CHAPTER 30: LEAVING THE CASTLE

It was a wonderful morning.

Azel stood in the courtyard of the Imperial Palace, the cool morning air brushing against his face as he tightened the cloak that he wore.

A small sigh escaped his lips, the air was cold as well.

The sun had only just begun to rise, casting long shadows across the polished stone tiles beneath his boots.

The palace loomed behind him, a monument of gold and marble, and yet — despite all its grandeur, it felt strangely quiet.

That was because it was really early, the Emperors and the others were still asleep, well he had said his goodbyes yesterday so it wasn’t that much of a problem.

Steven stood beside him, stretching his arms with a yawn as he prepared the griffin for flight.

"Well, kid," he said with his usual easy-going tone, "as nice as this palace was, I’ll take our little cottage over this any day. No servants peeking over your shoulder every time you breathe, nobody gossiping like pigeons. Just peace and quiet."

Azel nodded, his lips curling faintly. "Yeah... I missed it too."

He stepped forward toward the griffin, its wings folding as it lowered itself for them to mount.

Just as his foot rose to take the first step, a soft, familiar voice called his name.

"Azel..."

He froze.

Slowly, he turned back toward the palace doors, and there she was — Edna Starbloom.

But she wasn’t dressed in her usual regal attire.

No jeweled crown rested atop her head, no layers of ornate silk cloaked her frame.

Instead, she wore simple, casual clothes — an elegant yet plain dress of soft lavender fabric, her hair tied back in a loose braid.

It was the first time Azel had seen her like this, stripped of her title and splendor.

She looked less like the Empress of the Empire and more like... a woman.

A beautiful woman befitting of her title as noble.

Her gaze met his, those deep lilac eyes carrying different emotions, but she took a deep breath, calming herself.

Steven climbed the griffin and began adjusting the saddle so he walked closer to her.

"You’re leaving already?" she asked softly.

Azel gave her a warm smile and nodded. "Yes... it’s time for me to go."

Her hands tightened around the folds of her dress.

For a moment, she looked as though she wanted to say something else, but instead, she simply offered a faint, melancholic smile.

"You’ve been... a wonderful guest," she said. "The palace will feel emptier without you."

He chuckled lightly, scratching his cheek.

"I had a lot of fun here," he admitted. "Especially in the library. You’re an excellent reading partner, Edna."

She had given him permission to call her by her name, but even now, she hadn’t gotten used to it.

Her cheeks warmed at the casual use of her name, and she sighed.

Then she took a step closer, her fingers brushing lightly along the railing.

"I had fun too," she replied quietly. "It’s been a long time since I’ve had someone who truly enjoyed reading with me... who wasn’t there out of formality or obligation."

Her voice softened, almost wistful. "You made this palace feel a little less lonely."

Azel’s smile wavered slightly.

He could see it now — the loneliness she always carried, hidden behind that regal composure.

A woman bound by duty, trapped in a gilded cage, her every move dictated by politics and expectations.

"I’ll come back," Azel said.

His tone was light at first, but then his voice dropped, quiet enough that only she could hear.

"And next time I come back..." He hesitated for only a heartbeat before finishing, "...I’ll save you."

Her breath caught in her throat.

She blinked, stunned, and her heart began to race.

Save her?

What did he mean by that?

Did he see through her carefully concealed pain so easily?

She read his lips, and her cheeks flushed a delicate pink.

Her fingers clutched her dress tighter as she lowered her gaze, unable to meet his eyes for a moment.

It had been years — years since anyone had spoken to her like that.

She couldn’t even remember the last time.

"Azel..." she whispered, her voice trembling ever so slightly.

He only smiled.

Like he was certain of his words

Something inside her broke then — not in pain, but in quiet relief.

"...Okay," she finally whispered back, her voice fragile as glass.

Azel nodded and gave her a small wave, one last smile before he turned away and climbed onto the griffin’s back.

Steven glanced at the Empress and bowed as he settled in beside Azel, his brow quirking slightly at the expression on her face.

But he didn’t say anything.

Instead, he clicked his tongue, and with a powerful beat of its wings, the griffin launched into the sky.

The palace grew smaller beneath them, the grand marble towers shrinking with every passing second.

Azel didn’t look away though.

His eyes stayed fixed on the ground where Edna stood, her figure growing smaller and smaller as she raised a hand to wave, her lips curved into a bittersweet smile.

She didn’t stop waving until the griffin disappeared into the clouds.

...

The wind whipped past them as they soared through the air.

Azel leaned back slightly, staring at the endless blue sky above.

His chest felt strangely tight.

Beside him, Steven grinned knowingly.

"Hah. Looks like you had a pretty good time back there, huh?"

Azel let out a small chuckle. "Yeah... I guess I did."

Steven eyed him for a moment before letting out a hearty laugh.

"Well, don’t get too attached to palace life, kid. For the next few years, it’s just gonna be you, me, that forest, and the Dragon Saint Style until you’ve mastered it."

Azel smirked, feeling the familiar fire of determination rise in his chest. "I’m looking forward to it."

Steven grinned wider, slapping him on the back. "That’s what I like to hear!"

As they soared further from the capital, Azel looked down one last time.

The gleaming spires of the Imperial Palace were far in the distance now, barely visible beyond the morning mist.

Yet his thoughts lingered on Edna and that fleeting smile, and the quiet, hopeful whisper she had given him in return.

"Next time..." he muttered under his breath. "I’ll keep that promise."

And with that, the griffin carried them away, toward Deymoor Town, toward the forest... and toward the years of relentless training that awaited him.