Chapter Seventeen: The Argent Duchy and The Traitor Prince

*Noon*

The Argent family gathered at the front of the Duchy, as they waited.

"How long will we have to wait?" Kiaus asked, fidgeting with his sleeve. His impatience was palpable.

"Not much longer, I'm sure," Duke Argent replied, his eyes fixed on the horizon.

Kaius leaned against a nearby pillar, his arms crossed. "I still don't see why we have to babysit 'Prince Zenith'. Can't he take care of himself?"

Sage shot him a warning glance. "Kaius, be respectful. He's our guest. And were you listening at all? We are keeping him safe untill the war begins. "

Just then, a cloud of dust appeared in the distance, signaling the arrival of their guest. The Argent family straightened, awaiting the prince's arrival.

As the prince's entourage drew closer, Sage's curiosity grew. How useful will the Prince of Mumford be?

The prince's carriage came to a stop before them, and a young man with piercing gold eyes and prussian blue-hair stepped out. He was dressed in elegant attire, his smile charming.

"Your Grace," Liam, aka Prince Zenith greeted, making a curt bow to Duke Argent. "Thank you for receiving me."

Duke Argent smiled, his expression warm. "The pleasure is ours, Your Highness. Welcome to the Argent Duchy."

As Prince Zenith greeted the rest of the family, Sage found herself studying him. His smile seemed genuine, but there was a hint of something else in his eyes... a flicker of uncertainty, perhaps? She couldn't quite put her finger on it.

Sage's gaze lingered on Prince Zenith's eyes, searching for a clue to explain the fleeting emotion. But his mask of confidence slipped back into place, leaving her with more questions than answers.

Zephyr, oblivious to Sage's scrutiny, asked her, "What do you think of our guest here?"

The glaring sun shown on Sages face, making her bright emerald-colured eyes more pericing. Her sliver lashes moved slightly as she whispered back to Zephyr, "It too early to make a judgement, give me some time and I figure him out."

"Very well," Zephyr nodded. He then turned towards Prince Zenith. "I hope we can get along for the victory of the war,"

Prince Zenith chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I hope so too. I as the guest of honour can and will surely help your Empire win the war."

Kaius snorted, his arms still crossed. "A guest of honor who needs babysitting."

Sage shot Kaius a warning glance, but Prince Zenith just laughed. "Well, I suppose I do need a bit of protection.You can call me Liam by the way. Plus, I am wagging war against my father, The Emperor of Mumford, with the enemy nation. I bet he has already sent assassins to kill me."

His words were laced with a indifference. Sages looked at him with narrowed eyes. The tall trees moved along with the wind, as they looked at the Prince.

Sage's gaze intensified, her eyes narrowing as she studied Prince Zenith's expression. His indifference seemed almost... calculated, as if he was hiding something.

Zephyr, still oblivious to the undercurrents, grinned. "Well, we'll make sure to keep you safe, Prince Zenith. We can't have the guest of honor getting hurt on our watch."

Kaius snorted again, his skepticism plain. "Yeah, because that's exactly what we need. A liability in the middle of a war."

Sage's warning glance at Kaius was sharper this time, but Prince Zenith just smiled again. "I assure you, I can take care of myself. But I appreciate the concern."

The trees swayed gently in the breeze, their leaves rustling softly, as if echoing the tension in the air. Sage's eyes never left Prince Zenith's face, her mind racing with questions.

Duke Argent noticed the tense atmosphere and cleared his throat to gain their attention. "Well, would you like a tour of the Duchy or would you like to go inside right away?"

"A tour would suffice," A small grin filled the Prince face.

Duke Argent nodded. After he ordered the servants to take away the Prince's stuff, he led him and his children towards the garden.

"The Argent Duchy is a picturesque estate nestled in a verdant valley, surrounded by rolling hills and dense forests. The duchy's architecture is a mix of medieval and Renaissance styles, with stone buildings, half-timbered houses, and slate roofs.

As you enter the duchy, you'll notice a large lake to your left, its crystal-clear waters reflecting the sky above. A small wooden dock jutes out into the lake, where a few boats are moored. A winding path leads around the lake, lined with tall trees, benches, and picturesque lamp posts.

To your right, you'll see the duchy's central courtyard, surrounded by the main buildings. In the center of the courtyard stands an impressive fountain. The fountain is surrounded by a circular walkway, adorned with intricate stone carvings.

Near the fountain stands a magnificent statue of the duchy's ancestor, Duke Elliot Argent I. The statue depicted the Duke in full armor, sword raised high, and eyes gazing out over the duchy.

Scattered throughout the duchy are several wells, each with its own unique character. Some are simple stone structures, while others are ornate, with intricate carvings and ornamental ironwork.

The duchy's gardens are lush and vibrant, with a variety of flowers, herbs, and trees. A network of paths and walkways crisscrosses the gardens, inviting exploration and relaxation.

As you explore the duchy, you'll notice that every detail seems to have been carefully considered, from the placement of the buildings to the design of the gardens. The duchy exuded a sense of peace, prosperity, and harmony with nature.Say the people of Aothera," Sage concluded as she looked at the Prince.

A shocked expression was plastered on his face. And the three Argents. After a moment of silence, Prince Zenith said, "The Argent Duchy truly exceptional."

Zephyr butted in, "Well this is just the front, we have the back to explore."

"Yes we do." Kiaus nodded as he pulled Sage towards him.

"I'll leave you youngsters to enjoy yourselves. I'll be heading inside now." Duke Argent said.

Sage, Zephyr, Kaius and Liam paid their respects before continuing the tour.