When Serin and the Count finally returned to Brinescar, the city seemed completely different from when they had left. For the Count, it was no surprise at all, but Serin was very shocked to see the transformation.

  The entire city was crowded with people who had come from near and far. Merchants from nearby territories, foreign traders, villagers, and farmers from Hainar County itself—the city had come alive with human activity.

  The streets had been swept clean and tidy, decorated with flowers and lanterns. Street performers and wandering troupes entertained the public throughout the city, and dramatic theatre performances gripped countless hearts, retelling heroic legends and tragic tales of romance.

  In the commercial district and the markets, business was booming. Decades of peace had brought much-needed prosperity to the Empire and the region, making the commoners more comfortable spending their hard-earned money on comforts and desires rather than saving for eventualities.

  “Whoa! I had heard of Brinescar, but this is rather unexpected!” Epher said in surprise as he looked at the passing scenes of the bustling city while the carriages raced ahead on the emptied road, heading towards Helsby Castle.

  Serin glanced outside, the glitter and gold of the cityscape reflecting in his eyes. He watched the people’s smiling, happy faces—some looking back at the passing carriages with curiosity, some even chanting the Count’s name in gratitude.

  Serin saw how alive the city was, and how prosperous—then suddenly, the horrid scenes from his nightmares flashed before his eyes, where momentarily, the smiling, jolly faces transformed into weeping, malevolent spirits reaching out toward him. In that instant, it was as though the bright, crowded city suddenly turned to ruins, shrouded in a depressing shadow of greyish darkness, covered in tainted black mist.

  “Your Highness?”

  The illusion shattered suddenly as Serin heard Princess Leia’s soft voice, jolting him back to reality instantly.

  “Ah! What—What is it?” he asked, somewhat startled, his back soaked in sweat.

  “You… you look pale,” Princess Leia said in concern.

  Serin shook his head and put on a smile. “It’s nothing, I’m fine.”

  Princess Leia looked at him from head to toe, not convinced at all. However, she did not say anything further and only nodded. Everyone knew what kind of situation the bastard prince was in. He had no political backing other than that of the Hainar Family. For now, at least, his fate was completely tied to the Hainar Family, so it wasn’t strange for him to be very worried—especially knowing what was coming.

  Serin closed his eyes and calmed himself, leaning back into the seat as the carriages moved past the main city plaza and turned, Helsby Castle visible right ahead.

  The dust settled behind as the carriages left. The knights of the city watch vacated the street, allowing people to occupy the plaza again, and everyone immediately began rushing into the open space, much like tides rushing toward the shore.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  A burly, bear-like man by the side of the street watched the convoy of carriages grow further and further away and smiled inexplicably, his white teeth showing innocently as his eyes squinted into slits. His right hand held the hand of a young child sucking on a lollipop, tightening slightly, while his left hand held a tall, wide pole on which children’s toys hung from tiny hooks.

  The burly man’s smile faded as the carriages disappeared from sight. He then moved like a mountain, easily navigating through the crowd as he made his way forward while shouting, “Soft cozy teddy for one bronze!”

  Seeing the mountain of a man pushing everyone aside simply by his sheer presence, a few pedestrians were annoyed. However, no one was brave enough to confront such an intimidating figure, even though the man carried a certain child-like innocence about him, truly like a bear. Besides, it was difficult to make a fuss in the middle of such a large crowd, so the frustrated passersby and other vendors could only grit their teeth in frustration, curse under their breath, and move on.

  Among the many who watched the peculiar pair of the bear-like man and his son was a drunkard who emptied what remained of his bottle and clicked his tongue, shaking the bottle upside down.

  “Shit! It’s empty…” he cursed and turned back, still keeping an eye on the bear-like man and his son from the corner of his eye until the last moment before leaving and stumbling his way toward a certain fabric shop.

  Interestingly, his spine grew straighter the closer he got to the shop, his gaze becoming clearer as well—to the point that he no longer looked like a drunkard when he reached his destination. His eyes were no longer dazed but extremely sharp and clear.

  ***

  The scenery, as well as the sounds, grew much calmer as the convoy of carriages left the hustle and bustle of the city and reached the Castle.

  The Castle was fully illuminated with beautiful lanterns, bright lamps, and burning torches—to the point that perhaps not a single corner was left untouched by darkness.

  Countess Elayne, Steward Bartley, and Eldric, among others such as the Lord Commander, stood at the Castle Gates to welcome the Count and greet their guests.

  Everyone disembarked from the carriages one by one. First, the Count and Master Vincent, who had been riding in the same carriage, and then Serin, Princess Leia, her female bodyguard, and Epher stepped down, along with the other Magi who had come.

  The Countess wore a welcoming smile on her face, her demeanor elegant and dignified as she greeted the guests after the Count introduced them. However, there were dark circles under her eyes, and Serin could sense the tiredness behind them even though she seemed to radiate energy outwardly.

  “It must have been very difficult and tiring to handle everything on her own,” Serin mused in admiration, heaving a silent sigh.

  Everyone was tired from the journey, and it was late evening already, so the Count gestured subtly with his eyes. Steward Bartley immediately stepped forward, and with his signal, the maids of the Castle followed suit.

  Steward Bartley and the handful of maids politely escorted the guests into the Castle. Everyone’s guest quarters were already prepared, as were the arrangements for their baths.

  Serin was drenched in sweat, feeling extremely uncomfortable and urgently in need of a warm bath to refresh himself.

  “Serin, please go ahead.” The Countess seemed to have noticed Serin’s impatience as she spoke, still smiling warmly.

  Serin was instantly overjoyed and bowed sincerely. He could faintly sense that there was a certain intangible, tense atmosphere within the Castle, and instinctively, he felt that the Countess seemed a bit… different.

  But at that moment, Serin couldn’t care about anything else, so he took his leave without delay.

  As he was leaving, he faintly saw the smile melt from the Countess’s face like butter, her straight back bending just slightly as the Count held her gently, his expression turning serious.

  “Elayne, my dear wife, what has happened?” the Count leaned forward and whispered softly.

  The Countess laughed bitterly, a pang of panic and sorrow flashing in her eyes. “Husband, let’s talk inside,” she said softly, her voice full of fatigue and helplessness—shocking Count Hainar greatly, as he had never seen the Countess look so discouraged and… afraid since the day they were married.