Forbidden Desires: Conquering Kingdoms And Women In a Fantasy World!
Chapter 34: Arrival At Erestia

Chapter 34: Arrival At Erestia

The first pale rays of dawn crept through the carriage windows, stirring me from a restless sleep. My neck ached from the uncomfortable position I’d dozed in, and I could hear the soft rustling of the others beginning to wake. Queen Emma was already alert, her keen eyes scanning the horizon through the curtained window. She never seemed to truly sleep—always vigilant, always ready.

"We should reach the capital by midday," Olivia said from her horse

The morning passed in relative peace, though I noticed the increasing frequency of other travelers on the road. Merchant wagons laden with goods, families in modest carts, and the occasional lone rider on horseback—all drawn toward the same destination like iron filings to a magnet. The very air seemed to thrum with anticipation and purpose.

As the sun climbed higher, casting away the morning mist, I felt a change in the carriage’s movement. We were ascending a gentle hill, and something made me press my face to the window despite the stuffiness of the enclosed space.

Then I saw it.

The breath caught in my throat as the capital of the Kingdom of Lorendia spread before us like something from a fever dream.

Erastia.

Even the name had always carried weight in the conversations I’d overheard in Millbrook village—spoken with a mixture of awe and distant longing by those who had never seen it, and with knowing pride by the rare few who had.

But no amount of tales could have prepared me for this reality.

The city stretched endlessly before us, a sprawling vision of human ambition and royal power. Massive walls of grey stone—each block perfectly cut and fitted—rose at least twelve meters into the sky, their surfaces weathered but unbroken by countless seasons. Watchtowers punctuated the fortifications at regular intervals, and I could make out the tiny silhouettes of guards patrolling the ramparts.

The road we traveled had gradually widened as we approached, transforming from a simple country path into a proper thoroughfare paved with smooth stones. Now it was packed with traffic—a river of humanity all flowing toward the same magnificent destination.

Carriages of every description clogged the roadway. Simple farm carts pulled by weary oxen moved alongside more elaborate conveyances adorned with brass fittings and painted designs. The noise was extraordinary—wheels creaking, horses snorting, and voices rising in a dozen different conversations. Merchants called out their wares even here on the road, hoping to catch the attention of fellow travelers.

"Move your bloody cart, you fool!" A coachman shouted somewhere behind us, his voice rough with frustration. "Some of us have business to attend to!"

"Business?" Came the equally heated reply. "I’ve got grain for the royal kitchens, and if it’s late because of your dawdling—"

The argument continued, but I noticed something curious. While tempers flared between other travelers, a respectful distance was maintained around our carriage. Coachmen who might otherwise push aggressively for position instead guided their horses aside when we approached. Their eyes would linger on our vehicle—taking in the quality of the woodwork, the careful craftsmanship, the obvious expense—and understanding would dawn in their expressions.

They knew wealth when they saw it. More importantly, they knew power.

If only they knew just how right they were. A Queen indeed rode among them, though hidden behind silk curtains and traveling incognito.

As we drew closer to the main gates, the press of traffic became almost overwhelming. The massive stone archway ahead was easily wide enough for six carriages to pass through side by side, yet still the crowd bottlenecked as guards checked documents and questioned travelers about their business in the capital.

But our coachman was already guiding us away from the main thoroughfare.

"Where are we going?" I asked, watching as we joined a much smaller line of vehicles approaching a different gate.

"The nobles’ entrance," Olivia explained from outside. "No sense waiting in that mob when we don’t have to."

Indeed, the difference was striking. While hundreds of common folk queued at the main gates, only a dozen or so carriages waited in our line. Each one was clearly expensive—polished wood, fine horses, liveried servants. The gate itself was smaller but more ornately decorated, with carved royal crests and banners fluttering in the afternoon breeze.

"Couldn’t you have revealed yourselves," I murmured. "They would wave us through immediately."

Emma shook her head slightly. "Too many eyes. Too many questions. Better to remain unremarkable for now."

I guess she was right.

After about ten minutes of slow progress, our turn finally came. I watched through the window as Oliver dismounted and approached the guards stationed at the gate. He withdrew something from his jacket—a small object that caught the sunlight briefly. An emblem of some kind.

The reaction was immediate and telling. The guards straightened to attention, their casual demeanor evaporating in an instant. One of them stepped forward for a closer look at whatever Oliver had shown them, while the others moved to create a clear path for our carriage.

Within moments, we were waved through without so much as a glance inside our vehicle, though I caught several curious looks from the guards. They knew something important had just passed through their checkpoint, even if they couldn’t identify exactly what.

The moment we crossed the threshold into Erastia proper, we were hit by a wall of sound.

The noise was incredible—a living thing that seemed to have its own pulse and rhythm. Merchants bellowed from their stalls, hawking everything from exotic spices to finely crafted jewelry. "Fresh bread from the royal baker’s own recipe!" one called out. "Silks from the eastern provinces!" shouted another. "Blessed charms for protection on your journey!"

Families moved through the streets in clusters, parents calling to children who had wandered too far, friends greeting each other with loud exclamations of joy. The sound of cart wheels on cobblestones provided a constant percussion beneath it all, punctuated by the occasional whinny of horses and the barking of dogs.

But what struck me most was the obvious prosperity on display. Unlike the simple, practical clothing I was accustomed to seeing in Millbrook, here nearly everyone was dressed in fine fabrics. Rich merchants wore velvet doublets and gold chains. Noble ladies swept by in elaborate gowns with trailing sleeves. Even the common folk looked well-fed and properly clothed.

This was the heart of the kingdom, and it showed.

The architecture was equally impressive. Buildings rose three and four stories high, their facades decorated with intricate stonework and gleaming windows. Balconies jutted out over the streets, many adorned with flowering plants that added splashes of color to the grey stone. Gothic spires reached toward the sky, and I could see the tops of what must be magnificent palaces in the distance.

I pressed closer to the window, desperate to take in every detail, when I felt a firm gaze upon me. Queen Emma was watching me with a warning expression that needed no words. I reluctantly settled back into my seat, though my eyes continued to dart toward the window.

"Your Majesty," Oliver’s voice came from beside the carriage as he rode alongside us on his horse. "As we discussed, I’ll ride ahead to inform His Majesty of our arrival. This will give them time to prepare for your audience."

He paused, making sure he had her full attention. "Until then, Olivia will guide you to suitable accommodations. I’ve taken the liberty of selecting a place that can offer both comfort and discretion."

Queen Emma nodded her approval. "Very good. We’ll await your word."

Oliver touched his hand to his chest in a brief salute before spurring his horse forward, disappearing quickly into the crowd ahead.

With Oliver gone, Olivia took charge of our small procession. She guided our carriage through increasingly narrow streets, occasionally stopping to speak with locals who provided directions with eager helpfulness. The deference in their voices when addressing her was unmistakable—even in civilian clothes, she carried herself with the bearing of someone accustomed to command.

After several such inquiries, we finally came to a halt before a building that defied easy categorization. Calling it an inn seemed almost insulting—this was something far grander. The structure rose five stories high, its facade gleaming with what appeared to be actual gold inlay worked into decorative patterns around the windows and entrance. The architecture was a fascinating blend of traditional inn styling and something far more luxurious—what I might have called a five-star hotel in my previous world.

A discrete sign by the entrance read "The Golden Griffin" in elegant script, and below it, in smaller letters: "Accommodations for Distinguished Guests."

"Impressive," Judith muttered.

Even the practical arrangements were superior to anything I’d seen. Rather than the muddy courtyards typical of roadside inns, this establishment boasted a proper carriage park with cobblestone paving and covered stalls. Uniformed attendants immediately approached to tend to our horses, their movements efficient and professional.

The knights who had accompanied us from the palace peeled away to secure their own mounts at a nearby stable, then returned on foot to maintain their protective formation around our carriage. Unfortunately, their presence—armored guards surrounding a mysterious carriage—drew exactly the kind of attention we’d hoped to avoid.

I could see curious faces turning our way, whispered conversations starting among the other guests and passersby. In a place like this, everyone would be wondering which noble family had just arrived, and why they merited such protection.

Olivia then dismounted and strode toward the inn’s entrance. The doorman actually stepped aside and bowed as she passed—clearly recognizing someone of importance even if he couldn’t place her exactly.

We waited in the carriage while she conducted her business inside, the curtains drawn to prevent prying eyes from getting a clear look at our party. The sounds of the capital continued around us—a constant reminder that we were now in the very heart of the kingdom’s power.

After what felt like an eternity but was probably only five minutes, Olivia emerged from the inn with a satisfied expression.

"I’ve secured an entire floor for our use," she reported to Queen Emma. "The rooms are prepared, and I’ve arranged for meals to be brought up privately. The staff has been... encouraged... to be discrete about their guests."

"Excellent work," Queen Emma replied. She reached up to pull her hood forward, casting her distinctive features into shadow. "Judith, you as well."

Judith followed suit, and suddenly our small group looked like any collection of noble travelers who preferred to maintain their privacy—hardly unusual in a place like the capital.

I found myself holding my breath as we prepared to leave the relative safety of the carriage. Once we stepped out into the open, we would be exposed, vulnerable to recognition and all the complications that would bring.

Queen Emma seemed to sense my nervousness. "Stay close," she murmured. "Follow Olivia’s lead, and remember—you’re simply another member of a noble’s retinue. Nothing more, nothing less."

I nodded

The inn’s interior was even more magnificent than its facade had suggested. The lobby soared two stories high, with a grand staircase curving up to a mezzanine level. Crystal chandeliers cast warm light over polished marble floors, and the furniture was clearly crafted by master artisans. Wealthy guests moved through the space with the casual confidence of those accustomed to luxury.

At the reception desk, a man in an impeccably tailored formal suit greeted our party with the kind of stiff professionalism that spoke of extensive training in handling distinguished clientele. His bow to Queen Emma was deeper than strictly necessary for an anonymous noble guest—had Olivia hinted at our party’s true importance?

Rather than the simple wooden stairs I was accustomed to, this establishment boasted one of the magical elevators I’d heard about but never seen. The brass gates opened with barely a whisper, revealing a small chamber lined with mirrors and lit by softly glowing crystals.

Only the four of us entered—Queen Emma, Judith, Olivia, and myself. The knights remained in the lobby, positioning themselves strategically to monitor the entrances and maintain watch over our temporary sanctuary.

As the elevator began its smooth ascent, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirrored walls. Surrounded by these three remarkable women—a Queen, a Princess , and a skilled beautiful woman knight—I looked exactly like what I was supposed to be: a minor member of their entourage, unremarkable and easily overlooked or maybe not so much...

Look wise I was perfectly blending with them or maybe looked even more outstanding because of my white hair and pink eyes.

The elevator came to a gentle stop with barely a whisper of sound, and the brass gates slid open to reveal the fifth floor. I stepped out behind the others and immediately felt my breath catch in my throat.

"The whole floor?" I whispered, unable to hide my amazement.

The corridor stretched in both directions, lined with polished hardwood panels and illuminated by crystal sconces that cast a warm, golden glow. Thick carpets in deep burgundy muffled our footsteps, and I could count at least ten doors along the hallway—each one bearing a brass nameplate and adorned with intricate metalwork.

This wasn’t just luxury; this was opulence on a scale I’d only seen in my previous life.

"Choose whichever room appeals to you," Queen Emma said. "You’ll need to bathe and prepare yourself properly. We’ll be meeting with royalty, after all."

"I’m... I’m coming with you to meet the King?"

She raised an eyebrow at my surprise. "Did you think I would leave you wandering the capital alone? I made a promise to your mother that I would keep you safe, and I intend to honor that commitment. Besides I need you to find the miscreant who dared to touch my daughter."

Of course. That made perfect sense, though the reality of it was still overwhelming. I was about to meet the King of Lorendia—the most powerful man in the Kingdom I had been living the last thirteen years.

"Olivia will provide you with appropriate attire," Queen Emma continued. "Palace protocol is quite strict about proper dress."

I nodded mutely, still trying to process what was happening, and began walking down the corridor. Finally, I selected one near the middle of the hallway—close enough to the others for safety, but far enough to provide some privacy.

Olivia pressed a heavy iron key into my palm. "I’ll return within the hour with suitable clothing," she said. "Make sure you’re properly cleaned and groomed."

The door swung open at the turn of the key, and I stepped inside to discover something I never thought I’d see again after my death on Earth.

A suite.

Not just a room—a proper suite with multiple chambers, elegant furnishings, and amenities that spoke of serious wealth. The main sitting area featured plush chairs arranged around a marble fireplace, while tall windows overlooked the bustling streets of the capital below. Through an archway, I could see a separate bedchamber with a four-poster bed draped in silk, and beyond that, the gleam of what appeared to be a private bathing chamber.

"Not quite as impressive as the presidential suites I used to sleep in," I murmured to myself, a wave of nostalgia washing over me as memories of my previous life surfaced unbidden. "But definitely good enough."

In my previous existence, I’d taken such luxury for granted—five-star hotels, first-class travel, private jets. Now, in this medieval fantasy world, even this level of comfort felt like an extraordinary gift.

But there was no time to dwell on the past. I had a king to meet, and I couldn’t afford to make a poor impression.