章 228: Homecoming in Valeidio

The journey had been long and uneventful, with the rhythmic sound of hooves on packed dirt and the gentle creak of the carriage wheels providing a steady backdrop.

Inside the carriage, Eirik drifted in and out of sleep, his head resting against the plush cushions that Kaelix had carefully arranged before their departure.

His pale face was drawn, and his breathing shallow but steady, a sign that his fragile body was slowly mending.

Yet, his mind seemed far from peaceful, his occasional frowns and soft murmurs betraying the troubled dreams that clung to him.

Kaelix sat beside him, watching over Eirik with an unwavering gaze.

Every so often, he adjusted the blanket draped over the prince or brushed a stray lock of silver hair from his face.

The faint sunlight filtering through the carriage curtains played softly against Kaelix's angular features, highlighting the tension in his jaw and the weariness in his eyes.