Awakening Domination System: But I'm a Slave?-Chapter 247: Silver Crown Dorms [1]

Alaric and Elina stood at the entrance of the manor, their trunks already loaded onto separate carriages.

Selene stood before them, composed as ever, though her eyes lingered on Alaric just a fraction longer than necessary.

"Remember what I said," she told them both. "Work hard. Build the right connections. Make this family proud."

"Yes, Mother," Elina said dutifully, stepping forward to embrace her.

Selene held her daughter tightly for a moment. "Take care of yourself, dear."

"I will." Elina pulled back, smiling.

Alaric stepped forward next. "Thank you for everything, Aunt."

Selene’s composure flickered. "Be safe."

"Always." He leaned in, pressing a brief kiss to her cheek that could pass as familial.

When he pulled back, her cheeks were faintly flushed.

Iris stood nearby with a small travel bag, wearing a simple traveling dress.

Her silver hair was braided neatly, and she looked both nervous and excited.

Nyra stood beside Alaric’s carriage, perfectly still and professional in her dark traveling cloak, a small bag at her feet.

"Ready?" Elina asked Iris brightly.

"Ready," Iris replied with a smile.

They climbed into Elina’s carriage together.

Alaric gestured to Nyra. "Let’s go."

The both of them settled into his carriage. Nyra took her place across from Alaric, silent and watchful.

The carriages rolled forward, leaving the manor behind.

The streets passed by, the smell of bread baking and horses moving through cobblestone paths.

Inside Elina’s carriage, the girl was animated, pointing out landmarks to Iris.

"Oh! That’s where I bought that ridiculous hat last spring, you remember, the one with all the feathers?"

Iris laughed. "How could I forget? You wore it exactly once before declaring it ’a tragic mistake.’"

"It was a tragic mistake!" Elina grinned. "But at least it was my tragic mistake."

In Alaric’s carriage, the atmosphere was quieter.

Nyra remained perfectly still, her violet eyes occasionally flicking to the window but otherwise unreadable.

Alaric leaned back, watching the scenery pass.

After some time, they reached the teleportation gate district, a large plaza dominated by massive stone arches inscribed with glowing runes.

Guards stood at attention. Officials checked documents.

Elina stepped out first, approaching the checkpoint with confidence. She handed over papers and paid the fare.

The official reviewed everything, stamped the documents, and waved them through.

Both carriages passed beneath the arch.

The world shifted. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Colors blurred. Sound warped. For a brief, disorienting moment, reality folded in on itself.

Then they emerged on the other side.

The capital sprawled before them was vast, bustling, magnificent. Towers rose into the sky.

Grand buildings lined wide boulevards. The air hummed with essence, and life.

Iris leaned out of the carriage window, her face lighting up. "I haven’t seen this in so long!"

Elina grabbed her hand, squeezing it with excitement. "I know! Come on, we have time before we need to reach the Academy. Let me show you around!"

She tugged Iris eagerly toward the market district, practically bouncing with enthusiasm.

Alaric stepped out of his carriage more slowly, taking in the capital’s energy.

He glanced at Nyra, who stood perfectly still beside him, doing her job flawlessly.

He smirked.

"We shall have our fun too," he said, beginning to walk. He motioned for her to follow. "Come. Let’s see what the capital has to offer."

Nyra fell into step beside him without a word.

And Alaric’s smile widened as they disappeared into the crowded streets.

----------

The capital’s streets thrummed with life as the sun began its descent.

Merchants called out final deals of the day, street performers gathered crowds, and the smell of roasted meat and spiced wine filled the air.

Alaric walked leisurely through the market district, Nyra following a respectful step behind. Her midnight blue hair caught the golden light, and despite the bustling chaos around them, she moved with that same perfect composure.

He glanced back at her occasionally, noting how naturally she’d slipped into the role.

After some wandering, they spotted a familiar figure ahead.

Elina was practically dragging Iris toward a tavern, pointing excitedly at the sign. "The Golden Griffin! I’ve heard they have the best meat pies in the entire capital!"

Iris laughed, allowing herself to be pulled along. "You said that about three other places already."

"Because it’s true!"

Alaric smirked and changed direction, intercepting them at the tavern entrance.

"Well, well," he said. "Fancy meeting you here."

Elina’s excited expression immediately soured. "Oh. It’s you."

"Don’t sound so thrilled, dear sister."

"I’m not your sister. And I’m not thrilled."

"And yet here we are, about to dine together." He gestured to the tavern. "Shall we?"

Elina looked ready to refuse, but Iris interjected gently. "It would be nice to sit down. My feet are tired from all the walking."

Elina’s resistance crumbled immediately. "Fine. But only because Iris wants to."

"Of course," Alaric said with mock solemnity.

They pushed the door and entered.

Inside was warm and lively, not rowdy, but pleasantly bustling with travelers, merchants, and local nobility.

They secured a table near the window overlooking the street.

Elina and Iris sat on one side, Alaric on the other. Nyra stood behind his chair, hands folded.

A serving girl approached, and they ordered—meat pies as Elina insisted, along with roasted vegetables, fresh bread, and drinks.

As they waited, Elina leaned back with a satisfied sigh. "This is much better than another carriage ride."

"Agreed," Iris said, smiling. She looked more relaxed now, the earlier nervousness from returning to the capital fading into genuine enjoyment.

Alaric took a sip of his wine, watching them both. "So, Iris. Excited to see the Academy?"

Iris glanced at him, then quickly corrected her casual posture slightly. "Yes, young master. I’ve heard it’s quite impressive."

Alaric raised an eyebrow, looking directly at Iris, at her change of tone.

Iris met his gaze, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Propriety matters, young master. Especially in the capital."

But there was warmth there.

Alaric nodded.

The food arrived, and conversation flowed more easily.

Elina regaled them with stories from her studies during the break, complaints about difficult texts, frustrations, pride in her eventual success.

"And then," she said through a mouthful of pie, "Professor Aldren had the audacity to suggest I wasn’t focusing properly. Me! I’d been practicing for six hours straight!"

"Maybe that was the problem," Alaric suggested. "Overwork leads to diminishing returns."

Elina shot him a glare. "I don’t recall asking for your opinion."

"And yet, here it is. Free of charge."

Iris hid a smile behind her cup.

"You’re insufferable," Elina declared.

Despite her words, there was less venom than usual. Perhaps it was the good food, the comfortable setting, or simply exhaustion from traveling.

They continued eating, the conversation drifting to lighter topics.

"I heard Lord Kaelen Draveris is in Silver Crown," Elina said. "Duke’s son. Supposedly brilliant with wind essence."

Then added. "Also I’ve heard he’s... intense."

"Intense how?" Alaric asked.

"Competitive. Driven. Doesn’t tolerate incompetence." She paused. "He might be... challenging to work with."

"Sounds delightful," Alaric said dryly.

Elina snorted. "You’ll fit right in with that attitude."