Knock. Knock. Knock.
We all flinched at the same time—probably still on edge after the forest incident.
I opened the door to find a man in silver-and-blue robes, holding a sealed letter with a wax stamp shaped like a lion with wings.
"For the Blessed Ones," he said, bowed, and left without another word.
I closed the door slowly, turned, and held the letter up.
"…Do I open it, or do we let Lucen try to 'divine' it with his perfection?"
Lucen grinned. "If you ask nicely—"
Aelira snatched it out of my hands, tore the seal open, and read aloud:
> "To the esteemed guests of power and light—Riku Ardent and Aelira Solstice—
You are cordially invited to a formal dinner at the royal castle of Valebrook, hosted by His Majesty, King Althus Merrow, on the eve of the Blood Star's ascent.
You may bring one guest.
–Royal Chamberlain of Valebrook"
A beat passed.
Then both of us turned to Lucen with wide grins.
"Ouch," I said. "No name drop."
Aelira smirked. "Guess the King's only inviting people who actually matter."
Lucen, unfazed, pointed at the line.
"You may bring one guest."
We froze.
Aelira tried to smudge the ink with her thumb. I tried breathing on it to make it disappear. Lucen just laughed like a smug peacock in a tuxedo.
"Face it," he said, arms crossed. "You can't get rid of me that easily."
---
We got dressed.
Aelira wore a midnight-blue gown with silver trim, her long hair tied up in a way that made her look regal and dangerous all at once.
Lucen, naturally, needed no preparation. He just existed like some kind of walking cologne ad.
Me? I dusted off my cleaner fantasy outfit, buttoned the cloak, and straightened the little gold crown on my head.
"Do I look like a king?"
"More like a prince playing dress-up," Aelira said.
"…Close enough."
---
On the way to the castle, Lucen took it upon himself to act as our etiquette coach.
"Don't speak unless spoken to. Don't eat until the king does. And for the love of the gods, don't command anyone unless it's absolutely necessary."
"I feel like you're just saying this because you weren't invited," I said.
He ignored me and kept going.
"Don't stare. Don't point. Don't talk about forest-people or limbs or truth-swallowed realities."
Aelira groaned. "Why are we even bringing you again?"
"I'm the divine insurance," Lucen said proudly.
---
The castle gates loomed ahead—tall, dark stone with glowing blue veins that pulsed like breathing metal.
Inside, the halls were draped in velvet and crystal, lined with knights in shining ceremonial armor.
The banquet room was jaw-droppingly massive. Chandeliers like floating galaxies hung from the ceiling, and long tables overflowed with food, drink, and people who looked like they could buy a country and not notice.
At the head of it all sat the king.
He was draped in flowing white and gold, his face youthful—too youthful. His eyes shimmered like he hadn't blinked in a hundred years. And when he smiled, something about it felt… wrong.
Like the smile didn't belong to him.
Like it had been borrowed.
"Welcome," the king said, standing slowly. His voice echoed unnaturally, too smooth, too steady. "To my castle… Riku Ardent. Aelira Solstice. And…"
He paused when looking at Lucen.
"…plus one."
Lucen narrowed his eyes.
I felt Aelira shift beside me. Her instincts were sharp. And mine were screaming.
Something about this king wasn't just odd. It was off.
Like he wasn't truly alive.
Or worse—
Like he knew what we were.
---
[To be continued…]