Chapter 30: A Worthless Prince’ Habit
The carriage rolled quietly through the tall stone archways of the Imperial City’s southern gates and vanished into the countryside beneath moonlight.
The roads it followed toward the Kingdom of Solaris were old and well-trodden, paved with dark cobble and ancient history.
Unlike the envoy Lan had arrived with—an ornamental escort of worthless guards meant more for show than security—this carriage was surrounded by professionals.
Hardened warriors in light leather armor, silent and disciplined. No spears. No bright banners. Just steel, caution, and quiet deadliness.
Bandits knew better than to challenge a formation like this.
And so the journey was smooth. No ambushes. No delays. No distractions. Just the rhythmic clatter of hooves on stone and the soft creaking of the wagon as it barreled across hills and valleys toward Solaris.
When they arrived at the capital, dawn was just beginning to tint the sky pale violet. The towers of Solaris Palace came into view, spiked against the rising sun. The carriage came to a smooth halt just outside the outer gate of the palace grounds.
Lan stepped out, cloak shifting as his boots hit the dusted path. The carriage turned and departed almost instantly, wheels already churning to retrace their path back to the Empire.
Two palace guards stationed at the gate recognized him at once and dropped to a bow.
"Prince Lanard," one of them announced. "We will inform the court of your arrival immediately."
Lan offered no response. He was far too tired.
The last days had been a continuous line of chaos—duels, revelations, alliances formed on shattered wine glasses. His mind and body had been running on sheer momentum.