Walking to the castle was relatively straightforward, as the royal district was situated in the northern part of the capital.
The outer edge of the royal district was filled with high-end businesses tailored to nobles and the wealthy. The people here carried themselves with noticeable pride, dressed in fine silks and suits of various styles, flaunting their affluence.
We continued our walk until we reached the gates of the royal palace, where the guards let us pass without even checking Victor's crest.
As we stepped through the gates, Mira appeared behind me.
"Hello, sister," she said, which confused me, as there seemed to be no one else around.
"Aww, I thought I could evade your senses, sis," said a smaller woman, bearing strikingly similar features to Mira, suddenly appearing beside Victor.
"You know you can't best me, Mina. I'm a queen for a reason," Mira replied confidently.
"I'll beat you someday, just wait," the newly introduced monster girl retorted, determination evident in her voice.
"Mina, inform Mother and Father of our arrival, and prepare the meeting room as well," Victor instructed.
"Okay," Mina replied before vanishing once again.
"What do you mean you're a queen, Mira?" I asked, intrigued by her statement.
"I'm the queen of my race, young miss," Mira answered with a sly smile.
"Vic, explain," I said, turning to him for a more detailed answer.
"When monsters of the same race appear, they're generally of similar strength," Victor explained. "However, as monsters grow older and gain power, they earn titles, like Mira's title of 'queen.' These titles are a testament to their strength. Mira is one of the strongest of her kind. I'll fill you in on more details later, but for now, we need to keep moving."
Interesting… how old is this world? I thought, intrigued by his explanation.
The interior of the castle was nothing short of magnificent. The floors were polished to a pristine shine, with the tiles glistening like gemstones.
The main hall was adorned with banners bearing the royal crest, and the light filtered through stained glass windows, creating an otherworldly glow throughout the room. We walked along the grand hallway and ascended a large curved staircase that led deeper into the castle.
Finally, we approached a pair of ornate double doors, their surface carved with intricate elven designs that gleamed softly under the light. The golden embellishments along the frame gave them a regal touch, signaling the importance of the room beyond. The atmosphere in the hallway shifted, a sense of anticipation filling the air.
Victor turned to me, giving me a small nod. "Let us go in, Lyra," he said, pushing open the heavy doors with a firm, confident hand.
We stepped inside, and the grandeur of the meeting room immediately enveloped us. Sunlight filtered through tall arched windows, casting a warm golden glow across the spacious chamber.
The walls were adorned with rich tapestries that depicted the illustrious history of Eldora, and the polished wooden floor reflected the ornate ceiling, making the entire room feel even larger.
Sitting at the central table was Queen Evian, her presence immediately drawing my eye. She was just as divine as I remembered from our previous meeting—her flowing golden hair and radiant green eyes seemed almost otherworldly.
She carried herself with elegance, and her gown shimmered with golden embroidery that hinted at her royal stature. Despite her beauty, there was an unmistakable strength to her aura.
Beside her was a tall elven man who exuded an air of power. Unlike most high elves I had seen, this man looked physically strong, his toned build accentuated by the white formfitting suit he wore.
A red cape draped over his shoulders added a flourish of color to his otherwise regal attire. His golden hair was neatly trimmed, and his features were sharp, his eyes matching the same dazzling green hue as the rest of the family. He had an authoritative presence, one that demanded respect.
I took a deep breath and spoke, remembering every bit of etiquette Mira had drilled into me. "Greetings to the King and Queen of Eldora," I said, bowing with all the proper decorum.
The King, however, simply smiled, an amused expression crossing his face. "Stop that. We're practically family now, are we not? You are with my son, correct?"
I met his gaze firmly and answered, "Yes, sir."
"Good. Drop the honorifics, then. No need for such formalities," he said, his expression visibly softening.
"So," he continued, his eyes narrowing slightly as he leaned forward, "what brings you here today? I assume this visit is important?"
I nodded, gathering my resolve. "I've come to ask your permission to take Victor to college with me."
His expression shifted, becoming more serious. "Which college?" he asked, his tone weighted with curiosity and concern.
"Andosa," I replied confidently.
The Queen's eyes widened, and she exchanged a glance with the King. "Andosa?" she repeated, her voice carrying an edge of incredulity. "You know how far that is? It is practically impossible to get into, even for us," she added, clearly surprised by my choice.
I nodded again. "Mother says it's the best, and I expect to be the best," I said, my voice resolute.
The King studied me for a moment before turning his gaze to Victor, his eyes softening. "Victor, is this your decision as well?" he asked, his tone gentle.
Victor stepped forward, his green eyes shining with determination. "Yes, Father. I wish to explore the world and grow beyond the walls of Eldora."
The King looked between us, and for a moment, a contemplative silence hung in the air. "Lyra, you said Morgana told you to go to Andosa, correct?" he finally said, his eyes meeting mine.
I nodded in confirmation.
He sighed, shaking his head slightly, a smile playing on his lips. "Then you must be at least an advanced swordsman, likely approaching the enlightenment of sword aura," he said, his tone now tinged with curiosity and something else—perhaps a challenge.
Before I could respond, he continued, his expression growing serious once more. "You understand that you will also need to hide the fact that my daughter isn't truly my daughter. That will be impossible to maintain once you both begin bonding," he said, his voice carrying a warning.
He paused, then stood, his red cape swishing behind him. "Follow me, child. I need to see for myself if you have what it takes," he said, gesturing for me to join him.
Victor began to rise as well, but Queen Evian gently placed a hand on his arm, easing him back into his seat. "Stay with me, Victor. I have something I wish to discuss with you," she said, her voice soft but firm.
I gave Victor a reassuring smile, then followed the King out of the meeting room. He led me through the castle halls, taking various twists and turns until we finally arrived at a large stone training chamber.
The air here was cool, and the walls bore the marks of countless past duels and training sessions. It was a place where warriors came to sharpen their skills.
The King gestured towards a rack of weapons lining the wall. "Pick up a sword. I need to see for myself if you truly have what it takes," he said, his tone commanding, his eyes fixed on me.
I shrugged off my cloak, tossing it aside as I walked over to the weapon rack. My fingers closed around the hilt of a greatsword, the weight of it familiar and comforting. I turned, meeting his gaze, and walked to the center of the room to face him.
"If you can force me to use my aura, you pass my test. If not, Victor will not be going with you," he said, his voice unwavering, as he held a longsword with practiced ease.
I nodded, readying myself. Alright, time to put my training to the test. I've got to back up all that big talk.
The tension in the training room was palpable, the air thick with the clash of wills between the King and me.
This is going nowhere at this rate. He'll just win by tiring me out. I need to use everything at my disposal… Wait, that's it!
I took a deep breath, a plan forming in my mind as I quickly jumped backward to create enough distance.
"At this rate, you won't even get a hit on me like this," the King taunted, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
Well, we'll see about that, I thought, determination bubbling up inside me.
With more space between us, I dug my feet into the ground, my legs tensing as I prepared for my next move. I launched forward, picking up speed. It looked like I was preparing to execute the same attack as before—charging head-on, my greatsword lifted high over my head.
But this time, as I approached, I let my momentum carry the greatsword forward, and I threw it with all my strength. The sword sailed through the air, my body following closely behind, using the weapon as a cover to obscure his vision.
At the last possible moment, I darted to the side, sliding beneath his line of sight and positioning myself behind him. My hand moved instinctively to my waist, pulling the sheathed dagger Victor had gifted me. Without hesitation, I launched it straight towards the King's back, creating a two-pronged assault.
The King intercepted the greatsword, his long blade deflecting it with precision. But then, as his eyes narrowed, he realized something was off—there was no sign of me in front of him.
A green light flashed, almost blindingly fast, as he pivoted on his feet, his right arm now coated in a thin layer of what looked like solid energy. With fluid grace, he caught the incoming dagger in his hand, his aura glowing in response.
"You know," the King said, his voice steady, "that was quite the gamble—putting all your chances on a move like that."
I straightened, my chest heaving from the exertion. "If that didn't work, I still had my fists," I replied, determination lingering in my voice. "I wasn't out of options."
"Haha! I suppose that's true," he said, a chuckle escaping his lips. "You showed a great deal of resourcefulness in this fight. I'm genuinely impressed."
A sudden sound of clapping echoed through the room, and both the King and I turned to find the source. Standing at the edge of the training chamber was Queen Evian, her face adorned with an appreciative smile.
"Wow, Lyra, that was amazing!" she said, stepping closer. "I haven't seen my husband use his aura in a long time. You truly have talent."
I glanced back at the King, my curiosity piqued by her words. "I keep hearing about aura… What is it, exactly?"
The King's gaze softened as he held up his hand, a green aura slowly enveloping it. "It's the next step in mastering the sword. It's about transforming your body into a weapon—your spirit, your aura, becoming one with the blade."
I watched, entranced, as the energy seemed to sharpen, giving his hand the appearance of a cutting edge. "How do I learn that?" I asked, my voice filled with a mix of excitement and yearning.
The King smiled at my enthusiasm. "There's no single way to learn it. Each swordsman has their own path. You must feel it, awaken it within yourself."
I nodded thoughtfully, imagining the possibilities. Aura… The next step.
The Queen cleared her throat, catching my attention. "Where is Victor?" I asked, realizing she wasn't with him.
"Before we get to that," she said, stepping forward, "how do you truly feel about our son?" Her gaze bore into mine, a gentle seriousness behind her words.
I swallowed, taken slightly by surprise, but I knew my answer without hesitation. "I love him," I said, my voice unwavering. "He's my childhood friend, but it's so much more than that. He's irreplaceable to me, and I want to marry him someday."
A warm smile spread across the Queen's lips. "What a perfect answer."
She turned her head toward the door. "Victor, come on out now."
The door opened, and I couldn't help the shock that spread across my face. Standing in the doorway was Victor, looking very different from how I had last seen him. His shoulder-length hair was gone, replaced by a short, neat middle-part that framed his beautiful pointed ears.
He wasn't wearing a dress this time, either. Instead, he was dressed in a white suit with green accents that resembled his father's—a symbol of transformation. His face was flushed red, a mixture of embarrassment and something else, and he looked incredibly handsome.
The King and Queen exchanged a knowing nod before turning back to Victor.
"I, King Evian, hereby banish Victoria Evian from the elven royal family, effective immediately," the King said, his voice ringing with authority.
"Lyra, How do you like the sound of Victor Valor?" The King says
"Wha- why are you asking this right now, And why did he just get banished?" I asked very confused
"Think of it as a selfish request, we want you to get engaged with our son in order to give him protection, right now he's just a random elf and we can't just leave him stripped of everything. He can't be Victoria forever and this was our only conclusion" The Queen said somberly
"You don't have to say anything more, I'll marry him right now if I have to." I said