King Nalvon stood frozen before the carriage wall, adorned with various frames. He was utterly captivated by everything he saw in the room. The quality of the images far surpassed any painting ever created, even by the kingdom's greatest artists.
"These paintings look so real! Is this Prince Alvin and his parents?" King Nalvon asked, pointing to a frame displaying three High Elves exuding a distinct noble aura.
"You are correct, Your Majesty! Those two are indeed Alvin's parents," Kazien answered politely.
However, when their gazes shifted to the frame beside it, both King Nalvon and Kazien were taken completely by surprise.
It was a wedding photo. There stood Kazien, looking gallant, flanked by two figures he knew very well. On his left was Allen, and on his right was Alvin. The three of them wore matching wedding attire and smiled happily.
Kazien had to rub his eyes repeatedly, even closing them for a moment, just to ensure that what he was seeing was reality and not a mere optical illusion. As far as he remembered, Allen had not been in that photo before.
"Alvin, Allen, have you two seen that photo?" Kazien asked, his voice unable to hide his confusion.
"We have!" Alvin replied cheerfully, as if it were a sweet surprise he had been waiting for. "And we both felt truly happy seeing that photo change into a wedding photo of the three of us!"
Allen nodded quickly, his face flushing but his eyes sparkling as he confirmed Alvin's words.
Hearing the conversation, King Nalvon slowly turned his head. He looked at Kazien with disbelief, as if he had just heard a grave confession.
"Kazien... that painting..." the King uttered.
Kazien's heart raced, fearing the King would question the technology of the photo.
"Do you and your cousin have a special relationship?" King Nalvon asked, curious and wanting to know about their connection.
However, when Kazien realized the question was about romance, he felt relieved. He let out a long sigh.
"That is true, Your Majesty. And my aunt has already given her blessing to our relationship." Kazien answered firmly without hesitation.
The confession hit King Nalvon hard. "Good heavens..." he muttered.
King Nalvon felt shocked after hearing Kazien's words. His body suddenly went limp, causing him to sit down on the sofa behind him. He held his face, massaging his temples as if fighting a sudden headache caused by thinking about the complex relationship of the three teenagers currently near him.
However, in just a matter of seconds, the pained expression on his face vanished. Suddenly, his shock turned into amazement. His hands felt the surface of the seat supporting his body.
"This is..."
He was amazed by the soft and comfortable sofa he was sitting on. He had never felt foam this soft yet sturdy, even on his own throne.
"Kazien, is this sofa also your creation?"
"You are correct, Your Majesty. Everything inside here is my creation!" Kazien smiled seeing the King's reaction. "Allow me to take you on a tour before we depart for the academy."
Accompanied by Kazien, Alvin, and Allen, King Nalvon and his seven soldiers toured the facilities inside the carriage. Every step brought a new surprise.
The tour started from the elegant lounge, continued to the dining room with a gleaming long table, a clean kitchen with foreign metal utensils, to a bathroom where water flowed on its own.
Their steps halted at a special room pulsing with magical energy. In the center of the room stood a large, pure magic crystal.
"A magic crystal? Of this size?" The King's eyes widened. "A crystal the size of a fist alone costs a fortune, let alone one as big as a water barrel."
"This magic crystal is the source of lighting for all the rooms here and the power source for the golem horse." Kazien explained while gently patting the crystal's casing. "Even at night, this carriage can continue to travel without needing to rest."
King Nalvon shook his head slowly. He truly couldn't analyze or digest all the masterpieces Kazien had created inside his carriage. This wasn't just magic! This was a revolution.
"Your Majesty, let us proceed to the second floor." Kazien invited.
They climbed the aesthetic stairs to the upper floor. There was a more private lounge and a large door that was tightly closed.
"That door leads to our bedroom, Your Majesty!"
The King's curiosity was piqued again. "May we see the inside?"
"Of course, Your Majesty! Let us go inside!"
Click!
The door was thrown open, and the group stepped inside.
Instantly, silence blanketed the room. King Nalvon and his seven soldiers were shocked and amazed. The room had walls layered with gold and silver, reflecting the lamplight into a luxurious yet non-glaring shimmer.
Allen, who had never entered that room before, was also captivated by its beauty and luxury. His mouth hung open slightly. The carvings were exquisite and unique, different from typical royal styles. The large wardrobe and vanity looked incredibly expensive. The chairs and table for relaxing were also of excellent quality.
My future husban is truly amazing! Allen thought, his eyes tearing up with pride. He can create something as magnificent as this. Is this room going to be the bedroom for the three of us in the future?
King Nalvon turned to look at the silver-white-haired youth. "Kazien, I never imagined you had created such a magnificent masterpiece! I am truly proud of you!"
"Thank you very much for your praise, Your Majesty," Kazien replied with a respectful bow.
King Nalvon seemed to think for a moment, then a brilliant idea crossed his mind. "By the way, Kazien, can you make a great carriage like this for the kingdom?"
Hearing King Nalvon's sudden request, Alvin and Allen immediately looked at Kazien. They were worried their future husband might firmly reject the King's request.
However, Kazien met their gazes, his look seemingly asking for their answer and approval. Alvin and Allen were briefly surprised by Kazien's reaction.
Alvin smiled softly. "It shouldn't be a problem, right? At least Your Majesty will feel safe and comfortable when traveling to a region." Alvin answered wisely.
"He's right! You shouldn't need to ask us! For the King's safety, we must help him." Allen chimed in supportively.
Having received approval from both of his fiancées, Kazien turned back to the King. "Very well, I agree. But please keep it a secret that I made this carriage for you, Your Majesty! I don't want many nobles coming to me wanting this carriage and disturbing my peaceful life."
King Nalvon laughed crisply. "I will keep my promise to you, Kazien! I want you to make three royal carriages! One for the royal family and high officials, and the remaining two for the soldiers escorting our journey!"
"Then, what about the horses? Pulled by golems or real horses?" Kazien asked for technical details.
"Pulled by golems! If we use horses, there is a possibility our journey will take quite a lot of time! Not to mention if the horses suddenly get sick or tired on the way. Your golems are far more efficient."
Kazien nodded in understanding. The order specifications were clear.
"I will make them now! But the manufacturing process will be done in private!"
The King's eyes widened. "You will make them now?" King Nalvon asked to confirm, his voice full of overflowing enthusiasm.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will make them for you immediately!"
"In that case..." King Nalvon raised one finger. "I will give you 150,000 Gold Pieces as payment!"
Silence...
The number was so fantastic it made their brains stop working for a moment. Hearing the enormous amount, Kazien, Alvin, and Allen were shocked until their mouths gaped open.
Kazien, disbelieving what he heard, spontaneously slapped his own cheek very hard to ensure he wasn't hallucinating.
Slap!
The sound of the slap echoed loudly in the quiet room.
"Ouch! It hurts! Turns out it's not a dream..." Kazien winced while rubbing his reddened cheek.
King Nalvon chuckled seeing the innocent behavior of the genius youth. "Hahaha. No need to be so shocked, Kazien. Do your best! I will order some men to bring the money while you make the three carriages."
The King immediately gave a signal. Two soldiers ordered to get the money immediately rushed toward the palace treasury.
Shortly after, they all stepped out of the luxurious carriage. Kazien and the others gathered back in the spacious palace front yard.
Kazien walked a few meters away from them, looking for an empty area large enough to work. He raised his hand, and the mana around him began to surge.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
The ground trembled slightly as ice began to emerge from the earth, growing tall quickly to form a barricade. A tall, wide, and sturdy ice wall was formed in the blink of an eye. Kazien was now surrounded by walls of ice so that no one from the outside could see what he was doing inside.
King Nalvon stared at the giant ice wall with a gaze of mixed awe and curiosity. He turned to Alvin standing beside him.
"Prince Alvin, approximately how long will it take for Kazien to finish the three carriages?"
Alvin shook his head slowly. "I do not know, Your Majesty! I have also never seen how he makes the carriage."
Alvin's answer silenced King Nalvon.
So, no one knows how it is made? King Nalvon thought. I fully understand why he doesn't want to show the manufacturing process to us. This technology is indeed terrifying and could be dangerous if it fell into the wrong hands.
He glanced at Alvin once more. But, Prince Alvin, who is his fiancé, knows nothing... this is what surprises me.