I'd like to think we have some decorum left—especially with a certain someone's birthday tomorrow."
Kathyln's fork paused mid-air. "Father..."
Curtis immediately leaned back with a grin. "Ah, yes, the grand day approaches. The trumpets, the banners, the avalanche of hand-wrapped gifts..."
"I don't want a parade," Kathyln muttered.
"You're getting one anyway," Curtis said brightly, teasing his baby sister. "I saw the trumpeters rehearsing this morning. Very dramatic." He says with a nod.
I blinked. "There's really going to be a parade?"
Queen Priscilla gave a soft laugh as she reached for her wine. "Not a full parade, dear. Just a ceremonial procession through the upper garden."
Kathyln groaned quietly, resting her chin in one hand.
Curtis shot me a wink. "Which means tonight is the last calm dinner we'll get before all the nobles and fussy dukes descend."
I stiffened instinctively. "Do I have to attend the formal part too?"
"You're a personal guest of the Royal family," Queen Priscilla replied with a smile. "We wouldn't dream of leaving you out."
"Oh," I said, nodding quickly while panic rose in my chest.
"You'll be fine," Curtis said, nudging me again. "Just don't trip on the carpet. Or spill anything. Or sneeze on a duke." He talked, counting on his fingers.
"That was you, Curtis," Kathyln replied, was a deadpan-to-end-all-deadpans
"I'm a Prince", he shot back in the same tone.
WC – 3072
Thanks for reading this chapter. Hope you all enjoyed it. 😊
All Criticism and feedback are welcome. Any suggestions for the story or plot are also more than welcome.
WUWA 2.5 is out on Thursday or later today, so I wish all Phorlova wanters luck in their summons. I, for one, just finished the 2.4 story, which was excellent, not on the level of 2.2, but still incredible.
Over the next few chapters, I will be releasing rewrites in pairs, so expect chapters 3 and 4 rewritten alongside the release of 17 if that makes sense.
Special Thanks to LancelotDragonroad for editing this Chapter.
If we're all still alive, the next chapter will be released at 12 likes or on Sunday.
Rius out.