7 [Seven]

Alfhiem was definitely a capital fitting of its name. A jovial environment with bustling streets filled with smiling citizens. Citizens of various races from those belonging to the God of Light can be seen amidst the crowd, though humans seem to be the major population in the capital. Although he has heard of how wonderful the capital was, it does not match up to actually experiencing the environment firsthand. The breeze that blew through the busy roads, blew his now brown hair back, revealing more of his exquisite appearance. Claude was just that charismatic, although he never really did realise it.

Brown eyes met with smiling faces and a myriad of positive expressions. One could even feel the peace and happiness that radiated in the air. Claude looked ahead in awe, the surroundings almost foreign to the man who had been living in a dark and quiet region surrounded by literal darkness and dangerous forests filled with equally dangerous creatures. He almost felt awkward in regards to human interactions but he didn't show it on his face, as if unable to express his troubles.

No doubt the Kingdom of Ancalen is worthy of being one of the best countries in this world, Zaverlon. Claude had hitched a ride on the supply carriage that was being pulled, his legs swinging to and fro as he took in the scenery before him. Regardless of the states and tension he felt behind him, he just wanted to enjoy as much as he could before he had to be dragged into political warfare.

It didn't take them long to reach the Ancalen capital, Alfheim where the grand castle could be seen, standing tall in all its glory.

The castle where the royalty lived, mainly the races of the Light Elves while the Dark Elves are mostly nobles and ministers. There were other races, including humans within the government officials but that will be a story for another day. Moving towards the castle, its grand gates opened with a deafening boom, announcing the arrival of the young royalty to the occupants of the castle. Servants who had prepared for the arrival of His Highness proceeded to rush with the completion of preparations, making sure the prince's bedchambers were cleaned and prepared, butlers rushing to notify the King and the Queen regarding the state of their heir and the reports that briefly arrived after the announcement regarding their progress. Even with the arrival of an unexpected guest, the Reaper was included, to the pure dismay of Her Majesty who was already worried sick about her beloved son.

In the eyes of Claude who led a rather casual and almost frugal lifestyle despite the appropriate grandiose that he allowed, he felt that the welcoming back of one royalty by the whole castle was almost exaggerated. Or it could be him who always felt awkward with grand formality. Guquan slipped back into the shadows, a brief pair of glowing ghostly eyes seen in the shadows before it disappeared and his shadow soon looked normal. Claude felt his fingers shaking, the skin of his hands growing cold and his anxiety only crawled beneath the surface of his skin as he knew what was to come. While he was familiar with the classy etiquettes, it wasn't as if he was taught nor did he know of the court etiquettes of Ancalen in the first place. Then again, he never did think he would one day visit the castle, it was the one destination he would never dare step into even if it was the only place left.

He suddenly felt like a child forced onto stage for a performance he did not want to do. Except this was a potential guillotine cutting across his neck if he were to prove himself to be a threat. Not that he had a choice given his abilities and neither did it look like he would be left with a choice seeing his power over the whole of Darkyeon that could very much rival a fruitful and bustling region of innovation. If the bustling of Dark Creatures citizens could make it a civilized region. Oh, looks like he had arrived in the room that was assigned for a 'distinguished' guest. Even the maid that was leading him was more than happy to be rid of him, which he couldn't blame at all. He kept an indifferent look, pleased that he did not easily express himself and exposed any potential weakness. Waving a hand to dismiss the maid and entering the bedchamber, both were just as eager to be rid of each other.

The door was closed and he could hear the quick shuffling of footsteps across the carpeted marble hallway, indicating the quick and relieved departure of the maid. Chuckling at the irony of the situation that paled in contrast in his past life, his laugh sounded tired and he ceased it, moving to the window. A habit of his that remained the same. Moving to the glass, he peered out and realised that it was looking out to the garden, much to his delight. Quite fortunate, he would think to himself.

That was how he spent the rest of his evening, staring out the window while Guquan was snooping around like the curious creature he is. Moving from shadow to shadow of the castle's occupants.

[🍁🍁🍁]

"You know I can throw you to the beasts of the dungeon?"

"Dear–"

"Yes, I'm well aware."

"And yet you did such a moronic move?! Behind my back as well?!"

The Queen looked on worryingly, lips parting and closing as she so desperately wanted to intervene the conversation. Her back straightened up as she no longer leaned back on her throne, a hand having crossed over to gripped nervously on the armrest while the other was hovering helplessly in the air. Her husband was no doubt angry, justifiably so, towards their beloved son. Not to mention, Lucian did not seem remorseful as well as he stood straight, face stoic and not at all looking guilty for his reckless endeavour.

"With how you kept having an endless discussion in regards to the barbarian with General Zyendor whenever I was around, I would have thought you were hinting at me to do so in your indecisive stead." The Queen gasped inaudibly as her hands flew to her mouth at the bold statement. The King's face turned red in rage as he pulled out a sword from the sheath from the knight that was standing beside him and soon the blade was held up to Lucian's neck.

"Feyrith!" The Queen called out in distress as she stood up, now by King Feyrith's side as she held onto his arms. Glancing between the two royals as she pleaded with her eyes for her son to not aggravate his father. Lucian glanced to the side momentarily, noticing her eyes before he turned back. His stoic expression only made it seemed as if he had ignored her pleas.

"As you've heard from Nathaniel, we only brought him here to catch him red handed. Does this not give the temple enough time to research on what restrains him better if he is on our land?"

"And all I am seeing as of now is you bringing a powerful enemy right into our grounds!"

"A single enemy without an army, merely a group of animalistic creatures that obey his words and commands like a headless chicken." Lucian coolly said, eyes becoming half lidded as he used his pointer and middle finger to push the blade away. Eyes staring coldly at the King before him.

"Do not worry, Father." He assured, turning around as he went to the door that shall exit him from the throne room, stopping short to leave another statement. "For all I am doing, is bringing about a war you so desire."