The Grand Duke of the North

The castle was simpler than expected. It seemed that the huge structure was only built for the purpose of serving as a military fortress, and it had no superfluous decoration except for the emblem of the Dragon Empire as well as some decorative swords, which hung from the wall.

They walked along the corridor to the room where Grand Duke Owen was. The eerie corridor echoed with their footsteps. Only one side of the corridor had its windows open, and the light came in through the high and narrow gaps of the windows, falling on some decorative shields on the other wall. It cast a hazy halo over the shields.

The guards and servants along the way saluted the visitors, and their apprehensive expressions showed that Grand Duke Owen, though awake, was by no means in good condition.

At the door of the grand duke's room, an old man in white robes with blue trimming pushed the door open and walked out.