The three of them stayed up the rest of the night—brewing more tea, talking, and enjoying each other's company as the fire's soft crackle filled the modest home. For a while, it felt like the world beyond those walls didn't exist.

But when the sun finally rose, painting the horizon in gold, a sharp knock broke through their peace.

Edward groaned quietly and stood, stretching his tired limbs before moving toward the door.

He swung it open to see a royal guard standing outside, silver-plated armour gleaming faintly in the morning light.

"Greetings," the soldier said with a curt nod. "Prince Arthur has sent me to fetch a man called Edward."

"That would be me," Edward replied, his voice still laced with drowsiness. He turned to look back—Aeris and Seraphine were peeking around the corner of the hallway like guilty children caught eavesdropping.

"I'll be off then," Edward said toward them, offering a faint smile. They looked as though they wanted to follow, but before either could decide, he'd already stepped out, closing the door softly behind him.

The streets of the capital were already alive. Merchants shouted from their stalls, carriages rumbled across cobbled roads, and the air buzzed with the sound of a thousand conversations. Compared to Ashenhold, this place was vast—every street seemed to twist into another, each lined with towering spires and marble walls.

Edward kept close to the soldier leading him, but the pace was brisk, and the crowd threatened to swallow them at every turn. He almost lost sight of the soldier a couple of times, but luckily, he somehow managed to keep up.

After what felt like half an hour, the soldier came to a sudden stop.

"We're here," he said, pointing to a modest stone building tucked between two tall structures. It looked completely ordinary, no banners or guards marking it as royal.

Edward raised a brow. "Here?"

The soldier only nodded toward the door, expression unreadable.

Inside, the air was still. A single guard stood by the entrance, spear resting against his shoulder. He gave Edward a quick glance, then a nod, before motioning him forward.

Edward moved toward the nearest door, and there, seated on a sofa, was Arthur. The prince looked less like royalty and more like a young man who'd barely slept, his cape tossed aside, a half-empty cup of tea on the table beside him.

"Edward," Arthur said, standing up to greet him. "Please, come in."

Edward stepped forward and sat across from the Prince.

"How was your first day in the capital? Did you sleep well?" Arthur asked, leaning back.

"Well…" Edward began, remembering the night before. The cramped couch, the near argument, and the accidental late-night tea with two girls in nightgowns...

"There were only two rooms, so I slept on the couch," he finally answered.

Arthur raised a brow. "But I thought two rooms would be plenty…"

The two men stared at each other in silent realisation.

Arthur cleared his throat. "I'll… arrange for a larger house."

"Thank you," Edward replied.

A moment of silence lingered before Arthur let out a small sigh, the kind that usually preceded something important. "I'll cut to the chase. There's no need for formalities between old friends."

Edward nodded slowly. The two of them went through enough to lose formatlities.

Arthur's expression grew serious. "I want you to join me on a journey to the Elven Kingdom."

Edward blinked. "The what?"

"The Elven Kingdom," Arthur repeated as if it were obvious.

Edward stared for a moment, his mind blank.

"Elves? As in... elves are real?" His mind raced.

He tried to steady himself before answering.

"Right… and, uh, why exactly?"

Arthur exhaled, folding his hands together.

"I'm to be wed to an elven princess. I've never met her, but the marriage was arranged years ago for political reasons. You see, the dwarves have grown stronger over the years. Meanwhile, humans and elves have been locked in endless border conflicts. This alliance is meant to bring peace and an alliance that will keep both kingdoms safe."

Edward blinked. "A political marriage, huh…" he murmured under his breath.

"But there's more to it than just the ceremony..." Arthur began, "I've received troubling reports—whispers that the Crimson Oath has been active within elven lands. I can't confirm the truth, but the sources are reliable enough to warrant concern."

The name alone was enough to drain the warmth from the room.

Edward leaned forward, his tone sharpening. "You think they're planning something?"

"I do," Arthur said simply. "If this marriage falls apart, that will mean war between humans and elves... I believe they might intend to sabotage it."

Silence stretched between them—the kind born not of uncertainty, but of shared understanding.

Then Edward's eyes narrowed slightly, recalling something from before. "Wait… what about the wedding your father mentioned? Him and that woman—"

Arthur groaned before Edward could finish. "I'll be damned before I attend that wedding."

Edward blinked.

"I've already told my father I won't be a part of it," Arthur continued, his tone sharp. "And surprisingly, he granted permission for me to leave for the Elven Kingdom."

He paused for a moment before continuing. "Though, to be exact… it wasn't his idea."

Edward tilted his head. "What do you mean?"

"It was her," Arthur said quietly. "That woman. She convinced him. Practically pushed me to go. She seemed… too pleased, if I'm honest."

A moment of silence returned.

Both of them shared the same suspicion, even if neither could fully voice it. Something about her, the soon-to-be queen, felt wrong.

Finally, Arthur leaned forward again, his tone calm but resolute. "We leave in two days. I won't force you, Edward, but I would have you at my side if you'll come."

"Wait, what about Aeris and Seraphine?" Edward asked.

"They may join us if you wish," Arthur replied with a smile, then rose to his feet. "I have matters to attend, but I will speak to you soon"

Edward stood as well, giving him a brief nod before heading toward the exit.

As he stepped out into the street again, the morning light felt a little sharper, the noise of the city a little duller. The capital bustled on as if nothing had changed, but in Edward's mind, something had.

The peace after a battle never lasted long, and he couldn't shake the feeling that whatever awaited in the Elven Kingdom… peace would have no part in it.

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