Chapter 583: The Royal Welcome ( 583 )

Beastkin Kingdom — Capital City, Southern Gate

After passing through four heavily guarded checkpoints, Liana and Gloria finally reached the massive city gate.

The tall stone walls were overgrown with climbing vines, and atop the watchtowers, beastkin archers kept a watchful eye on everything approaching. The city hummed with distant sounds—shouts, the clash of metal, marchings of patrols. Pikko and Peanut strolled confidently beneath their riders, unfazed by the curious looks they received.

A pair of guards stepped forward.

One was a lion beastkin with a deep scar across his snout; the other, a tall dogkin with sharp eyes and a strict posture.

“Papers,” the lion beastkin demanded curtly.

Liana quietly reached into her pouch and handed over the sealed document from Lord Garius.

The guard raised an eyebrow and carefully examined it.

He then turned and headed toward the gatehouse.

“Please wait while we process your documents,” the dogkin said in a formal tone.

Liana simply nodded, keeping her expression calm.

Gloria smiled softly, brushing her hair behind her ear. “We wait,” she replied politely.

Several nearby beastkin—guards and civilians—glanced at them. Some whispered quietly. Even wearing maid uniforms, there was an undeniable aura about them—elegant, powerful. The kind of beauty that turned heads and made conversations hush.

Minutes passed in silence.

The lion beastkin returned, now walking a little quicker.

“Sorry for the delay,” he said, with a hint of nervous respect in his voice. “Your identities have been verified. We received word directly from the royal palace.”

He stepped aside and bowed slightly, placing his hand over his chest.

“Welcome to the Beastkin Kingdom’s capital. His Majesty is expecting you.”

Liana gently pulled her reins, guiding Pikko forward.

“The royal guard will escort you directly to the royal palace,” she said softly.

Both Liana and Gloria nodded slightly, placing their right palms respectfully over their chests.

Soon after, the sound of heavy footsteps approached.

From ahead, a tall, muscular tigerkin in ornate armor stepped forward—his striped tail swaying confidently behind him. Several fully armed guards followed in perfect formation.

“Our king is expecting you two,” he announced, his tone formal but respectful.

“Very well,” Liana replied calmly.

“Please, lead the way,” Gloria added with a gentle smile.

The captain nodded briefly. “This way. Stay close.”

With a quick wave, the guards turned and began marching in formation, forming a protective escort behind them as they guided Liana and Gloria—still mounted on Pikko and Peanut—through the busy, lively heart of the capital toward the towering royal palace.

As they gradually made their way toward the grand palace gate, Liana and Gloria—mounted gracefully on Pikko and Peanut—turned the heads of everyone around.

The streets buzzed with whispers and surprised stares.

“Wow… she’s beautiful,” a young beastkin merchant whispered, eyes wide.

“Silver hair…? That’s rare…”

“She’s stunning…”

“Wonder if she’s single…”

“Damn, she’s exactly my type.”

Even some guards on the street walls looked twice, their ears twitching and tails flicking.

The beastkin royal guards escorting them tried to keep their composure, but it was a losing battle.

Their eyes, ears, and even tails betrayed them.

Who is that elf?

Her silver hair shimmered like moonlight, flowing over her back. Her figure—slender, elegant, with just the right curves—was a kind of beauty most only read about in tavern tales or noble poetry. Her posture radiated grace, but it was the quiet strength she carried that made her truly captivating.

Those ears… unmistakably elven. And not just any elf. She seemed like someone far beyond a mere noble or ordinary traveler.

Then, for just a moment, she turned her face slightly, and—briefly—a faint smile touched her lips.

Just a soft, subtle upward curl.

That was enough.

The guards froze. Their minds went blank. Even the most disciplined among them blinked, their beastkin instincts stirred by something they couldn’t quite explain.

One of them almost tripped over his own tail.

They didn’t notice—they had already slowed their pace without realizing.

Gloria, riding calmly beside her, smiled knowingly and softly muttered, “Ara~ even here, you’re turning heads.”

Liana shot a quick, sideways glance at Gloria, her emerald eyes narrowing just a fraction.

“I don’t care about that,” she said flatly, her tone cool and composed. “All I want is to deliver this official letter… and go to my young master.”

Gloria responded with a sweet smile, though her eyes glinted with a hint of playful warning.

“My? Ara~ you’re getting bold, Liana,” she giggled softly. “He’s not yours alone, you know…”

The air between them crackled briefly—not with hostility, but with a quiet, familiar tension—a bond forged in loyalty and love, yet tinged with rivalry—two strong women vying for the same heart.

“…As long as you remember your place as second,” Liana murmured, her voice gentle but firm.

Gloria’s smirk remained unchanged. “Ara~ we’ll see.”

Once they arrived at the grand gate of the royal palace, the beastkin royal advisor stood waiting alongside a few palace officers. Their uniforms were crisp, and their expressions were calm—yet as their eyes fell on Liana, a subtle shift rippled through the group.

The silver-haired elf dismounted with effortless grace from Pikko, her movements fluid and regal. Gloria followed with perfect poise, her presence quiet but confident, radiating elegance.

Both women approached, bowed politely, and placed a hand over their left chests—a traditional gesture of respect.

The crowd nearby—a mix of guards, attendants, and officials—couldn’t help but whisper in awe.

(…So beautiful…)

(That elf… is she even real?)

(She’s glowing… like a divine maiden…)

(Who are they…?)

Liana stepped forward, her voice clear, steady.

“My name is Liana, and this is Gloria. We carry an official letter from Count Garius de Armand of the Armand Region.”

A stout, broad-shouldered tigerkin, his amber eyes sharp and his robes trimmed with silver, stepped forward. His demeanor was calm, but his twitching ears betrayed his curiosity.

“Ah, welcome. I am Bulra, one of His Majesty’s advisors. It’s a pleasure to meet you both,” he said kindly, extending a hand.

Liana offered a gentle smile, but her tone was firm. “Pardon my rudeness, Sir Bulra… but as personal maids of the Armand household, we are not permitted to shake hands with men.”

Bulra blinked, then quickly withdrew his hand with a chuckle. “Ah—my apologies. I meant no offense.”

“None taken,” Gloria responded politely, her smile warm but aloof.

“His Majesty awaits your arrival,” Bulra said, motioning for the guards to open the gates.

As the massive doors creaked apart and sunlight spilled into the palace grounds, the two maids of Armand stepped forward—silent, poised, resolute.

( End Of Chapter )

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