CHAPTER 30 - A Departure No One Agreed On
The sky was still dark when the palace courtyard began to stir.
A thin mist lingered in the morning air. Several knights were already preparing, calming their horses, while servants moved swiftly with minimal noise.
Keira was already there, accompanied by a half-awake Daniel.
She stood near the carriage in simple traveling clothes. No crown. No excessive jewelry.
Just a queen ready to leave.
In front of her, Kael stood upright.
As composed as ever.. yet this time, his gaze was not entirely calm.
"Your Majesty…"
Keira turned slightly.
"I know what you're going to say."
Kael paused for a moment, then spoke more quietly,
"Then allow me to ask something."
Keira raised a brow.
"What is it?"
Kael met her gaze directly.
"Why do you want to come?"
There was no accusation.
No rejection.
Just an honest question.
Keira didn't answer immediately.
She looked out at the still-quiet courtyard,
then back at Kael. "I want to see it myself."
"See what?"
"My territory."
The answer was simple.
But clear.
Keira continued,
"I don't want to only hear reports."
"I want to know what the people there are really going through."
A brief silence fell.
Kael didn't argue.
But his expression didn't change.
"The journey south is not easy."
His tone remained calm.
"The terrain is harsh… The distance is long."
"And the border is unstable."
He paused.
His gaze hardened slightly.
"This is not a journey suited for a queen."
Keira crossed her arms.
"That's exactly why I have to go."
Kael frowned faintly.
Keira looked at him.
"If I only stay in the palace…"
"…I will never truly understand what's happening out there."
Silence fell again.
Kael exhaled slowly.
Then spoke in a lower voice.. more honest this time.
"I don't want you to experience that."
Keira paused slightly.
Kael continued,
"The hardship of the journey."
"The dangers at the border."
"And… the worst possibilities that could happen."
His gaze did not waver.
"That's not something you should have to endure."
Keira looked at him for a few seconds.
Then smiled faintly.
"Kael."
Her voice softened.
"I'm not made of glass."
Kael didn't respond.
But it was clear he still disagreed.
Keira took a step closer.
"And I don't want to be protected from everything."
Silence.
Then Kael said quietly,
"That's not Your Majesty's choice."
Keira raised a brow.
"Then whose?"
"It's my duty."
The answer came immediately.
Without hesitation.
Keira held back a small smile.
"I know."
She paused briefly.
"But this time… let me choose."
A long silence followed.
Kael looked at her.
He didn't refuse.
But he didn't agree either.
Instead, he said,
"Then…"
He lowered his head slightly.
"…I will make sure you remain safe."
Keira gave a small nod.
"That's enough."
***
Not long after, hurried footsteps echoed from inside the palace.
Cassian and Lucien.
They arrived almost at the same time, as if they already knew.
Cassian stopped directly in front of Keira.
"No."
No greeting.
No preamble.
Keira exhaled.
"You're quick."
"I didn't sleep," Cassian replied shortly. His gaze was sharp. "And apparently, that was the right decision."
Lucien stood beside him.
Calmer... but far more pressing.
"I hope this is only a plan that hasn't been finalized."
Keira looked at them.
"It's final."
Silence.
Cassian stepped closer.
"You're not going."
Keira shook her head.
"I am."
"No."
"Yes."
Their tones were equally firm.
Daniel whispered under his breath,
"Okay… this is starting to feel like a family meeting."
No one responded.
and then...
The main palace doors opened again.
Alaric stepped out, his stride heading straight toward them.
Lucien moved quickly.
"Your Majesty."
Alaric stopped.
Lucien met his gaze.
"You're going as well?"
Alaric didn't deny it.
"I am."
Silence.
Lucien exhaled slowly.
"No."
His tone remained calm, but absolute.
"There are seven reports you haven't signed."
"Two council meetings… and the western delegation that has been waiting for three days."
Daniel glanced at Keira.
"…is he always like this?"
Keira answered quietly,
"Yes."
Lucien continued, unaffected,
"If you leave now, you are abandoning the kingdom in an unstable state."
Alaric looked at him.
"Lucien."
Lucien didn't back down.
"You are the King."
Silence fell.
A few seconds passed.
Finally, Alaric exhaled.
He knew.
Lucien was right.
And that was… irritating enough.
He turned to Keira.
"I'll follow later."
Keira raised a brow.
Alaric continued,
"I'll finish everything today."
His gaze was firm.
"I leave tomorrow."
Keira looked at him for a moment.
Then nodded.
"Alright."
Lucien didn't look satisfied.
But he couldn't argue.
Meanwhile, Cassian still stood in front of Keira.
Unmoving.
"You're not allowed to go."
Keira met his gaze.
"I'm going."
Cassian shook his head.
"You don't know what the border is like."
"I don't need to know everything to go."
Keira's answer was calm—
but unwavering.
Cassian looked at her for a long moment.
Then said quietly,
"…you're really not going to stop."
Keira shook her head.
"No."
Silence.
Finally, Cassian let out a long breath.
"If you go…"
His gaze shifted.
More serious.
More protective.
"…I'm coming with you."
Daniel reacted immediately.
"Ah, of course."
Keira looked at Cassian.
"Cassian—"
"This isn't a request."
His tone was firm.
"Just like your decision."
Keira fell silent.
Then smiled faintly.
"…you're such a troublesome older brother."
Cassian didn't smile.
"And you're a stubborn little sister."
A few minutes later, the group was ready to depart.
Kael gave the signal.
The carriage began to move.
Daniel climbed in first, then looked back at Keira.
"Come on, before they change their minds."
Keira got in.
Cassian followed.
Kael took the lead in front.
The carriage slowly rolled out of the palace courtyard.
Lucien stood still.
Beside him, Alaric remained watching the gate.
The carriage gradually disappeared from view.
Lucien spoke quietly,
"You let them go."
Alaric didn't look away.
"I wouldn't have been able to stop her."
A brief silence.
Then Alaric turned.
"I have one day."
Lucien nodded.
"Then we begin now."
And in the distance Keira sat inside the carriage.
With Cassian and Daniel.
The journey had begun.
Toward the south.
Toward something unknown.