Grapevine (Zetheria Series #1)

Chapter 3: Rosseficent Family

It would take four to five days to reach the city of Zurham aboard a flying carriage. So, as soon as Selene received the letter telling her to come, she wasted no time and prepared to depart immediately.

Mika advised against bringing too much luggage and that she doesn't have to worry about clothes. So, in the end, Selene only brought one suitcase, containing books from the library that she could read in the duration of her stay.

As soon as she came out, a bizarre sight unfolded before her very eyes. The same carriage she used during the funeral lay await, but new sections were added and connected to it, including the necessary facilities to help make their journey a bit more comfortable.

Although, Selene doesn't have much expectations.

She's still not used to seeing the dragon-like creature which served as their horse. It was three meters tall and its skin was covered with gray scales. Their long tails hovered above the carriages, ending with a smaller wing.

Speaking of wings, they were currently folded. The last time she had witnessed them, they were quite massive. They could use it to cover their bodies. They were leathery and strong. A single flap will probably blow her away like a leaf.

Six of such creatures were connected to the carriages. They were called wyverns. A lesser relative of dragons.

Casting a wary glance at the strange creature, Selene hastily climbed on the carriage.

The coachman offered his hand which she took gracefully. Mika followed her actions and sat next to her inside the main carriage.

When everyone was settled, the wyverns unfolded their wings, bringing wind and creating ripples on the grass.

Three maids stood at the entrance, watching as the carriage floated up in the air.

There was a weird feeling in Selene's stomach as the sight of the manor zoomed out, becoming smaller as they flew higher into the sky.

The green grasslands appeared like a blanket, sprinkled by trees and houses here and there. Tearing off her gaze, she stared blankly at the window where the back of the coachman can be seen.

"Would you like to read a book, Lady Selene?"

"No, the shaking makes me dizzy."

This would be her first time traveling for days. It has only been a few minutes and she already felt like vomiting.

---

A figure moved past the rows of gigantic trees, leaping at their roots skillfully. He was too fast that he would appear like a hazy blur if someone were to watch him from a distance.

The leaves and twigs he stepped on, crunched under his feet as he ran towards the growing light.

Soon after, the sunlight greeted him and his speed slowed down, until he came into a stop.

Sweat cascaded down his forehead, to his neck and to his chest. The man stood six feet tall, wearing only a pair of pants which hung precariously on his waist. He walked barefooted, stepping on the bermuda grass that stretched as far as the eye could see.

He looked up at the towering height of the castle a hundred meters away from him. Fog covered half of it, giving the structure a haunting look.

A man in uniform walked towards him, and handed a towel.

"You have a meeting with the council in ten minutes, your majesty."

The half-naked man was still catching his breath as he wiped the sweat off his body.