Chapter 62: Cocky Princess
The capital of Durnhalm sat proudly at the southern tip of the nation, where the land ended and the vast, endless ocean began. At night, the city glowed softly with lanterns and torchlight, their warm flickers dancing in the salty sea breeze.
From the high stone walls to the busy ports below, everything in Durnhalm carried a sense of strength and order. The streets were wide and clean, lined with dark-roofed buildings made of thick stone, built to endure harsh weather and war alike.
Beyond its strong military, Durnhalm was known across the land for something far simpler—its fish. Ships came in and out of the harbor even at night, carrying nets full of fresh catch. The air always carried a trace of salt and smoke, mixed with the sharp, savory scent of grilled fish from food stalls scattered near the docks.
Even now, under the starlit sky, the capital didn’t sleep. Guards patrolled the gates, sailors tied down their ships, and the waves kept whispering to the shore—just as they always had.
The grand palace stood proudly in the heart of the Capital. Inside, servants moved quietly through the halls, bringing dinner to the royal family.
The family of five sat together at the long dining table, with the king seated at the head. On his left sat his first wife, and next to her was his second wife.
From these two queens, the king had two children—his eldest, a son, and his youngest, a daughter.
The daughter, the Princess, was not just any royal child. She was known throughout the land as the Child of Prophecy.
A few years ago, something extraordinary happened. A brilliant light descended from the sky onto the main palace, and the entire Capital witnessed the glory of the heavens.
That light was meant for one person—a certain Princess, the only one who remained asleep in the palace at the time.
Everyone saw it. The youngest child had received a blessing, and not from just anyone, but from the most ancient Goddess known to exist.