The next morning, their group had grown bigger. Chancellor Levenhart's carriage joined theirs, along with his guards.
To Grim's annoyance, Lianna insisted on riding in their carriage for part of each day.
"This flat-chested bitch again," Grim thought as she climbed in on the second morning. "Why can't this bitch leave me alone.?"
Despite the age gap, she seemed to adore him.
"I'm going to teach you magic," she said on their third day traveling together. "When you're bigger, ill make sure you know all about magic."
"Magic," Grim repeated, rolling his eyes at her.
"I can control fire," she said, then looked cautiously around her before whispering to Grim: "I'm not supposed to show it without my teacher, but watch."
She ckosed her hands together, and slowly opened them qnd a flame flickered loudly between her palms before she raced to put it out.
"Lianna!" her father yelled from across the carriages. "What have I told you about practicing without supervision?"
"Sorry, Father," she replied, not looking sorry at all.
"Great, I'm stuck with a bratty pyromaniac," Grim thought. But he had to admit, her rebellious attitude was nice to watch. No matter the world, people are the same.
As they got closer to the capital, the scenery changed. Small farms gave way to fancy country estates. The road got wider and was now paved with fitted stones. More travelers appeared—merchants with wagons, pilgrims, nobles in fancy carriages.
"We'll reach Celestis by nightfall," Marcus announced on the morning of their final travel day.
Rowan grew more tense as they got closer to the capital. He checked his sword repeatedly, smoothed his clothes, and barely talked.
"Nervous about how they'll receive you?" Chancellor Levenhart asked, a bit too casually.
"Cautious," Rowan replied. "The last time I was in Celestis, I left with guards behind me and a death threat if I returned without permission."
Darius's expression softened slightly. "Times change, Lord Ambrose. Enemies become allies. The Emperor is not his father, and the court has changed."
"And yet many of the same people remain," Rowan noted.
"Indeed," Darius agreed. "Though some are no longer with us, like Viktor Luminaris." A pause. "I believe you knew him well?"
The tension in the carriage thickened. Grim remembered the name from his father's conversation with Marcus months ago—the light affinity wielder who had beaten Rowan despite having fewer mana hearts.
"We had our differences," Rowan said carefully.
Chancellor Levenhart looked at him for a moment, then nodded. "His death was a great loss. Poisoned and died at his own dinner table. They never found who did it."
"A common story for nobles who make powerful enemies," Rowan replied neutrally.
"Hmm, I wonder if father had a hand in that." Grim thought, suddenly more intrigued in the conversation.
Before he could put more thought into it. Lianna gasped and pointed out the window. "Look! You can see the Imperial Tower!"
Rising in the distance, a gleaming white spire pierced the clouds. Even from miles away, it was the most interesting building.
"Celestis," Marcus said proudly. "The capital of the Empire."
As they got closer, Grim could see the giant white walls. Beyond them, countless buildings stretched as far as Grim could see. The Mage College, the Grand Cathedral, and the Imperial Palace.
They approached the East Gate, the traditional entrance for nobles. Guards stopped their carriage, but when they recognizedthe crests of the high rabking officers, they waved them through and bowed out of respect.
Inside the walls, the city was buzzing with life despite the approaching evening.
"We'll go directly to the palace," Marcus told them. "The Emperor has prepared rooms for you in the Noble Wing."
Rowan's knuckles turned white, where he gripped the edge of his seat. "So close to the Imperial Family? That's... unexpected."
"The Emperor likes to keep talented people nearby," Chancellor Levenhart remarked. "Especially those with valuable bloodlines."
They wound through increasingly fancy streets until reaching the palace grounds—an enormous complex of gardens, courtyards, and magnificent buildings at the city's heart.
Guards in shining armor stopped them at the palace gates, checking their documents carefully despite clearly recognizing both Marcus and Darius.
"Protocol," Marcus explained to Rowan. "The Emperor insists on it, even for his closest advisors."
Finally cleared, they proceeded to a grand courtyard where servants rushed to attend to their carriages and luggage.
A stern-looking man in formal court clothes approached. "Archmage Valorian, Chancellor Levenhart, welcome back. Lord Ambrose, the Emperor welcomes you and invites you to rest tonight. He will receive you and your son in formal audience tomorrow at midday." His eyes briefly fell on Grim. "Special arrangements have been made for the young master's comfort."
Grim found himself lifted from the carriage by Sera. Looking up at the towering palace around him, gleaming white and gold in the sunset, he felt a strange mixture of excitement and wariness.
"So this is the capital," he thought. "Where my family fell from grace. And where I'll begin to raise us back up."
[A dangerous place for one so young.] the voice cautioned. [Even with your abilities]
"I built an empire in my last life from nothing," Grim thought. "This time, I have magic, a family name, and advanced knowledge. How hard can it be?"
[Pride comes before a fall,] the voice warned. [Remember, your light affinity was not the god's gift. Your true advantage remains hidden.]
Grim frowned mentally. "You still won't tell me what it is?"
[You'll discover it when you need it most,] the voice replied. [For now, watch and learn. Tomorrow, you meet an Emperor.]
As servants led them into the palace, Grim caught Liana watching him with that same curious intensity. She smiled when their eyes met, a conspiratorial little grin that suggested she somehow knew he was more than he appeared.
"See you tomorrow, Grim," she said, waving as her father led her toward a different wing of the palace. "Don't worry—the Emperor is nice. Mostly."
"Great," Grim thought, as Rowan carried him toward their assigned rooms. "Reassured by a four-year-old. This is my life now."
But beneath his sarcasm, he was genuinely excited. Tomorrow would be the first real test of his new existence—and the first step toward whatever destiny awaited him in this world of magic and intrigue.