A magnificent carriage rolled steadily along the forest path, followed by six horses at the front and six at the back. Atop each horse sat a fully armored knight. Etched into their armor was a crest: a blazing phoenix rising above two crossed swords.
The pace of the convoy was constant — not too fast, not too slow — as the knights maintained a tight formation around the carriage, completely alert.
One of the knights at the front suddenly pulled on his reins, guiding his horse smoothly to the side of the carriage. The horse responded with perfect obedience.
"Your Lordship," the knight said without turning his head, his voice firm yet respectful, "we are a day away from the town of Ribest. If there are no disturbances, we'll arrive soon."
He didn't wait for a reply. With a quick tug of the reins, he galloped back into formation, taking his place at the front.
Inside the carriage, a man leaned back against crimson velvet cushions. He looked out of place admits the forest — he was the depiction of elegance. His long, white hair framed his sharp, noble face, and his deep eyes carried the weight of both boredom and disdain. Dressed in finely made black clothes embroidered with silver thread, he exuded pure authority and power.
"I can't believe we had to come to Ribest for this," he said, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Couldn't we have simply summoned the Baron?"
His tone dripped with contempt, as if the very name of the town left a sour taste in his mouth. He glanced out the carriage window, watching the knights march onward. The very idea of setting foot in that backwater town was enough to sour his mood further.
"You shouldn't act in such a manner, you are a Duke," the old man inside the carriage responded. He flashed a smile at the man, as he ran his hand through his neck-length white hair.
He seemed like the older version of the man that sat there, only he dressed far more casually, wearing only a simple black shirt, trousers, and leather boots.
The man looked at the old man, his frown deepened. "Firstly, Dad, why can't you dress properly? You might still be alive, but you are still a former Duke. Secondly, this whole issue is a result of your shenanigans that have been dragged on for too long." The man said, he turned away from his father after speaking.
"Tsk, let me be, I have worn all the pristine and beautiful garments for a huge chunk of my life, now I want to simply relax.
And also, don't call it an issue. The boy might not be as bad as we heard, after all, he is the grandson of my good friend." He said.
"It doesn't matter, father, my husband and I have decided that Liana will break the engagement if that boy even shows a little unusual character," the woman beside the man spoke.
She looked like a doll that had been carved to perfection. Her pale skin showed only through her neck and face, as her beautiful and simple black gown covered her entire body, and her gloves covered her hands.
Her blood-red hair lay neatly on her back as she sat. Her contrasting blue eyes shined like diamonds. She stared at the Duke's father, showing confidence as she spoke.
"Ah, Diana, don't be so afraid, I know your daughter will be in perfect hands," the Duke's father said while smiling.
He turned to the young girl seated beside him. She was dressed in a beautiful deep dress that matched her beautiful red hair she got from her mother. Her eyes were the same as her mother's as well.
"Liana, I'm sure you are eager to meet the young man I engaged you to," the Duke's father said to Liana.
"Grandfather, I doubt the son of a baron will prove worthy of me in any way. I know you have faith in him, but I find it hard to believe," Liana responded, her voice carrying no emotion. She spoke without even turning to look at her grandfather.
Her grandfather clicked his tongue and leaned back into his chair. "I remember when you always loved playing with me, but now all these noble issues have started catching up to you and changing you," he said, folding his arms.
"She is simply training to be a perfect woman, father, leave her be," the man replied.
"Yes, yes, we all went through that, Robert, you did as well. You loved running in the city streets, but now you barely see eye to eye with the commoners," his father responded.
The inside of the carriage began taking a sour turn, but suddenly a tap came from the side of the carriage. Robert moved the velvet curtains aside and saw a messenger hawk flying beside the carriage.
He opened the door enough for the hawk to fly in. The bird flew in and rested on the thighs of Robert.
He shut the door and then removed the small piece of paper tied to the leg of the hawk. He unfolded it and read the content.
[Duke Robert, this is a message from up North.
Six tier-two gates have opened up North, and many demonized have been flooding out of it. The king has given clear instructions that the issue should be dealt with as soon as possible.
Please lead your army when you return to the North base and aid the Vermilion forces.]
He frowned when he read the contents. He folded the paper slowly and placed it in his pocket.
"More demonized have come, I guess," his father said, his tone weighty, unlike his bright tone before.
"How did you know?" Robert asked.
"Your change in expression told me. I've had that same expression for many times during my time as Duke.
Don't think about whatever they said for now, put it at the back of your mind, worry will drain you," his father said.