Chapter 354: A Royal Summons
Two days later...
——
After dressing up in a long, jacquard punk coat with silver embroidery, Cedric really did look not just like a proper aristocrat, but like someone from a high noble family. He adjusted his collar and asked, "How do I look?"
Without even looking up from the novel she was reading, Aika remarked, "Like a prized Cornish hen."
Cedric smiled.
’Prized, huh. That’s a step up.’
By now, he had come to accept that as a genuine compliment.
Barely a few seconds later, a knock echoed thrice on the door. It was then pushed open, and Arthur walked in holding a large, frosted glass bottle filled with an amber liquid.
This specialized brew was called Elena’s Tears. When a person drank it, they would be placed in a state of absolute sensory clarity. It immediately cleared away the effects of a hangover. It could also slow aging a bit, restore a receding hairline, and replace food entirely for a short while.
...Just like many of the technologies in the realm were made using the magic of most of the high-ranking Dominants, even high-end food and drink followed the same rule.
This particular brew was made by Duchess Elena, Leon’s mother. She was also the one who owned the massive businesses that manufactured elixirs, like the health elixirs, stamina elixirs, and mana elixirs.
The only problem was that one needed to be part of the wealthy merchant class or higher to even afford many of the items made by these high-ranking Dominants.
Most mundane people, or those living outside the walls of the central city, might go their entire lives without even laying eyes on many of the magi-tech and enchanted goods that made life effortless for the elite.
...This really was a noble’s world.
Cedric reached out and took the frosted bottle, shook it, then popped the cork and took a deep swig. It tasted like a mix of chocolate and pineapple with a slightly bitter aftertaste. And to be honest, it also functioned slightly better than coffee.
’By the way, I heard that couples usually drink this too before they...’
That train of thought was interrupted by Arthur’s voice.
"The carriage is here, sir."
Cedric turned his gaze to the man.
"Ah..." He then gave a slight, distracted kind of nod and began walking toward the exit. Aika lazily stood up and joined him out into the corridor. Along the way, he offered her the half-filled bottle.
"You want this? You look like you have a hangover."
Aika glanced at the amber liquid for a second before reaching for it, after which she downed the rest in one go.
Upon finally getting outside the doors of his townhouse, Cedric could see a carriage waiting for him by his waterfall. It was a massive black vehicle and the crest of the Royal Family was etched into its side.
Standing beside the transport was a fat man in his late forties, who was dressed in formal, gold-trimmed livery that looked a bit too tight for his frame.
Cedric studied the man for a brief second before making his way to the carriage.
After his discussion with Alicia, she had contacted Aurora and told her that Cedric would be answering the king’s summons. Aurora had then passed that information to the king directly, hence the presence of this royal transport.
The man bowed after opening the carriage door, and Cedric gave a curt nod in reply. He then turned and extended his hand to help Aika in, before climbing inside the vehicle himself.
Moments later, the carriage set into motion.
Cedric leaned back against the plush seat and stared out the window.
Unlike Fashkire and other crowded regions in the lower districts of the central city, the streets of the Upper Oakshaven district were beautiful and serene. All the large houses here were gated, built from fine white stone, and decorated with large gardens and fountains.
It was also quiet, just like all the other upper districts.
All the upper districts had the word "Upper" in their names to show their high status. And past the final district gate lay the Grand Capital, where the Imperial Castle was located. Since they were currently in the upper districts, it wouldn’t take long for them to reach the palace gates.
Along the way, Cedric suddenly recalled something. He turned to Aika who was staring blankly at the ceiling, then spoke in a voice that only they could hear. "I recently went to reclaim a debt, only to find out that you had killed the gladiator who butchered me in the arena."
Aika slowly turned to him, then smiled faintly, but didn’t say anything.
"Aish, you little..." Cedric reached out a finger and poked her forehead. "You should stay off my targets. I really wanted to butcher that bastard myself."
Aika chuckled. "Sorry, I was bored and felt like killing something."
"Tsk," Cedric smiled and looked away again, resting his chin on his hand.
Less than half an hour later, they finally drove into the large gates of the Grand Capital, and shortly after, they arrived at the Imperial Castle.
The entire palace grounds was surrounded by turquoise water. Seeing this place in person, Cedric was in awe because the monumental scale of the entire palace was just so breathtaking.
The carriage rolled to a halt in front of the main palace entrance. Cedric and Aika had barely alighted the vehicle when a young man who looked to be in his twenties, wearing a formal palace uniform approached them.
For a long moment, the man just stared at Cedric and his bond with an expressionless face, until Cedric began to feel that the man was actually judging him.
Eventually, he said in a flat, detached tone, "You must be Cedric Martini?"
Cedric’s eyes grew half-lidded. "Yes."
The man turned around and added dismissively, "Follow me, I will take you to His Royal Majesty."
He then began walking without bothering to check if they were keeping up.
Cedric exchanged glances with Aika, then followed behind him.
Though after just a few steps, a familiar voice called out, "Ah, there you are, Cedric."
It was Aurora.
She hurried over to Cedric with a large smile, then extended her hand toward him, shocking their guide.
"I’ve been waiting for you."
Cedric bowed slightly and took her hand, lightly kissing the back of it as courtesy demanded. "It is an honor to see you again, Princess."
The young lady brightened and turned to the young knight, then said, "You can go. I’ll personally lead him to Father."
"Uh, oh..." the man stammered, quickly bowing his head. "As you wish, Your Highness."
She then turned back to Cedric and gestured with her hand, "Come on, let’s go."
Cedric nodded and followed by her side. He noticed that Aurora’s usual sheepish demeanor around him was completely gone, replaced by the poised grace of a proper royal. After a few steps, she spoke up while looking ahead, "I must say that I was quite surprised when I got the message from Alicia saying you were finally going to reply to the summons."
’Well, it’s not like I didn’t want to reply to it. It’s that I was not around to receive it,’ Cedric thought to himself.
Oblivious to his thoughts, Aurora continued, "Actually, I was surprised to find that you were even in the empire. To be honest, I actually thought that you were dead or something."
’You are not far from the truth, Princess.’
She tucked her hair behind her ear and looked at him. "If you don’t mind me asking, what happened back then? I’ve been really curious, you see. You didn’t come out of the bridge until it vanished, and your bond disappeared and went off the grid right after. Well, except for the time she came out to bring our fellow cadets back to life. Yet even then, no one saw you or knew where you were."
"Ah..." Cedric scratched the side of his head. Then he smiled and said, "It’s complicated, Princess."
She made an O shape with her mouth as she bobbed her head back. Then she looked away and nodded slowly a few times.
"I see."
To her, he probably didn’t want to talk about it, so she decided to leave the matter there.
"Anyway, it’s good to see that you are doing alright."
She smiled again as she looked back at him. Then, as if remembering something, her face became a bit serious. "Oh right. Your meeting with the King shall be in his inner sanctuary."
’...?!!’
Cedric’s eyes widened as he immediately grew alarmed.
Aurora suddenly halted and turned fully to him. "Listen carefully, Cedric." Her voice grew even more serious. "Before you even step foot inside, you need to tap your chest three times. And you need to do that again once you get in there. You also need to acknowledge that his true nature resides there, and that you are completely subjecting yourself to it. If you fail to do that, his true nature will kill you the moment you step foot inside."
She raised a hand. "Once you are in there, there are a few important things you need to avoid." She began raising a finger for each point. "Do not provoke him. Do not bear any ill will in your heart against him. And no matter what, you must keep your insignia of authority from appearing in there."
She lowered her hand and her expression turned somber as she emphasized each word. "You need to understand that his true nature is colder than anything in the world. You need to believe it too."
