They had been traveling for three days since leaving the village. Now, they were deep in
a vast forest, surrounded by towering pine trees. In the distance, the scenery shifted, the lush greens gave way to jagged mountain silhouettes etched against the sky.
"I didn't know Rolen and your knights were nearby," Luren said, glancing behind at the
ten knights riding in silence. Their presence felt like shadows slipping through the trees.
"The Ten
Knights are my shadows," Craige replied calmly. "They've always been by my
side, though most were away on missions. They came because they knew we'd be
arriving."
Craige turned to him with a smirk. "I'll assign you a shadow as well… or you can choose one yourself, once we arrive at the manor."
"Why would I need one?" Luren asked, confusion in his voice.
"Because you'll be my duchess," Craige said smoothly. "You'll manage the manor. You'll
need someone to protect and assist you."
Luren blushed, caught off guard. He had never imagined it would go that far. The
thought of being Craige's duchess sent flutters through his chest.
"Is… is that even possible?" Luren asked hesitantly. "For a man to be a duchess? I've
never heard of it…"
Craige leaned in, his voice low and teasing. "Then would you rather be my paramour…
while I marry someone else to be my duchess?" He nipped gently at Luren's
earlobe.
Luren gasped and slapped his face softly "Don't you dare!" he shouted, loud enough
that the knights turned to look.
The knights had been confused from the start, why was the duke riding with a man on his horse? Why did they look so close? But none dared ask. Now, they averted their
eyes quickly.
Craige laughed at Luren's fiery reaction. "Then you have no choice, Luren baby… You
must become my duchess." He cupped Luren's face and kissed his cheek tenderly.
The knights, stunned, looked away as if burned by the sight.
"Craige… the others are watching," Luren mumbled shyly, his face glowing with
embarrassment.
"Let them watch. Soon, they'll be bowing to their future duchess," Craige said with a
grin.
Luren chuckled, his heart fluttering, and placed a soft kiss on Craige's chin.
As they continued through the dense forest and climbed the mountainside, a massive
stone wall appeared before them, stretching wide across the mountains.
"Is that the entrance to the Northern Duchy?" Clara asked in awe. "The famous Northern Wall?"
The Northern Wall surrounded the entire North Domain with watchtowers and barracks standing as the final barrier
that protected the Kingdom of Seravelle, a towering symbol of strength, and
unwavering vigilance against all threats
The colossal wall loomed ahead, a barrier made of stone and history.
"It is," Keith replied with pride.
"That's…incredible," Luren whispered. "We never ventured this far on past missions.
It's not safe to travel here without guidance. The road's too difficult. But we
made it in just a week… without Craige's route, it would've taken a month..maybe
more."
"Habek!!" Craige suddenly called out.
A loud cry echoed through the sky. A giant eagle soared overhead, its wings slicing the
clouds. A moment later, another eagle joined it. They circled the wall, and then a deep horn blasted through the air. The flag of the North unfurled atop the watchtowers, and the immense rock gate began to open slowly.
"What's happening?" Clara exclaimed, staring in awe.
"It's a ceremony," Keith explained. "A signal to the guards that the Duke has returned.
The gates won't open for just anyone."
"It's also a defensive measure," Craige added. "That gate isn't easy to breach."
As they passed through the mighty gates, only mountains greeted them on the other side. But Craige led them to a hidden path, known only to him and his most trusted
knights.
"This path is different from the main road, isn't it?" Luren asked, noticing the narrow,
winding trail.
Craige nodded. "The regular road is easier, wide enough for carriages. But this one…
only horses can pass. To the side of this cliff lies the vast northern sea."
Eventually, they stopped at a grand stone fortress nestled within the mountain's arms
protecting those within. It stood tall and imposing, with weathered towers and
moss-covered walls. A cold breeze whispered through its gates.
"Welcome to the North," Keith said with a proud smile. His voice echoed as they stood
before the eerie, majestic fortress.