chapter 24: the meeting

The morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of blooming jasmine from the inn's courtyard. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting golden rays across the wooden floorboards as I slowly stirred awake. A familiar warmth pressed against my side, the steady rhythm of soft breathing reaching my ears.

Elaris.

Her golden hair spilled across the pillow, strands catching the morning light, making her look almost ethereal. She was still asleep, her delicate features relaxed in the quiet peace of morning.

For a moment, I just lay there, watching her.

Then, as if sensing my gaze, her lavender eyes fluttered open, a slow smile curling at her lips. "Staring at me again, are we?"

I smirked, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Can you blame me?"

She chuckled, voice laced with sleep, and snuggled closer, pressing a kiss to my jaw. "Mmm… let's not get up yet."

I sighed. "As much as I'd love to stay in bed with you all day, today's the day."

Elaris groaned, burying her face in my chest. "I know."

The castle.

The royal summons.

It felt surreal, even now, that we were being invited into the heart of Myra's political sphere, meeting with the King himself. What did he want from us? What did he know?

I exhaled deeply, shaking the thoughts away as I pressed a soft kiss to Elaris's forehead. "Come on," I murmured. "Let's go make ourselves presentable before we become the laughing stock of the palace."

She pouted but relented, sitting up and stretching. The way her nightgown slipped off one shoulder made my heart stutter, but I forced myself to focus.

We dressed quickly—Elaris choosing an elegant, fitted tunic in white and gold, and me in the deep blue and black ensemble she had picked for me a few days prior. It still felt strange wearing something so formal, but if we were going to stand before royalty, I supposed I had to at least try to look like I belonged.

When we finally stepped out of our room, Elaris immediately laced her fingers with mine, giving my hand a squeeze before pulling me in for a slow, lingering kiss.

I smiled against her lips. "Are we trying to make a scene first thing in the morning?"

"Just making sure everyone knows exactly who you belong to," she teased, pressing another kiss to my cheek before we started down the hall.

As expected, the first person we ran into was Alaria.

She was leaning against the wall, her emerald eyes narrowing the moment she saw us—more specifically, the way Elaris clung to my arm.

"Ugh. You two are disgusting."

Elaris smirked, resting her head against my shoulder. "Good morning to you too, Alaria."

Alaria scoffed, pushing off the wall and walking ahead of us. "Hurry up, lovebirds. The others are already downstairs."

I sighed, exchanging an amused glance with Elaris before following her.

When we reached the common area of the inn, the rest of our group was already waiting.

Lucian, Gareth, Rowan, and Callen stood near the entrance, already dressed and ready. Their conversations quieted slightly as we approached, but their expressions carried a mixture of excitement and apprehension.

Lucian, ever the casual one, leaned against a chair and smirked. "Took you two long enough."

"We would've been down sooner," Alaria said with a grin, "but someone wanted extra morning kisses."

Elaris rolled her eyes but didn't let go of my hand. "Jealous much?"

Alaria's smile faltered for half a second before she waved a hand dismissively. "Oh please, I don't need morning kisses to feel validated."

Callen snorted. "Says the woman who glares daggers at Elaris every time she breathes near Noctis."

Alaria shot him a glare, but Lucian chuckled. "Anyway," he said, glancing at me, "you ready for this? I mean, meeting the King of Myra? Kind of a big deal."

I exhaled slowly, rolling my shoulders. "Not really a choice, is it?"

Gareth nodded. "True. But still—this is huge. We have no idea what they want from us."

Rowan, who had been silent, finally spoke. "We should be careful." His tone was calm, but there was a certain sharpness in his gaze. "The royal court isn't known for playing fair."

That much was obvious.

"I know," I muttered, rubbing my temple. "But we'll find out soon enough."

For a brief moment, the group fell into silence, the weight of the day's importance settling over us.

Then Lucian clapped his hands together. "Alright! Enough brooding. Let's get moving before we're late and they decide we're not worth their time."

A few chuckles followed, and just like that, the tension lessened.

I glanced at Elaris, who gave me a reassuring smile, before tightening my grip on her hand.

We were walking into something far bigger than us.

But no matter what awaited us in the palace, one thing was certain—

We would face it together.

The sun hung high over Myra as we made our way toward the royal palace. The streets were alive with the usual bustle—merchants calling out their wares, nobles strolling in expensive silks, street performers dazzling passersby with tricks of magic and sleight of hand. But none of it mattered.

Not today.

The looming silhouette of the palace came into view, its towering spires casting long shadows over the city. Unlike the rest of Myra's architecture, which was built from weathered stone, the palace gleamed with white marble and golden trim. Banners bearing the royal crest hung from its walls, their deep blue fabric rippling gently in the breeze.

Elaris squeezed my hand as we approached the main gate. "Last chance to turn around."

I smirked, though my stomach churned. "Not much of a choice, is it?"

Alaria, walking slightly ahead of us, rolled her shoulders. "I hope they've got good wine. If we're going to be dealing with a bunch of royals, I'll need it."

Lucian chuckled from behind us. "Try not to steal any, yeah?"

She shot him a smirk but said nothing.

As we reached the palace gates, two guards in pristine armor stood at attention. Their hands rested on the hilts of their swords, but the moment their eyes landed on me, something shifted. Their expressions flickered with recognition—hesitation, almost awe—before one of them immediately stepped aside.

"The Voidbane Seraph and his party," the taller guard muttered, almost in disbelief. "You're expected."

No questions. No checking credentials. No delay.

The gates opened.

We exchanged glances, a silent understanding passing between us. Whatever this was… it wasn't just a casual invitation.

A butler was already waiting for us on the other side, an older gentleman with slicked-back silver hair and a finely pressed black suit. His posture was impeccable, his face unreadable.

"Sir Noctis Grevant," he greeted with a slight bow. "Lady Elaris, Lady Alaria, and esteemed company. Please, follow me."

Sir?

Elaris arched an eyebrow at me but said nothing. I exhaled and nodded, and with that, we were led through the grand halls of the palace.

The palace interior was as extravagant as one would expect—high ceilings adorned with golden chandeliers, walls lined with intricate tapestries depicting Myra's history, and polished floors so immaculate that they reflected the light like mirrors.

But despite the beauty, there was an unease beneath it all.

The butler led us through a long corridor before stopping before a set of massive double doors, carved with depictions of dragons and celestial beings. Two guards stood on either side, their expressions unreadable.

"His Majesty awaits," the butler announced, before giving a nod to the guards.

With a low groan, the doors swung open.

The Royal Court was breathtaking.

A domed ceiling painted with constellations loomed above us, its deep blue resembling the night sky. Golden pillars lined the room, each one carved with intricate patterns. At the very end of the chamber, seated upon an ornate throne, was King Aldric Myraven.

He was a man in his late fifties, his once-dark hair now streaked with silver. A thick beard framed his face, and his sharp blue eyes were heavy with wisdom. He wore deep royal blue and black, with a cloak trimmed in gold that draped over one side of his throne.

Beside him, seated in a smaller but equally ornate chair, was Queen Lysara Myraven. She had a regal beauty—long black hair tied into a braided crown, deep brown eyes filled with quiet intelligence. Her expression was unreadable, but she studied us intently.

To the right of the King stood Prince Erynd Myraven, their eldest son. He had a strong jaw, short-cropped black hair, and an aura of calm control. His armor gleamed under the light, polished to perfection. He watched us with scrutiny, his arms crossed, assessing each of us.

And then… there was Princess Lysara Myraven.

She was younger than I expected—perhaps my age, maybe slightly older. Her platinum-blonde hair was loosely curled, cascading over her shoulders, and her icy blue eyes flickered with something between curiosity and amusement. She sat elegantly, her hands folded in her lap, observing us as if we were some interesting puzzle waiting to be solved.

The moment we stepped forward, the King spoke.

"So," his voice was deep, carrying the weight of command, "this is the infamous Voidbane Seraph and his companions."

A hush fell over the room.

The title still felt strange to me.

I stepped forward and bowed slightly, keeping my expression neutral. "Your Majesty. It is an honor to be summoned."

Alaria muttered behind me, "Honor, sure."

Elaris subtly nudged her before stepping forward as well, bowing gracefully. "Your Majesties, we thank you for granting us an audience."

The King nodded before his piercing gaze settled back on me. "You are Noctis Grevant. The one who felled the Vampire King."

It wasn't a question.

It was a statement.

I swallowed but nodded. "Yes."

Silence.

Then, the Queen finally spoke, her voice smooth like silk.

"We have heard many things about you, Noctis Grevant," she said, tilting her head slightly. "Some claim you are a savior. Others whisper that you wield power not meant for mortals."

Veylara's presence stirred in the back of my mind.

I kept my expression calm. "People believe what they want to believe."

The Prince scoffed. "A humble response. But we are not here for vague words."

The King leaned forward slightly. "Tell me, Noctis—how did you kill the Vampire King?"

The room stilled.

All eyes locked onto me.

My pulse quickened, but I did not falter.

I trusted Veylara.

Her voice curled around my mind like a whisper. "Tell them the truth. But not all of it."

I took a slow breath. "I fought him with everything I had," I answered carefully. "He was powerful, but reckless. In the end, I used an ability I developed myself—Voidblight. A technique that consumes the target from the inside out."

The Princess raised an eyebrow. "A technique you created?"

I nodded. "Through my connection with light magic, I found a way to manifest something stronger—a force capable of erasing what should not exist."

The King studied me for a long moment.

Then, he smiled.

"You intrigue me, Noctis Grevant," he mused, his voice lighter. "Your power is unlike anything this kingdom has seen before."

The Queen exchanged a glance with the Prince before speaking again.

"There is… more we must discuss," she said. "But not here."

The King nodded. "Tonight, you and your companions will dine with us. We will discuss the matters at hand in a more private setting."

A formal invitation to dine with royalty?

Lucian nearly choked behind me.

Alaria smirked. "Well, that should be fun."

I inclined my head. "We accept your invitation, Your Majesty."

The King waved a hand. "Then, for now, you are guests of the palace. My servants will see to your needs."

With that, the audience was over.

As we turned to leave, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.