Chapter 165. Diplomatic Mission
A few days later, the banners in the square of the Kroll Royal Capital snapped loudly in the wind. Guards in golden armor stood in neat formations, their armor reflecting a cold gleam beneath the sun.
William wore a dark ceremonial robe fit for the Crown Prince, and the gemstone on the sword at his waist swayed lightly with each step. Beside him, Selena was dressed in a silver-white gown embroidered along the hem with the twin heraldic emblems of Kroll and Kadiya. The curve of her belly was already clearly visible.
Escorted by a grand ceremonial guard, the carriage slowly departed from the royal capital. Its wheels rolled over the stone-paved road with a steady rumble.
The common people stopped along the way to watch, gazing at this unusual pair of “envoys,” their murmured discussions filled with speculation about the future.
The news had already reached the Kadiya Kingdom.
Deep within the royal palace, Feir IV held the Letter of State sent by Kroll II, a complicated smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
“Once the ceremonial procession enters the Royal Territory, begin clearing the roads. Receive them according to royal protocol.”
He issued the order to his attendants in a tone that allowed no disobedience.
The palace quickly beca busy as preparations began for the arrival of the procession.
But beneath the surface of the palace, dark currents were surging. The relatives of the princesses Selena had killed, especially several consorts who had lost their daughters, already had tears reddening their eyes, their nails digging deep into their palms.
“Your Majesty, that poisonous woman Selena killed our daughters. How can she be allowed to return in such glory?”
One consort wept in a side hall, her voice trembling.
Feir IV closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them again, only coldness remained.
“The Letter of State has been accepted, and the ceremony has been prepared. If we turn hostile now, are we to make Kadiya the laughingstock of the Eastern Continent?”
“You may leave.”
The consort still wanted to say sothing, but when she saw the look in Feir IV’s eyes, her whole body shuddered. After hesitating for a few seconds, she gave a bow and left.
anwhile, the news also spread to the surrounding nations, like a stone cast into a calm lake.
Nobles slamd tables and cursed in the Throne Hall, while kings shattered wine cups in rage.
Kroll’s move was too ruthless. By using the marriage alliance, they had tied Kadiya to their war chariot and forcibly torn open a gap in the encirclent around them.
“Feir IV is a fool...”
The King of the Dragon Kingdom roared in the Royal Study, yet he could do nothing except watch as Kroll’s ceremonial procession drew closer and closer to the Kadiya Kingdom.
At that mont, inside the carriage, Selena was lifting the curtain and looking out at the passing scenery when she suddenly let out a soft laugh.
“Listen to that. Even the wind carries the sll of gunpowder.”
William was studying a map of Kadiya. Hearing her, he looked up. “Afraid?”
“I could even lay hands on my own sisters. Why would I fear the glare of a few bitter won?”
Selena raised a brow, her fingertips brushing over her lower belly.
“I was just thinking about what sort of status Father should grant the child after it’s born.”
William closed the map scroll, his gaze falling on her face. “Let’s speak of other matters after we reach Kadiya.”
Selena nodded at that, her fingertips absently rubbing the edge of the carriage window.
She understood better than anyone that this journey would never be smooth. The surrounding kingdoms would love nothing more than to intercept and kill them midway, cutting off any possibility of Kroll and Kadiya joining hands.
As she was thinking that, the procession suddenly ca to a slow halt.
The carriage curtain was gently lifted. Aila, commander of the Hand of Courage Knight Order, clad in silver armor, dismounted and dropped to one knee beside the carriage.
“Your Highness, we have reached the Obsidian Plains. Beyond Dragonfang Fortress ahead lies the Northern Frontier.”
William lifted one corner of the curtain and looked into the distance.
Under the setting sun, the outline of Dragonfang Fortress resembled a giant beast lying in wait. Its gray stone walls reflected a cold light in the fading glow, and its towering watchtowers rose straight into the heavens. The figures of soldiers patrolling the battlents could just barely be seen.
“Every ti I see this fortress, I’m reminded of my first journey to the Northern Frontier,” he said softly, his tone touched with emotion.
“Pass down the order,” he said to Aila. “We’ll enter Dragonfang Fortress and rest for the night. We leave again at dawn tomorrow.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Aila rose after receiving the order, then turned and issued instructions to the guard.
The procession slowly entered through the fortress gate. Behind them, the heavy iron doors gradually swung shut, cutting off the wind from the plains.
Lights began to rise within the fortress. The soldiers pitched camp and lit fires in an orderly fashion, and the fragrance of food gradually spread through the air.
William helped Selena down from the carriage, and her feet touched the solid stone road.
The count in charge of the fortress had already rushed over after hearing the news and bowed respectfully.
“Greetings, Your Highness, Consort. Quarters and food have already been prepared. Please co this way.”
“No need for ceremony.”
William waved a hand, his gaze sweeping across the fortress’s defenses.
“Strengthen the night patrols. No one is to enter or leave at will.”
“This subordinate understands.”
Standing beside him, Selena watched the soldiers moving through the fortress and suddenly said, “Even the stones here sll of blood.”
William turned to look at her, but she only smiled.
“I like places like this. They feel real.”
Night gradually deepened, and bonfires were lit atop the fortress towers, their light casting shifting shadows over the stone walls.
In the distance ca the footsteps of patrols, mingling with the faint howls of wolves carried on the wind.
That night, Dragonfang Fortress appeared calm on the surface, but in truth every corner of it was strung taut.
At dawn the next morning, the blare of horns shattered Dragonfang Fortress’s silence, and the ceremonial procession set out once more.
Inside the carriage, Selena was slowly sipping a glowing High-Grade Healing Potion. The cool liquid slid down her throat, and a gentle warmth spread through her abdon.
She looked at William and said evenly, “Last night, a soldier tried to tamper with my soup.”
William nodded. The Shadow Guard had already passed the information on to him.
“I’ve already ordered an investigation. We’ll uncover the source soon enough.”
Anyone who dared make a move inside Dragonfang Fortress was either a death-sworn warrior sent by the surrounding nations or an opponent from within Kadiya itself. Either way, they had to be rooted out as soon as possible.
Selena asked nothing more and simply put away the empty potion bottle.
She knew very well that this was only the appetizer.
Once the procession entered the Northern Frontier, the attacks indeed beca more frequent.
Sotis they ca as cold arrows shot from the woods. Sotis they were assassins disguised as refugees. Once, several Legends even charged directly at Selena, only to be driven back by the Legendary combatants accompanying William.
After a month of weary travel, the ceremonial procession finally crossed the Boundary Marker and stepped into the territory of the Kadiya Kingdom.
No sooner had they entered than a prepared Kadiya Legion moved in around them. The leading noble bowed and spoke in a respectful tone that nevertheless carried unmistakable distance.
“By order of His Majesty the King, we are here to escort the Crown Prince of Kroll and the princess to the Royal Territory.”
Their so-called “escort” was more like surveillance. Their formation tightly enclosed the Kroll procession in the middle, and even their route of travel was strictly controlled.
During the journey, William received a secret letter from the Kroll Royal Capital. When he opened it, his brow lifted slightly.
His father had executed one Viscount family and two Baron families on charges of colluding with enemy powers and committing treason. Their alleged cri was secretly conspiring with foreign forces to harm Selena along the way.
He handed the secret letter to Selena.
Selena skimd through its contents and let out a derisive laugh.
“They’re all just minor fish and shrimp.”
Her fingertip tapped the end of the letter.
“The real big fish are hiding behind them. These people are nothing more than pawns pushed out to take the bla.”
William took the secret letter back, his fingertips lightly tapping against his knee.
“Don’t worry. This is only the beginning. Father King has already started moving.”
“This is the perfect opportunity to cleanse the kingdom from top to bottom.”
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