After they had taken a much needed rest at an inn in Ardes and restocked their traveling supplies, Baugulf insisted on leaving the next day. Melusine was hesitant to hurry onward, and tried to convince him to visit a doctor first, but her knight escort remained stubborn. Ultimately they retrieved their horses at dawn, and rode out towards the wide orange sky.

The rest of the journey was uneventful and even a tad dull. They rode, stopped for a meal, rode again, camped, and slept, then repeated the process for ten days. When they finally reached the capital, Melusine was so focused on taking a bath, and eating something other than jerky with a side of cheese, that she almost didn't take in the splendor.

Walls bricked with white polished stone stood in three layers around the castle. Immediately after entering the first gate, visitors were greeted with a wide square. In the middle a large tiered fountain sprayed clear water into the air and sparkled with silver coins under rippling pools. It glittered in the middle of a blue and white tiled mosaic. The streets were cobbled and well maintained. White flags with a yellow vertical line fluttered on every other lamp post, each one bearing the image of two dragons circling a crown. 

The outermost wall protected the common folk, with their cramped living quarters and bustling business districts. The initial square was the only visible open space, but Melusine could hear bands playing and a crowd mingling in the distance. Brick and plaster buildings were smushed together on narrow streets as soon as one left the main road leading up to the palace. All of the doors were painted yellow or white. Streamers were strung up between windows and lamps, all the color of the sun and snow.

Next, the central wall secured the luxurious and pristine townhouses where the rich and upper class lived, as well as the streets where the most fashionable salons and artisans set up shop. The area was comparatively quieter, most of the upper echelons of society seemingly content to celebrate whatever event was happening in the comfort of their own homes. The townhouses were all whitewashed stone and grey tiles, painted with blue trims and doors. Ironwork fences kept the rabble out, and protected neat little rectangles of lawn for the homeowners alone to enjoy.

Baugulf was quickly allowed through the capital gates once he showed off the wooden slate tied to his saddle. Her curiosity peaked, Melusine hurried Wolf forward so he walked side by side with Marie.

"What is that thing, anyway?" Melusine asked.

"Hm? It's nothing too fancy. All it has going for it is the royal symbol. It's a way to prove that I'm conducting business for the king. They should be taking the time to check if it's a fake, but I'm not complaining." With a hearty laugh, Baugulf threw his head back as he patted the slate on his saddle.

"Okay," Mel drew out the O in her response, glancing down at a mosaic tiled into a street corner. "What's being celebrated? It's too early for a solstice or any seasonal festivals."

"If I had to guess, the king announced your existence. Probably because news of our detour reached him."

"Oh..." Mel shrunk into herself, turtling her neck in discomfort. She wondered if the king was pleased or upset with their actions. Given what little she knew of his policies, she wasn't sure that he would put citizen welfare above his own schedule.

Finally, the traveling companions rode their horses through the last city gate. Columns carved from ancient marble towered above the innermost barricade, standing like knights at attention to help the palace walls hold up the dome rooftops. The outer area of the palace was mainly devoted to landscaping and open space. There were numerous small buildings cluttered around the front courtyard, all of them seemingly only one room each. Perfectly pruned and tended hedges blocked out beds of beautiful and fragrant flowers.

When they reached the palace proper, Wolf and Marie were taken by a couple stable hands. Morning glory ivy climbed up the pillars, flowers of snow and ice in full bloom like little moons. Veins of dark gray and blue ran through the marble, flecks of gold spotting the lower halves. The walls of the palace were constructed from the same ivory colored stone that the capital's barricades were built with. Tall and narrow windows let in natural light, latticed to provide privacy from prying eyes. The dome roofing had vermillion painted trusses, and was like a yellow tiled icecap on the mountainous city horizon. Every ceiling was high and painted with various murals depicting the same story that was shown in the book Baugulf had given Melusine at the beginning of their journey.

Perhaps it was the point of the grandiose palace to make Melusine feel small. Her hands shook, so she pushed them into the pockets of her trousers. Baugulf gave her an encouraging pat on the head and a kind smile.

"Are you sure you want to meet the king dressed like that?" He half-teased. "There's still time to find a court dress."

Melusine glanced down at her cream tunic, gray wool pants, and knee-high leather boots. Baugulf received a glower for his concern.

"I feel comfortable in this outfit." Melusine crossed her arms over her chest, nose up in the air. "I'm exercising my freedom as the Dragon's Proxy."

"Alright, alright." Baugulf held his hands up and lightly chuckled. He put on his friendliest of smiles with an admittedly cute tilt of his head. "But you need to hand me Spider."

Melusine's eyes narrowed as she quickly pulled her longsword off her back and hugged the sheathed blade to her chest. She sidled away from the knight, who only drew closer with hands held out and a smile plastered on his face.

"Come on now," he urged, "I'm an exception to the rule since I'm his cousin, but no one is allowed to have weapons in the same room as the king."

"You're his what?" In her shock, Mel's grip on her sword loosened, and it was swiftly confiscated. A victorious smirk decorated Baugulf's smug, handsome, stupid face as he slung Spider's sheathe strap over his broad shoulder.

"Oh, did I forget to mention? You had such an obvious dislike for nobles, it must've slipped my mind." Baugulf snickered as he led the way into the main palace. Melusine helplessly followed behind, her eyes locked on her stolen sword. "I'm the second son of Duke Bélanger, who was the former king's brother. He married into the Bélanger family, elevating them to ducal status."

"I knew you were a noble, but not that connected," Melusine muttered, her hand itching to snatch Spider off of Baugulf's back. 

"Being a second son is hardly a connection at all."

"Should I start calling you Sir Duke from now on?" Melusine inched closer and closer, her fingers twitching.

"You've never called me anything like 'your liege,' so don't start now." Baugulf poked Mel's side with the butt of his weapon sheathe, keeping her out of arm's reach from Spider. Melusine grunted in displeasure, her arm fruitlessly waving about, fingers only able to brush against her precious sword.

"Wasn't planning on it," Mel grumbled.

"Of course you wouldn't." Baugulf's head and shoulders dropped low as he sighed. Suddenly turning, his ringed pointer finger was stuck in Mel's scowling face. "I'll warn you one more time. Be respectful and pleasant to everyone you meet in the palace. Even the servants. Just because I let you get away with being rude doesn't mean other people will too. The title of Dragon's Proxy and the king's limited favor will only protect you to an extent."

"We've already had this discussion. I'm not trying to be rude." Melusine swatted at the finger in front of her nose.

"I know," Baugulf's tone suddenly sharpened, making Melusine flinch and snapping her attention away from her sword. The knight steepled his hands in front of his face, eyes squeezed shut. "Just... keep your voice quiet when you respond to people, and try to use a soft tone. Can you do that for me?" He released a breath before he glanced at Mel from around his fingers.

"I... can try." When she noticed worry and displeasure furrow her escort's brow, she averted her eyes. "I promise, I'll do my best not to get on anyone's bad side. I'm sorry."

"You don't need to apologize, Miss Melusine." A fond smile returned to Baugulf's lips, and he ruffled Mel's hair. "Although it is appreciated. Let's go inside now, shall we?"

Baugulf led the way through a set of double doors made of dark cherry wood that reached the top of the ceiling and had to be opened by four people. The marble floors of the palace hallway turned to wood at the entrance, leading into a long and narrow throne room. Vibrant gold and white paint gave a splash of light in the windowless box. The only source of light were candlestands every few feet, each one lit with numerous wax candles set into two ironwork rings. Decorative wooden arches and columns were made of plain oak, varnished to resemble the same cherry that the doors were made out of. Melusine suspected that the builders of the palace had been forced to skimp on materials whenever they could, but whoever might've been able to confirm was long dead. A sunshine yellow carpet led up to the throne, running over a set of shallow steps just before reaching the king's feet.

The king sat on his lavish throne made of silver and golden velvet. He was still young, only in his early twenties, perhaps a few years younger than Baugulf, if Melusine's memory served her right. However, he had sat on that illustrious throne for one and a half of a decade. His clothes were immaculate and made of the finest silks. His fair blonde hair was just as smooth as the cloth he wore. Melusine's ears pricked every time the tips of his hair brushed his shoulders whenever he shifted restlessly in his seat.

To his credit, King Adelric III kept his glittering aquamarine eyes on the commoner that was telling him of the bandits raiding his village. He maintained a polite but distant smile as the poor village boy described how they were starving, the peasant's lips dry and chapped like Melusine's. Mel kept her own expression completely neutral and pushed down the rage rushing up her throat. Her unnaturally red eyes lifted up to one of the many murals painted on the palace ceilings.

This one was of particularly spectacular quality and skill, completed by some unnamed artist centuries ago. It depicted an army in shades of white, grey, and gold spilling from above the doors, charging towards the other end with spears and swords. A lone guard stood on a cliff with her palms stretched towards the oncoming horde. A cloak as black as the night sky billowed out behind her until it covered the width of the ceiling, dotted with stars. Directly above the throne was the royal insignia, the crown glowing with light.

Melusine felt the king's eyes focus on her, and heard him stand up. She didn't dare look at him, and immediately lowered her head as she bowed, fist over her heart.

"Send a squad of five to Gilade," the king ordered a man in the same kind of ceremonial armor that Baugulf had been wearing when he came to Hathorn. "Have the bandits dealt with and imprison any who surrender. Give the boy some coin and rations, then send him as a guide with the soldiers."

Melusine's lips pursed as she stared down at the carpet beneath her feet. She recalled times where the village elder's sons and daughters were sent to the capital to report ghost towns and enemies on all sides. Every time they had been turned away with nary a single coin for assistance. Mel glanced at the commoner boy, who was in shock but no doubt ecstatic and relieved. She hoped the orders given were not simply for show on her behalf.

"As you command, Your Majesty," the armored man replied with a bow of his own. He too had blond hair that was turning gray at the roots, and crows feet at the corner of his sapphire blue eyes. In fact, he was the spitting image of Baugulf in forty odd years. Melusine wondered if the armored man was Baugulf's father, but he didn't even acknowledge her knight escort as he left the throne room.

Melusine glanced at Baugulf, his friendly smile glued to his lips, but it didn't reach his eyes. Instead, there was an icy glare to his sapphire oculars that sent a shiver and a cold sweat down Melusine's spine. So focused on the stone still Baugulf, Melusine almost didn't realize that the king was approaching her.

She tensed when he wrapped his arms around her in an embrace. She took a deep breath in through her nose and remained stiff as a board.

"Welcome home, cousin, Miss Tepes." Adelric stepped back, thankfully unwrapping his arms from Melusine's shoulders. His smile was sweet and kind, but something about the way he stared at Melusine set her teeth on edge. It was like something foul was masquerading as a person within the king. "It's such a pleasure to finally meet you."