Chapter 196: Homecoming
Triggered by the splendour of Eldora, Lancelot said with envy. "When will Brambleford ever be as prosperous as this place?"
"That’s tough. Eldora has been the capital of seven dynasties. Its prosperity is inherited." Liam replied proudly.
"Nonsense! Prosperity isn’t like having children; it can’t just be passed down. Hmph, as long as His Highness is in Brambleford, it won’t take many years before we surpass Eldora." Lancelot retorted.
Liam curled his lip, clearly unconvinced.
Simon smiled. Actually, Liam had a point. The prosperity of Eldora came from the concentration of all the nobility and powerful people of the Eldorian Empire.
In modern economic terms, it was high consumption driving Eldora’s economy and prosperity.
Right now, his strategy in Brambleford to attract merchants serves the same purpose.
While the group was travelling halfway along the route, the sudden sound of galloping hooves came from ahead. Before long, three cavalrymen in imperial guard armour arrived before Simon.
"Sir!" Liam exclaimed happily when he saw the man. It was his older brother, Randy.
Randy glanced at Liam and smiled faintly. He dismounted and respectfully bowed to Simon. "Commander of the Capital Guards, Randy, greets Your Highness."
Upon learning that he was Liam’s brother, Simon relaxed. According to the rules, the thousand cavalrymen who came with him were not allowed into the castle. The city’s imperial guards would house them in military camps.
If it had been someone else, Simon might’ve been wary. But with Randy, he was at ease.
"No need for formalities," Simon said. "Commander, are you here to arrange accommodations for my troops?"
"Yes, by His Majesty’s order," Randy replied seriously.
Compared to Liam, Randy was much more rigid, something Simon had heard about during his earlier time in Eldora.
Simon then said. "Lancelot, go with Commander Randy and make sure the soldiers are settled properly."
Lancelot nodded and cupped his fists. "Yes, My Lord."
Randy took another look at Simon, said nothing, and led Lancelot and the cavalry eastward.
Taking the chance, Carl said. "His Majesty still cares deeply for Your Highness. Afraid other princes might cause trouble for your men, he sent Randy, who is honest and reliable, to handle the reception. So there’s no need to worry."
"Father’s kindness moves me," Simon replied politely.
Carl had been speaking well of Emperor Alaric throughout the journey. Simon understood that it was likely the emperor’s way of softening the tension between father and son, perhaps out of guilt for past treatment.
Eldora stretched long from south to north, with the imperial castle sitting at the northernmost end.
It took the group an hour to reach the castle, stopping at its main entrance, Castle Gate.
"Your Highness, this is it," Carl said with a cheerful face, having finally completed his mission.
Looking at the grand castles behind the gates, the white paved paths and stairs, Simon felt like he had entered the Forbidden City from his past life.
The only difference was the architectural style.
Following Carl, they passed the Imperial Court and crossed a corridor. They stopped at a hall in front of a pond.
Carl asked a young attendant. "Is His Majesty in the Imperial Study?"
"Reporting to Minister Carl, His Majesty is inside waiting for His Highness." The attendant replied.
Carl pointed to the room across the white bridge over the pond and said. "Your Highness, I won’t go any further. His Majesty is waiting for you."
"Thank you, Minister Carl, for your company on the road," Simon said, giving him a firm handshake. "In the future, I won’t forget your kindness."
Carl beamed. "Hearing that warms my old heart. Please go ahead, Your Highness."
Nodding, Simon walked toward the Imperial Study. He knew the place well; after all, he had grown up in the castle, familiar with every corner.
The study in front of him was a place where the previous Simon often played as a child.
But he was no longer that Simon. Now, he was about to meet his ’father,’ Alaric Ashbourne, the emperor of the Eldorian Empire, the man who once whipped and banished him to Brambleford three years ago.
Crossing the bridge, he reached the Imperial Study. The three golden characters above the door shimmered in the light.
Entering the room, he saw a man in a robe, standing with his back to him. Simon bowed deeply and said, "Your son greets Father Emperor."
Alaric slowly turned around, his gaze falling on Simon. Carl had informed him earlier that Simon was nearing the capital.
He had been waiting in the Imperial Study since. After three years, he was finally seeing the son he had once cast out and punished. How would Simon view him now?
"You’ve grown up." He said after silently studying Simon for a while. The words he had planned all vanished, replaced with a simple sigh.
Simon was momentarily stunned. He looked up at Alaric.
Now over fifty, Alaric’s hair showed streaks of white, and his body was slightly stooped. He looked like an ageing man.
But the aura of imperial authority still clung tightly to him.
"Fathe still looks as majestic as ever," Simon said evenly.
Alaric chuckled. "Since when did you learn to flatter? Seems like you’ve picked up a lot in Brambleford these past three years."
"That’s all thanks to Baldwin’s teaching. I’ve only learned the surface." Simon replied, shifting the blame.
Alaric gave him another look. He didn’t believe that for a second. He knew Baldwin well; flattery wasn’t in the man’s vocabulary.
He understood Simon was just being modest.
Still, he didn’t press the issue. Simon had come to Eldora because of the Dunmere situation.
"It’s getting late. See your mother. She’s been missing you. As for the Dunmere matter, we’ll talk tomorrow."
"Yes, Father," Simon answered properly.
The moment Alaric’s eyes shifted, Simon realised he had said something inappropriate. He reminded himself to be more cautious in front of this emperor.
Alaric waved him off. He had a lot to say, but as both father and emperor, pride kept him from speaking freely. Rather than make things awkward, he chose to wait.
Simon bowed and left the Imperial Study, feeling a slight relief. He had no idea how to talk to Alaric, and the whole encounter was deeply awkward.
Following the path east, an attendant led him through an arched gate. Behind it was the area where the emperor’s consorts lived.
Now Simon was even more nervous; he was about to meet Lady Isolde, his supposed mother.
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