Dragon King: Throne of Demons and Gods-Chapter 23: Through the Gates of Eldoria

The morning sun was bathing the landscape with golden hues as the carriages set off toward the capital city.

The nobles and their retinue accompanied the carriages with the rhythmic clatter of hooves against the dirt road. The convoy moved steadily under the watchful eyes of their knights.

Among those riding outside were Will and Sienna. Will remained silent, his expression slightly annoyed, while Sienna said nothing, her gaze focused ahead.

Inside one of the more luxurious carriages, the air was tense despite the lavish furnishings. The Duke, his wife, and Crest sat across from the Baron, Dusteria, and Bel.

The atmosphere was thick with silence, the weight of recent tensions pressing down on the group.

The Duchess sat poised with effortless elegance. Her deep blue gown, embroidered with golden thread, shimmered faintly in the morning light filtering through the carriage window.

Soft curls of chestnut hair framed her refined face, her sharp yet gentle eyes scanning the sprawling fields beyond. With a practiced smile, she commented.

"The countryside is quite breathtaking this time of year. The colors remind me of the festivals back in the capital. Don't you think so, Sir Bel?"

Bel, who had been absentmindedly staring out of the window, barely reacted. His golden eyes flickered toward her before he offered a slow blink, clearly uninterested in small talk.

Undeterred, the Duchess tilted her head slightly.

"You do have quite the unique appearance. With your features, if you were to wear a robe, you might be mistaken for a rather cute girl."

Bel flinched, his eyes widening slightly as he stared at the Duchess.

Around him, the carriage fell into silent surprise, the unexpected comment catching everyone off guard. The Duke cleared his throat, masking his own reaction.

Bel's fingers moved to his temples, rubbing them with a slow motion as a memory surfaced, the strange woman from the village, her unsettling fascination with his face, her words eerily similar to the Duchess's remark.

His voice, laced with irritation, cut through the carriage's silence.

"Why am I even here instead of outside?"

The conversation came to a brief halt.

The Duke, arms crossed, observed him with a sharp gaze before speaking in his usual measured tone.

"Didn't you personally request not to be a knight?"

Bel turned to face him fully, an eyebrow raised in genuine confusion. Across from him, the Baron and Dusteria stiffened, their expressions flickering between shock and unease.

The Duke continued, ignoring their reactions.

"If you don't recognize yourself as a knight, then there's no reason for you to remain among them. It's as simple as that."

Bel narrowed his eyes.

"That's not exactly what I meant when I said that. Why am I still with you all, the nobles? Shouldn't I just be a peasant like a thousand others in a farm or something?"

The Baron straightened in his seat, his voice rising.

"Duke, what are you doing? This is a matter of my estate; you can't just..."

The Duke cut him off with an indifferent wave of his hand, his words and attention only for Bel.

"You will find out soon enough. However, I can guarantee you one thing: you are not one among a thousand."

The cryptic remark silenced the conversation. Bel exhaled through his nose, still frowning, but chose not to press further. The carriage continued its journey, the tension lingering.

The Duchess sensed the growing silence and attempted to steer the mood back into something lighter.

"The capital will be bustling with festivities upon our arrival. Perhaps it would be a good opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere together? Crest, Dusteria, have you given thought to any events you would like to attend?"

Crest, however, ignored the attempt entirely. His gaze remained cold, refusing to acknowledge Dusteria, who lowered her head in response.

The quiet stretched on, the only sounds left being the steady movement of the carriage wheels on the road.

The journey stretched on, and after hours of travel, the scenery outside the carriage began to shift.

The endless stretch of rural landscapes and thick forests gradually gave way to signs of civilization. Villages turned into larger towns, roads became paved with fine stone, and the occasional sight of travelers and merchants increased in frequency.

The closer they drew to the capital, the more vibrant the world outside became.

Soon, the towering walls of Eldoria, the heart of the kingdom, loomed in the distance.

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The city was a masterpiece of grandeur and magic, its architecture blending ancient tradition with mystical ingenuity.

Great stone towers adorned with silver and blue banners stretched toward the sky, their spires glowing faintly with embedded runes. Majestic bridges connected different districts of the city, arching over the many rivers and canals that wove through its vast expanse.

The gates of Eldoria were guarded by elite knights in shining armor, their helms adorned with the sigil of the royal family. The moment the convoy approached, the guards moved into formation, clearing a path for the nobles' arrival.

As the carriages entered, the streets were alive with energy, marketplaces bustling with merchants, street performers dazzling watchers, and magic lanterns floating in midair, illuminating the city with a delightful glow even in the bright daylight.

Bel watched everything in silence, his golden eyes scanning the surroundings with an almost predatory curiosity. Here lay what might be his door to unlocking magic.

If there was any place in the kingdom that held the answers he sought, it would be within these walls.

As they ventured deeper into the city, they finally approached the Grand Palais, the sprawling seat of the nobility. It was a fortress of elegance, its massive gates leading into a courtyard large enough to hold a small army.

The palace itself was an architectural marvel, with towering domes, spiraling archways, and corridors lined with marble and gold. Stained glass windows depicted scenes of past heroes, their figures immortalized in color and light.

The convoy rolled to a smooth halt at the grand entrance. The moment the carriages stopped, rows of knights and butlers swiftly stepped forward, bowing in perfect synchronization.

Servants rushed to open the carriage doors, extending their hands in greeting as the nobles stepped out.

The Duke was the first to emerge, drawing the immediate attention of the attendants. The Baron followed soon after, adjusting his cloak with a huff.

Crest, Dusteria, and Bel exited next, their presence marked by a subtle difference in reaction.

Dusteria received respectful bows, Crest a mixture of formality and quiet admiration, and Bel... cautious, intrigued glances.

It wasn't that they had anything against him; he was just unknown to any of them, yet shared the same vehicle as the Duke.

The Duke turned to face the group.

"Now then, as planned, the Baron and I will attend the conference. The rest of you may use this time as you please." He glanced at Crest. "It is not often that we visit the capital, so I expect you to make use of this opportunity."

He then shifted his gaze toward Dusteria and the knights.

"Crest, I want you to accompany Dusteria and the others. It would be wise for you all to take this chance to familiarize yourselves with the other nobles."

Dusteria's expression flickered with relief. It was an attempt, another of the Duke's strategies to repair the growing rift between them. Though she wasn't his main concern, she was just an excuse to include Bel in the equation.

But just as she allowed herself to relax, Crest spoke.

"I'd rather attend the event."

Dusteria's relief vanished in an instant. She turned to Crest, her brow furrowing.

"You... what?"

The Duke's expression darkened slightly, his arms crossing over his chest.

"No. That is not an option."

Crest met his father's gaze without wavering.

"I'm not interested in sightseeing. I'd rather observe the discussions firsthand. After what you said..."

Dusteria clenched her fists at her sides.

"We barely visit the capital, Crest. This is a chance to..."

"A chance for what?" Crest interrupted coldly. "To waste time wandering through shops and gardens while something far more important is happening without anyone's knowledge? Father, with all due respect..."

"Enough!" The Duke's voice cut through their exchange, brokering no further argument. He exhaled, his patience thinning. "Crest, you will do as I have instructed. The discussions taking place within the council are not matters you need to concern yourself with at this moment."

Crest's jaw tightened, but after a long pause, he exhaled sharply, nodding.

"Fine."

The Duke studied him for a moment longer before turning away, walking toward the entrance with his wife and the Baron. The doors to the palace were opened for them, and without another word, they disappeared inside, leaving the others behind.

Dusteria glanced at Crest, but whatever emotion was in her eyes, she quickly hid it. The tension between them was as palpable as ever. With little choice left, she turned to Sienna and Will.

"Shall we?"