After what felt like an eternity of riding through the spectral shadows of the forest, Zen finally arrived at her grandfather's estate. She dismounted with tired limbs, leading her horse to the stable. With the care of a true warrior for her companion, she brought Roar fresh fodder and water before turning toward the house.
The estate was a sprawling, ancient structure of weathered stone and dark wood, standing like a silent sentinel in the night. Zen hammered on the heavy oak door.
When it creaked open, her grandfather stood there, his eyes widening in absolute shock. "Little Zen? What in heaven's name are you doing here at this ungodly hour?"
"I will explain everything, Grandfather," Zen sighed, her voice heavy with exhaustion. "But first… please. I am starving. Do you have anything to eat?"
"Of course, child. Sit. I have some leftovers from this morning; I shall fetch them."
As she entered, the familiar, sharp scent of the house washed over her. Every corner, every shelf, and every table was cluttered with dried herbs, glass vials of bubbling chemicals, medicinal tonics, and potent decoctions. In this vast, echoing house, the old man lived alone with his science and his solitude.
As the sun climbed over the horizon, the Kingdom of Royal Ford transformed. The palace was draped in silk banners, the air thick with the scent of expensive perfumes and blooming flowers.
Amelia and June stood on the grand balcony, draped in gowns of such exquisite detail they looked like woven moonlight. June turned to her older sister, a smirk on her lips. "It is a blessing Zen is gone. She is nothing but a magnet for catastrophe. At least now, the day will proceed with dignity."
Amelia nodded, her expression grave. "If Zen were here, we wouldn't be having a negotiation. We would be starting a world war before the first course was served."
A horn blasted in the distance. A herald cried out: "The Princes of the Supreme Kingdom have entered the gates!"
The royal family gathered at the palace entrance. King Arthur stood tall, flanked by his wife, Queen Elizabeth, and the ever-watchful Kaien.
Ezekiel's grand carriage rolled into the courtyard with a thunderous rattle, escorted by a terrifying phalanx of elite guards. When the door opened and Prince Ezekiel stepped out, the breath caught in the throats of the onlookers. He was devastatingly handsome, possessing a cold, radiant beauty that seemed to command the very air around him.
King Arthur stepped forward, offering gifts of gold and silk. "Welcome, Prince Ezekiel. May I introduce my wife, Queen Elizabeth Edward. Her mastery of the healing arts is whispered of in every corner of the world."
Ezekiel bowed with a grace that was almost predatory. "Your Majesty, your reputation precedes you. Meeting the legendary healer of the South is a profound honor."
Elizabeth smiled, her eyes bright. "The honor is ours, Your Highness. You shine with the brilliance of a rising sun."
"And these," Arthur continued, gesturing to his daughters, "are my eldest, Amelia, and my second, June."
Ezekiel took their hands, his voice a smooth velvet caress. "The rumors of your beauty were far too modest, Your Highnesses. You are both walking miracles."
Amelia blushed, dipping into a low curtsy. "To meet you is a distinction we shall long cherish." June added, her eyes locked onto his, "You have a commanding presence that is impossible to ignore, Prince."
Arthur then apologized for his son Charles's absence, explaining he was away in the countryside. Ezekiel nodded, but then his eyes swept the courtyard, searching. "I had heard there was a third daughter. I do not see her among this lovely assembly."
King Arthur let out a small, dismissive laugh. "Ah, my youngest, Zen. A sweet girl, truly, but she is painfully shy—frightened of her own shadow. The clamor of crowds and the sight of armored soldiers terrify her poor heart. She insisted on fleeing to her grandfather's quiet estate to escape the 'scary' noise of this visit."
Ezekiel's smile remained perfectly in place, but behind his eyes, a storm of mockery brewed. Shy? Cowardly? Frightened of soldiers? He pictured her again as she was last night—standing alone in the pitch-black woods, her blade at his throat, daring his entire army to try and take her. It was far easier to believe his own eyes than this absurd lie.
"How unfortunate," Ezekiel said, his voice dripping with hidden irony. "If she is so delicate, then perhaps I shall have to meet her another time."
"Come," Arthur said, gesturing toward the great hall. "Let us feast and begin our talks."
As the procession moved inside, Ezekiel's gaze flickered momentarily toward Kaien. Their eyes met for a split second—a silent recognition of two predators—before Ezekiel looked away, dismissing the guard as if he were nothing more than a shadow on the wall.