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Chapter 8 - The Royal Capital Arvandor

The road to the royal capital of Eldoria stretched before the Greythorne family.

A winding ribbon of dirt and stone, they followed, snaked through the vast countryside.

Luke sat upright in the carriage, his hands gripping the edge of the window as he watched the world pass by.

His young eyes, wide with curiosity, drank in the rolling hills, the fields of golden wheat that swayed gently in the wind, and the forests that stood tall and ancient like silent sentinels.

Beside him, his sister Arielle sat quietly, her usual excitement tempered by the long journey.

Her head rested against the soft cushions of the carriage seat, her eyes half-closed, but she too was peeking through the curtains every now and then, taking in the sights of the world outside their estate.

Across from them, Cedric sat with his arms crossed, his face a mask of calm focus, though Luke could tell by the occasional glance at the map on his lap that his father's mind was elsewhere, likely preparing for the formalities awaiting them at the capital.

Their mother sat next to Cedric, her graceful posture never faltering even as the carriage bounced along the uneven road.

She had been quiet for most of the trip, her thoughtful gaze occasionally resting on her children as if reassuring herself that they were still close, even as the journey took them farther from their home.

It had been three days since they had left Greythorne Manor, and the road had taken them through an ever-changing landscape.

At first, the land had been familiar—wooded forests and gentle hills, the kinds of terrain Luke had explored as a child.

But as they traveled farther from home, the scenery had shifted.

The trees became denser, and the forest floors were carpeted in thick, verdant moss.

Streams bubbled beside the road, their crystal-clear water shimmering in the sunlight, while wildflowers bloomed in bursts of color along the edges of the path.

Every now and then, they passed small villages and towns nestled in the valleys between the hills.

Smoke rose lazily from the chimneys of thatched-roof cottages, and villagers paused in their work to watch the passing carriages, their eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and awe at the sight of nobility on the road to the capital.

Luke watched them as they went, feeling a strange pang in his chest.

He wondered if life in the capital would be as hard for them, or if it was a world entirely removed from the realities of common folk.

The road became smoother as they neared the heart of Eldoria.

The rolling countryside gave way to flatter terrain, and soon the towering silhouette of the royal capital came into view.

It rose like a crown on the horizon, a sprawling city of stone and steel that glittered in the afternoon sun.

The city walls loomed tall, encircling the capital in a protective embrace, and from where they rode, Luke could already make out the tops of the grand spires of the royal palace in the distance.

"We're almost there," Selene said softly, breaking the quiet of the carriage.

She leaned forward slightly, placing a gentle hand on Luke's knee.

"The capital is nothing like what you've seen before. It's far more grand and vast than home is."

Luke nodded, though his stomach fluttered with nerves.

His mother had told him countless stories of the capital within the last few months—of its grandeur, its politics, and the vast web of intrigue that connected the noble houses.

But hearing about it and seeing it with his own eyes were two different things.

As they approached the main gates, the bustling energy of the capital hit them all at once.

The roads grew crowded with merchants, travelers, and nobles alike, all converging toward the city.

The sound of hooves on cobblestone and the murmur of countless voices filled the air.

Luke leaned farther out the window, trying to take in everything at once.

"Welcome to Arvandor son," Cedric says.

Arvandor is a marveling stone.

The streets were wide and paved with smooth stone, unlike the dirt paths that wound through their village.

Buildings rose high on either side, made of stone and timber, their upper floors jutting out over the streets below.

Some houses had bright, colorful banners hanging from their windows, and the smell of fresh bread and roasting meats filled the air as they passed by open market stalls.

Street vendors called out to passersby, selling everything from finely woven fabrics to exotic spices from distant lands.

Horses clopped by, pulling carriages with crested banners that Luke recognized from the books he'd read about the great houses of Eldoria.

He could hear the clanging of blacksmiths' hammers, the laughter of children running through the streets, and the distant tolling of church bells.

"It's... massive," Arielle whispered, her eyes wide as she pressed her face against the window to see more.

"It is," Luke agreed, his voice soft with awe.

He had imagined the capital to be grand, but this was something else entirely.

The sheer scale of it all made him feel small, like a single thread in a vast tapestry that stretched far beyond his understanding.

Their carriage made its way through the winding streets, moving past crowded marketplaces and grand plazas where fountains gurgled and statues of long-dead kings and queens stood as silent reminders of the kingdom's history.

Luke marveled at the way the city seemed to pulse with life, a constant hum of activity that never ceased.

Eventually, the carriage turned off the main thoroughfare and into a quieter, more refined district.

The streets here were wider, lined with tall trees and manicured hedges.

The houses were grander, with tall iron gates and sprawling gardens that could be glimpsed through the wrought-iron fences.

This was where the noble houses made their homes when visiting the capital, and Luke could tell by the elegance of the architecture that they were nearing their destination.

Finally, the carriage pulled to a stop in front of a grand estate.

The iron gates were adorned with the crest of House Greythorne—a silver falcon in flight against a backdrop of deep green.

The estate itself was sprawling, a manor built of pale stone with ivy climbing up its walls.

Tall windows looked out over carefully tended gardens, and the sound of a bubbling fountain could be heard from somewhere within the courtyard.

The doors to the carriage swung open, and Cedric was the first to step out.

He gave a nod to the servants who had come to greet them before turning to offer his hand to Selene.

Luke followed, stepping out into the fresh evening air and feeling the weight of the capital settle around him.

Arielle joined him, reaching her hand up and holding Luke's as they looked up at the grand estate.

"This is where we'll be staying," Lord Cedric said, his voice even as he surveyed the grounds.

"It belongs to our house, though we only use it when business in the capital requires our presence."

Luke stared up at the manor, feeling a mixture of awe and unease.

The estate was beautiful, but it felt distant, cold even.

It lacked the warmth and familiarity of their home.

This place felt more like a fortress, a symbol of status and power in a city where such things were everything.

They were led inside, where the interior of the manor was even more impressive.

The floors were polished marble, the walls lined with tapestries and portraits of great art.

Chandeliers hung from the ceilings, casting a soft, golden light over the rooms.

Luke couldn't help but feel small in the vastness of it all.

As the servants began to unload their belongings and prepare their rooms, Luke found himself wandering through the halls, his footsteps echoing in the silence.

Eventually, he made his way to his room, a grand chamber with a four-poster bed draped in fine linens.

The windows looked out over the city, and from here, he could see the royal palace in the distance, its spires illuminated by the setting sun.

Night soon fell quickly in the capital, and before long, the estate grew quiet as the household settled in for the evening.

Luke layed in bed, staring up at the ceiling, his mind racing with thoughts of what the next day would bring.

There were so many new places to see and foods to try but his mind kept drifting, there was so much he didn't understand—so much about the politics of the capital, the state of the kingdom, and the role his family would play in it all.

A soft knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts.

He sat up just as his mother stepped into the room.

She smiled warmly as she crossed the floor and sat on the edge of his bed.

"Can't sleep?" she asked gently.

Luke shook his head.

"So many new things are swirling in my mind. There's just too much to think about."

Selene smoothed a hand over his hair, her touch soothing.

"I understand. It can be overwhelming, especially for someone as young as you. But you don't have to carry the weight of everything just yet. That's what your father and I are here for."

Luke looked up at her, his brows furrowed. "But I want to help. I want to make sure everything goes well tomorrow."

She smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead.

"And you will. You've already helped in more ways than you know, Luke. But tomorrow is about more than just our family. It's about the future of the kingdom."

Luke swallowed, his throat tight.

"Do you think things are really as bad as Father says?"

Selene's expression grew more serious, her gaze distant for a moment before she met her son's eyes again.

"The kingdom is going through difficult times, yes. But difficult times also bring opportunities—for those who are wise enough to see them."

Luke nodded, though he wasn't entirely sure he understood.

"What do you think will happen at the ball tomorrow?"

His mother's smile returned, though it was tinged with a hint of concern.

"Tomorrow's ball marks the coming of age of Prince Darius, and with it, the future of the royal line. Him turning 15 is an important day. Many nobles from across the kingdom will be there, each with their own ambitions, their own plans. Some will even try to sell their daughters to him, to deeper sink their greedy hands into power. But above all, it's a reminder that we are part of something larger—something we must protect."

She paused, as if considering her next words carefully.

"The ball is more than just a celebration. It's an opportunity for alliances, for securing the future. And for us, Luke, that future could be one of prosperity if we play our cards right."

Luke shifted under the covers, feeling the weight of her words press down on him.

He had always known his family was important to the crown in some way, but hearing his mother speak of alliances and the future made him realize how crucial their role might be in the days to come.

"You mean... it's not just a party?" he asked, his voice a little quieter now.

Selene chuckled softly, the sound light and warm.

"No, it's not just a party. Though there will be plenty of festivities, it's also a stage. Nobles from all over Eldoria will be watching each other closely, looking for signs of weakness, of strength. Your father and I will have to be careful in how we present ourselves, and you and Arielle, as well."

Luke nodded, understanding more now.

He could feel the seriousness of it all.

His mother, despite her gentle demeanor, was always thinking ahead, always planning.

The thought that he would soon be part of these larger strategies made his stomach twist with nervousness, but there was also a sense of calmness deep within his heart that he couldn't explain.

"Do you think we'll have to make new alliances?" Luke asked.

Selene looked at him thoughtfully.

"Perhaps. Eldoria is changing. The poverty that's sweeping through the kingdom... it's affecting more than just the commoners. Many noble houses are struggling, too, and that means there will be a lot of maneuvering. Some will want to align themselves with stronger families. Others will seek favor with the crown."

Luke listened intently.

He had often heard his father speak of the troubles facing the kingdom, but now only recently since he's gotten older.

The growing unrest, the failing crops, the poverty spreading like a sickness, occasional riots.

But hearing it from his mother, framed in terms of alliances and political maneuvering, made it all the more real.

"What about us?" he asked. "What do we want?"

His mother smiled, a look of pride in her eyes.

"We want to secure our future, Luke. We want to make sure that House Greythorne remains strong, that we continue to protect our lands and our people. We want you and Arielle to live long and fulfilling lives. And that means we have to be smart. We have to choose our allies wisely."

Luke nodded, though his mind raced with questions.

Would they have to ally themselves with other noble houses?

What if they didn't trust them?

What if those alliances came at a cost?

His mother seemed to sense his unease, and she leaned in closer, her hand resting gently on his shoulder.

"Remember, no matter what happens, you're not alone. Your father and I are here to guide you. And tomorrow, we'll be together. We'll face whatever comes, as a family."

Luke felt a little of the tension ease from his chest at her words.

He wasn't alone.

Whatever challenges the next day might bring, he had his family by his side.

"Now," Selene said, her voice softening, "it's time for you to rest. Tomorrow will be a long day, and you'll need your strength."

Luke nodded, lying back against the pillows.

His mother stood and leaned down to kiss his forehead, her touch warm and reassuring.

"Goodnight, my love," she whispered, her smile soft in the dim light of the room.

"Goodnight, Mother," Luke replied, his voice a little drowsy now as sleep began to pull him under.

As his mother left the room, closing the door gently behind her, Luke stared up at the ceiling, his mind still buzzing with thoughts of the capital, of the ball, and of the future.

Tomorrow would be a turning point, he could feel it.

And whatever came next, he knew that he would face it with his family by his side.

But still, as he closed his eyes and let sleep take him, he couldn't help but wonder what the next day would bring—what new sights and places he'll see.

But most importantly, whether the choices they make would shape the kingdom in ways he had yet to understand.