Chapter 482: The Charity Trip

The morning sun had finally broken through the dense layer of gray clouds, filling the sprawling cobblestone courtyard of the royal palace with pale, washed-out light.

Near the grand eastern gates, a dark, heavy oak carriage bearing the polished silver crest of the Solaric delegation sat waiting. Two quiet, liveried coachmen were adjusting the leather harnesses of the four thoroughbred horses, their breath blooming into small white plumes of mist in the chill air.

Gillian stood near the side door of the coach, dressed in a sharp, slate-gray traveling coat. Beside him, Iryna was adjusting her heavy wool cloak, her dark hair gathered neatly under a silk hood to protect against the wind.

"Make sure the second crate of medical salves is secured near the front axle," Gillian instructed one of the Solaric guards in a low, measured tone. "The roads in the lower district are rough, and I don’t want the glass jars shattering before we reach the orphanage gates."

"Understood, Your Highness," the guard replied, offering a brief bow before turning to check the ropes.

"You look remarkably cheerful for someone who spent three hours reviewing reports this morning, brother," Iryna remarked softly, a subtle, dry spark in her eyes as she pulled her leather gloves tighter over her fingers.

"A trip to the lower city is a welcome relief," Gillian replied with a faint, wry smile. "Besides, the children at the shelter are expecting us today. It wouldn’t do to keep them..."

"Planning another outing so early in the day, Prince Gillian?"

The deep, commanding voice cut through the quiet hustle of the carriage crew.

Gillian turned smoothly, his polite, diplomatic smile slipping back into place with practiced ease. Walking across the wide cobblestone courtyard toward them was Yerel. He was dressed impeccably in his dark blue state tunic, a heavy crimson velvet mantle draped over his broad shoulders. Standing half a step behind him, keeping a watchful, silent eye on the perimeter, was Karson.

Karson kept his expression stern and composed, though his eyes flickered briefly toward Gillian before settling on the cobblestones ahead.

"Ah, Your Highness," Gillian greeted warmly, stepping forward to offer a courteous, formal bow. Beside him, Iryna offered a smooth, graceful curtsy. "Good morning. We were just preparing to take our leave for a few hours."

Yerel stopped a few paces away, his hands resting casually behind his back. His sharp, dark eyes swept over the heavy wooden crates being loaded into the back of the coach before coming to rest on Gillian’s face.

"You and the Princess seem exceptionally busy during your stay in our capital," Yerel remarked, his tone light and conversational on the surface, though an underlying layer of royal scrutiny flickered beneath his words. "I took a look at the guard logs this morning. This is your second trip down into the lower district."

Iryna didn’t flinch. She folded her gloved hands neatly over her front, offering a serene, gentle smile. "Auzelian is a beautiful city, Prince Yerel, but its grandeur is not limited to these high stone walls. My brother and I simply prefer to spend our free hours seeing how the common folk live."

"Specifically, the lower district orphanage near the old quarter," Gillian added smoothly, stepping up beside his sister. "We visited yesterday to deliver an initial donation, but we realized their winter supplies were far more depleted than the local council reported. We are merely returning today to deliver extra firewood, blankets, and grain before the first snowfall hits the valley."

Gillian paused, letting out a small, self-deprecating laugh that sounded completely natural. "I suppose it is a habit of mine. Back home in Solaric, I spent quite a bit of time overseeing our border relief funds. Supporting the children is supporting the future of the empire, after all. I find it difficult to sit idly in luxury while others freeze."

Yerel stared at Gillian for a long, quiet second, his eyes studying every detail of the foreign prince’s posture, the slightest movement of his expression, and the calm, measured way he delivered each word.

"How remarkably kind of you," Yerel spoke softly, his lips curving into a polite, cool smile. "It seems Auzelian owes you a debt of gratitude for showing such concern for those in need."

"Nonsense, Your Highness," Gillian replied effortlessly, raising a dismissive hand. "We are guests in your magnificent palace. Offering a bit of charity to your people is the least we can do to express our appreciation for your King’s generous hospitality."

"Well, I will not keep you from your good deeds any longer, Prince Gillian," Yerel said. "I hope everything goes smoothly during your visits today, and that you are able to provide whatever assistance the people you are visiting may need. It is not every day that a foreign prince and princess takes the time to concern themself with the people of another empire, and I do appreciate the effort you and Princess Iryna have made."

He paused for a moment, his gaze moving briefly toward the supplies being loaded into the carriage before returning to Gillian.

"Once again, thank you for your generosity toward the people of Auzelian. Whatever your reasons for coming here, your willingness to help those in need is something I will not overlook. I hope your remaining visits go well, and that you are met with the same warmth and gratitude that you have shown our people."

"Your Highness is very kind," Gillian replied with a polite smile, inclining his head. "We are grateful for your understanding. We will do our best to make the most of the day."

Gillian turned, offering his hand to assist Iryna as she stepped up into the heavy wooden carriage. Once both Solaric royals were safely inside, the guard pulled the thick door shut, the latch catching with a solid iron click. The coachman whipped the reins, and the four heavy horses began to pull the carriage forward, its iron-rimmed wheels clattering loudly against the cobblestones as it rumbled through the grand archway toward the city gates.

Yerel stood motionless in the middle of the wide courtyard, watching the dark carriage disappear down the long stone driveway.

Karson stepped forward, coming to a halt just over Yerel’s right shoulder. He kept his head lowered slightly, his hands resting near his belt, his pulse hammering a quiet, steady rhythm against his ribs.

"Karson," Yerel spoke smoothly, without turning his head.

"Yes, Your Highness?" Karson replied instantly, his voice flat, steady, and impeccably professional.

"It seems your report and what Prince Gillian just told me align rather neatly," Yerel remarked, his tone calm but carrying a faint edge of suspicion.

Karson’s earlier report immediately came back to him. He had mentioned that Gillian and Iryna had apparently sought the King’s permission several days ago to distribute aid throughout Auzelian, including food, blankets, firewood, and other necessities to those in need. They had also planned to visit several orphanages and shelters across the city rather than focusing on a single location.

"It matches completely, Your Highness," Karson lied smoothly, his tone unwavering. "They drove directly to the lower district orphanage in the old quarter. Their guards unloaded several crates of grain and fresh cloth. Prince Gillian spent nearly an hour speaking with the matron while Princess Iryna sat with the children in the courtyard. There was no political meeting, no foreign contact, and nothing suspicious to report. They are simply delivering charity."

Yerel stared at Karson for three agonizing seconds, his dark eyes searching the guard’s hardened face, looking for the slightest twitch, the smallest tremor of deceit.

Karson stood like a statue, his posture straight and his expression carefully composed as he held his master’s gaze without so much as a shift in his stance.

Finally, Yerel turned back toward the grand courtyard gates where the carriage had vanished long ago. He let out a long, quiet breath, his expression still filled with doubt.

"I see," Yerel whispered softly, his voice calm, though doubt lingered beneath his words. "Well... let’s hope that’s really all it is."