As I sat in the grand room of the palace, the atmosphere enveloped me in a surreal haze.
Today was the day I'd leave Aethorador behind—an event so pivotal that Leo, in his infinite wisdom as king, had declared it a national holiday. The entire country had come to a standstill; streets were lined with citizens, and shops closed their doors to honor my departure. The enormity of it all felt overwhelming, almost too much to grasp.
Flowers adorned the main roads, laid down by grateful citizens who had gathered to wish me well. The thought that all this was for me—a girl who had once lived quietly, far removed from the grandiose expectations of royal life—was both humbling and strange. Yet, standing on the precipice of leaving everything I knew felt like stepping into the unknown.
The palace felt emptier than usual; only those who needed to be there remained—officials, the delegation from Caspar, royal guards, and a few attendants. The Knights from Nokturna stood at attention, stern and imposing, ready to escort me to my new life.
My brothers were present, trying to keep the mood light despite the gravity of the occasion. With the maids given the day off, Lorenzo took it upon himself to serve tea. He approached with a tray, careful as always, his usual cheeriness tinged with something heavier—something that resembled sadness.
"You always liked this blend," he said, pouring me a cup with a steady hand, his voice quiet yet kind.
"Thank you, Lorenzo," I replied, attempting to smile despite the weight pressing down on my heart.
Leo sat across from us, his hands clasped in his lap, emanating a calm regal presence. Nonetheless, his eyes lingered on me in a way that spoke volumes. Beside him, Lys sat in silence, his demeanor reflective. Ever since our reconciliation, he had grown quieter, his unspoken worry hanging in the air like an unshed tear.
We all awaited the appointed time for my departure. There was no more denying it; the day had arrived. I sipped my tea, finding small comfort in its warmth amidst the growing tension.
The moment arrived when the Prime Minister entered, his expression serious as he nodded toward us.
"Shall we go then? Are you ready, Princess Nerina?" he asked, his tone calm, yet I could sense the weight behind his words.
"Yes, I'm ready," I replied, striving to sound composed, but my heart felt like lead.
With a wry, bittersweet smile, I turned to my brothers to bid farewell. I hugged Leo first, his reassuring presence a small comfort. He whispered words of encouragement, his grip lingering longer than usual. Lorenzo gave me a wink, though his eyes betrayed a mix of pride and sadness.
Finally, I turned to Lys, my heart clenching at the sight of his glassy eyes, on the verge of tears. I placed a hand on his shoulder, offering a reassuring squeeze. "I'll be okay, Lys. I promise to come back if they don't treat me well," I said softly, trying to convince both him and myself.
Then there was Glenn. He had been quiet, standing a bit apart, but as I moved to say goodbye, he closed the distance. Without warning, he pulled me into an embrace. I gasped, taken by surprise at the sudden forwardness.
"Take care, Nerina," he whispered close to my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. "I'll come to visit, so do your best."
I smiled despite the lump forming in my throat. "Thanks, Glenn. I'll be waiting. But for now… it's time for me to go."
With that, I stepped back, taking one last look at my family. I wanted to engrave this moment in my memory—the bittersweet farewell before stepping into the unknown.
As we stepped outside the royal palace, the brilliance of the clear sky greeted us, not a single cloud in sight, as if the heavens itself were celebrating this new chapter. The fresh air filled my lungs, but the weight of the situation pressed heavily upon my chest.
I glanced down at my white dress, embellished with delicate roses to complement my dark red hair. Lys had insisted on the design, wanting me to look my best for this significant day. He had also provided me with ten vials of potion to change my hair color, should I need to blend in during my time in Nokturna. "If you run out, I'll send more," he had said, protective as ever, refusing to relent in his role as my guardian.
Before me stood two men from the Nokturna delegation, awaiting our introduction. They stood tall and formal, their expressions unreadable, their presence a reminder of the new life awaiting me.
The prime minister stepped forward, facilitating the introductions. "These are the representatives from Nokturna who will accompany you, Princess Nerina."
"I am meeting you for the first time," said the first man, his voice smooth and measured. "My name is Javier, aide to His Majesty Augustus. It's an honor to meet you, Your Highness."
Javier appeared to be in his mid-twenties, his neat attire suggesting a methodical nature. He radiated a composed confidence, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of admiration—Nokturna was a nation where merit was paramount, and his position must have been well-earned.
Before I could dwell further on it, the second individual stepped forward. He lifted his chin in a way that commanded attention.
"I serve as the Knight Commander in Nokturna," he began, his voice deep and authoritative. "My name is Biron. The Knights of Nokturna are responsible for escorting you, Your Highness, so you can feel secure in our presence."
Biron was older, likely in his mid-thirties, with a rugged appearance from years of military service. His straightforward demeanor was reassuring, infusing me with a sense of safety.
I nodded to both men, offering a polite smile. "Thank you for your service. I'm grateful to have you by my side."
As I stepped into the carriage, I cast one last lingering look at the royal palace—the place that had become a haven for me, if only briefly. My brothers stood outside, waving their farewells, their faces filled with a mixture of pride and sorrow, particularly Lys, whose glassy eyes reflected the storm of emotions beneath his composed exterior.
With a deep breath, I tore my gaze away and settled into my seat. Across from me, Javier maintained his composed demeanor, observing me quietly, his posture rigid and professional.
The carriage doors closed with a soft click, and soon, the wheels began to turn. The rhythmic sound of hooves against cobblestones echoed through the air, announcing the beginning of my journey to Nokturna. I clasped my hands in my lap, my heart heavy as the palace gradually faded from view.
"Are you comfortable, Princess?" Javier's voice broke the quiet.
I blinked, shaking off my reverie. "Yes, thank you," I managed a small smile, though it didn't reach my heart.
Javier offered a respectful nod and turned his gaze back to the window, his expression unreadable. I, too, stared out, watching the streets of Aethorador blur as we traveled further away from the life I had known.
The journey continued in silence, interrupted only by the sounds of the carriage gliding over the road and the gentle rustling of the wind. Occasionally, Javier glanced out the window but otherwise said little, allowing me the space to gather my thoughts as memories of Lys and Glenn replayed in my mind alongside the heavy weight of an unknown future.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the carriage slowed, signaling our approach to the destination. My heart raced with anticipation, and I steeled myself for whatever awaited me in Nokturna.