Binding Fate: Betrothed to the Otherworldly Duke

Chapter 3: Late Knight Conundrums

I waited in my carriage near the gates of Aeloria, tapping my fingers impatiently on the armrest. 

Belmont and Henry were late. They had taken a shortcut and were on horseback, so they should have arrived before me. As I peered out of the window, I finally spotted them approaching, their horses kicking up dust in the fading light.

The moment they reached the carriage, I stepped out and eyed Belmont suspiciously. "What took you so long?"

Henry, sensing my irritation, quickly responded, "We were delayed, Your Grace. Some villagers in Verdantvale had fallen into the river. We stopped to help."

I narrowed my eyes, studying Belmont closely. "Is that so?" I didn't entirely trust his explanations, but Henry's earnestness held a ring of truth.

With a decisive nod, I took the reins from one of the knights accompanying them and mounted the horse. "I'll be riding in with you," I said, handing the reins of the carriage horse to the knight. "Return the carriage to the mansion."

Belmont's brow furrowed with concern. "But, Your Grace, your health—riding might—"

I waved off his concerns, shrugging. "I don't want to attract attention by taking the Ducal carriage into town." As I spoke, I watched as understanding dawned in Belmont's eyes. I turned to the guards watching the gates, "You are to tell no one that we are here." I warned, glaring at them. The two knights nodded their heads and answered in unison that they understood and stepped aside, granting us entry into the city.

"Turn at the next corner!" I called back as we rode past the town square, my voice echoing off the cobblestones.

Following my lead, we dove into a shadowy alley, a known shortcut to evade the curious eyes of the city folk still lingering on the main streets. We maintained our speed until I signaled with a raised hand to decelerate. Our pace slowed as we ventured into Dampshaw, the area of town where residents kept their faces hidden, slipping in and out of establishments in a clandestine dance. It was a seedy underbelly that even those who frequented it claimed never to visit.

We soon reached our destination—a two-story building made of dark teak, guarded by a burly figure. Belmont dismounted and approached the man.

"The argent luminary reveals the way to the concealed woods of yore," he murmured.

The man gave a slight nod and gestured us around the building. A rhythmic knock broke the silence as Belmont tapped his knuckles against the back wall. A trapdoor opened at our feet, unveiling a stairway that plunged into the darkness beneath.

"Guard the horses and stay alert," I instructed the burly man.

Together, we descended into the dark. The path was quickly illuminated by a row of flickering flames on each wall that kindled one by one, revealing a narrow corridor barely wide enough for us to stride side by side. Heavy nets of cobwebs hung above us, sticking to our clothing as we delved deeper.

"That girl at the river," Belmont said, breaking the silence. "Did she strike you as... odd?" He posed the question to Henry.

Before the Knight's Captain could answer, we had arrived at a massive wooden door. My hand instinctively rose to knock thrice. A small slit in the door opened, revealing curious eyes that scanned us. I stepped forward into the light, and a flicker of recognition flashed across the onlooker's gaze. The slit slammed shut, and the clinking of unlocking mechanisms filled the tense silence.

With a heavy creak, the door swung open, revealing a vast chamber carved out of rugged stone, with entangled roots snaking across the ceiling. Every wall had ceiling-to-floor bookshelves housing old grimoires, dusty scrolls, peculiar relics, and luminescent crystals.