Chapter 46 — Iron Smiles and Cracks Beneath the Crown
The horns of arrival thundered across Helioscrest.
They were not musical like Valoria's—no silver resonance, no illusionary flourish.
They were heavy, blunt, and absolute.
Steel announcing steel.
From the palace balcony, banners snapped in the wind as the gates of the inner city opened wide. Citizens bowed instinctively, many without even realizing why. The air itself seemed to tense.
The first to arrive was Thalgrun.
A procession unlike anything Valoria had ever hosted rolled into the palace courtyard. Not a single floating platform. No spell-assisted motion. Everything moved with brutal, mechanical precision.
At the center stood Emperor Harkon Steelbrand.
When he stepped down from his carriage, the stone beneath his boots cracked—just slightly.
King Orean Evercrest descended the palace steps personally, his royal robes flowing like calm water against the iron presence before him. At his side walked Leslie, newly crowned Queen, her hands clasped together a little too tightly.
She had faced nobles before.
She had faced whispers.
She had even faced kings.
But this—
This man felt like a walking war engine.
Harkon's mechanical eye whirred softly as it focused on Leslie. For half a breath, she felt exposed—measured, weighed.
Then he laughed.
A deep, thunderous sound.
"Valoria," Harkon said, voice booming. "Still smells like mana and flowers."
Orean smiled, diplomatic and composed.
"Steelbrand," he replied. "Still sounds like mountains grinding their teeth."
The tension snapped—just enough.
The two rulers clasped forearms.
Not a gesture of friendship.
A test of pressure.
Stone groaned beneath them.
Leslie inhaled sharply but kept her posture straight.
Harkon finally released, nodding once.
"Your queen," he said, inclining his head to Leslie. "She stands tall."
Leslie bowed politely, heart racing.
The emperor turned toward the palace.
"Well then," he said. "Let us eat. I dislike wasting fuel."
---
A Banquet of Unease
The banquet hall glowed.
Solar crystals hovered above long tables, casting warm gold light over polished marble floors. Music flowed softly from enchanted instruments, restrained but elegant.
But beneath the refinement—
Every breath carried tension.
Harkon sat at the king's right, his empresses flanking him. King Orean sat composed, Leslie beside him, her smile practiced but strained.
Noticeably absent—
The royal heirs of Valoria.
"They train," Orean said smoothly when asked. "This tournament matters to them."
Harkon grunted.
"Good. Weak heirs rot kingdoms."
Across the hall, Crown Prince Darwin Steelbrand leaned back in his chair, boredom etched clearly across his sharp features. His augmented fingers tapped against the table rhythmically.
"This is dull," Darwin muttered.
Emily Steelbrand glanced at him.
"Observe," she said coolly. "You learn more watching than fighting."
Darwin smirked.
"I already know what I need to."
He stood.
Without asking permission.
Without ceremony.
Harkon didn't stop him.
Darwin slipped from the hall like a blade leaving its sheath.
---
The Training Hall
Steel met stone.
Cedric Evercrest moved through a flurry of strikes, sweat slick on his brow, crimson hair tied back tightly. Flames burst briefly from his fists as he pivoted, releasing controlled fire arcs against a reinforced training dummy.
He was fast.
Powerful.
And furious.
The humiliation of the duel.
Daniel's shadow.
The whispers.
He struck harder.
CRACK.
The dummy shattered.
"Again," Cedric snarled.
Slow clapping echoed from the entrance.
Cedric turned sharply.
Darwin Steelbrand stood there, hands in his pockets, eyes gleaming with interest.
"Well," Darwin said casually, surveying the room. "So this is Valoria's best?"
Cedric's jaw tightened.
"This is a restricted hall."
Darwin shrugged.
"Then restrict me."
Silence stretched.
Cedric straightened.
"You should leave."
Darwin's smile widened.
"Or what?" he asked softly. "You'll burn me?"
He stepped forward.
Cedric felt it then.
Pressure.
Not mana.
Weight.
Darwin rolled his shoulders, metal joints humming.
"Show me," Darwin said.
The air trembled.
---
Unspoken Defeat
When Darwin returned to the banquet hall, his steps were unhurried.
His expression—relaxed.
He leaned down and whispered something into Harkon's ear.
Harkon's grin grew wider.
Slow.
Satisfied.
Across the table, Queen Althea noticed immediately.
Her smile froze.
One of her men slipped behind her chair, murmuring urgently into her ear.
Her fingers clenched around her goblet.
"Silence," she hissed. "Not a word."
She leaned closer.
"Anyone who saw anything—bribe them. Threaten them. Make them disappear if necessary."
The man paled and nodded, vanishing into the crowd.
Althea lifted her goblet again, smile forced—but fury burned behind her eyes.
---
Guests of the Forest
A ripple passed through the hall.
The doors opened again.
This time, the air changed.
Cooler.
Cleaner.
Queen Lysandra Aurelius of Eryndale entered, her presence soft but undeniable. The hall seemed to breathe with her. Vines subtly coiled around pillars as if welcoming her.
At her sides walked her twin daughters.
Jennifer, composed, silver-green hair braided neatly, eyes observant and calm.
Yennifer, her mirror in appearance but not in spirit—eyes bright, curious, always moving.
Darwin paused, interest flickering briefly across his face.
He approached, bowing just enough to be polite.
"Queen Lysandra," he said. "Your forest arrives quietly, as always."
Lysandra smiled faintly.
"Steel arrives loudly. Balance is healthy."
Darwin chuckled, then turned away—only to stop beside his father again.
Another whisper.
Another smile from Harkon.
Althea understood immediately.
Cedric lost.
Her nails dug into her palm.
---
The Heirs Assemble
At last, King Orean rose.
"Since our guests wonder," he said calmly, "allow me to introduce my children."
The doors opened.
First came the twins.
Corin and Finn Evercrest—mirror images with sharp crimson hair and fierce red eyes. Corin's aura burned hot and restless. Finn's was colder, calculating.
They bowed together.
Next came Princess Elizabeth, her expression gentle but steady, eyes bright with quiet strength.
Then Princess Lyra, striking and confident, her crimson hair flowing freely, fire magic humming subtly beneath her skin.
Finally—
Cedric.
He walked in last.
His steps were controlled, but the faint bruising along his jaw and knuckles did not go unnoticed.
Leslie's breath caught.
Her gaze searched instinctively.
Daniel… where are you?
Harkon leaned back, studying them all.
"You have fine children," he said. "Strong blood."
Lysandra nodded in agreement.
Orean smiled—but then said calmly:
"Yes. Though we are still missing one."
Harkon's brow lifted.
"Oh?" he said. "The other one?"
A murmur rippled through the hall.
The bastard.
The anomaly.
Darwin smirked openly.
"How curious," Harkon continued, voice amused. "Is he too proud to attend?"
"Or too afraid?" Darwin added lightly.
Then—
Footsteps.
Measured.
Unhurried.
The doors opened once more.
A single figure walked in.
No rush.
No hesitation.
He walked as though emperors and kings were merely furniture.
Daniel Evercrest entered the hall.
Royal suit tailored perfectly to his frame. Dark fabric trimmed with subtle gold. Crimson eyes calm. Expression unreadable.
The room fell silent.
Harkon laughed softly.
"Well," the emperor said, leaning forward.
"Looks like royal blood walks differently—whether acknowledged or not."
His gaze flicked to Darwin.
"Still," Harkon continued, voice smooth as steel sliding into place, "Darwin…"
He raised his goblet.
"You handled Valoria's finest beautifully."
The words were polite.
The message was not.
People were confused
And Daniel walked forward—
unfazed.