As Noulan took a swig from the bottle of alcohol, his gaze fixated on the carriage awaiting them—a vessel that would transport them to the capital.
The carriage, pulled by a grunos, exuded a robust strength that resembled a horse but with significantly more muscle.
With each sip, regret clung to Noulan's thoughts, overshadowing the decision to embark on this journey. Holding the bottle in hand, he entered the carriage and settled next to Gustav.
To his surprise, Hanna also entered the same carriage, sharing the confined space with them.
Noulan, suppressing his frustration, muttered inwardly, "I don't care." Yet, beneath the dismissive exterior, the turmoil within him continued to simmer, a silent storm brewing in the face of the unexpected companionship on this journey to the capital.
As the carriage commenced its journey, Noulan stared out of the window, watching the village gradually fade from view. With each passing moment, his bottle dwindled, and the effects of alcohol took hold. In a drunken stupor, he closed his eyes, and to his own surprise, his head found a resting place on Hanna's shoulder.
Gustav, noticing Noulan's state, offered, "Let me wake him up."
"It's not a problem," Hanna replied, her tone betraying a hint of unexpected tolerance. The confined space of the carriage bore witness to the complex dynamics at play, as Noulan, in an inebriated state, unknowingly sought solace on the very shoulder that once symbolized a connection fraught with unresolved history.
The carriage continued its rhythmic movement, carrying within it a silent tableau of past entanglements and present complexities.
Gustav, with a gentle touch, attempted to rouse Noulan from his alcohol-induced slumber. However, Noulan, lost in the haze of intoxication, stirred only slightly, oblivious to the wake-up call.
"It seems he's out for the count," Gustav remarked, withdrawing his hand.
Hanna, with an unexpected calmness, responded, "Let him rest. The journey is long, and he needs it." The acceptance in her voice hinted at a temporary truce within the confined space, where the ghosts of the past and the challenges of the present momentarily took a back seat to the practicalities of the journey.
As the carriage carried them closer to the capital, the atmosphere inside remained a delicate balance between the weight of the past and the uncertainties of the future.
Noulan, still in a drunken slumber, occasionally shifted in his seat. The traces of regret that lingered in his subconscious were temporarily drowned by the numbness induced by the alcohol.
Gustav and Hanna, sitting in shared silence, exchanged glances that conveyed more than words could express. The journey seemed to act as a transient truce, allowing for a momentary suspension of hostilities and an acknowledgment of the complexities they were all navigating.
Outside the carriage, the scenery changed—the village landscapes giving way to the open road leading to the bustling heart of the capital. Each passing milestone brought them closer to a destination that held the potential for resolution or further unraveling. The wheels turned, and the trio ventured into the unknown, bound by a journey that extended beyond the physical miles, weaving together the threads of their intertwined destinies.
As the carriage rumbled along, Gustav broke the silence, his words carefully chosen. "Noulan has a lot on his mind. The past seems to haunt him."
Hanna, observing Noulan's state, replied, "We all carry burdens. His, perhaps, heavier than most."
Gustav, a hint of concern in his voice, said, "I hope this journey brings closure for him. He deserves peace."
Hanna, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery, added, "Closure can be elusive, especially when the ghosts of the past are stubborn."
The carriage rolled on, the wheels turning against the road, while the dialogues inside echoed the intricate emotions entangled in the journey to the capital.
As the carriage rolled to a stop, the imposing gates of Velhola, the capital of the kingdom Ifrit, loomed before them. The grandeur of the city walls, adorned with symbols of authority and history, announced their arrival in the heart of the realm.
Noulan, roused from his slumber by the cessation of movement, blinked away the remnants of sleep. His eyes widened as he took in the sight of Velhola, a city that held both the promise of new beginnings and the echoes of a tumultuous past.
Gustav, with a steady gaze, muttered, "We've arrived, Noulan. The capital awaits."
Hanna, her expression unreadable, silently observed the unfolding scene, knowing that within the walls of Velhola, destinies would be confronted, and the threads of their intertwined lives would weave a new chapter in the kingdom's tapestry.
The arrival at Velhola Knights Palace unfolded with Harmin's anticipatory presence. As the carriage pulled to a stop, Harmin, standing outside, exuded a sense of anticipation. His eyes were fixed on the carriage, and when Hanna stepped out, he rushed toward her, enveloping her in a tight embrace.
"Oh, my dear, I missed you so much," Harmin exclaimed, the warmth of his greeting contrasting with the seriousness that settled upon his face as he asked about Noulan and Gustav.
Hanna, nonchalant in response, remarked, "Harmin, you don't have to overact. I was away only for one day."
The embrace ended, and Harmin's expression shifted to seriousness. "Did Noulan and uncle Gustav come?" he inquired.
"Yes, they are inside," Hanna confirmed, setting the stage for a reunion that would unravel the intricacies of friendships and relationships within the walls of Velhola Knights Palace.
As he was getting closer to the carriage hanna warned, " Noulan is sleeping and drunk don't even dare to wake him up."
Hanna's warning hung in the air as Harmin approached the carriage. The anticipation on his face shifted to a momentary concern as he processed her words.
"Don't even dare to wake him up," Hanna reiterated, her tone leaving no room for misinterpretation. The complexity of emotions surrounding Noulan's arrival added a layer of caution to the encounter.
Harmin, though momentarily taken aback, nodded in acknowledgment. "I won't," he assured, understanding the delicacy of the situation. The reunion within the walls of Velhola Knights Palace held the potential for both healing and unraveling, and the unspoken dynamics set the stage for a meeting that would navigate the intricacies of the past and present.
As Gustav stepped out of the carriage, Harmin approached, offering a respectful greeting. The air held a subtle tension, a fusion of histories and unresolved connections.
"Uncle Gustav, it's been a while," Harmin said, extending a hand in a gesture of both respect and acknowledgment.
Gustav, with a nod, reciprocated the greeting. The unspoken weight of shared memories lingered in the brief exchange, hinting at the complexities that awaited them within the walls of Velhola Knights Palace.
Harmin's offer to assist with arranging accommodations was met with Gustav's practical suggestion.
"Uncle Gustav, I already booked the inn for you and Noulan," Harmin informed.
Gustav, considering the logistics, replied, "Then send someone to take Noulan to the inn."
Harmin, however, proposed an alternative. "What if I take him to the inn?"
Gustav's response carried a touch of humor and a hint of warning, "Don't even dare. He will kill you." The playful exchange between them hinted at a familiarity that transcended familial bonds, an understanding of Noulan's unpredictable nature in certain situations.
Harmin, expressing a mix of concern and curiosity, remarked, "I know he is upset, but that much?"
Gustav, clarifying the situation, responded, "No, not because he is upset. But because he is drunk." The revelation shed light on the unique challenge they faced, navigating Noulan's inebriated state, adding a layer of unpredictability to the dynamics of their reunion in Velhola.