After a journey down the long and winding brick road, the majestic sight of the capital's towering imperial city walls came into view. These walls rose high into the sky, towering over us at a height of 10 meters.
The impressive sight before us was awe-inspiring, leaving even the most powerful Kings of the different kingdoms within the Empire in amazement. James was no different as his eyes were Glued to the windows staring in amazement at the walls that seemed to get closer and closer as we approached.
My parents, on the other hand, remained calm and unimpressed. They had probably seen these walls over a hundred times before, so the sight did not hold the same level of awe for them as it did for James.
I gazed upon the towering wall of the Empire, admiring its immense size and grandeur. Despite having seen structures that were far taller, I couldn't help but feel in awe of the sheer resources and effort that must have gone into building this magnificent barrier.
The carriage began to slow, and as I peered out of the window, I noticed a congested queue of vehicles waiting to enter through the Empire's walls.
Through the closed windows, I could make out the coach shouting something, although it was difficult to understand. I then saw our family guards on horseback approaching the line of carriages.
The sight of our carriage's insignia and the accompanying guards immediately caused the other people to clear a path for us to pass through.
The other carriages parted like the Red Sea, allowing our carriage to smoothly glide through the center of the line. It felt like we were taking the fast lane at a theme park, with onlookers watching enviously as we effortlessly bypassed the queue.
The sensation was eerily reminiscent of using the fast lane at a theme park, with people watching in envy.
We soon arrived at the guard post, where the guards took a quick look inside the carriage before saluting in recognition of our identity as the Grand Duke family.
As we made our way into the bustling city, the first thing that caught my eye was the medieval-style houses and shops that surrounded us. I could hear the laughter of children playing and see vendors selling their wares of fruits and sweets, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. However, as we continued towards the palace, I couldn't help but notice the stark contrast of a dirty alleyway that seemed to be hiding in plain sight. The sudden shift from beauty to grime was both surprising and jarring.
Our journey finally came to an end as we arrived at the towering palace gates. The guards recognized my parents and, without hesitation, allowed us to pass through. The smooth ride towards the entrance of the magnificent white and gold palace took only a few minutes, but it was enough to leave me in awe. The sight of the palace, set against the lush greenery and vibrant fields of flowers, was truly breathtaking.
The ride through the palace grounds was just as stunning as the palace itself. I was surrounded by lush greenery and extravagantly landscaped gardens, complete with towering fountains and sprawling fields of flowers. The five-minute ride was a breathtaking display of the palace's grandeur and beauty.
The carriage came to a stop in front of the imposing double doors, and we stepped out onto the finely-crafted stone steps. We were greeted by a maid who expertly led us through the halls, guarded by a line of well Armoured knights standing at attention. The air was filled with a sense of reverence and grandeur as we approached a beautifully decorated door at the end of the hallway.
As we approached the door, one of the knights disappeared inside to announce our arrival to the emperor. I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation and nervousness, knowing that I was about to meet the ruler of this magnificent empire.
With a confident stride, Mom and Dad led us into the throne room without waiting for permission.
Once inside I looked around The room as i took in the breathtaking sight it had a luxurious hall covered in golden and white colors stretching out before us.
At the end of the room sat a middle-aged man with short blonde hair and piercing green eyes.
Mom had filled me in on who the Man sitting on the throne was, The Emperor Charles Gloryfield, Emperor of the GloryField Empire.
Beside him stood a much younger boy with blonde hair and stunning violet eyes, who I assumed to be Edward Gloryfield, the prince.
"Welcome to the imperial palace, Albert and Grace. You both look as healthy as ever," said the Emperor with a warm smile.
Dad chuckled and casually called the Emperor by his first name, a gesture that I knew through The Butler Albert, would have resulted in an immediate death sentence for anyone of lower rank. But the Emperor seemed unfazed by this, indicating that the two were close friends.
The emperor's deep, commanding voice filled the room as he addressed James. "Sorry for not attending your child's ceremony. I trust that you understand the importance of hard work, James, especially as the next Grand Duke of my empire." The emperor's piercing gaze met James', as if he was trying to gauge the young man's resolve.
James bowed respectfully to the emperor. "Yes, Your Majesty," he replied, his voice steady and resolute. "I am dedicated to working hard and serving the empire to the best of my ability."
"Why don't the three of you go to the garden and have a chat?" the emperor suggested, glancing over at his sister, our Mom for her approval. Mom nodded in agreement, a gentle smile on her face.
Prince Edward descended from the podium with a mysterious smile on his face. He beckoned for James and I to follow, walking ahead of us with a confident gait.
James began to follow Prince Edward, but before I could take a step, I felt Mom's hand on my back. I turned to look at her as she bent down, her voice barely above a whisper. "Remember to be cautious with your words," she whispered in my ear. "And make sure to tell James the same."