บท 14: The Capital

Shin's consciousness slowly returned, like fog rolling over a lake at dawn. His head felt heavy, as if weighed down by an unseen force, and his senses were wrapped in a thick, cottony haze. He lay inside the carriage, the edges of his vision hazy and indistinct. Every effort to move was met with resistance.

He strained to recall the moments leading up to his loss of consciousness, but his mind was blank. It was as if a dense fog obscured his memories, leaving him unable to grasp the events that had led to his current state.

"Young master, we have arrived," Laura said softly.

Shin blinks in confusion. "Where? I thought we were heading to the capital and weren't planning any stops along the way."

Laura, equally puzzled, responded, "We're at the capital. It's been a week since we set out."

Stunned, Shin sprang up and glanced out the window. "The capital?" he thought, his disbelief and frustration evident as he realized he must have lost an entire week. The thought of missing valuable time for cultivation weighed heavily on him.

He turned back to Laura, trying to refocus. "So, what's the plan now?"

Laura replied, "We'll go directly to the castle for an audience with the emperor. After that, we're scheduled to meet Lady Valeri, and the emperor will publicly announce the engagement. Depending on how things go, we might have some additional tasks before heading back home. Sir Zoran mentioned that our return is urgent."

"Alright, so next is the audience. Have you arranged the formal attire?" Shin asked.

"Yes, I've got everything ready in a suitcase," Laura replied. "Once we're inside the castle, you'll have some time to change into your formal clothes."

After concluding their preparations, they arrived at the Imperial Palace, a magnificent emblem of the empire's grandeur and heritage. The palace loomed before them, an imposing structure that radiated with opulence and historical significance. Its vast façade was adorned with vibrant hues of yellow, red, and blue, each color representing one of the three imperial lineages: fire, water, and lightning dragons.

After a thorough inspection by the guards, they were permitted entry and escorted to a waiting room. Shin quickly changed into his formal attire, donning an all-black suit with a matching black tie. As he stood before the mirror, the sleek outfit accentuated his tall, athletic frame, making him appear both elegant and commanding. At seventeen, his youth was marked by a powerful presence, his physique hinting at both strength and agility.

His shoulder-length black hair, streaked with subtle red highlights, fell in soft waves, framing his face and contrasting sharply with his striking red eyes. The black suit further emphasized his striking features and imposing stature, giving him a sophisticated and polished look that suited the grandeur of the Imperial Palace.

While Shin and Laura were waiting and conversing, a soft knock interrupted their conversation. "Come in," Shin called out.

An older man, dressed impeccably in a traditional butler suit, entered and said, "The emperor is ready for your audience. Please follow me, young lord."

Shin followed the butler down a corridor to the throne room. They arrived at a pair of massive doors adorned in blue, red, and yellow, reflecting the imperial colors. The butler knocked gently on the door, and, receiving a response of "You may enter," he slowly pushed the doors open.

As Shin stepped into the throne room, he was struck by its breathtaking grandeur. The chamber was immense, its opulence highlighted by the elaborate dragon murals that decorated the walls. Each dragon was painted in vibrant hues of gold and crimson, their scales catching the light and adding a sense of majesty to the space.

In the center of the room stood a long, polished table, its surface gleaming softly under the glow of ornate chandeliers hanging from the high, vaulted ceiling. The atmosphere was one of regal splendor, amplified by the intricate details of the room.

At the far end of the chamber, the emperor and empress were seated on their thrones, exuding an air of commanding dignity and grace. Flanking them was a remarkable figure: a girl with long, wavy blue hair cascading down her back, creating a striking contrast against her pale complexion. Her yellow eyes shone with an otherworldly brilliance, and her slender figure was adorned with two delicate yellow horns and a pair of elegant yellow wings that fluttered slightly with each movement. A sinuous red tail curled gracefully behind her.

She wore a red dress that flowed in soft, graceful lines, enhancing her figure with understated elegance. The simplicity of the gown allowed her natural beauty and the majestic ambiance of the room to shine through. The combination of the magnificent setting and the distinguished figures within it left Shin in a state of profound awe and reverence.

"Welcome, Shin. I trust your journey was comfortable." The emperor greeted Shin warmly as he rose from his throne and approached him with a genuine smile. "I heard from your father that you explored the ruins."

Shin, taken aback, replied, "Thank you." Despite inheriting all the memories of his predecessor, he had never met the emperor before. He was surprised by the emperor's friendly demeanor, which contrasted sharply with his expectations based on the more formal and distant portrayals he had read about.

After sharing a firm handshake, Shin and the emperor took their seats at the long, polished table. Shin's surprise grew as the elegant dragon girl, who had been standing nearby, gracefully took the seat next to him. Her presence added an unexpected and intriguing element to the meeting.

"Hello, I'm Valeri Lomidze. It's a pleasure to meet you," she said, offering a slight bow.

"Hello, Valeri. I'm Shin Luppiter," Shin replied, returning the gesture with a bow of his own.

After their introductions, a moment of awkward silence fell between them until the emperor decided to intervene.

Clearing his throat, the emperor began, "Shin, we need to discuss a few important matters. I've been informed by your father that you and Valeri need to return to Lupp urgently to address some critical decisions."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "Before that, though, we have a few things to take care of. First, we will officially announce your engagement at an evening party. Traditionally, after such an announcement, you would both embark on a journey around the world. However, given the recent resurgence of the abyssal cult and the current unrest, that will have to be postponed."

Shin nodded thoughtfully. "Understood. When is the evening party scheduled to take place?"

The empress smiled and replied, "The party is set for tomorrow evening. We need to make the announcement as soon as possible so you and Valeri can return to Lupp without delay."

She glanced at Valeri, who was still stitting next to Shin. "Tonight, however, is an opportunity for you two to get to know each other better. I suggest you both take some time to explore the palace grounds or have dinner together. It's important to build a good rapport before the official events begin."

Shin looked at Valeri and offered a friendly smile. "That sounds like a good idea. Perhaps we can start by having a tour of the palace or find a quiet place to talk."

Valeri nodded in agreement, her expression brightening. "I'd like that. I'm sure there's much we can discuss and learn about each other before everything gets underway."

The emperor and empress exchanged relieved glances, their concern easing as they watched their daughter interact amiably with her new fiancé. The sight of Valeri engaging positively reassured them that the arrangement might turn out well after all.