We continued our idle chatter throughout the ride, talking about whatever came to mind. We both joked about our pasts, reminiscing and laughing about how we should've seen the signs sooner. The easy conversation made the time fly by, and before we knew it, we were rapidly approaching our destination.
The capital of the kingdom was named Evia, after the nation's founder. Contrary to popular belief, it wasn't a collection of treehouses scattered throughout the forest, but rather an industrialized city, bustling with life and progress.
The streets were cobbled and smooth, the architecture blending elegance with practicality. Tall buildings constructed from a mix of limestone and dark-stained wood stood proudly, decorated with flowering vines that lent an air of natural beauty to the urban setting. It was a place where tradition and modernity mingled seamlessly.
Evia boasted many marvels—modern plumbing, a variety of magical inventions acting as household appliances, and an impressive network of magical lights that lined the streets, illuminating every corner of the grand city.
Dwarves, known for their craftsmanship and ingenuity, had a significant presence here, working closely with the elves on technological projects and expanding the city's infrastructure. Their forges and workshops were scattered throughout the city, their fiery chimneys puffing smoke into the sky.
Evia was divided into well-organized districts: the market district, where vendors and merchants displayed their wares; the residential district, with houses ranging from modest cottages to lavish townhomes; the red-light district, filled with establishments that catered to those seeking pleasure; and finally, the royal district, where the palace and other government buildings were located.
The streets were bustling with people, mostly elves, but also a fair mix of dwarves, beastkin, and even a handful of humans—all coexisting harmoniously.
"This is actually my first time out of my family's territory, you know?" I said to Victor, my eyes wide as I took in the sights through the window. The vibrancy of the city was overwhelming, in the best possible way.
Victor gave me an amused look. "Really? I never knew that. Want to explore the streets a bit? We've got plenty of time," he suggested with a smile.
"Sure, I think that'd be fun," I agreed, though a thought occurred to me. "But won't people recognize you? You are, after all, the royal princess," I said, my voice dropping to a whisper.
Victor chuckled. "They shouldn't. I've never made a public appearance—they just know of me. Besides, I look different enough. No one's going to be suspicious." He gave me a reassuring grin, and I felt my worries ease.
With that settled, I called out to Mira to stop the carriage, and we both exited. Mira—our ever-watchful feline nanny—vanished into the shadows, as she often did. I had no idea where she went, but I knew she was always near, keeping an eye on us.
The streets were beautiful up close, the buildings constructed from well-maintained limestone, with dark-stained wood used for accenting doors, windows, and balconies.
There was an elegance to the craftsmanship that made everything look meticulously designed. Flowers bloomed in window boxes, their colors brightening the gray stone and dark wood.
"Follow me, I know a place you'll love," Vic said, his eyes sparkling with excitement. He beckoned me to follow him, and I couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm.
He led me through the bustling plaza and towards the market district. The further we went, the more refined the buildings became, each taking on its own unique charm.
There were glass storefronts displaying an assortment of wares, and well-designed shops with enticing signs hung over their entrances. Stalls belonging to traveling merchants were scattered between the permanent shops, and the air was filled with the sounds of haggling, laughter, and music.
We finally stopped in front of a shop called "Styrg's Workshop." Unlike the other flashy shops with colorful signs and elaborate decorations, this place was understated. It had only a small open sign hanging in the door—no large windows to display its wares, no enticing decorations.
"Come on. Most girls would hate this place, but I have a feeling it'll be paradise for you," Vic said cryptically, grabbing my hand and pulling me inside.
The moment we stepped in, I felt like I had walked straight into a volcano—the temperature was at least ten degrees hotter than outside. The rhythmic clanking of a hammer echoed from the back of the shop, and I could smell the scent of hot metal and burning coal.
The walls of the store were lined with weapons—everything from daggers to large polearms—displayed proudly. Beneath them were armors, shields, and various pieces of protective gear, each piece more impressive than the last.
"Vic, you're a genius. This place is amazing," I said, moving towards the section that displayed different kinds of blades.
The weapons were nothing short of breathtaking. Some were adorned with golden trim, clearly meant more as showpieces than actual weapons. Others were simple but deadly, their sharp edges gleaming under the warm light of the forge. The craftsmanship was impeccable—every blade looked ready for battle.
"Aww, where are my manners? It's not every day that beautiful young ladies come strolling into my shop," a booming voice called from behind the counter. The rhythmic clanging had stopped at some point while I was admiring the weapons.
I turned to see a stocky, dark-skinned dwarf with a thick beard and muscular arms, about two feet shorter than me. He looked every bit the stereotypical blacksmith, from his soot-stained apron to his broad, calloused hands.
"Old man, these blades are incredible," I said, my eyes still fixed on a particularly ornate longsword.
The dwarf let out a hearty laugh. "Haha! Those are nothing," he chuckled, walking over to us. "Just some throwaways the nobles like to buy. They're mostly for show."
The dwarf grinned up at me. "Name's Styrg, by the way. And you are?"
"Lyra," I replied, finally tearing my gaze away from the blades. "And these are quite the works to just be 'throwaways,'" I added, nodding towards the weapons on display.
"Are you by chance an Amazon?" Styrg asked, eyeing my stature. "It's quite the journey to come to my humble shop."
"Well, yes and no. My mother is an Amazon, while my father is an elf. I'm from House Valora," I explained, brushing my hair aside to show my slightly pointed ears.
The dwarf's eyes widened, and he immediately looked a little flustered. "Oh, uh, sorry about my comment on nobles, miss," he said.
I waved off his apology. "Don't worry about it—I don't care about politics."
"How about this: as an apology, let me show you one of my finer works," Styrg offered, clearly wanting to make up for his earlier comment.
"Deal. I can't pass up the chance to see something better than these," I said, gesturing to the weapons on the wall.
Styrg walked behind the counter and returned with a sheathed blade, handing it to me. The blade and sheath together were roughly a foot long—most likely a large dagger.
"I just finished this recently. Turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself," Styrg said, watching as I unsheathed the blade.
The moment I pulled it out, I was struck by how light it felt in my hand. The blade was completely black, with intricate patterns etched along its length. The handle was wrapped in dark leather, providing a firm grip, and the entire weapon felt perfectly balanced.
"I've never seen such a beautiful dagger," I said, turning the blade to catch the light.
"It's a rare piece, indeed," Styrg said, nodding with pride. "Forged from Black Steel from the mountains back home. It's the lightest yet toughest metal—just behind Mithril.
I used our famous Damascus technique to make it even more durable while giving it that distinctive pattern. There are two slots for runes at the base of the blade, in case you want to enchant it later."
I took a few steps back, giving myself some space to test the dagger. It felt perfectly balanced in my hand as I swung it experimentally, reversing my grip and slashing upward before switching back to a normal grip and slashing diagonally.
"Wow, you've really made quite the blade, Styrg," I said, reluctantly handing it back to him.
"Can we buy it?" Victor asked, speaking up for the first time.
"I'm afraid not. A young noble from the Shorin Dukedom reserved it. Besides, I doubt you'd be carrying enough money for this little fella," Styrg said, shaking his head.
"What if I showed you this?" Victor said, pulling out an insignia from his pocket. It was golden, engraved with an image of a deer with large antlers crowned atop its head—looking almost divine.
Styrg's eyes widened in shock. "T-The royal insignia?! This humble servant greets the royal princess. You can have the blade—there's no way I'd say no to you, Your Majesty," he stammered, bowing deeply.
Victor waved her hand dismissively. "You may rise. There's no need for formalities. I just want to buy it. I'm quite impressed and would like to show it to my father."
"The king will see my work?" Styrg's eyes widened even more. "Again, there's no need to pay for it, Princess. It's on the house."
"Styrg, you will be paid, and that's final," Victor said firmly.
"Fine, but I'm throwing in a belt free of charge," he insisted.
Victor nodded, allowing the blacksmith to have his way. We thanked Styrg for the dagger and the belt, and then we were on our way, leaving him to return to his work.
"Why did you want the dagger so much?" I asked Victor once we left the shop. "It couldn't have just been to show it to the king."
"Of course not, but I will show it to him. It's a damn good dagger," Victor said with a smile. "It's for you. It seemed like you liked it, so I got it for you."
I stopped, turning to face him. "Vic... this is too much. I know it must have been expensive," I said, feeling a pang of guilt.
Victor just smiled and handed me the dagger and the belt. "It's a gift, Lyra. Just take it."
I leaned in and kissed his cheek before fastening the belt around my waist, positioning the sheath at the small of my back. "That was part of my payment. I'll pay the rest later," I whispered, teasingly.
Victor's face turned bright red. "W-Whatever," he mumbled, looking away.
We continued to walk through the streets of Evia hand-in-hand, occasionally stopping at food stalls to grab a bite or browsing through different shops. It felt freeing—just the two of us, exploring a city neither of us had ever experienced before. There was so much to see, and everything was so lively and colorful.
"Okay, I think it's time we go meet the king," I said to Victor after we had visited the last shop.
"Me too. We've stalled long enough, haven't we?" he agreed with a smile, giving my hand a gentle squeeze.