The journey stretched on, long and monotonous, as days passed by, all identical. Jostled for hours on end in carriages, the travelers were thoroughly bored. The discomfort of the jolts, combined with idleness, led Jasper to embark on creating a map of the kingdom's roads and their need for renovation. The task was challenging, but by keeping his knees and elbows tightly around his writing desk, he managed to write in a somewhat legible manner while minimizing ink stains.

When not making lists, Prince Jasper tried to read, but the endeavor was equally difficult. As Beryl had anticipated, cousin Pyrite monopolized the conversation in the small vehicle cabin. He recounted his exploits at the border before delving into those of his mother when he ran out of things to say about himself.

"And you, Jasper, do you have any anecdotes to share from your time at the border?" he suddenly asked when he couldn't single-handedly keep the conversation going any longer.

For the twentieth time that day, Jasper patiently closed his book, 'Incursions into Dusk Lands: How I Almost Died Ten Times,' carefully marking the page.

"I spent much less time than you, dear cousin, and skirmishes were rare. I'm afraid I have nothing very interesting to narrate. Moreover, it seems rather inappropriate to boast about our warrior exploits when we bear the responsibility for peace on our shoulders."

"Ah, my dear Jasper, you are far too serious," Pyrite lamented.

At that moment, Beryl seemed to emerge from a long period of contemplation.

"Are we still far from the border?" she asked, aptly changing the subject.

The young princess had spent most of the journey with her nose against the window, occasionally exchanging quiet remarks with her maid of honor when she wasn't punctuating their cousin's speeches with polite monosyllables.

"We will cross it tomorrow," Jasper replied. "Most likely in the afternoon."

"Will we see the Fall?" she asked hopefully.

"I'm afraid not; the route we're taking passes several leagues away from the region."

"Oh," Beryl exclaimed with a disappointed pout. "I would have loved to finally see it."

"I understand, my dear," cousin Pyrite intervened. "It's a great pity that you've never had the chance to admire its splendor. Perhaps a slight modification of our return journey itinerary could fill this gap. What do you think, Jasper?"

The prince nodded absentmindedly. The return journey was, at present, the least of his worries.

As Jasper had announced, the delegation crossed the border the following day. Subtly, the landscape began to change. The mountains, a reassuring backdrop of an entire life, already distant on the horizon, completely disappeared. The vegetation changed; fir trees gave way to unfamiliar species. The road traversed fields of flowers as far as the eye could see, and their intoxicating fragrance delighted the travelers. The grass was shorter, less green, and the trees smaller. Approaching the villages, olive groves and vineyards multiplied. Beryl never peeled her nose from the window. More and more often, Jasper climbed alongside the coachman to enjoy the scenery and escape both the cramped interior and cousin Pyrite's incessant chatter.

Jasper was somewhat apprehensive about the reception they would receive from the duskian people. His concern didn't last long. From the first village they passed through, the inhabitants were gathered along the streets to see them pass. Lanterns and colorful banners adorned the facades of the main avenue. While the villagers' cheers were less enthusiastic and warm than on the other side of the border, they were far from hostile, and everyone celebrated the return of a peace they had never known.

Each stage of the journey had been meticulously planned, and in the evenings, the procession stopped on the lands of a lord who welcomed them for the night or in a large inn where all the rooms were reserved for them.

The Dusk people were friendly and curious, pleasantly surprised by the foreigners' command of their language. Jasper received several compliments. Indeed, following the old adage "Know your enemy," the duskian language had been taught with even greater fervor since the beginning of the war.

If questioned about the royal family, people's faces lit up. Everyone had praise to offer or an anecdote to tell.

Thus, when they reached their final stop, the day before their entry into the capital, Jasper's impatience was at its peak. The delegation was lodged in an immense caravanserai north of Iridièn. The Dawnians occupied all the rooms on the first floor, while the horses filled the stables on the ground floor. The building formed a square, the center of which was occupied by a courtyard shaded by tall trees. Gums, as Jasper had learned, from the owner's mouth. Arches ran along galleries where weary travelers could stroll in tranquility.

In the morning, at dawn, the entire delegation gathered in the common room, seated around long tables. Jasper looked with interest at the dishes lined up in front of him. Assisted by her son, the white-haired owner of the caravanserai served them tea in golden glasses. Jasper tasted everything, from holey pancakes to unknown fruits filling the bowls, to square cakes spread with honey and butter. He licked his fingers and enthusiastically thanked the owner each time she passed by him.

Nose in his glass, the young man savored the scent of his tea, trying to identify it when the High Priest suddenly stood up. He tapped several times on the table to draw the guests' attention.

"We will soon arrive in Iridièn, the capital of Dusk," he began. "I count on all of you to behave with dignity. We are going to be swept away by a whirlwind of novelties..."

He gestured with his chin toward the food in front of him, which he had barely touched.

"Do not forget our values and the precepts of the Mighty Golden Dragon. Especially you, the youngest among us, who can so easily succumb to temptation."

And his stern gaze swept across the gathering, focusing on Jasper and Beryl. Startled, the young girl immediately set down the pastry she was about to bite into.

The High Priest buried his hands in the wide sleeves of his robe and continued:

"If ever you feel lost or tempted, do not hesitate to come to us for counsel. We are here to ensure that none deviates from the right path."

The priest and priestess flanking him nodded gravely as he sat down again.

"I didn't remember that the Mighty Golden Dragon could consider good food as heresy," Lady Spinelle muttered next to Jasper, causing Pyrite, seated to her left, to chuckle.

Jasper furrowed his brows, unable to determine the level of blasphemy. Beryl leaned toward his ear.

"Remind me why the High Priest is part of the delegation," she whispered. "Do we need him to soothe tensions between our two kingdoms or to stoke them?"

"I suppose he insisted on coming because he fears for our souls," he hazarded in a hushed voice.

"Beryl, Jasper, cease your whispering," scolded Lady Carnelian, seated to the right of the princess. "Show some decorum, please."

Jasper's eyes widened, as if struck by a sudden idea.

"You are absolutely right, Aunt. It is indeed a matter of decorum," he said.

He stood up then.

"I will ask for a bit more of your attention," he announced. "This is the final stop before our arrival at the capital. I would like each of you to present yourselves at your best. Let's set aside our travel clothes; we must make a good impression."

His words signaled the end of breakfast. Everyone rose to return to their rooms and prepare themselves.

In the small room with clay walls, Jasper rummaged through his travel trunk. He pulled out several outfits, which he put back with a dissatisfied grimace. He finally opted for navy blue trousers, the wide pleats of which he tucked into impeccably polished boots. He then donned an ivory jacket with golden froggings that he fastened with a wide red belt. Its fringed edges of gold elegantly fell along his right thigh. He completed his attire with a red fur-trimmed hat and threw on a matching cloak over his shoulders. He hesitated to gird his father's scabbard but decided to wait for another occasion.

His small pocket mirror struggled to give him a complete view of himself, but Jasper seemed satisfied with the result.

He descended into the courtyard where the Dawnians were gradually assembling, dressed in their finest attire. When his sister appeared, followed by Miss Agate, he hastened to meet her. She wore a long sleeveless scarlet dress over an immaculate billowy shirt. Both garments were adorned with delicate embroidery that accentuated the seams. A fine tiara of gems rested on her hair. The tight braids she had worn throughout the journey had been released into several cascading strands on her shoulders.

With a precise finger, Jasper smoothed a crease on his sister's shoulder before offering her his arm.

"You look magnificent," he complimented her. "If Prince Willow doesn't fall for your charm, then he must not be in his right mind."

"And you too, Miss Agate, that dress suits you beautifully," he added.

The maid of honor lowered her eyes.

"Thank you, Your Highness," she stammered with a quick curtsy. "And you... You have quite an impressive presence dressed like that."

Beryl smiled gratefully at her brother and slid her arm through his.

"She's right, you look very handsome, my brother."

When everyone was ready, and the trunks were again loaded into the vehicles, they bid farewell to the owner who watched the preparations from a slight distance. When Jasper approached to thank her for her hospitality, she grabbed his arm and pulled him toward her.

"I count on you to take good care of our princess," she whispered to him. "You seem like a good lad, and a man who honors food as you do cannot be fundamentally bad, I'm sure. But if I hear that our Acacia is unhappy under your care, I will personally come and poison your wine, be sure of it!"

Jasper nodded solemnly and promised. When he finally climbed into the carriage, the procession finally set off for the last leg of their journey.

Iridièn, the capital of Dusk, had put on its festive garb to welcome the Dawnians. The crowd thronged in the narrow streets to see them pass. Bedecked in colorful clothing, the inhabitants shouted, sang, and waved their hands. Jasper and Beryl began to respond to them timidly before being caught up in their enthusiasm.

"Enjoy it while it lasts; popularity never does," Lady Carnelian murmured, nodding sagely.

Jasper craned his neck to try to catch a glimpse of the city beyond all this frenzy. Long balconies clung to the white or ochre facades. They overflowed with vegetation, as well as, for now, excited spectators. Some threw flower petals on the convoy, while others tossed pieces of colored paper. Through the narrow lancet windows, Jasper could discern the curious faces pressed against them.

Then the streets widened. They passed through the arch marking the entrance to the royal domain. They passed two more, narrower and more ornate. Finally, the carriages came to a halt on a large esplanade in front of the palace entrance.

They were expected. The guards positioned their mounts on either side, in two impeccable rows.

First, Jasper alighted from the carriage and stood at the door to help his sister out. His admiring gaze swept the building around him. Unlike the palace of Albàn, which rose in height, this one preferred horizontality. The stairs leading to the entrance were of pink marble, just like the fine pillars adorning the beige stone facades. Multicolored mosaics with floral motifs highlighted the capitals and the vaults of the arcades. Domes of various sizes capped it all off, sparkling in the sun.

But he didn't linger on the details. His eager eyes scanned the assembly waiting for them at the foot of the steps. Was Princess Acacia there? The Dusk representatives wore loose, colorful clothes covered in intricate embroideries he had never seen before.

With a heart brimming with anticipation, he hurried toward them, pulling Beryl along, who seemed far less eager than him. The other dignitaries of the delegation followed at a respectful distance. It was the moment of truth on which all their future prospects depended.