CHAPTER 86: SUDDEN CHAOS

The carriage moved gently along the roads of solvane..

The sun was beginning to dip into the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and soft gold. Its glow slipped through the carriage windows, brushing gently across the faces of people sitting inside it.

But it wasn’t hot.

What it carried... was warmth.

Inside, the mood was light and cheerful.

Daliah leaned toward the window. Her eyes were wide with excitement as she looked at the passing sights—shops, lanterns, street performers, fountains. Being a princess, she rarely got the chance to explore the city like this. She was determined to make the most of it today.

Every few seconds when she saw something interesting, she blurted out something new with childlike joy. She was full of energy.

Then suddenly, she turned to Logan.

"So, Logan... who all are there in your family?" she asked curiously. "Do you only have a brother named Darius? Or there are other siblings too?"

Even though she was having fun, seeing Logan—who was the same age as her—sit so calmly like a grown-up made her feel a little embarrassed. So, she decided to act like a proper lady and started a conversation. She was also curious to know more about Logan.

Logan, who had been quietly watching the passing scenes, turned to her.

"No. I don’t have any more siblings," he replied. "Just Darius."

He paused for a moment. Then continued again, "My father has two wives. The first is Lady Mirena—she’s Darius’s mother. And then there’s my mother, Alice."

Daliah listened closely, nodding slightly.

"There are other family members too. I have two grand-uncles. My grandparents passed away a long time ago. Before I was even born. I also have three uncles and their families. Lady Mirena’s cousin also lives with us."

He leaned back a little.

"We also have a mage from the court mage at the house. Most noble houses do. They are more like advisors appointed by the court mage."

"Oh! I see," Daliah nodded. "That’s... a lot of people."

Logan gave a faint smile. "It sure is. Some times it gets too noisy."

"You’re lucky you don’t have a sister," Rowan chimed in, smiling. "They’re so troublesome." He was clearly pulling Daliah’s leg.

"Hmph!" Daliah puffed her cheeks. "You’re blessed to have a sister like me!"

Rowan laughed. "That’s exactly what a troublesome sister would say."

Daliah crossed her arms with a mock glare, though she couldn’t hide her grin.

Logan just looked between the two of them and smiled quietly.

Their teasing and the gossip filled with laughter continued until the carriage slowly came to a halt.

They had finally arrived.

Before them stretched a massive market—starting from the foot of a towering hill which was standing like a stone titan. The market buzzed with life. Stalls, food carts, taverns, garment shops, jewelry displays, glowing artifacts—everything was here. The entire area was so large that it almost looked like a small town.

The three of them stepped out of the carriage.

Daliah’s face lit up instantly.

She was beaming—like this was her favorite place in the world.

Rowan, of course, remained composed. He didn’t look too distant as Daliah was around, but he still carried the air of a prince—calm and authoritative.

Everyone turned to look at the carriage that just arrived.

It was impossible not to.

It was polished with deep navy colour and golden rims in it. And was gleaming in the sunlight like a moving jewel. And when people saw who had stepped out—there was no confusion.

They bowed instantly.

Rowan wasn’t an unknown figure to anyone in whole Arcadia.

Though he wasn’t in the line for throne, and always looked so cold and distant, people still respected him from the heart.

Not because of his title. But for his personality.

A person not thinking about power but people.

Rowan gave a respectful nod to the crowd in return.

"Let’s get started, shall we?" he said. "Or there won’t be much left to see once the sun sets."

"All right! Let’s check out some jewelry first," Daliah grinned.

"Yeah, yeah. Women and jewelry," Rowan said with a sigh. "Doesn’t matter how old you are."

Logan followed behind them without a word.

They pushed open the grand doors of a large jewelry shop. The moment they stepped in, the owner and staff straightened up like statues.

Rowan raised a hand and gestured them to relax.

Only then did the group relax. The owner of the shop came forward with a wide smile on his face.

"What a wonderful day, Your Highness! I assume you’re here for the young princess again?"

"Yes," Rowan replied. "Make sure she finds something she likes."

"Of course, of course. Princess, this way, please!"

Daliah was led to a special corner of the store where all sorts of necklaces and bracelets were displayed under bright lights. Each one sparkled differently. All better than the other.

After scanning the shelves with her big blue eyes, Daliah finally stopped in front of a delicate silver necklace sparkling with a sky-blue gem in its centre.

She picked it up carefully and turned to the two boys.

"What do you think?" she asked, holding it up to her neck with a slight tilt of her head. "Does it suit me?"

Rowan was about to answer but just then.....

BOOM!

A loud explosion rocked the air.

The ground beneath them shook violently, as if something massive had struck it from below.

People outside screamed.

The windows rattled. The shelves were trembling.

Daliah dropped the necklace in shock. Logan caught it mid-air without even thinking, but his eyes were already sharp—searching for the source of the commotion.

"W-What was that?!" Daliah freaked out.

Rowan’s face darkened. He rushed to the door. Placing the necklace on the desk, Logan followed behind.

Outside, the street was in total chaos.

Smoke rose in the distance. People were running—some shouting, some crying.

Rowan stopped a panicked man who was sprinting away.

"What happened?!"

The man gasped. His face looked pale and breathless.

"A dungeon! Monsters are pouring out like flies."