A Royal Obligation
Chapter 34: The Tour

Chapter 34: The Tour

Prince Eirik and Sadiki made their way off the training ground, the sun’s rays warming the palace grounds as they walked. A faint breeze stirred the trees, carrying with it the scent of jasmine from the nearby gardens. Eirik couldn’t help but feel a small but significant sense of accomplishment, a subtle shift in his mood.

He had managed to turn what could have been an annoying experience into one that left an impression. And in the world like theirs, sometimes that was the best victory one could achieve.

The heat of the day was a welcome change from the chill of the early morning, and as the warmth seeped into his skin, Eirik allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. It was a rare feeling for him, an emotion usually buried under layers of caution and calculation. But here, in the vast and unfamiliar lands of Zephyros, he found himself leaning into it, relishing the fleeting sense of triumph.

His steps slowed as they approached a fork in the path, and his thoughts wandered to the looming reality of his life here. What was he supposed to do until the wedding to Prince Kaelix? The thought of waking up each day to a monotonous routine, bathing, eating, enduring Kaelix’s presence, and then retreating to sleep, filled him with a kind of dread. The life of a prince, though adorned with luxury and privilege, could be suffocating in its predictability. And for someone like Eirik, whose mind was always churning, the prospect of idle days felt almost like a sentence.

He despised idleness, found it more exhausting than the most rigorous of physical challenges. He needed something, anything, to keep his mind sharp, to ward off the boredom that threatened to consume him. The palace library came to mind, a place of refuge, a sanctuary of knowledge where he could lose himself among books and scrolls. It would be a welcome escape from the endless games of court politics and the constant scrutiny that seemed to follow him like a shadow. But first, he needed to find it.

The hallways of the palace were labyrinthine, a confusing maze of identical stone corridors and intricately carved doorways. As they turned a corner, Eirik’s eyes scanned the walls, looking for some sign, some indication that they were on the right path. But instead, he found himself face-to-face with two young men.

They were striking, both tall and dark-haired, with sharp features that seemed to be a hallmark of Zephyros nobility. Recognition flickered in Eirik’s mind; he had seen them before, seated near Kaelix at the welcoming ball the previous night. They were likely relatives of the prince, or perhaps close friends, men who moved within the same circles of power and influence.

The taller of the two, whose presence seemed to command attention without effort, smiled as he approached. There was an ease in his movements, a natural grace that put Eirik slightly at ease, though he remained on guard. In the world he had grown up in, friendliness was often a mask, and one could never be too cautious.

"Prince Eirik, isn’t it?" The man’s voice was smooth, warm even, as if he were greeting an old friend. "I’m Lysander, and this is my brother Darren. We saw you last night at the ball but didn’t have the chance to introduce ourselves properly."

Eirik inclined his head in acknowledgment, choosing his words carefully. "It’s a pleasure to meet you both. I remember seeing you at the ball as well." His tone was polite, measured, a reflection of the careful diplomacy he had been taught from a young age. In unfamiliar territory, it was often wiser to let others lead the conversation.

Lysander’s eyes lingered on Eirik’s face, where the absence of the veil he had worn at the ball was evident. "You’ve caused quite a stir, you know," he remarked with a grin. "It’s not every day someone like you arrives in Zephyros. And without your veil today, well, I’m sure people will be talking about it for weeks."

Eirik could sense the subtle flattery in Lysander’s words, but there was also a note of sincerity. He had been aware of the attention he had drawn at the ball, both for his unique appearance and for the mystery surrounding him. It was a double-edged sword, this kind of attention, something he had learned to navigate with care.

"Indeed," Darren added, his voice more measured, more reserved than his brother’s. "Zephyros is a place where news spreads quickly, especially when it involves someone as captivating as you, Prince Eirik."

Eirik offered a small smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. The compliment was appreciated, but he was careful not to take it at face value. In places like this, words were often wielded like weapons, and he was wary of letting his guard down too quickly. "I hope the stir I’ve caused is a positive one," he replied, his voice light but with a hint of wariness beneath it.

"Oh, most definitely," Lysander said with a laugh. "Kaelix is the envy of every man in Zephyros right now. I can assure you of that."

Eirik’s smile became a bit more genuine at that. It was a subtle reminder that while he might be an outsider here, he still held a certain power, the power of being desired, of being envied. It was a power he could use to his advantage, though he knew he would have to wield it carefully.

Darren, sensing Eirik’s slight relaxation, shifted the conversation to something more personal. "How have you found your stay in Zephyros so far?" he asked. "I imagine it must be quite different from Valeidio."

Eirik nodded, considering his answer. "It is indeed very different,I must say." He admitted. "Zephyros has its own unique charm. The landscape, the architecture, the people... it’s all very intriguing. Though I must confess, I haven’t had much time to explore beyond the palace grounds."

"Well, that’s a shame," Lysander said, his eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. "But there’s plenty of time for that. In fact, why don’t we show you around a bit? We know the palace better than anyone, and it would be our pleasure to give you a proper tour."

Eirik hesitated, glancing at Sadiki, who had remained silent throughout the exchange. Sadiki met his gaze with a subtle nod, a silent confirmation that it was safe to accept their offer. Eirik turned back to Lysander and Darren, giving them a gracious smile. "I would appreciate that. It’s always better to see a place through the eyes of those who know it best."

"Excellent!" Lysander exclaimed, clapping his hands together. "Let’s start with the gardens. They’re truly something to behold."

As they walked, Lysander and Darren led the way, their conversation light and engaging. They pointed out various features of the palace, sharing stories and anecdotes that gave Eirik a deeper understanding of the place that would soon be his home. Their words painted a picture of life in Zephyros, a place so different from Valeidio with its austere beauty and harsh landscapes.

The palace gardens were a marvel, a lush oasis of greenery in the midst of the stone fortress. Vibrant flowers of every color imaginable lined the pathways, their petals fluttering in the breeze like the wings of delicate butterflies. Carefully trimmed hedges formed intricate patterns, their shapes a testament to the artistry of the gardeners. Fountains dotted the landscape, their waters sparkling in the sunlight as they bubbled and flowed, creating a soothing backdrop of sound.

Eirik found himself drawn to the colors and scents, to the way the sunlight filtered through the leaves of the trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground. It was a stark contrast to the more severe beauty of Valeidio, where the landscape was dominated by rocky cliffs and windswept plains. Here, in Zephyros, there was a softness, a vibrancy that Eirik found himself appreciating more than he had expected.

As they strolled through the gardens, Lysander and Darren continued to ask Eirik about his life in Valeidio, about his interests, and about his impressions of the Zephyros court. Eirik answered their questions with practiced ease, revealing just enough to satisfy their curiosity without giving away too much. It was a skill he had honed over the years, the ability to engage in conversation while keeping his true thoughts and feelings hidden.

As they walked, Eirik began to feel more at ease with the two cousins. There was something about their straightforwardness, their lack of pretense, that made him feel less guarded. They were different from Kaelix, whose every word and gesture seemed calculated, as if he were playing a game of chess with the people around him. Lysander and Darren, by contrast, seemed genuinely interested in getting to know him, and not just because of his upcoming marriage to their cousin.

Eventually, the conversation turned to more personal topics. Darren, who had been quieter than his brother, spoke up. "You know, Kaelix can be a bit... intense," he said, glancing at Eirik with a knowing smile. "But he’s not a bad person. He just has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders, and sometimes that makes him come across as more serious than he really is."

Eirik nodded, appreciating the insight. "I’ve noticed that," he admitted. "He’s certainly... determined."

Lysander laughed at that. "That’s one way to put it! But seriously, don’t let him intimidate you. Underneath all that bravado, he’s just as human as the rest of us."