The early sunlight shone brightly over the Queens’ estate as the last carriage got ready.

The servants loaded the packed suitcases while the Knights guarding the estate checked the horses one more time.

The royal invitation was safely tucked away inside Arthur Queens’ coat pocket.

An invitation to the Royal Palace.

Not just an invitation.

It was a royal order.

That meant refusal wasn’t an option.

Arthur jumped up to his carriage while giving one more look at his family.

"All set?"

Lucas tightened the belt on his sword.

"We’re all ready!"

Elena smiled while helping Jennie into the carriage.

Jennie sat next to the window, looking quietly at her familiar estate.

"Four years..."

Though she had spent only four years there...

That place had become her home.

For the first time in two lifetimes...

She knew what the word "family" meant.

Arthur turned around one more time to gaze at the manor before starting.

"Let’s go."

Horses started moving.

The Queens family left their estate behind.

Five days of travel lay ahead of them.

Wide roads made of solid stones, which had survived for ages.

Jennie watched quietly through the carriage window.

One village after another...

Children laughing while running through fields.

Farmers working under the burning summer sun.

Traveling merchants greeting the other caravans.

"Peace..."

She smiled gently.

"It still exists."

The roads...

The bridges...

Several towns...

She remembered giving permission to construct all of them thousands of years ago.

They had changed.

They had expanded.

But their foundations...

Were exactly as she remembered them.

Odd sensation.

As though seeing an old friend who had grown old.

During one afternoon rest in the shadow of an enormous oak, the family watched while Lucas was practicing with his sword and the horses were drinking water from the nearby stream.

Jennie sat next to Arthur.

She had many questions since getting that invitation.

She raised her eyes.

"Father..."

Arthur smiled.

"Yes?"

"Tell me about the royal family."

Arthur chuckled.

"So now you’ve grown curious."

Jennie nodded.

Arthur glanced at the road in the distance before continuing.

"Our current monarch is His Majesty, King Aldric KingHeart."

"He is a wise king."

"Perhaps not the best swordsman..."

"...but an outstanding ruler."

Jennie listened quietly.

"Good."

"A kingdom requires wisdom before strength."

Arthur continued.

"Beside him there is Queen Celestine."

"She was born in one of the greatest magical families in the kingdom."

"People call her the Jewel of Seraiya."

"They say she once used her barrier magic to protect the entire town during monster attack."

Jennie nodded thoughtfully.

"An outstanding queen."

Arthur smiled.

"The royal family has three kids."

"The oldest..."

"Princess Eleanor."

"She is twenty years old."

"The royal wedding we’re going to see is hers."

"She will be married to Crown Prince Victor of the neighboring Kingdom of Tricus."

Jennie knew that name well.

Tricus.

A powerful kingdom located in the west of Seraiya.

Rivals...

The two kingdoms had become allies through generations.

Their royal marriage would only reinforce that bond even further.

Arthur continued.

"The second child is Princess Lilia."

"She is only six."

Lucas laughed.

"I heard she is full of energy."

Arthur nodded.

"That’s right."

"They say the palace servants cannot catch up with her."

Jennie smiled.

"A spirited princess."

"And finally..."

"Prince Adrian."

"The youngest one."

"He is only four years older than you, Lucas."

Lucas grinned.

"I heard he’s already practicing with the Royal Knights."

"He is."

Arthur’s expression became thoughtful.

"He has amazing talent."

Jennie listened quietly to every word.

The royal family seemed...

Ordinary.

Not spoiled.

Not arrogant.

It was nice.

After some silence Jennie asked another question.

"Father..."

"How do you know the king?"

Lucas looked at them curiously.

"I’m wondering about the same thing."

Arthur laughed quietly.

"His Majesty and I..."

"...were raised together."

Both children blinked.

"What?"

Arthur smiled at that memory.

"We were both in the Royal Academy."

"He was the Crown Prince."

"I was just the son of the lower noble."

"But despite our difference in social standing..."

"...we became friends."

Lucas looked surprised.

"Is the King your friend?"

"He still is."

Arthur’s smile slowly faded.

"When His Majesty ascended the throne..."

"...he offered me the position of Royal Hand."

"The person responsible for helping the king to rule the kingdom."

Lucas gasped.

"You refused?"

Arthur nodded.

"I did."

"But... why?"

Arthur looked towards the endless fields around the road.

"My family served the crown for generations."

"The Queens family has always been beside the royal family."

"Never above others."

"Never greedy for power."

"Our job is to protect the kingdom."

"Not to get the titles."

Jennie listened quietly to her father’s words.

He really believes them.

There isn’t a single sign of regret.

Arthur smiled.

"So..."

"I asked His Majesty to give me the chance to stay a simple frontier noble."

"He agreed."

Lucas scratched his head.

"I would’ve agreed immediately."

Arthur laughed.

"I know that."

But Jennie had noticed something else.

"So..."

"Why are we still lower nobles?"

Arthur fell silent.

For several minutes...

Only the sound of birds reached them.

Then he sighed.

"Because..."

"Not everybody agreed with my choice."

Lucas dropped his sword.

Arthur’s voice sounded calm.

"Many nobles considered me insulting the crown when I declined."

"Some of them said we were pretending to be modest."

"They said that we looked down upon them."

Jennie’s crimson eyes narrowed.

"So..."

"They dislike us."

Arthur smiled bitterly.

"Yes."

Lucas crossed his arms.

"They are just jealous."

Arthur chuckled.

"Maybe."

"But remember one thing."

"Don’t judge anyone before meeting them."

"There are good nobles."

"There are bad nobles."

"The same goes for the commoners."

Jennie nodded.

"A lesson of a king."

But as the sunset approached on the fifth day of the journey...

The Royal Capital appeared before them.

Jennie gasped.

Enormous white walls extended into the infinity.

Proud gates stood under the banners depicting the golden lion of Seraiya.

Behind the walls there rose glorious towers, magnificent cathedrals, busy marketplaces and finally...

Royal Palace.

Shining in the rays of the setting sun.

Jennie watched quietly through the window.

One thousand years.

It had changed.

But somehow...

It still was home.

Arthur smiled at his kids.

"Welcome."

"To the Royal Capital of Seraiya."

High above the city the bells tolled, celebrating the coming royal wedding.

And neither Jennie nor Lucas noticed that...

Before the end of this celebration...

The entire kingdom would witness the start of a new legend.