Fa Ha Quenza chuckled lightly. His voice sounded clear and controlled beneath the hood of her slightly messy brown hair. he returned Zavlan's gaze with a calm expression.
"I suppose it wouldn't be ethical to answer that," Fa Ha. said.
"You're honest enough," Zavlan chuckled, crossing his arms over his chest. He pulled the corner of his lips into a thin smile.
Fa Ha turned and signaled for the group to follow his through the black wooden door.
"This way, Your Highness."
They stepped into the deeper reaches of the palace area. The floor in this room was made of dark crystal rock that reflected the shadows of their robes with stark clarity. Fa Ha led them up a wide, towering spiral staircase.
At every corner of the stairs stood Dragon soldiers, standing stiffly in gleaming silver armor and long white cloaks. Some held greatswords, others gripped long spears, and some wore only thick metal gauntlets. As Zavlan passed, they bowed in unison to pay respect without making a sound.
The sound of the group's boots echoed down the towering hallways. Sunlight streamed through tall windows lining the corridor, illuminating stone pillars carved with reliefs of coiling gold dragons.
After passing several floors, they arrived at a massive double door made of dark teak wood. Two Dragon knights clad in all-black attire and gold armor stood alert on the left and right sides of the door. Their eyes followed Zavlan's every movement without blinking a single time. Fa Ha stopped right in front of the door.
Fa Ha turned toward Shufa and the two guards.
"The guards and accompanying are requested to wait here," Fa Ha said with a firm tone.
Shufa and the elite guards looked ready to voice a protest. Zavlan immediately placed his right index finger before his lips while staring at them with sharp red eyes. The signal silenced them instantly.
Shufa gazed at Zavlan for a moment with a wary face, but she finally nodded slowly. The two human guards immediately took up defensive positions near the wall, allowing their prince to step forward alone into the room.
Zavlan pushed the door open slowly. Inside was a vast room featuring majestic wood and stone architecture. Three gigantic arched windows revealed a view of the bright blue sky of Ring 0, complete with rows of floating islands and palaces sitting atop the clouds.
Sunlight entered, forming vertical beams that pierced the thin incense smoke in the air. Large stone pillars with coiling gold kilasafidragon reliefs stood sturdy along the sides of the room. In the center, a black marble table in the shape of a square block stood firmly. Only two carved wooden chairs with high backrests and dark blue cushions faced each other on the sides of the table.
In one of the chairs, a man with long blonde hair sat in an upright and calm posture.
"Long time no see, Villafia," Zavlan. Greeted
Zavlan walked casually toward the table. Villafia watched Zavlan's arrival with dimly glowing yellow eyes. A pair of curved white horns emerged from amidst his bright blonde hair.
Villafia stood up, then bowed slightly. "Welcome, Prince Zavlan."
He then sat back down. His hand gestured slightly toward the table. "Do try."
On the table, hot steam curled from a white ceramic teacup. Next to it was a bowl of clear soup with slices of pristine white fish meat. A whole grilled fish drenched in thick reddish-brown sauce was arranged neatly on a flat plate. The fish meat had already been neatly cut into small cubes. There was also a small plate of fresh cut fruit and red chili paste on the side of the table. The savory smell of broth and spices filled the room.
Zavlan sat in his chair, straightening his red robe. "Oh, fish, is it?"
Zavlan used a small fork to pick up a piece of fish. He dipped the meat into the red chili paste before putting it into his mouth. He chewed slowly, closing his eyes for a moment to savor the spicy and savory flavors blending on his tongue.
"My compliments to the one who cooked this," Zavlan said. He then drank his tea, which was still warm.
Villafia laughed lightly until his shoulders moved slightly. "I chose the best of the best to cook that."
"I am glad you like it."
He then tilted his head slightly to the right.
"How is the King?" asked Villafia in a calm tone. A gentle smile was etched on his face as he looked at Zavlan with a deep gaze.
"He is still ill," answered Zavlan while placing his teacup back on the table slowly. "Thank you for caring."
"He has been sick for almost two months, hasn't he?" said Villafia. He lifted his teacup and inhaled its aroma before taking a small sip. "We could send our best healers to cure him."
"Thank you for the offer, Villafia," Zavlan said, bowing his head slightly toward the blonde-haired man before him.
Villafia exhaled slowly until his shoulders slumped slightly. His dim yellow eyes stared at the steam of the tea dancing above the cold black marble table. "You really don't trust us, do you, Prince?"
"Do you still think my ancestor's nature has passed down to me?" asked Villafia. He set down his cup and looked straight at Zavlan with a calm expression.
Zavlan shook his head slowly. He adjusted his sitting position and leaned his back against the padded carved wooden chair. "No, it's not that."
"We just prefer to solve it ourselves."
"Solving it ourselves," Villafia repeated the phrase in a low voice. He tapped the tip of his index finger against the marble table surface, creating a rhythmic tapping sound in the quiet room.
"By the way, how does it feel to lead a kingdom?" asked Villafia again. He propped his chin up with one hand while observing Zavlan's facial expressions.
"Exhausting," answered Zavlan briefly. He moved his stiff shoulders, then took a piece of fruit from the flat plate arranged before him. "Many unexpected things happen. It is more troublesome than I thought, and more enjoyable as well."