A Royal Obligation
Chapter 228: Homecoming in Valeidio

Chapter 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.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, painting it with streaks of amber and crimson, the procession slowed to a halt. They had reached a crossroads.

The three paths before them stretched into the horizon, each distinct in its character. To the left, the road to Valeidio wound through a dense forest, its towering trees forming an emerald canopy overhead.

The air seemed cooler here, the shadows deep and inviting, with the distant sound of a brook gurgling somewhere beyond sight. The scent of pine and wildflowers mingled in the breeze, lending the path an almost tranquil allure.

To the right, the road to Zephyros was starkly different. It cut through open plains, the tall golden grasses swaying in the wind like waves on a sea.

The sky above it was vast and unbroken, its endless blue seeming to stretch forever. In the distance, jagged mountain peaks loomed, their snow-capped summits gleaming faintly in the fading light.

The third path, straight ahead, led to lands unknown. It was less traveled, the dirt road overgrown in places with weeds and wild vines. The surrounding landscape was a blend of rocky outcroppings and patches of scrub, giving it an air of mystery and foreboding.

Kaelix glanced at Eirik, ensuring the prince was still asleep before quietly slipping out of the carriage. His boots crunched softly on the gravel as he stepped down, the crisp evening air brushing against his face. He turned to his men, who had dismounted and were waiting for his orders.

"Send word to my father," Kaelix instructed, his voice low but firm. "Tell him we’ll stop at Valeidio first. Eirik needs his mother more than ever right now."

The men of Zephyros, clad in their green and gold livery, bowed deeply in acknowledgment.

Without a word, they mounted their horses, their disciplined movements swift and precise.

The sound of their departure filled the air as they galloped down the road to Zephyros, their figures growing smaller until they were mere specks against the horizon.

Kaelix remained still, watching them disappear. His expression was unreadable, but there was a heaviness in his stance, a reluctance to turn away from the path leading to his home.

"Kaelix," Lord Cedric’s steady voice broke the silence, drawing his attention. The older man sat astride his chestnut horse, his cloak billowing slightly in the evening breeze. "We must continue. The journey to Valeidio is still long, and the night will fall soon."

Kaelix exhaled deeply, nodding once. He cast one last look at the Zephyros-bound road before returning to the carriage. His steps were deliberate, each one heavy with unspoken thoughts. He climbed inside, his movements careful as he settled beside Eirik once more, ensuring he didn’t disturb the prince’s fragile rest.

Outside, the procession resumed its journey. Lord Cedric led the way, his imposing figure a beacon of authority.

The twins flanked the carriage on either side, their expressions subdued as they kept a watchful eye on their surroundings. Lucian’s black stallion moved with effortless grace, while Julian’s chestnut mare trotted alongside with equal precision.

Drystan brought up the rear, his green eyes scanning the trees and shadows as they entered the forested path toward Valeidio.

His posture was alert, his hand never straying far from the hilt of his sword.

Though his face remained impassive, there was a flicker of unease in his gaze, as though the weight of his own thoughts was just as heavy as the tension hanging over the group.

Inside the carriage, Kaelix adjusted his position, leaning back slightly as he glanced at Eirik. The prince stirred faintly, his lips parting as if to speak, but whatever words he might have uttered were lost in a soft exhale.

Kaelix’s fingers curled into the fabric of his cloak, his thoughts churning.

The decision to stop at Valeidio had not been made lightly. He knew his father would understand, had to understand. The path ahead grew darker as the sun dipped below the horizon, the shadows stretching longer and deeper.

Fireflies began to appear, their tiny lights flickering among the trees like scattered stars. The distant call of an owl echoed through the forest, a haunting yet oddly comforting sound.

Lord Cedric’s voice broke the quiet. "We’ll make camp soon. There’s a clearing ahead where we can rest for the night."

Kaelix nodded silently, his gaze fixed on the road ahead.

---

As the procession entered the gates of Valeidio, the golden light of the late afternoon sun bathed the courtyard in warmth.

Its polished cobblestones gleamed, reflecting the grandiosity of the palace that loomed ahead.

At the entrance stood Queen Morgana, King Xavian, Theron and Amarok, their faces taut with anticipation.

Behind them, the palace guards stood at attention, their polished armor catching the sun’s rays as a light breeze carried the distant hum of life from the surrounding city.

The moment the carriage rolled to a stop, Queen Morgana surged forward, her lavender gown trailing behind her in a whirl of urgency.

The delicate embroidery on her bodice glittered faintly as she moved, her movements unrestrained by decorum. Her long white hair, with few silver streaks, framed her face, which bore an expression of worry.

The twins, dismounted from their horses with practiced ease, their somber gazes fixed on their mother as she hurried toward the carriage.

Lord Cedric followed suit, his expression grave, though his hand rested briefly on the hilt of his sword as though the weight of his duty had not yet lifted.

Kaelix was the first to emerge from the carriage. His dark hair was tousled, his features sharp but softened by exhaustion. He raised a hand, signaling Morgana to pause, his voice low and measured. "He’s asleep, Your Majesty."

The queen stopped abruptly, her hands clutching the pendant around her neck as she steadied herself.

She nodded, her lips pressed together to suppress the rush of emotions threatening to break free. Her deep purple eyes glistened with unshed tears as Kaelix turned back into the carriage.

Moments later, Kaelix stepped out once more, cradling Eirik in his arms as though he were carrying a delicate piece of glass.

Eirik’s head rested against Kaelix’s chest, his white hair a stark contrast to the dark tunic Kaelix wore.

His face, pale and gaunt, looked fragile, almost ethereal, as if the faintest gust of wind might shatter him.

Dark circles under his eyes hinted at sleepless nights and relentless pain, and his hands, resting limply in his lap, seemed unnaturally slender.

Morgana’s breath hitched as she clutched her chest, her eyes glued to her youngest son’s face. Her composure wavered, but she forced herself to remain still, unwilling to disturb the peace that sleep had granted him.

Behind her, Theron’s jaw tightened, his usually composed face betraying a rare moment of vulnerability. His hands curled into fists at his sides, the tension in his shoulders visible even beneath his ornate crimson cape.

Beside him, King Xavian’s expression was grave, the weight of a father’s worry etched deeply into his features. His broad stance seemed to falter as he took in the sight of his youngest son, once so full of life, now so frail.

Amarok, took a hesitant step forward. His dark brown eyes shimmered with emotion, and his lips parted as though to speak, but no words came. He stood frozen, his gaze fixed on the fragile figure in Kaelix’s arms.

Kaelix carried Eirik toward the palace, his movements deliberate and smooth, as though afraid that the slightest jostle might wake him. Morgana turned swiftly, leading the way, her steps brisk but careful, her gown swaying with every stride. The others followed in solemn silence, the only sound the faint rustle of fabric and the muffled footsteps on the stone courtyard.

As they ascended the palace steps, Amarok turned to the twins. His hesitation gave way to an embrace, pulling Julian and Lucian into a tight hug. The twins returned the gesture without hesitation, each placing a soft kiss on Amarok’s head.

"We’ve missed you," Julian murmured, his voice thick with emotion.

"And I’ve missed you both," Amarok replied, his arms still clinging to them as though grounding himself in their presence.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.