The air around the carriage seemed to grow heavy as the man inside stepped out. His tall figure stood straight with a dignified air, his tailored navy coat gleaming subtly under the moonlight. Intricate silver embroidery ran along its seams, forming swirling designs reminiscent of flames and noble crests. His sharp, calculating eyes took in the scene before him with a mixture of relief and suspicion.
Ethan could feel the weight of the man's gaze as it settled on him.
"Lady Seraphina," the man said in a calm, clipped voice, lowering his head briefly. "You've returned safely. We received no word from your party. The entire escort was feared lost."
Seraphina — the name rang through Ethan's mind.
So it's not just Sera... and clearly she's not some ordinary traveler.
"I owe my survival to Ethan Cross," she answered coolly, gesturing lightly toward Ethan. "Without his intervention, we wouldn't have made it this far."
The man turned his full attention to Ethan now, his cold but curious eyes studying him like one would examine an artifact of unknown origin.
"Ethan Cross, was it?"
"Uh… yes. Just Ethan is fine," Ethan said quickly, trying not to sound as awkward as he felt.
A long pause followed as the man continued to scrutinize him, his gaze analyzing every detail — from Ethan's strange clothes, the faint traces of the Bloodmaw's attack on his jacket, to his foreign posture. Finally, he spoke again with a faint smile that felt more like a mask of courtesy than true warmth.
"I am Sir Aldric, attendant and advisor to Lady Seraphina of House Valoria." His voice was smooth, but held an edge of authority.
Ethan gave a small nod, feeling more out of place with every passing second. House? Lady? Advisor? The titles sounded as if pulled straight from some medieval fantasy novel rather than the world he was used to.
The remaining guards, though bloodied and weary, swiftly moved around the scene, organizing themselves with practiced efficiency. Other riders emerged from behind the primary carriage—armored, stern, and clearly better equipped than the original escort. Their silver and crimson banners fluttered against the backdrop of the moonlit trees.
The sight of so many armored individuals only reinforced what Ethan was starting to realize:
This isn't just a random group of travelers. She's someone very important.
As the injured were loaded onto small supply wagons, Seraphina gestured for Ethan to approach the carriage. "Come. Ride with me."
Ethan hesitated only briefly. He was exhausted and sore, and honestly, his head was still spinning from the last few hours. He climbed into the luxurious carriage after her, the door closing with a soft thump as the team of horses pulled them forward.
The interior was like nothing he had ever seen up close. Velvet-cushioned benches lined the sides. Small lanterns fixed into ornate brass holders bathed the space in a golden warmth. A faint floral scent mixed with the leather and wood interior, almost calming him.
Sitting across from Seraphina, Ethan couldn't help but study her again under the soft light. Her poise, her calmness even after what they had faced—it was clear she was trained for this kind of world. Yet there was something genuine behind her amber eyes that made her feel approachable despite the noble air she carried.
"You must be wondering where you're heading," she spoke gently.
Ethan shifted slightly, still unsure of how much he should—or even could—say. "A little, yeah. I didn't expect tonight to go like this."
Seraphina gave a soft chuckle, breaking some of the tension. "Few nights go according to plan in these parts. But you have handled yourself remarkably well for someone from such a… distant region."
Her words were carefully chosen, but Ethan caught the subtle implication: She didn't believe he was entirely from this world either.
"You said earlier that you were far from home," she continued, watching his reaction closely. "May I ask from which province or territory you hail?"
Ethan's mind raced.
Province? Territory?
He couldn't just say Earth. That would raise too many questions. Thinking quickly, he went for the safest answer he could think of.
"Honestly, I'm from somewhere very isolated. Remote. Hardly anyone's heard of it."
"That explains your… unfamiliarity with certain customs." Her lips curled into a small smile, but her eyes remained serious. "Though I must admit, you adapt quickly for someone unfamiliar with nobility or the creatures that stalk these woods."
Her words hit home again. His reaction to the Bloodmaw had been entirely instinctive, aided by The Arkanom. Without it, he knew he wouldn't have lasted long.
"That beast…" Ethan started, "you called it a Bloodmaw?"
She nodded. "One of the more dangerous creatures that lurk beyond the patrol routes. Normally they avoid populated routes, but occasionally, one gets brave or hungry. We were… unlucky."
Ethan rubbed his ribs, still sore from where the Bloodmaw had thrown him. "Unlucky's one way to put it."
A long silence stretched between them as the carriage bumped along the winding path. Finally, Seraphina lowered her voice slightly, her tone more personal now.
"Ethan, you may not fully grasp the situation yet… but saving me carries weight. Political weight."
Ethan frowned. "What do you mean?"
Her gaze grew distant for a moment as she looked out the window. "You've intervened in the affairs of one of the noble houses of Arkenis—one of the Great Kingdoms. There are those who will see you as a hero… and others who may view you as a complication."
Ethan's stomach twisted. "I didn't do this for politics. I just… couldn't let anyone die."
"I know." She smiled faintly again, this time more sincerely. "And that is why you might survive what comes next."
Before Ethan could respond, the carriage slowed, the gentle rocking shifting as the wheels found smoother ground. The clatter of hooves echoed off large stone walls.
Peering through the window, Ethan's eyes widened.
Towering stone fortifications loomed ahead, torches lining the battlements. Banners of crimson and gold fluttered in the night breeze. Guards in polished armor stood at attention as the gates slowly creaked open, revealing a sprawling inner courtyard illuminated by flickering firelight.
Beyond the courtyard stood a castle—massive, elegant, and intimidating. Its tall spires reached into the night sky, as if trying to pierce the stars themselves.
Seraphina followed his gaze, smiling softly. "Welcome to the capital city of Arkenis."
Ethan's breath caught in his throat.
What have I gotten myself into?
As the carriage crossed under the towering gate, Ethan's journey into this strange world's nobility had officially begun.