I Became The Extra King With Seven Wives

Chapter 68: Departure From The Sun Capital

The time had finally arrived for our departure.

Since the journey would span a couple of days, we needed to gather our essentials, specifically, what Eleanor and I would respectively require on the road. Putting aside vital provisions like rations and clean water, there were other practicalities to consider.

Sturdy travel clothes, soap, and enough coin to smooth over any unforeseen troubles were the first things that came to mind. Beyond those basic comforts, I honestly could not foresee what else we might strictly need for a straightforward trip.

However, I made a very specific point of strapping a standard longsword to my hip, despite the fact that I was already bringing Hyperion with me. Wielding Hyperion was quite taxing on my body and essence, and I had no intention of drawing it unless the situation grew truly dire. Yet, I chose to carry the legendary blade on this journey mainly because its mere presence brought me a sense of comfort.

It was not merely a weapon of devastating power; it was the sword my father had always held. Having it secured at my side somehow reassured me, granting me the quiet illusion that he was still walking right beside me.

I might have put on a tough exterior, and I was clearly managing to mask my grief far better than my mother or my sister, but the truth remained simple: I missed him terribly.

My sorrow had nothing to do with him being the King, or the crown he wore. It was simply because he was my father, the only true father figure I had ever known across both of my lives.

Now, I was forced to stand on my own, but I knew I would be fine. Every lesson he had ever imparted to me was deeply ingrained in my mind. Combined with the bitter, hard-earned knowledge from my past life, I was confident I could make up for my current lack of experience in facing life-threatening danger.

Once my preparations were complete, I finally stepped out into the crisp air. The only source of illumination at this early hour was the glow of the Flame radiating from outside.

I paused to briefly glance at the Flame, which burned as brilliantly as a miniature sun suspended in the dark. If not for the complex array of containment spells carefully woven around it, true night would not even exist in the capital. I knew firsthand just how blindingly bright the unfiltered fire truly was, having faced its blazing core deep inside the Tower.

Fortunately, from the outside, the magical dampening made it far less intense. Thank the gods for that; otherwise, it would have been impossible for anyone in the city to distinguish between night and day.

"I will be counting on you, Regina," I said, glancing over my shoulder as she walked quietly behind me. "From tomorrow onward, I need you to serve my little sister just as flawlessly as you have served me."

"I will not disappoint Your Majesty," she replied, offering a serious nod.

I offered her a faint smile. "I have no doubts about that."

Turning my gaze back forward, I stepped onto the cold pavement of the sprawling courtyard that led toward the outer grounds. Even from a distance, I could already spot the small group gathered near the iron gates.

Eleanor stood there quietly, accompanied by Leilah. My mother and my sister, closely attended by Alice, had also braved the hour to be there.

Arges was present as well. He was currently deep in conversation with the two bodyguards he had officially assigned to escort Eleanor and me. The two guards stood stiffly at attention, listening with strong intensity and offering serious nods to the former Commander’s instructions.

As my footsteps approached, however, their hushed conversation ceased entirely.

"Mother," I called out, allowing a warm smile to soften my features. "I honestly thought you wouldn’t come out to see me off."

"You silly boy, of course I would come to see off my son," she replied softly. She returned my smile and immediately stepped forward, pulling me into a warm embrace. "Please. Be safe. Promise me you won’t do anything reckless, and that you will come back to us."

I could feel her slender frame trembling slightly against me as she spoke the words.

I reached out, gently patting her back to soothe her rising anxiety. "I am sorry for causing you such worry, Mother," I whispered into her shoulder.

"It is fine. I am your mother; I can bear any burden you bring me," she said.

I nodded against her. "I promise to come back. I will return before you even realize I was gone. So please, take care of everything here in my absence... and do not trust anyone."

She gave a small nod against my chest, her demeanor shifting at my final warning, before she finally pulled back.

Lenora approached next, a teasing glint in her eye. "Well, big brother, I certainly hope you will not forget us completely when you are out there in the world with Eleanor."

I smiled warmly. "To be entirely fair, with someone as captivating as Eleanor by my side, I might very well forget that I am the King at all," I replied, casting a glance toward Eleanor. At my words, she shifted slightly, a flush of embarrassment coloring her cheeks.

"Oh, my dear brother," Lenora sighed, rolling her eyes with a dramatic flair. "I truly do not know whether I should be happy or deeply concerned that the Flame has granted you this much unbearable confidence."

"You should simply be happy for your big brother and your King," I countered, pulling her gently into a tender embrace. "Take good care of yourself, and please, watch over Mother."

She nodded against my chest, her arms tightening around me. "Just be safe," she whispered, her voice betraying a slight, fearful tremble.

"Everything will be fine," I promised softly, pressing a gentle kiss to the crown of her head.

Pulling back from my sister’s embrace, I finally stepped beyond the towering iron gates of the castle alongside Eleanor. Outside, our transport awaited.

Alan, Eleanor’s loyal and personal coachman, was already taking his position atop the driver’s bench. The baggage was fully secured, and a second, equally discreet carriage sat ready ahead of ours. The two elite guards assigned to us by Arges had swiftly made their exit as well, already mounting their respective horses.

"Your Majesty," Eleanor called out softly, stepping closer to offer me a folded garment.

I was not exactly wearing my formal royal tunic, but my current attire still reeked of high nobility. The traveling cloak she handed me, however, was beautifully inconspicuous, woven from dark, sturdy wool designed to blend into the shadows.

Eleanor herself wore a finely tailored gown hidden beneath her own cloak. It concealed her figure well, but truthfully, no amount of plain cloth could fully disguise us. Whether it was her innate grace or my own bearing, our mere appearances were more than enough to mark us as high-ranking nobles, no matter how hard we tried not to look presumptuous.

Regardless, I accepted the cloak and swept it over my shoulders. The door of our simple-looking carriage stood open. Eleanor hesitated, waiting for me to enter first but I merely smiled and gently took her hand.

"Go ahead, my Queen," I said softly.

She smiled bashfully, accepting my offered hand for support as she gracefully climbed the small wooden steps and settled inside the cabin.

I was just about to follow her when I caught sight of Leilah waiting nearby. Pausing, I gestured for the girl to board as well.

Leilah looked visibly surprised by the sudden breach of etiquette, shifting awkwardly for a moment before giving a quick, flustered nod. She hurried up the steps, taking a modest seat beside Eleanor on the plush interior bench.

I placed my boot on the first step, but before lifting my weight into the carriage, I stopped and cast one final glance behind me.

None of my other wives had come to see me off. That was entirely by design; I had purposely kept the exact time and nature of my departure hidden from them. The more sudden and confusing my exit appeared, the better it served my plans.

Cynthia, however, should have known my schedule. Yet she was absent too. I suspected she was currently wrestling with feelings of guilt, or perhaps a lingering awkwardness following our last, tense discussion.

In truth, the friction between us was mostly my fault. I simply despised it when people, especially her threw hollow white lies my way, mistakenly believing it would protect my feelings or spare me from hurt.

I resolved to speak with her properly once I returned to the Capital and clear the awkwardness between us.

Pushing those troubled thoughts aside, I looked back at my mother and sister one last time, also at Regina and Alice behind looking worried for me, before my gaze shifted to Arges. I gave him a small, meaningful nod. He understood exactly what was expected of him.

With that, I climbed inside the carriage, taking the seat directly across from Eleanor and Leilah. Arges stepped forward and closed the carriage door, sealing us inside.

A moment later, Alan cracked the reins, and the carriage jolted into motion, the wheels clattering against the cobblestones.

Alright.

I leaned back against the cushions.

Let us do this.