"Hey, do you really think I have as long legs as you ?" Lucas said in a panting voice, placing his hands on his knees.

  Arden and Dayvon immediately turned around, and when they saw Lucas, they understood their blunder.

  "Oops..." whispered Arden.

  "Ah, Lucas... you've finally arrived. How was the way here? Beautiful, wasn't it ?" He said in a calm tone with a playful smile on his lips.

  Lucas, surprised by this calm answer, slowly looked up at Arden and Dayvon, a vein of anger appearing on his temples.

  "Huh... beautiful ?" He said in a bewildered tone.

  "Ah... I think I understand now. "

  Lucas spoke in a calm voice, but there was a hint of threat and anger in his voice.

  "Arden,"

  "Dayvon,"

  "Can one of you two explain to me why the birds suddenly took flight just a few minutes after I lost sight of you ?" He asked calmly.

  Following this question, Arden and Dayvon suddenly tensed up. Arden discreetly scratched his temple, and Dayvon deactivated his powers, his eyes returning to their natural red color.

  They exchanged a discreet look, then nodded almost at the same time.

  "As a result Lucas... I think I have an answer to your question," Dayvon said calmly.

  At these words, Lucas, who was slowly catching his breath, focused all his attention on Dayvon.

  Seeing that Lucas was paying all his attention to him, Dayvon let a subtle smile appear on his lips.

  "You know, the birds are suddenly agitated because of..." Dayvon began slowly.

  But instead of continuing his sentence, Dayvon suddenly snapped his fingers, thus surprising Lucas who was watching him attentively.

  Seeing this gesture, Lucas wondered, but before he could realize anything, he felt a presence behind him. His heart leaped when a hand suddenly landed on his right shoulder.

  "Hold on tight," suddenly whispered a familiar voice in her ear.

  Before he even realized it, Arden was already carrying Lucas like a sack of potatoes on his shoulder.

  "Hey! But what are you doing !?" exclaimed Lucas while struggling with all his might.

  "He he... Rather save your breath, cousin," Arden replied calmly, with an amused smile on his lips.

  Arden advanced calmly, his steps resounding on the grass-covered floor, while Lucas, on his shoulders, still struggled fiercely.

  In just a few seconds, Arden arrived next to Dayvon, and calmly put Lucas on the ground.

  Lucas, slightly lost, straightened up and immediately turned to Dayvon and Arden, wanting to ask for explanations. But before a word could come out of his mouth, a bird flew near him, and he turned his gaze slightly. When he looked to the side, Lucas froze immediately, his eyes widening at the magnificent view he had of Kirven.

  The wide wall, the roofs of the buildings, and the birds that crisscrossed high in the sky. Faced with this breathtaking view, Lucas remained amazed, unable to look away.

  "Beautiful," he said in a soft voice.

  It was the first city he saw outside the capital, and especially outside the walls of the Royal Palace.

  Satisfied to see Lucas' expression, Arden and Dayvon continued to observe him, a quiet smile on their lips, while the wind rose gently, making their hair ripple.

  Dayvon approached Lucas, his shadow lying on the grass. He remained silent for a moment, his calm gaze on the city, then on Lucas by his side.

  "Lucas... it's already time to say goodbye," he said in a calm and composed voice.

  At these words, Lucas felt his heart jump, but he remained silent for a moment, his gaze resting on the city without really seeing it.

  He knew the different stages of their journey, and he knew that the time he would spend with Dayvon would be limited, and that when the time came, he should not hinder him in his mission.

  "Ahhh... time really flies," he thought with a slight pinch in his heart.

  Instead of showing his feelings, Lucas raised his head towards Dayvon, and gave him a wide smile.

  "Good luck, brother... I can't wait to hear all about your exploits when I return to the palace," he said in a cheerful tone.

  Dayvon, surprised by Lucas' attitude, stared at him for a few seconds, before letting a smile appear on his lips.

  "You've grown up well, little brother," he thought.

  Without saying a word, Dayvon held out his fist toward Lucas.

  Seeing him, Lucas raised his own, and their fists calmly bumped.

  This simple gesture between them was more than enough.

  After this little moment between brothers, Dayvon turned on his heel and began to walk away.

  "Always stay close to Arden, and enjoy your first adventure," he said calmly, making a slight hand gesture.

  Lucas nodded without saying a word, watching his brother slowly move away.

  When Dayvon approached Arden, who had stayed back, he began to slow his pace.

  Noticing this, Arden lowered his head slightly, understanding that Dayvon had something to say to him.

  When Dayvon passed by Arden, he stopped briefly for a moment.

  Without turning his head, he blew a few words in Arden's right ear.

  "Please don't go near the northeast of the city," he breathed in a low voice.

  Listening to Dayvon say "Please", Arden froze for a moment, surprised by his words. He then watched his figure disappear between the trees, while thinking back to the words he had just said.

  "The Northeast, huh ?" He said to himself with a smile on his face.

  He stared at the sky for a few moments, but he finally let out a slight sigh, and shook his head as if to chase away certain thoughts.

  "Well... even if it piques my curiosity, I have something more important to do during this stay," he said calmly, turning his gaze to Lucas.

  Lucas still silently contemplated the horizon offering itself to him, and upon seeing him, Arden let a tender smile draw on his lips, before slowly approaching him.

  A few minutes later:

  After a few minutes of walking, Dayvon returned to the royal procession, where everyone was patiently waiting for him.

  The horses were pawing the ground, and the royal guards had already established a security perimeter with the assistance of the knights.

  When Dayvon approached the royal carriage, a guard stepped forward to open the carriage door for him. Dayvon entered without a word, and settled comfortably on the bench.

  Dayvon began to peacefully gaze at the leaves of the surrounding trees with a thoughtful expression. But as he was lost in his thoughts, Santias slowly approached the royal carriage.

  "Did everything go well Your Highness ?" Santias asked in a composed voice.

  Dayvon was slightly surprised by Santias' sudden arrival, but he remained impassive and showed no signs of distress. He remained calm in the face of Santias' question, continuing to calmly observe the trees foliage.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  "I think everything will be fine... anyway, I'm sure Lucas is ready enough to face the outside world," he thought in a calm tone.

  After a moment, Dayvon took a slight breath, and slowly straightened up, correcting his posture.

  "By the way, Santias, I think our initial plan has just changed," he said in a calm voice with a slight smile on his lips.

  Santias slightly widened his eyes, surprised by Dayvon's words.

  "What's wrong with our initial plan, Your Highness ?" He asked skeptically.

  "Our initial plan is good... but I want to do something else," Dayvon replied calmly with a relaxed look.

  "Huh... he wants to change everything for a simple desire? Even if he has the total confidence of the general, and he has proven himself at the academy, he is still a seventeen-year-old kid," thought Santias with a suspicious and doubtful look.

  Dayvon understood that Santias had doubts when he noticed that he made a slight frown almost imperceptible.

  But seeing this, Dayvon remained calm and impassive. He slowly crossed his legs, put his elbow against the windowsill, then let a quiet smile appear on his lips.

  "Don't worry, Santias. "

  "I just want to have a real vision of the situation on the ground," he said in a relaxed tone.

  He paused briefly, observing the movement of the branches through the carriage window.

  "I want a group of three knights to go to the neighborhoods northeast of Kirven. They will have to give me a detailed report on everything strange or suspicious they will see there," he said in a calm and methodical tone.

  "Wait... the slums?" Said Santias in a surprised tone.

  Dayvon nodded, turned his gaze to Santias, and let a smile appear on his lips.

  "Exactly... you're not going to tell me that your men are afraid to put their feet in simple slums," he said in a slightly provocative tone.

  Touched by Dayvon's words, Santias began to clench his jaw.

  "Do not worry, Your Highness... my men will bring you more than gratifying results," he replied in a serene tone.

  "Perfect, with this I'll know more about the source of that strange energy I spotted earlier," thought Dayvon, satisfied.

  After a moment of silence, he calmly spoke again by saying:

  "For the rest, I want another group of five knights to investigate the city. I want them to give me detailed reports on all the recent events in the county, as well as on the count's recent activities: his meetings, his travels, his exchanges... nothing should be left to chance."

  Dayvon's voice remained soft, but his relaxed tone left no room for doubt.

  Santias, not wanting to question his hierarchy, simply noted the orders in his head, although his doubts about Dayvon's abilities persist.

  "Well, Your Highness. I will disperse my men according to your instructions," said Santias, bowing slightly.

  "But without disrespect, there are still two knights without assignment... what have you planned for them ?" He asked in a respectful tone.

  At these words, Dayvon began to slowly tap his finger against his knee, and thought:

  "I would like to send an extra knight for Lucas' safety. But he has Arden by his side, and the aspiring royal knights are on the lookout... I shouldn't worry about his safety."

  Santias silently observed Dayvon's movements, waiting for these directives.

  After a while, Dayvon came back to him. He crossed his arms, then in a calm and composed tone, he said :

  "For the remaining knights, they will first remove their Ebony Rose uniforms. After that, they will stay by my side and present themselves as my personal knights."

  Santias understood that Dayvon needed personal knights for the time he would appear to the count.

  "Very well, Your Highness. I will make sure that your orders are perfectly executed," he said, bowing his head respectfully.

  Santias then moved away from the carriage, and joined his squad that had already regrouped.

  Dayvon, finding himself alone, took a deep breath before slowly leaning back against the seat.

  He leaned his elbow against the windowsill, his gaze momentarily lost, observing a couple of birds perched on a tree branch.

  "Count Webster... I hope you have made the right decisions for you and your family," he said in a composed voice.

  He remained silent for a moment, then with a slight corner smile, he added:

  "I can't wait to see the welcome you will give me."

  A slight laugh, barely audible, escaped from his lips, then with a relaxed look, he gently closed his eyes.

  After a few minutes, the royal procession slowly started moving again.

  While the horses were redirecting towards the main road, the wind slammed the banners on the carriages.

  A few minutes later:

  Crouching on the edge of the clearing, Lucas was still silently watching Kirven.

  Arden, standing by his side, calmly stared at the main road leading to Kirven, as if he was waiting for something.

  After a while, Arden sighed, and said in a tired tone:

  "It looks like they're really taking their time."

  At the same time, Lucas got up slowly, and turned to Arden, his head down.

  "As a result, Arden, when are we leaving ?" He asked in a tired voice.

  "I'm already starting to get tired of this sight... and on top of that, I'm exhausted," he added while raising his head.

  When he raised his head, Arden froze for a moment. He blinked, then immediately covered his mouth with his right hand to stifle a laugh.

  Wrinkles had formed under Lucas' eyes, making him look like a tired old man.

  "Lucas... he was the first to be ready for the trip, it's normal that he looks like this," he thought while wiping a tear of amusement.

  "Grandpa Lucas," he breathed without realizing it.

  "What ?" Lucas asked with a lost air.

  Arden quickly turned his head away, bent in half, and laughed lightly while shaking his head.

  "Eheh... nothing at all, don't worry Lucas," he said, wiping his tears of laughter.

  "Really ?" Lucas asked in a skeptical tone.

  Arden straightened up, nodded, slowly regaining his calm.

  When he looked at the horizon again, he let a slight smile appear on his lips.

  "Look... I think we can finally leave," he said calmly, pointing to the road below.

  Following the direction where Arden's finger was pointing, Lucas saw the royal procession advancing slowly on the main road. The banners waved in the wind, and the armor of the royal guards twinkled under the sun.

  Arden patted Lucas on the shoulder, and said calmly:

  "Come on, it's time to go have fun. "

  Lucas nodded, a slight smile on his lips. Together they left the clearing, sinking into the forest, their silhouettes gradually disappearing between the trees.