After escaping from the imminent torture, Kael found himself standing in front of a carriage he did not recognize right away. It did not belong to the Sungley mansion. Its structure was more elegant, with carved details and fine decorations that reflected the daylight. It did not look like the vehicle of a common noble, but something far more important.

  Only a couple of seconds passed, and before Kael could fully process what was happening, the carriage door opened right in front of him. Before he could react, a woman grabbed him firmly and wrapped him in a tight, warm, and sudden hug.

  —“KYAAAA, what a cute little bear!” she exclaimed with an excited voice.

  She was a radiant young woman, whose presence seemed to fill the surroundings with a warm glow. Her golden hair fell freely in soft, shining strands, reflecting the light as if it had been blessed by the sun itself. She wore a white veil framing her face, decorated with small flowers and blue gems that contrasted with the purity of the fabric, giving her an almost sacred air.

  Her blue eyes, intense and crystal clear, were full of life and carried a spark of joy impossible to ignore. As she held Kael, she did so with natural affection, as if that gesture were the most normal thing in the world.

  This can’t be happening… she caught me, Kael thought, with a mix of surprise and resignation.

  From inside the carriage, a man began to step out. When he looked at Kael, he formed a calm, measured smile.

  The man descended from the carriage with natural elegance, as if every movement had been practiced to convey authority. His blond hair, slightly messy from the journey, shone with golden highlights under the daylight. His eyes, a deep amber color, calmly observed his surroundings, like someone used to the world adjusting to his pace.

  He wore an immaculate formal uniform, black with golden details running along every seam. Ornamental chains rested lightly on his chest, and shoulder guards decorated with stylized feathers announced his rank even before anyone named it. A long, heavy red cape rested on his shoulders, moving dramatically as he took his first step outside the carriage.

  His posture was straight and confident, his back firm, his chin slightly raised. He did not hurry. He moved with a serenity only true nobles, or deeply seasoned warriors, could maintain under everyone’s attention. The warm light surrounded him, highlighting the golden details of his attire and the deep contrast of its colors.

  Despite his apparent youth, his presence demanded respect. Every gesture—from the way he placed his hand on the carriage frame to how he adjusted his cape as it fell—transmitted control and confidence.

  —“Without a doubt, judging by how fast this happened, you must be little Kael,” he said calmly.

  Suddenly, with overwhelming speed, two furious women appeared on the scene, running after the elusive and treacherous bear.

  —“KAEL!” Caria shouted. “Come here right now, I’m going to punish you!”

  —“Get ready to train until night as punishment,” Freya added without slowing down.

  When they reached the carriage, both had to stop to catch their breath. Only then did they notice the presence of the visitors.

  Freya stared at the woman holding Kael in her arms, her eyes opening wide in surprise.

  —“Liora!?” she exclaimed. “What are you doing here!?”

  Caria, on the other hand, turned toward the man and, without thinking, struck Freya on the back of the head before fully reacting.

  —“YOUR MAJESTY ROWAN!?” she said in shock. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!? I’m sorry! What an incredible visit!”

  Both of them quickly made a bow, improvised but respectful, to welcome the King of Taratios.

  —“Why is there so much commotion in the mansion?” Liora asked as she observed the scene. “What happened?”

  —“Nothing!” Caria and Freya answered at the same time.

  Rowan burst into open laughter.

  —“Hahahaha… so what Laret wrote in his letters was true. Ever since Kael arrived, this place has turned into a real battlefield,” he said, still laughing.

  As he adjusted to the unexpected welcome and continued speaking, Rowan turned and offered his hand to his wife, helping her down from the carriage.

  With her hand still resting on the young noble who assisted her, the woman stepped down with a soft and almost silent movement, as if she did not want to disturb the air around her. Her pale blue hair flowed like a frozen river over her shoulders, reflecting the light with silver flashes. Each strand moved delicately as her sandals touched the ground.

  Her crimson-colored eyes lifted to observe the surroundings with a mix of shyness and attention, analyzing every detail without losing her composure. There was no arrogance in her gaze, only a deep calm that invited trust.

  She wore a light-colored kimono, simple but perfectly arranged, held by an orange obi that added warmth to her appearance. The navy-blue haori over her shoulders moved slightly with the breeze, completing an outfit that spoke of modesty, discipline, and a discreet beauty that needed no decoration.

  As she took a step forward, she placed her hands in front of her waist with very natural grace, maintaining a posture learned since childhood. She did not say a word, but her presence conveyed calm and respect, a tranquility that subtly contrasted with the magnificence of the noble beside her.

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  At first glance, she looked like a quiet young woman…

  But within her silence there was firmness, and in her gaze, an entire world yet to be revealed.

  Impressed, Caria discreetly pointed Freya toward the next visitor.

  —“Your Majesty, Queen Isadora,” she murmured. “It is an honor to see you, and above all, to have you visiting us.”

  A kimono… Kael thought. I just saw a kimono… This can’t be right. Is it really a kimono? Did someone from Japan come to this world already?

  // -- hey, idiot, did you even hear what your mother and your teacher just said? They are kings! They are rulers! Behave yourself already -- //

  Damn it… you’re right. What is going on here? Kael thought, alarmed.

  Without thinking for even a second, Caria looked toward the main entrance of the mansion and shouted at the top of her lungs.

  —“SUNGLEY MANSION! CODE RED!”

  Just hearing those words was enough to cause a major disturbance inside the house. From the sides of the mansion, a large squad of soldiers appeared almost immediately, advancing with firm and coordinated steps. From inside, several maids rushed out, followed by the mansion’s guardians, all reacting instantly to the activation of the red code.

  From another side, a maid appeared carrying Lysandra, who had been cruelly abandoned by her mother, blinded by revenge. The girl observed everything with wide, attentive eyes, clinging tightly to the person holding her, unable to fully understand the chaos unfolding around her.

  The more experienced maids and the guardians, upon seeing with their own eyes the level of the visitors who had arrived after the code red was called, spared no effort. Each of them applied all their strength and discipline to prepare the most unexpected welcome the Sungley mansion had ever witnessed.

  The three guardians positioned themselves in unison in front of the carriage, forming a straight line. Then they bowed their heads with solemn respect.

  —“Welcome, heroes and our great royalty,” they said in unison.

  From inside the carriage, another female voice was heard.

  The woman who descended next, helping two children down, stood in front of everyone with a firm and impeccable posture, as if every movement were filled with discipline and character. Her short blond hair fell in perfectly ordered strands around her face, giving her a practical and severe air without taking away her beauty. Her green eyes, intense and expressive, conveyed immediate authority. She did not need to raise her voice to be heard.

  She wore an immaculate uniform in purple and white tones, precisely fitted with military accuracy and decorated with golden trims that emphasized her professional presence. The short jacket, perfectly tailored, contrasted with the rigidity of her shoulders, and the white gloves completed her appearance as a strict, refined woman used to being in control. She was the queen’s personal guard.

  —“What is this messy and improper presentation, Holley…?” she said sternly. “Where are your manners?”

  —“Oh, don’t start with that, Elara,” Holley replied. “You were an expert at getting covered in mud back at home!”

  —“Please, Holley… I am only trying to give you advice,” Elara replied, clearly annoyed.

  —“Hahaha, look, Enta, the sisters are going to argue again,” Ken commented, amused.

  —“Ladies, please,” Enta intervened. “I understand your concern for each other, but we are standing before royalty…”

  A moment, a moment… Kael thought. Did two more heroes just arrive? The dancing heroine and the kingdom’s paladin? And now one of them is a king? What is going on here?

  With gentle care, Liora set Kael down on the ground and brought him closer to the other two children who had stepped down from the carriage.

  —“Small and beautiful Kael,” she said softly. “Let me introduce you to these two lovely children who will be your friends. My dear son Ronan and Princess Althea. I hope you all get along very well.”

  More spoiled kids? Kael thought. This is too much.

  Without noticing it, Kael felt his arm being held. It was Lysandra, who looked at the other two children with a mix of curiosity and caution, gently tightening her grip.

  Queen Isadora approached them with a soft smile.

  —“Oh, so you must be little Lysandra,” she said warmly. “What a lovely child. I hope you get along well with my daughter.”

  Little Ronan made a somewhat clumsy but respectful greeting. Little Althea, on the other hand, performed a very polite bow, moving with a grace that showed good upbringing.

  —“Nice to meet you,” Kael said. “Welcome to the Sungley mansion. Now, if you’ll excuse me…”

  Kael walked over to King Rowan and looked up to speak to him.

  —“Good afternoon, Your Majesty Rowan,” he said seriously. “Excuse me, may I ask you a question?”

  Rowan raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

  —“So small, and you can already speak so clearly… Of course, go ahead.”

  —“Would you allow me to stay in your palace for the next forty years?” Kael asked. “If I stay here for even a few more minutes, I will be cruelly tortured. I beg you to have mercy on me…”

  Rowan looked at him with a confused expression, unable to fully understand the situation, just as two figures lunged mercilessly at poor Kael.

  —“You’re going to pay for this, little one…” Freya said with a dangerous smile.

  —“Your punishment will be legendary!” Caria added with clearly malicious enthusiasm.

  —“But what did poor Kael do to make you both so furious…?” Rowan asked, bewildered.

  —“Nothing!” Caria and Freya replied at the same time.

  As Freya and Caria prepared, with openly malevolent expressions, to deliver Kael’s punishment, a whip of water formed out of nowhere and wrapped around both women’s bodies in an instant. The liquid tightened like a living rope, completely restraining them. They barely had time to react before being left suspended, unable to move.

  From behind them appeared Laret, his face pale and his expression exhausted, as if he were on the verge of collapse. Quickly, he grabbed Kael and pulled him away from the two women.

  —“The only ones who will be punished are you two, for being so merciless,” Laret said firmly.

  Rowan let out an incredulous laugh when he saw him.

  —“Pfff… hahaha. What happened to you, Laret? You look like Fentossias himself came to beat you up.”

  Laret let out a heavy sigh before answering.

  —“That’s not far from the truth…” he said. “Now then, I thought you would arrive three days later. What happened?”

  —“We had to leave the kingdom earlier,” Rowan explained. “We needed to meet in the city to speak with Galen, who was once again heading toward the Sacred Kingdom.”

  Still trapped by the water whip, Caria turned her head with difficulty.

  —“Hey! Why didn’t you tell me everyone was coming?” she complained in frustration.

  Laret glanced at her sideways, visibly tired.

  —“I received the news from my papa in a letter just last night,” he replied. “And if you weren’t so focused on chasing small bears and hitting your husband, I would have told you already…”

  At those words, Caria lowered her head, clearly defeated. She murmured an apology and said nothing more.

  Laret cleared his throat and continued.

  —“Well then, since you arrived recently, we will prepare the rooms and give you the proper welcome. Please, make yourselves at home,” he said in a hospitable tone. “We will discuss the specific matters once my papa arrives, as he was delayed.”

  With those words, the atmosphere slowly began to relax. The maids returned to their duties with greater calm, the soldiers withdrew to their usual positions, and the guardians lowered their guard, though without losing their composure.

  And so, the house once again filled with guests. Guests of great importance, who had not arrived merely out of courtesy, but to deal with serious matters that would soon come to light.