Broken Heart, Shining Crown

CHAPTER SIX: The Visit to Ilferro

TW: Mentions of blood and war and minor violence 

The travel to Ilferro was quick and easy. It only took the trio roughly an hour to get to the heart of the kingdom: the castle of Ilferro. However, their troubles would begin right as they tried to enter the home of the Ilferroite royals.

"There's a moat around the entire place." Kleitos commented, observing the murky green water. On all sides, the beige-stoned castle was surrounded by water, which was filled with rushes, algae, and even some eels. There were only two ways to enter the castle: across the drawbridges that were always upright, unless someone was granted access, or if there was important festivity going on. The second way to get in... was well, far riskier with a higher chance of death. Amantius swore he saw bones at the bottom of the moat. He shuddered to himself.

"We'll have to wait by a drawbridge. A guard will surely alert the royals of our presence." Cassiopeia said.

"Oh, don't worry about that. I'm sure we've been spotted already." Kleitos muttered darkly.

Amantius looked up at the towering castle. It had several, large towers along its side, which made for good lookout points. Kleitos was right. There was no shelter in the surrounding territory of the castle, just open plains. From multiple angles, they could be seen. In fact, Amantius noticed a few watchmen changing up their positions.

"What service brings you here?" The yell of a watchman broke through the windy silence.

Cassiopeia cleared her throat as she stepped forward, "We've come to speak with your crown prince. We truly mean no harm."

"We'll see about that." he responded shortly.

"May we please come inside the castle?" She asked.

After a moment, a large, wooden bridge started lowering down onto the ground. Cassiopeia smiled gratefully at the watchmen before she walked across the bridge, the heels of her shoes clicking against the floor. Kleitos and Amantius followed alongside her warily.

What a... secure... home for such a charming prince. Amantius thought to himself.

Once the trio had crossed the bridges, they found themselves in the outskirts of the castle. Amantius was surprised to see a small garden around them, with a few baby birch trees planted as well. The garden was filled with lovely-looking, black roses. A few bumblebees flew from flowers to flower, yellow pollen clustered at their legs.

I didn't know that Ilferro had gardens. Amantius blinked. I was always told that their lands were stained in blood––not fertile enough to produce a single flower.

Cassiopeia stopped, halting her brothers in her tracks. She turned towards them. "Remember what I told you both?" she whispered quietly.

"Be precise with our words." Amantius murmured back.

"And, don't offend the royals." Kleitos muttered.

Cassiopeia nodded, glancing at one of the roses. Its thorns seemed to have...some kind of maroon liquid stained on their tips.

"They look beautiful." Amantius gazed at them in awe.

"...right..." Cassiopeia moved forward, entering the black castle doors, which had silver highlights. Amantius followed her, his eyes sparkling in sudden curiosity. Kleitos looked around warily, before entering the castle doors. The castle was ominously dark, with only a few candles and stained glass windows illuminating the place. The floors were made of, what Amantius could assume was, white marble. A few feet in front of the doors were a large marble set of stairs that lead up to a small balcony. A dark black rug with golden fringes was draped over the stairs. Rusted and broken swords decorated the walls, some having small plaques underneath them.