The evening started with a rare moment of peace. Riven and Vaelorian were having a late dinner after a busy afternoon in Vaelorian's study—a simple, unpretentious meal of roast fowl, crusty bread, and wine. They deliberately avoided the echoing pomp of the main dining hall. The air was quiet, punctuated only by the warm, comfortable scent of beeswax candles, the soft clinking of cutlery, and conversation that felt earned—a discussion about the next steps for the Breadbasket Project.
"The beauty of Torvin's signed document is that we can now requisition building material from House Veridian without asking the Senate," Riven was saying, outlining his plan on a napkin. He drew a quick, sharp line across the linen. "They'll hate it, but legally, the site is under Imperial protection now."
Vaelorian smiled, leaning back in his velvet chair, holding his wineglass to the light. "You've become positively ruthless, my love. It suits you. Veridian will choke on their compliance." He admired the blend of idealism and hard-edged pragmatism Riven had cultivated.
A soft, insistent knock interrupted them. Sir Eryndor, Vaelorian's trusted bodyguard and friend, entered discreetly, holding a sealed scroll.
"Your Highness, a private courier just arrived from across the Eastern Sea," Sir Eryndor murmured, his posture rigid with an unusual sense of urgency. "The seal is Royal Sovereign, but the outer wrapper states it is for your eyes, and Lord Riven's, alone. It seems the courier risked much to deliver it."
Vaelorian's expression instantly tightened. He recognized the austere, twin-dragon mark of the Sovereign Empire—a powerful, distant realm known for its stringent protocols and formidable Navy. Sovereign was politically neutral but notoriously wary of Lumina's court.
"Thank you, Eryndor. You are dismissed," Vaelorian said, his voice flat, cutting off any further questions. He waited until the door closed, the heavy wood thudding softly into the frame, before laying the document on the table between them.
Internally, Vaelorian's mind raced: Why the private courier? Sovereign communicates via elaborate, publicly witnessed diplomatic pouches, never like this.
"This is from the Sovereign Empire? That's highly irregular," Vaelorian muttered, his thumb tracing the foreign, cold wax seal. "We haven't exchanged private correspondence since Princess Lyra called off our engagement. And they certainly don't use secret couriers."
Riven leaned forward, his casual posture replaced by a Knight's focused intensity. The warm wine buzz vanished, replaced by a cold surge of adrenaline. "If they're risking a secret courier, it's not a friendly invitation. It's a distress call. Open it, Your Highness."
Vaelorian broke the seal, the wax cracking sharply in the sudden silence, and they both leaned in, reading the fine, elegant script that bore the signature of Princess Lyra of the Sovereign Empire.
The letter was brief, urgent, and alarmingly direct: "To His Highness, Prince Vaelorian, and to Lord Riven, the esteemed Knight.
I write to you not through official channels, for I fear they are compromised. I am being prepared for an imminent betrothal to a member of the nobility here—GrandDuke Valerius. On the surface, Valerius is a suitable match, but I have observed recent irregularities in his household and his behavior that deeply concern me. I have found his ambition exceeds his loyalty. I believe my future stability, and perhaps the future stability of the Sovereign Empire, is at risk from this alliance.
I cannot openly request an Imperial investigation. Therefore, I must enlist your unique partnership.
I formally invite you for a discreet state visit to the Sovereign capital under the guise of strengthening Lumina-Sovereign cultural ties. Your official purpose will be to observe our military and diplomatic infrastructure. Your true mission will be to discreetly ascertain the truth about GrandDuke Valerius and his intentions before the final vows are exchanged.
Please, I trust your unconventional methods and Riven's keen observational skills. Send a coded response immediately confirming your arrival date. My fate, and the integrity of my Empire, rests upon your decision."
Riven stared at the signature, then up at Vaelorian. "A state visit to perform clandestine espionage. She's asking us to travel halfway across the world, straight into a politically delicate foreign court, and secretly investigate her fiancé?"
Vaelorian gripped the edge of the table, his eyes alight with a mixture of disbelief and electric excitement. "Under the guise of a cultural visit no less! I visited the Sovereign Empire when princess Lyra and I were betrothed so I know for sure that the Emperor will never allow an open investigation. But Princess Lyra just handed us the perfect strategic opportunity to observe a powerful rival court up close."
"This might be a trap, Your Highness," Riven countered, though the Knight's instinct in him was already tingling, eager for the chase. "She might be genuine, but if this GrandDuke Valerius is powerful enough to compromise the Royal Sovereign channels, he'll know exactly who you are and why you're there. We will be walking into his territory."
Vaelorian smiled, a dangerous, thrilling look that Riven knew meant trouble. "Precisely. And he will have no idea what to do with you, Riven. Our reputation precedes us, but only as a pair of nuisances the Senate can't control. This is exactly the kind of messy, high-stakes political problem we excel at. We've been handling domestic tasks; this is an international mission with leverage at the end of it."
He picked up a quill, already dipping it in ink. "We have to go. This isn't just about Princess Lyra; securing a favor with the Sovereign Princess could give us enormous leverage in Eastern trade and naval control. Riven, grab the maps. We need to plan an itinerary that looks convincingly 'cultural'."
Riven stood, his tiredness forgotten, a grin replacing his frown. "Forget the maps, Your Highness. We'll start with the shipping schedules. Very well. Let's go investigate a mysterious GrandDuke. It seems my Knight gear will be getting another workout after all."