The carriage slowly came to a halt before the enormous gates of the Imperial Palace.
The sound of the wheels settling against the stone road echoed softly in the open courtyard.
Don stepped down first, his movements steady and confident despite Keyla's constant teasing about his age. He turned and extended a hand toward her.
Keyla stepped out of the carriage gracefully, her purple leather coat flowing behind her as her boots touched the polished stone.
For a moment… she simply stood still.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"It's… enormous," she murmured.
The Imperial Palace was far grander than anything she had ever seen.
The main gates alone were towering giants of black iron, forged from the strongest metal on the continent. Each panel was thick enough to withstand siege weapons. Engravings of dragons, lions, and ancient emperors covered their surface.
Above the gates, golden banners fluttered proudly in the wind.
Behind the gates stretched an entire city of buildings.
Courtyards.
Training fields.
Gardens.
Watchtowers.
Administrative halls.
Armories.
Barracks.
All contained within the palace walls.
Even the walls themselves shimmered faintly where gold paint had been applied along the carvings and borders. In the morning sunlight they gleamed like a mountain of treasure.
Keyla let out a quiet whistle.
"Papa… how many people live here?"
Don chuckled.
"Thousands. Soldiers, servants, officials, scholars… and of course the royal family."
Her maids standing behind her were just as stunned.
One of them whispered softly to another.
"I have never seen walls like this…"
"They look like something from a legend."
Even the guards accompanying them glanced around with admiration. Though they were trained soldiers, the palace still carried an overwhelming presence.
Just then the massive iron gates began to move.
CLANG… CLANG…
The sound echoed like thunder as the doors slowly opened inward.
Rows of palace guards stood on both sides.
Their armor was polished to perfection, their spears held upright like silver pillars.
The moment Don stepped forward, the guards bowed.
"General Don."
Their voices rang in unison.
Keyla blinked in surprise.
As they began walking through the gates, every soldier they passed stopped what they were doing.
They bowed.
Respectfully.
Immediately.
One after another.
Some guards saluted.
Some servants lowered their heads.
Even officers paused their conversations and stepped aside.
Keyla leaned closer to Don as they walked.
"Papa… are you secretly the emperor or something?"
Don snorted.
"Hardly."
"But they're all bowing to you."
"I am the empire's main field general. Most of these soldiers trained under me at some point."
Keyla nodded slowly.
"Ah… so you're famous."
Behind them, her maids whispered excitedly.
"Our young miss truly has an incredible father…"
"No wonder everyone shows such respect."
As they continued walking deeper into the palace grounds, the sights only grew more impressive.
They passed the Imperial Armory first.
The massive building was built entirely of dark stone and reinforced iron beams. Through the open doors, racks upon racks of weapons could be seen.
Swords.
Spears.
Halberds.
Crossbows.
Shields polished until they reflected light like mirrors.
Blacksmiths worked inside, sparks flying as hammers struck glowing metal.
Keyla slowed her steps immediately.
Her eyes lit up.
"Oh wow…"
She turned her head left and right like a child inside a candy shop.
One of the maids giggled quietly.
"Miss… you look happier seeing weapons than jewels."
"Of course," Keyla replied without hesitation.
"Jewels can't save your life."
Don shook his head with amusement.
"You really did grow up in the forest."
They continued walking.
Soon the loud sounds of shouting and steel clashing filled the air.
They had reached the training grounds.
Hundreds of soldiers were sparring across the large open field.
Some practiced sword combat.
Others trained with spears.
Groups of archers fired arrows at distant targets.
War horses galloped around a separate field as cavalry units trained their formations.
The energy of the place was electric.
Keyla stopped walking entirely.
Her eyes sparkled.
"Oh I love this place."
A pair of soldiers were sparring fiercely nearby, their swords clashing rapidly.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Keyla watched closely, arms folded across her chest.
"His guard is too high," she muttered.
Don raised an eyebrow.
"Already judging them?"
"The left one will lose in three moves."
Just as she said it, the soldier's sword was knocked aside and he was forced to surrender.
One of the maids gasped.
"You predicted that!"
Keyla simply smiled.
"Basic footwork mistake."
Don chuckled again.
"I think the training officers will enjoy meeting you."
They resumed walking, passing by stables, courtyards, and gardens where imperial servants tended exotic plants and flowers.
The deeper they went, the more luxurious the surroundings became.
Finally they reached the main palace building.
It was magnificent.
The structure rose high above the surrounding buildings with elegant towers and sweeping rooftops. Gold and white marble decorated the exterior.
Massive pillars lined the entrance.
Two towering palace guards stood at the doors, their armor engraved with the imperial crest.
The moment Don approached, the guards immediately bowed.
"General."
The giant palace doors opened slowly before them.
The servants accompanying Keyla stared in awe.
One whispered quietly.
"I never thought I would enter the Imperial Palace…"
Keyla took a deep breath.
Her heart beat slightly faster.
This was where the Emperor of Aragon lived.
She glanced at Don.
"Well Papa… I guess we're really doing this."
Don smiled calmly.
"Of course we are."
Keyla stepped forward.
And together they walked into the Imperial Palace.