Royal palace

On Emperor Helio Street, just outside the royal palace, the Eckhart family's carriage came to a gradual halt. Its emblem—a dragon holding the sun—gleamed against the wood.

The carriage now rested before the palace's white pearly gates. Lined up on either side were knights dressed in pristine white military uniforms, their sharp appearance accented by crimson vestments draped over their shoulders.

At their waists hung slender swords, sheathed in white scabbards intricately embroidered with golden patterns that shimmered under the sunlight.

"We're here." Enzo said, his gaze fixed on Roland with a calm expression.

Roland turned his head to peer out of the carriage, his eyes widening at the sight of the enormous white palace before him. Its towering spires and grand arches seemed almost surreal to a transmigrater like him.

This place is huge! Can I even make it in before I collapse? Roland jested inwardly, feeling a mix of awe and apprehension.

One of the royal guards approached the carriage, with a practiced motion, he opened the carriage door and bowed respectfully.

Roland, with one hand holding his half top hat and the other gripping his gold-inlaid cane, slowly stepped out of the carriage. The tip of his cane met the cobblestone ground with a sharp, deliberate click.

As soon as he emerged, the scorching heat of the sun bore down on him, its intensity unrelenting. He glanced upward, squinting slightly as he caught sight of the blazing sun hanging high in the clear, azure sky.

The warmth seeped through his fine clothing, making the air feel heavier. For someone with his frail body, even standing under the sun's glare felt taxing.

Forget making it to the palace, I might just pass out right here. Roland complained inwardly, feeling a slight dizziness wash over him.

Beside him, Enzo, who had also stepped out of the carriage, addressed the royal guard with his usual calmness. "Please inform them that Young Lord Eckhart has arrived."

The guard gave a small nod before turning sharply and striding through the palace gates. The clicking of his boots echoed against the cobblestone, growing fainter as he moved further away.

The duo stood there in silence, waiting patiently for an usher to guide them into the palace.

It wasn't long before Roland was drenched in sweat. He had already removed his black tailcoat and handed it to Enzo, but that did little to alleviate the heat.

How do those guards stand there all day under this heat… Roland wondered, glancing at the guards patrolling the palace gate. Their poker face remaining unchanged, seemingly immune to the blistering sun.

At that moment, they heard a distant clicking sound echoing down the road. Gradually coming into view was a purple-colored carriage, its polished surface embroidered with a crest depicting two snakes coiled around the sun.

The carriage approached and came to a stop a little behind them, the rhythmic tapping of the horses' hooves ceasing abruptly. The air grew still, and Roland's curiosity piqued as he glanced back at the newly arrived carriage.

Another royal guard approached the purple carriage, opening the door with a polite bow before promptly returning to his post.

Emerging from the carriage was an extremely tall man, standing at least 190 centimeters. He had brown hair and slightly brown eyes, his face handsome and fierce, with a big scar from his neck to his right check

Dressed in a pristine military outfit, his crimson vestment was embroidered with the same emblem displayed on the carriage—two snakes coiled around the sun. On his waist was a long sword in a red scarbbard.

The handsome knight then turned around, facing the carriage door as he extended his hand outward with practiced grace.

The young lady who emerged from the carriage could only be described as breathtakingly beautiful. Her silky raven-black hair swayed gently in the wind, shimmering as it reflected the sun's rays. Her elegant presence was almost ethereal, commanding attention without effort.

Seeing this, only one name popped into Roland head.

Lady Alice Albertine! Daughter of Duke Albertine!

The young lady was dressed in a refined hunting. She wore a fitted dark purple jacket with gold embroidery along the cuffs and collar, complemented by a high-collared white blouse.

Her pants were of fine, durable fabric. A leather belt cinched at her waist held a small sheath, its hilt intricately decorated.

This form of attire was extremely unusual for noble ladies, who typically preferred to wear dresses that enhanced their beauty and status. Yet, her hunting outfit only seemed to amplify her striking presence.

I can see why people refer to her as the Raven Princess... Though the name is quite cringe. Roland mused as he examined the young lady, noting how her attire highlighted her confident and unconventional charm.

As the young lady Alice and her knight approached the gate, Roland and Enzo both bowed respectfully. Enzo, ever the formal servant, lowered his head much further than Roland.

Good morning, Lady Albertine." Both of them said in unison, their voices respectful.

Though both, Roland and Alice were candidates for the throne, Alice still held a higher status, causing Roland to show respect.

She is the firstborn and heir of the Albertine Duchy... I still have to pay my respects to her, Roland thought, raising his head, his breathing slightly laboured.

"Good morning to you too, Roland Eckhart," Alice said, her expression remaining neutral, almost unreadable. "I half expected you to not be able to show up today due to your health."

"How could I use that as an excuse to miss such an important meeting, my lady?" Roland replied, the edges of his mouth twitching slightly.

Alice stared at Roland, her gaze sharp and calculating, though her expression remained unchanged.

Without breaking eye contact, she reached into her jacket and pulled out a fist-sized object. It glowed brightly with an azure hue, the light casting a soft, ethereal glow around her hand. The object was a gem, securely attached to a golden chain, its radiance captivating.

Alice tossed the glowing gem toward Roland. Startled, he jerked forward to catch it, his fingers barely brushing the cool surface of the gem.

As soon as it touched his hand, an immediate, intense relief washed over him. The oppressive heat that had been bearing down on him disappeared as if he had stepped into an air-conditioned room.

"What–what is this?" Roland asked, his face a mixture of shock and curiosity, his voice slightly trembling as he marveled at the sensation.

"A moonstone," Alice replied indifferently, her expression unchanged. "It is imbued with part of an ancient beast, causing it to produce a cooling effect."

"Why would you give me this?" Roland asked, his curiosity deepening as he examined the gem in his hand.

"The empire can't have one of its royal candidates passing out from heatstroke in the middle of the day, can they?" Alice answered, her tone tinged with a small scoff, as if the idea of Roland collapsing was both absurd and mildly amusing.

Thank you, I guess... Roland thought, feeling the cooling relief from the moonstone as he straightened himself, no longer weighed down by the scorching heat.

Soon, an usher from the palace emerged, his footsteps soft against the cobblestone. He guided the two nobles and their attendants through the gates and into the grand palace beyond.

They walked past the palace's front garden, which was filled with a stunning array of flowers in every conceivable color. The serene scenery made Roland feel a momentary sense of peace, though it was quickly interrupted by the sound of sneezing.

"Achoo! Achoo!" Behind him, Enzo began sneezing uncontrollably, his attempts to stifle them failing miserably.

Oh right, I forgot this fellow is allergic to flowers... Roland mocked inwardly, glancing over his shoulder at Enzo, who was still sneezing fitfully.

They soon entered the massive palace, walking past a flurry of maids, butlers, and servants, all bustling about their duties. The grandeur of the place was overwhelming, with high ceilings and lavish decorations at every turn.

As they continued, Roland began to feel winded, his pace slowing considerably. Despite the brief relief from the heat, his frail body was still struggling to keep up.

From behind, Enzo supported Roland, gently helping him keep pace with the others. After a bit more walking, they arrived at a room with large white doors.

The usher turned to them, his tone polite and respectful. "Young Lady Albertine, Young Lord Eckhart, please wait inside while the other candidates arrive."

Both Roland and Alice gave a small nod in acknowledgment as the usher turned and opened the door for them.

Inside was a large lounge, elegantly furnished with three sofas arranged around a coffee table in the center. The two nobles and their attendants stepped in, the soft sound of their footsteps echoing in the spacious room.

Roland made his way to the sofa to the east of the coffee table, settling down with a slight sigh. Alice, with her usual grace, chose the sofa to the south, sitting with an air of calm detachment. Both their attendants remained standing behind them, the silence in the room punctuated only by the occasional rustle of movement.