He laughed.
"Hah! So that's why my sword has been resonating since you entered. I thought it was reacting to you, Elandor." He pointed at me. "But instead it was also greeting that boy's blade."
I blinked. I had no idea what any of that meant. Seeing my face, the king chuckled again. "I laugh because after so many peaceful years, I walk into my hall and find my scholars panicking, my officers tense, and half the Dawnguard Phalanx preparing for disaster." He shook his head. "Those people are serious all the time."
Blaze burst out laughing on my shoulder.
"Finally, someone sensible."
Several scholars looked offended. Good.
Then the king's gaze shifted to Blaze.
The room changed again. "Boy," he said to me, voice lower now. "Do you have any idea what you and that creature on your shoulder have brought into my kingdom?"
I swallowed. "Uh... what?"
"Byakuren and Nochtrael are acceptable. They are known to us as guardians." His eyes narrowed at Blaze. "But that..."
Blaze flicked his tail."Rude."
"Dragon's malice," the king said. "Whatever the reason may be, destiny has brought you, that creature, Byakuren, and Nochtrael here together." He leaned forward slightly. "And you must discover why for yourself."
No jokes. No laughter. Just weight.
Beside me, even Blaze stayed quiet.
Elandor broke the silence. "My brother knew you would listen to reason. That is why he sent us here—to learn your ways."
The king studied all of us once more.
Then he smiled faintly. "Then stand, all of you." Then he added in a serious tone.
"Because tonight..." He paused.
Then burst into laughter. "We will have a feast! Because my great friend is here with us!"
Oh boy, I thought he was going to say something bad. That had my heart worked up as hell. Good thing we get to celebrate a little before something bad happens... probably.
"For now, take your rest and we will call you when everything is ready," Caelenor said.
He raised a hand, and several knights stepped forward at once. "Escort our guests to their chambers."
They bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty."
The room they gave me was larger than my family's house. It had polished wooden walls carved with flowing branches, a bed soft enough to qualify as magic, and a balcony overlooking glowing gardens built between the roots of the ancient tree. Warm lanterns floated outside like tiny stars.
I sat at the edge of the bed and exhaled.
Everything finally went quiet. How is Elariel right now? The thought came naturally. I hope she's doing fine... and my parents too. I stared at my hands. So this is how it feels to miss someone, huh?
Back in my old world, I thought I had already lost that part of myself somewhere along the way. But now...
I'm happy because I can experience that feeling again.
Blaze, sprawled across a chair like he paid rent here, cracked one eye open. "You're thinking about the Elariel."
"I'm not."
"You sighed dramatically. That's suspicious."
"It was a normal sigh."
"heh~ young love."
"Hey, we're still too young, stop it!"
Blaze cackled. Byakuren sat near the window with the dignity of a saint who regretted meeting us. Nochtrael lay near the door like a living wall. Neither of them reacted. They had clearly chosen peace.
By the time evening came, two knights arrived to escort me to the feast hall. Another had already gone to fetch Elandor.
Blaze tried to jump onto my shoulder.
I pointed at him. "No."
"What do you mean, no?"
"I mean no. If I bring all of you there, half the kingdom might faint."
"Let them."
"You are staying here."
"I object strongly."
"I'll bring food back."
Blaze narrowed his eyes. "You cheeky brat."
Byakuren simply curled into the cushions. Nochtrael closed his eyes. Betrayed by my own allies.
The feast hall was absurd. Long tables stretched across the chamber beneath hanging crystal lights. Silver plates, carved cups, banners of Orynthia, and enough food to feed a small army filled the room. Roasted meats, glazed fruits, fresh breads, soups, sweets, and dishes I couldn't even identify.
My stomach nearly declared loyalty to the kingdom on the spot. But the room itself was even more dangerous than the food.
Ravenshard stood gathered in on section, armor polished even during a feast.
Scholars sat together in white and gold robes, already looking offended by existence. Around them were older nobles and council members I didn't recognize.
The moment I entered with Elandor, several pairs of eyes landed on me.
Cold ones. Judging ones. One man looked at me like I had personally insulted his ancestors.
I leaned slightly toward Elandor. "Do they all hate me already?"
"Some of them are still deciding."
"That does not help."
We were seated near the center table. Servants moved quickly, pouring drinks and replacing empty plates before they had time to stay empty.
As the night went on, conversation slowly replaced tension. Laughter rose in pockets of the room. Cups were raised. Even some Ravenshard members
looked less severe after a few drinks.
I took a bite of something amazing and thought, This day is insane. A few hours ago they were threatening me. Now we're sharing dinner.
Then King Caelenor stood. The room quieted instantly. "I have an important announcement to make." Every chair straightened. Every scholar looked alert. Even I stopped chewing.
The king's gaze swept across the hall.
"Starting tomorrow, Lucien will train with you, Ravenshard." Silence. Then he continued. "And with our greatest mages. You will teach him our magic... our knowledge." The silence became sharper.
One scholar rose halfway from his seat. "Your Majesty, with respect, our traditions do not permit–"
"No."
He sat back down. Another scholar, slightly red-faced from drink, stood next. "There are laws regarding foreign instruction and sacred archives–"
"No."
A council member tried immediately after. "But the order of succession, protocol, and the concerns of the council should at least be reviewed before–"
"No."
Each answer was calm. Immediate. Absolute. The entire hall slowly turned toward me. I gave them the most awkward smile of my life. Then I quietly slid lower in my chair...Oh crap...They really don't like me here.
They kept eating, but the mood had changed.
The feast was still loud enough, cups clinking, chairs shifting, servants moving between tables, and bursts of laughter rising from the far ends of the hall – yet now I could feel eyes landing on me every few seconds.
Some of the scholars had gone back to their meals, though they still looked like chewing food was beneath their dignity. A few council members whispered among themselves while glancing in my direction. One old man narrowed his eyes every time I reached for another piece of bread, as if my appetite itself was politically dangerous.
I leaned toward Elandor. "Are they watching me breathe too?"
He took a calm sip from his cup. "Probably."
"That's ridiculous."
"You'll get used to it."
That was not comforting at all.
Still, the food was too good to let paranoia win. I kept eating. Roasted meat glazed in something sweet, warm bread softer than clouds, fruits that tasted fresher than anything I'd ever had, and a soup so good I nearly forgave everyone in the room. Nearly.
Eventually the feast began to wind down. Plates emptied, voices softened, and nobles started leaving in groups. Ravenshard stood and departed in perfect order. The scholars left with the energy of people already planning complaints for tomorrow.
We were escorted out soon after. The palace halls were quieter at night. Lanterns glowed along carved wooden walls, and moonlight slipped through open archways where roots twisted overhead like ancient guardians. Our footsteps echoed through the corridor.
When we reached the hallway where our rooms branched apart, Elandor stopped first. "This is mine," he said.
I blinked. "That's it? No wise speech? No warning? No unnecessary suffering?"
He looked at me for a moment. "Sleep early. Tomorrow will be difficult."
Then he opened the door. Right. That counted as affection from him. "Good night to you too," I muttered.
He gave a lazy wave without turning back and disappeared inside. I continued alone toward my room. The hallway suddenly felt longer.
Quiet. Too quiet. Then I heard it. A faint step behind me. I froze. Another one.
My spine straightened. What the hell? Are they planning to kill me now? I looked back. Nothing. Just shadows, pillars, and lantern light.
I started walking faster. Another step.
I broke into a run. At this point dignity was less important than survival. I rushed to my room, slammed the door shut, and locked it so hard the handle shook. I stood there breathing heavily. "This kingdom is insane."
*Knock Knock*
I nearly had heart attack on the spot. Slowly, carefully, I opened the door just enough to peek outside. Prince Elandris stood there with his arms crossed.
I stared at him. "Did they send you here to kill me?"
He frowned. "Kill you? No. Let me in first."
"…That sounds exactly like something an assassin would say."
He sighed. "I'm just a kid."
Fair enough..I opened the door wider and let him inside. The moment he entered, Blaze leapt off the chair dramatically.
"At last! The starving victims have been abandoned long enough!"
"Relax," I said. I reached into my pocket and started pulling out wrapped food I had secretly taken from the feast table – bread, meat slices, pastries, fruit.
Elandris watched in silence. I gave him an awkward smile. "Uh… this isn't what it looks like."
He smirked. "Don't worry. I did it once."
I paused. "You did?"
"When I was younger. I stole three honey cakes and blamed a servant."
"That's terrible."
"It worked."
Blaze was already eating and refused to comment. Elandris looked around the room, then back at me. "We're going to train together tomorrow, so I thought it would be nice to get to know you a little. It's the first time I'll be training with someone almost my age."
"How old are you?"
"Eleven."
"I'm about to turn eleven next month though."
He grinned. "Cool."
There was a short pause before he leaned closer.
"By the way… I hate those scholars."
I stared. "Seriously?"
"They all act grumpy all the time."
I snorted. "Reminds me of someone."
"Who?"
"Elandor."
He burst out laughing. I joined him. For the first time since arriving in Orynthia, everything felt strangely normal. After a while, Elandris stood and headed for the door.
"Sleep well, Lucien. Tomorrow I'm beating you in training."
"Keep dreaming."
He laughed once more and left. The room went quiet again. Blaze was full, Byakuren and Nochtrael was resting.
I lay down on the bed and stared at the ceiling. Damn… this day really is unbelievable. But at least…I have a new friend now.
I just hope tomorrow after training, he's still my friend.
End of chapter.