Chapter Seventeen
When the royal palace doors closed behind me, I felt a weight lifting off my shoulders. The evening had been exhausting, filled with false pleasantries and forced smiles. Two weeks had passed since the royal banquet I attended with the Strathmore family, yet it felt like it had happened just yesterday.
I sighed quietly as I entered my chambers, shutting the door behind me and standing before the mirror, gazing at my reflection. Since I had been reincarnated into this world, I had felt disconnected from this body. But as time passed, I grew accustomed to it until it became as familiar as if it were my own.
Arwa tilted her head slightly, examining her sharp and striking features: flawless milky skin, long platinum hair flowing like threads of the moon, and silver-blue eyes that held a cold gleam. Her full lips added a touch of overwhelming allure. She chuckled softly and whispered to herself:
"If I had this appearance in my real world, I wouldn't have needed plastic surgery."
She turned away from the mirror before she could become obsessed with herself. Then, she left her chambers, heading toward her father's office—Duke Othman Vallisca, the man known for his strength and prestige in this empire.
"Good evening, Father."
The duke lifted his gaze from the papers before him, and when his eyes met hers, he smiled warmly.
"Ah, my beauty has finally come to see her father!" he said teasingly, setting his pen aside.
"I came to help my father finish his work so I can take him on a stroll in the garden."
The duke let out a deep chuckle as he rose from his desk.
"Oh, my spoiled little girl, I don't have much work today anyway."
Arwa watched as her father approached. He was of average height, but his imposing presence made him seem much taller. With his snow-white hair and silver-blue eyes, he looked like a carefully sculpted statue. He wore a white shirt and black trousers—black was always his color of choice, as if it reflected a part of his mysterious nature.
"How about a horseback ride, my dear?"
Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
"What a great idea, Father!"
"Then get yourself ready."
She turned to leave, but he added warmly:
"And bring my grandsons, Silter and Sylvester. It would be nice to give the children some entertainment."
Arwa smiled and nodded.
"That sounds fun! It'll be a good change of pace for them."
With those words, she headed toward the children's wing, as the golden rays of the sun streamed through the palace windows, announcing a peaceful day… or perhaps, a storm on the horizon.
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Arwa left her father's office with quiet steps, making her way to the children's wing. The long palace corridors, illuminated by crystal lamps, cast their shadows as she passed by the towering windows, where the sunset painted the sky in hues of purple and gold.
The Vallisca Palace was not merely a noble residence but an architectural masterpiece embodying the legacy of a dynasty spanning centuries. Its towering walls, adorned with intricate engravings telling tales of past glories, stood as silent witnesses to the birth and rise of the empire's most formidable dukes. In the heart of this grand palace, the children's wing was located in the eastern section, surrounded by hanging floral gardens and balconies overlooking the turquoise lake that encircled the palace.
Arwa gently pushed open the door to the children's wing, finding the two boys in the spacious room. The floor was covered with thick carpets embroidered with golden and blue patterns, while the walls were adorned with paintings depicting scenes from ancient legends.
"Silter, Sylvester, get ready! We're going on a horseback ride with your grandfather."
Silter's head shot up immediately, his sapphire-blue eyes widening like gemstones. His delicate face held an angelic innocence, and his wavy brown hair added to his charm. He jumped to his feet, exclaiming excitedly:
"Really?! Oh my god, it's been so long since we rode horses!"
Sylvester, on the other hand, remained seated by the window, leaning against his chair with a cool demeanor. Yet, his shimmering blue eyes betrayed a hidden interest. He resembled his father frighteningly well—with his dark black hair and perpetually indifferent gaze. However, he couldn't hide his fondness for his grandfather and aunt Arwa.
"Will Grandfather be with us?" he asked in a quiet voice, as if trying to sound uninterested.
Arwa smiled as she approached him, patting his head.
"Yes, and he specifically requested for both of you to join. Don't you want to go?"
He turned his head away for a moment before finally standing up, clasping his hands behind his back, and murmuring:
"If Grandfather wants it, then I'll go."
Arwa chuckled lightly as Silter grabbed her hand eagerly.
"Then let's go! I don't want to be late before the sun sets!"
The three of them left the wing and walked through the corridors until they reached the palace's back courtyard, where their grandfather was already waiting. The duke stood beside three horses, each equipped with a saddle embroidered with silver threads.
"You're late," he said in his deep voice, looking toward his grandsons.
Silter quickly ran up to him, hugging his leg, while Sylvester stood a few steps away, offering only a respectful nod.
"I'm sorry, Grandfather!"
"It's fine, as long as we're setting off now," the duke said before turning to Arwa. "Are you ready?"
"Of course."
Each of them mounted their horses, and soon, they rode along the stone-paved path leading to the back gardens. Ancient oak trees lined the sides, their intertwining branches seeming to guard the road, while small ponds reflected the setting sun's light, resembling scattered stars on the ground.
They arrived at the knights' training ground, where the air was filled with the scent of damp earth and the neighing of other horses training in the distant arena.
"Sylvester, do you remember what I taught you about horseback riding?" the duke asked as he held his horse's reins.
Sylvester nodded silently, his brows furrowing in concentration.
The duke then turned to Arwa. "You take Sylvester with you."
Arwa nodded. "Yes, Father. Come with me, Sylvester."
The duke smirked.
"Alright, let's see if you all can keep up with me in a race to the northern gate!"
The boys' eyes widened as they glanced at each other before bursting into excited laughter.
"You're the one who asked for it, Grandfather—don't back out if you lose!" Silter teased playfully, while Sylvester gripped his horse's reins with a composed determination.
"I won't lose to you two," the duke declared.
"Neither will I!" Arwa added, lifting her chin confidently.
And in a single moment, the horses surged forward at full speed.