Chapter 186: My Hatred IV

[Zephyria: Capital City]

[Kantar Palace] 

The palace was surrounded by a massive moat, not of water, but of molten glass. Massive bridges of polished sandstone, lined with mosaics of lapis lazuli and carnelian, stretched over the moat, connecting the outside world of the desert and city to the palace's towering gates. The gates themselves, forged from enchanted adamantine, stood over 100 feet tall and were decorated with reliefs of constellations that seemed to shift and shimmer.

Above the gates, a vast dome of crystal rose, refracting the sunlight into a thousand rainbows that moved across the desert sands. Surrounding the palace were enormous statues of the Gods, each so large that they seemed to challenge the palace's dominion. Alyssia noted how familiar they looked: Ira-Dan, the Celestial Judge, Ahn-Tor, the Guardian of Horizons, and Vath'Zorah, the Weaver of Storms.

The palace's interior was a labyrinth of opulence and mysticism, trailing behind a woman with tan skin, dressed in a loose white dress, sandals, and a blue turban. Alyssia could not help but stare at everything in wonder as Dante and Lyra flanked her, the latter looking amused at her wonder. The entrance hall was vast enough to house entire armies, with ceilings that seemed to touch the skies. Gilded arches framed walls of polished marble, each slab embedded with glowing sigils that pulsed faintly with mana, as if alive. Chandeliers crafted from the bones of ancient, long-forgotten Astrothians hung from above, their crystals casting soft light.

Every corridor was decorated with silken paintings depicting the deeds of Gods and Zephyrian heroes, their threads spun from gold, silver, and starlight. Doors of ebony and jade, inlaid with detailed filigree, led to countless chambers filled with relics—golden orbs that floated serenely, burning braziers, and fountains of water that defied gravity, flowing upward into the air.

"Whoa, this is so much different from the castle back in Verdantis," Alyssia stared in awe at her surroundings.

"This was all built by our Zephyrian Ancestors; we merely expand upon it," the guide informed. "I am glad you enjoy the palace, Princess."

"Well, it is somewhat grand, I suppose," Alyssia's tone quickly went from awe to diligent. "Though the castle of Verdantis has far more grandeur," she haughtily stated.

She got a chop on the head for her words, courtesy of Lyra.

"Ow! You damn hag!"

"Now, now, no need to be pompous here, princess. It's alright to admit to the grandeur of Zephyria's palace," Lyra advised, the guide looking at the two questioningly. She cast a gaze at Dante.

She was but a humble servant of the palace; even so, she knew of the man. Hailed as the strongest warrior in all of Verdantis, maybe even the world. She heard his skin was as tough as iron, and he could split mountains with a gesture. A fearsome man with immense power, yet why was that man currently lugging around an array of pastry boxes? They piled up onto his hands like a tower, though he seemed to have no difficulty carrying them. Even so, she wondered how he could even look where he was going.

When she heard the court mage herself and Ser Dante would accompany the princess, she did not quite expect this. She looked sheepish as Lyra and the princess bickered; Dante may as well have been a silent moving statue from how quiet he was. Luckily, she neared the door to their main location, the dining hall; she swiftly pushed past the large doors, black in color but adorned eccentrically in gems and gold.

The dining hall was a marvel of its own, an awe-inspiring space that stretched so far that its edges were shrouded in golden mist. Enormous columns of white marble veined with gold rose to the ceiling, which was painted to resemble the desert sky at dusk—glowing with hues of amber, crimson, and violet. The tables, carved from a single massive tree petrified, stretched long, their surfaces polished.

Upon the tables lay an endless array of food that could rival the feasts of the Gods. Platters of roasted meats, glazed with honey and spices, were surrounded by bowls of exotic fruits—some glowing faintly as if imbued with otherworldly mana. Towers of golden bread sat beside cascading fountains of spiced wine and nectar. Enormous silver bowls overflowed with delicacies: pomegranates, candied lotus petals, and cakes adorned with edible gold.

At the center of the hall, a colossal brazier burned with a cold, blue flame, releasing a fragrant mist that seemed to sharpen the senses and heighten the flavors of the feast.

"Hm, quite the feast prepared," Lyra mused, following the guide inside the room with the others. "Zephyria is quite hospitable."

"Only the best for honored guests," the guide informed. "Ser Dante, you can place your... luggage on that table; a servant will be along shortly to retrieve it and place it in your rooms." Dante nodded at the guide's words, taking note of a simple wooden table close to the door; he gently placed it upon the table.

"Welcome, honored guests!" A loud voice bellowed. The three glanced at three approaching figures; leading them was a young man who certainly stood out. He was rather tall, dressed in an expensive Bisht, a flowing, ankle-length outer robe made of fine wool or camel hair, with golden embroidery around the edges, along with leather sandals adorning his feet. He had a sculpted, handsome face, gleaming yellow eyes that seemed more gold than anything, and a head of slightly spiky black hair, long enough to reach his back but neatly tied.

Flanking him were two guards, who looked to be a carbon copy of each other. Golden-threaded turbans and black visors obscured their upper faces, white baggy trousers, and sandals with their torsos adorned with a golden chestplate while golden braces sat on their arms, diligently placing their arms behind their backs.

"Ah, Prince Amun, my thanks for preparing such a grand feast," Lyra, not knowing Zephyr customs, settled for a simple curtsy while Dante gave a stiff bow. But the prince's eyes seemed to only latch onto the form of the princess, his eyes gleaming as he took in her defiant stature. Arms folded, brow raised high, and a frown already tugging at her lips.

"You must be Princess Alyssia," he approached her, gently taking her dainty right hand and placed a kiss upon it. The girl immediately retracted her hand as if repulsed, but he did not seem to mind. "Might I say that you are even more beautiful than I imagined? The story of the spawn of Octavia's radiance does you no justice," he flashed a charming smile that had zero effect on Alyssia.

"Hmph, flattery shan't get you anywhere with me," she bluntly stated.

"But of course, I expected nothing less," Amun stated with a grin. "As such, for your stay here, I shall be sure to show you how worthy a suitor I am," he declared confidently.

"You waste your time; no one can charm me," Alyssia stated, Lyra raised a brow at that.

"Well, I love a challenge, princess," he grinned, turning to Lyra. "You must be the court mage of Verdantis; your beauty truly is out of this world, my lady." Gently taking her hand, he placed a kiss upon it.

"You honor me with your words, Prince Amun," Lyra uttered, her expression all but blank. Amun turned to Dante, a grin still present.

"Silvery-white hair, a mask, and dressed in black. You must be the ever-mighty Ser Dante!" he noted, excitement underlined in his tone as he approached Dante, hand extended. Dante reciprocated the prince's gesture, a firm handshake. "I have heard tales of your great strength, how you fell beasts the size of mountains! We must have a bout of sparring if there's time."

"Hm," Dante merely nodded his head with a grunt.

"Fantastic, now come! Enjoy the feast the servants have prepared!" he turned on his heel, gesturing to the table of delicacies as he approached the main chair at the end of the table. His guards stood by his side as he took a seat. Similarly, Alyssia, Lyra, and Dante took seats near the prince, Lyra beside the princess and Dante across from them. Servants seemed to exit from a small door to the side; they all seemed to be women, dressed in silk robes, though the contours of their slim bodies were shown off as they diligently stood to the side, awaiting any orders. "You three must have traveled a long way; tell me, how was the journey here?" Amun questioned, raising his golden cup. A servant swiftly stepped to his side, pouring the expensive wine with grace before slipping back to her position.

Alyssia seemed to have no desire to engage in conversation. Warily looking at the food presented, Lyra gave her a nod. A simple discreet charm told her the food was not tampered with; the court mage turned to the prince. Dante may as well have been mute, and Alyssia was never in the mood to talk to anyone who was not Lyra, Dante, or her father. And so Lyra took the burden of entertaining the prince; he seemed like an eccentric young man with his luxurious attire and female servants.

"The journey through the outskirts of Solarith was quite eventful," the court mage started. Meanwhile, the servants expertly sliced up the various meats, placing them on their plates along with the other foods. "The landmarks were quite interesting; Princess Alyssia quite enjoyed them." At the mention of her name, the girl turned to weakly glare at her for involving her in the conversation; of course, she was busy stuffing her face with food.

"Ah, is that so?" Amun let out a chuckle, noticing the princess's expression. "Zephyria's history is quite rich," he took a sip of wine from his cup. "As is the nation itself," he gave a hearty laugh at his little joke. Alyssia deadpanned but said nothing; Dante, he was just there, seemingly content with not removing his mask to eat.

"Well, it appears so, though on our way to the capital, we were attacked by golems," she revealed; the prince's brow quirked up at that. "Each the size of a small mountain; I recall larger cities in Zephyria have these golems as security."

Amun cupped his chin thoughtfully, "Odd, my father had taken two golems with him on an expedition. This may be no odd coincidence," Lyra shared a brief glance with Dante.

"Expedition?" Lyra echoed.

"Ah, yes, it is why my father could not make it today," Amun informed. "Our own court mage told us of a powerful relic on Zephyria soil. From the way that geezer was yammering on and on about this supposed relic, it was something incredibly powerful, even more so than Divine Relics and Artifacts."

("Could it be... Dante mentioned he found Aelfric's seal here in the south, and now the king lost control of his golems? This bodes ill.") Lyra frowned; she could not jump to conclusions just yet, but all the evidence was already there. She shook her head, "Well, I bid your father prayers for a safe return. I have heard tales of his great strength, so maybe that is not needed."

"Haha! Indeed, my father is mighty," Amun stated with a grin. "He would have loved to meet Ser Dante! Say, Ser Dante, is the food not to your liking? You've not removed your mask to partake in the feast yet. My servants can have something else prepared should you need."

"Worry not of me; I rarely have an appetite."

"Oh, come now; you're a great warrior! You need to keep up your strength!" Amun laughed.

Alyssia dryly stared at the man who wanted to court her. She repressed a sigh; despite the grandeur she witnessed in this nation, all of it seemed so dull at this moment. The same old song and dance; she knew Verdantis was in need of the Zephyrian troops, even so, could she not be a little selfish too? She did not want to marry a man she just met. But maybe for the sake of her nation, for her father, she could be selfless just this once.

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The moonlight's illumination casted a soft glow on all; the vast expanse of sand seemed to shimmer under its scrutiny. On the vast, exquisite white balcony, he leaned an arm against the gold railings, merely staring at the moon. The vast moon hung high; he quite enjoyed the silence and peaceful atmosphere that now engulfed him.

Though he had no need for rest, even he enjoyed the respite. However knowing the secrets the moon held and the one who oversaw it did not exactly make the visage of the moon comforting to look at. His train of thought could not extend into that direction; however, he heard slow approaching footsteps. Turning his head slightly, he regarded who it was, "Princess Alyssia," he noted; the girl was outfitted in a simple white night robe, slippers around her small feet, her hair free and flowing as she approached him, a small, almost tired smile on her face as she stopped beside him.

"I really wish you'd just call me Alyssia, you know?" she remarked; it seemed she was too tired to be a stuttering mess.

"Then just, Alyssia," he complied.

She smiled, a more genuine one, "Hmph, that's more like it. We've known each other for much too long for you to be all stiff and formal," she chuckled.

"Indeed, hm." Dante cast a glance at the princess's face; she was tired. Yet not due to how late it was; something was nagging at her mind. It was easy to decipher what it was, "Should you not go to bed, pri-ahem-Alyssia? It's late, and you've a long day ahead come daybreak." She nearly giggled at his slip-up but said nothing; her smile steadily vanished from her doll-like face.

"Hah, I find this all tiresome," she heaved a small breath. "Verdantis faces the threat of powerful demons from the Abyss and Astrothians as well. I've no clue how things are proceeding, but even I can tell the troops of Zephyria are an invaluable help to my nation." She pursed her lips, hesitating before she continued. "I-I... I know how important my role is here. The relations between our nations are fragile at best, yet Zephyria troops risk lives for our cause."

("Hm... the princess carries a great burden. One not so easily lifted,") Dante mentally noted; it did not help that she was so young, ("No child should have to bear such a burden.")

"If I refuse this marriage... then what would happen to Verdantis? Would we succumb to our enemies?" Her glassy red eyes gazed at the moon, her eyes almost listless. "What... what should I do?"

Dante remained silent for a moment, weighing what to say. "Hm, you should not follow a path already laid out for you, if you do not desire it, Alyssia," he simply said; she stared at him in confusion.

"But my duty... can I afford to do anything but that?" she pondered.

"All things are subjected to fate... all have a destiny as well. These things are set in stone for most; even so, there are deviating paths." His words carried through the chill of the night, almost soothingly. "Alyssia, you should carve your own path. For that is the way you can deviate from what was already decided."

"Carve my own path?" she echoed, her brows furrowed. "But do I have the luxury?"

"While the Zephyria troops are of help, eventually Verdantis will reign over our enemies." Were it anyone else, she would have thought them a prideful fool, full of hubris. But the conviction that carried through Dante's tone was not weak; it was one forged through a long livelihood filled with bloodshed, tragedy, and more. "Rest assured, Alyssia, as I shall ensure it. So take comfort in that and carve the path you want for yourself, whatever that may be."

The princess remained silent for a good while; slowly, a smile crept back onto her face. She gazed at Dante, her eyes slowly turning to the vast moon. "I... thank you, Dante. I didn't think anyone other than Lyra could soothe me so," she chuckled, "But the moon is so beautiful, isn't it?"

"Indeed."

The two shared a moment in silence, unaware of the decrepit gaze that watched over them.