Once the lingering echoes of the children's giggles entirely dissolved into the bustling market and the azure crystal glow, Len exhaled a quiet breath. Unclasping his hands from behind his back, he set his boots into motion once more.
The vibrant pulse of the festival was now gradually receding, and the chatter of the streets began to wilt into silence. Unfaltering, Len forged ahead with calm, measured strides along the primary avenue that led straight toward the heart of the empire—the royal palace.
As he advanced, the colossal and magnificent spires of the palace loomed closer, piercing the ink-black sky with absolute clarity.
The palace was now standing immediately before him. Its massive stone walls, steeped in centuries of ancient history, exuded an undeniable aura of raw power even in the dead of night.
Walking a bit further, Len came to a halt before an immensely grand entrance. This was the primary royal gateway, fortified with intricately carved iron and bronze shapes. Embedded into the walls on either side of the gate were extraordinary blue crystal stones.
The ethereal, pure white radiance emitting from them was so sharp and clear that even in the pitch darkness of night, it rendered every color and fine detail perfectly distinct and vivid. In this divine light, the true hues of the guards' armor and the palace's carvings stood out in their full majesty.
The moment the eyes of the armored guards standing vigilantly at the post locked onto Len emerging abruptly from the outer darkness, a sudden stillness gripped their faces. In the clear light of the crystals, the expressions of astonishment and sheer perplexity in their eyes could be easily read.
They exchanged subtle, questioning glances, as if a singular riddle was flashing through their minds—how and when had Len bypassed the fortress-grade security to slip outside without a single one of them noticing?
Yet, despite the profound confusion clouding their minds, not a single guard possessed the audacity to step forward, raise a question, or bar his path.
They instantly bowed their heads in reverence, pulling the heavy iron chains to draw open the massive royal gates without making a sound. As the gates parted, the path into the inner grandeur laid bare.
Len paid absolutely no heed to the silent bewilderment of the guards. His features retained that familiar, stark, and calm composure.
Maintaining his effortless, regal stride, he passed through the threshold and headed straight toward the main gate of the inner palace, while the golden butterfly resting upon his shoulder cast a velvety shimmer across the grand corridor.
As Len's boots thudded against the smooth stones of the inner courtyard, the armored sentries stationed at the colossal doors of the main palace immediately snapped to attention.
Without a moment's delay, they heaved the heavily carved doors backward. A low groan of sliding iron hinges echoed through the air, allowing the golden brilliance from within to spill into the outer corridor.
Right before stepping inside, Len's pace faltered for a fraction of a second. Turning his neck, he cast his calm, deep gaze back toward the path he had just traversed.
Out in the vast courtyard and the frontal expanse of the gardens, under the sharp light of the crystals, dozens of other guards were patrolling with absolute vigilance. The glint of iron shields and spears was vividly clear at every single corner.
It was an impenetrable fortress of security, one where even a bird wouldn't dare to fly through—and yet, Len stood past this maze with absolute ease.
An extremely faint, almost imperceptible smile touched Len's lips. Shifting his gaze away from the outer courtyard, he turned his eyes back toward the grand, open doorway ahead. Without a shred of hesitation, he crossed the massive threshold and stepped into the main hall of the inner palace.
The air inside was laced with a faint, regal aroma of sandalwood and magical oils. Len lifted his eyes, his gaze locking directly onto the massive, winding grand staircase rising from the center of the hall.
Those white marble steps, adorned with a plush crimson carpet, swept majestically toward the upper floors, where the most significant and private chambers of the empire rested.
A profound stillness anchored Len's eyes, as though he were contemplating what—or who—awaited him on the floors above.
Upon his shoulder, the golden butterfly drew her wings tighter, as if she, too, could sense the heavy silence looming on the upper levels.
Len set his steps into motion once more. His boots pressed against the plush crimson carpet, scaling each step of the grand staircase without making a sound. As he ascended toward the upper levels, the brilliance of the hall below began to wane.
The upper floor branched into numerous expansive corridors and countless distinct pathways veering in different directions, showcasing the labyrinthine layout of the palace. Unfaltering, Len forged ahead through the quiet passages and past the stately pillars.
As he walked, he came to a halt before a heavily carved wooden door. With immense delicacy, Len placed his fingers against the panel and nudged it inward. The door parted without a single groan, opening just a fraction—barely enough to reveal the interior.
Bending his neck slightly, Len peered through the narrow crevice. A dense darkness still blanketed the room, yet under the faint sliver of light filtering from the crystals outside, a figure resting upon the bed was distinctly visible.
The boy was fast asleep in a deep, carefree slumber, the rhythmic sound of his breathing echoing faintly in the silence.
Len turned his neck slightly toward his shoulder, where the golden butterfly sat in absolute stillness. Lowering his voice into a mere whisper, he spoke in an incredibly soft tone, "Eric is fast asleep... Lyana, you should go and rest now as well."
Without a shred of hesitation, the tiny butterfly fluttered her golden wings and lifted off from Len's shoulder. Creating a gentle ripple in the air, she flew directly through the crevice of the open door, dissolving into the darkness of the room. She made no sound to reply, as if she too possessed no desire to disturb Eric's slumber.
Len lingered for a few moments, gazing inside, before pulling the heavy door shut with utmost care and patience. With the faintest click of the latch settling into place, the entryway closed once more.
Exhaling a quiet breath, Len turned away and strode further down the silent corridor alone, where the stillness of the night grew even more profound.
The moment the lingering echoes of Len's footsteps faded entirely outside the heavy wooden door, a magical stirring commenced within the dense shadows of the room. The tiny golden butterfly hovering in the air drifted directly toward the bed.
Right at that instant, the familiar velvety white light erupted from her small form like a soft vortex. Within that swirling radiance, her silhouette gradually expanded, and in the blink of an eye, Lyana's human form re-emerged.
Her feet touched the floor with absolute gentleness. She held her breath completely to suppress any sound. Managing her attire with utmost caution, she slid onto the empty side of the bed, settling down with immense delicacy. She believed she had succeeded entirely in her quiet return.
But in the next immediate second, the silence of the room grew heavy in an instant.
The still figure resting on the other side of the bed abruptly stirred.
Without making a single sound, Eric slowly drew his eyes open. Even in the pitch darkness of the room, his eyes gleamed like burning embers, radiating a distinct crimson glow. He kept his back turned toward Lyana, altering his position not a fraction, nor did he look back.
"So... you two returned rather early," Eric's voice resonated, piercing through the stillness. His tone was perfectly flat, cold, and grave, carrying none of the raspiest of someone who had just awakened. He had been awake all along.
The moment that sudden voice drifted through the air, Lyana's entire frame stiffened for a fraction of a second. Her eyes widened in astonishment, and she stared frozen at Eric's broad back, which loomed before her like a wall.
The sheer panic of being caught was vividly apparent in the sudden quickening of her breath.
Eric brushed his blanket aside and sat up perfectly straight upon the bed. The stark gravity of his posture mirrored the demeanor of a commanding general and an authoritative older brother. With a slow, deliberate movement, he turned his neck back, locking his piercing crimson eyes directly onto Lyana's face.
"Where exactly were the two of you?" Eric demanded, pinning his gaze upon Lyana. The blunt question seemed to drop the room's temperature into an even deeper chill.