Chapter 426: Chapter 426: The Road to Valon

The morning of the departure day broke quietly over the Thorne estate. Mist clung to the gardens and the cracked stones of the courtyard, blurring the damage left behind by the battle. Servants moved between the carriages, loading trunks and supplies under the sharp rhythm of hooves and orders.

Noel stood near the gate. He watched as Elyra, Selene, and Elena spoke with Seraphina one last time before leaving. The three girls looked tired but each ready to return to the academy, to something resembling normal life.

Elyra turned toward him with her usual grin. “Try not to cause trouble while we’re gone, alright?”

Noel smirked faintly. “No promises.”

Selene gave a quiet nod. “We’ll see you in Valon.”

Elena adjusted her satchel, her tone gentler. “Take care of her, Noel.”

He didn’t need to ask who she meant. Charlotte stood a few steps behind him, her hood drawn up, the faint light catching the strands of her pink hair. She waved once to the others, smiling softly.

Seraphina oversaw everything with her usual composed authority. “The royal convoy will leave within the hour,” she said. “The second carriage will be yours,”—she looked between Noel and Charlotte—”and it will take you directly to Valon, to the castle.”

Noel nodded. “Understood.”

When the others finally departed, the courtyard grew quiet again—just the soft creak of wheels and the distant rustle of wind through burned leaves.

Charlotte exhaled, her voice small. “It feels strange… seeing them go.”

“Yeah,” Noel replied, glancing toward the horizon where the other carriages had disappeared. “It does.”

He opened the door for her, and she stepped inside. The interior was lined with deep blue velvet, the scent of cedar and old parchment faint in the air. Noel climbed in after her, and as the door shut, the outside noise faded.

With a jolt, the carriage began to move, the rhythm of hooves steady beneath them.

Charlotte rested her head against the window, watching the Thorne manor grow smaller with each turn of the wheel.

Noel leaned back, letting out a slow breath. “Well,” he murmured, a faint trace of humor in his tone, “no going back now.”

Charlotte smiled weakly. “No… I suppose not.”

The steady rhythm of the carriage wheels filled the silence between them, the faint sway almost hypnotic. Charlotte’s gaze lingered on the window, watching the forest blur into streaks of green and gold. Noel sat across from her, his hand resting loosely on the hilt of Revenant Fang beside him.

After a while, he broke the silence. “It’s strange, isn’t it? Nicolas used to lecture us about staying cautious, and now he’s the one we’re going to check on.”

Charlotte’s lips curved faintly. “He’d hate that irony.”

Noel chuckled under his breath but his tone turned somber. “The First Pillar really messed everything up again. First Nicolas, now the crystal. Another disaster just waiting to happen.” He paused, realizing what he’d said, and cursed softly. “Ah—sorry, I didn’t mean to bring that up. Not in front of you.”

Charlotte blinked, startled for a moment, then smiled weakly. “Why not?”

Noel rubbed the back of his neck. “You’ve been quiet since yesterday. Droopy, you know? I didn’t want to remind you of… him.”

Her eyes softened at that. “Thanks, Noel. All of you. I know you were just trying to help.” She gave a shaky breath. “It’s been hard. I’m supposed to be the Saint, remember? The one people look to for comfort. But how can I smile when I know the god I’ve devoted my life to isn’t what I believed?”

The words hung in the air like something fragile.

Charlotte looked down at her hands. “I’ll have to tell Orthran eventually. The Church will find out, the people will too. How do you even begin to tell the world their god isn’t who they think he is?”

Noel leaned forward, his tone gentle but firm. “Hey… remember what Noctis said. Elarin was good once. The first to touch mana, the one who helped people, who built what this world stands on. What the Church teaches isn’t a lie — just an incomplete story.”

He hesitated, then added quietly, “He only changed after reaching Mana Core. After that… everything twisted. I found out when we were trapped in the library. I’m sorry for not telling you sooner.”

Charlotte’s smile returned, faint but genuine. “It’s alright. You couldn’t tell me, could you? The system or whatever it is probably didn’t let you.”

Noel gave a small nod. “Yeah.”

She looked out the window again, golden light reflecting in her eyes. “Thank you for telling me now.”

He leaned back, watching her quietly. For the first time since leaving the mansion, her expression looked less burdened — tired, yes, but not broken.

The carriage rattled over the cobblestone path, the sound steady and rhythmic. The forest had begun to thin, giving way to the open plains leading toward Valon. Warm light poured through the window, painting the inside of the cabin in hues of gold.

Charlotte finally broke the quiet again. “So… what do you think Nicolas wants to talk about?”

Noel hummed, eyes half-lidded as he leaned back. “If I had to guess? Probably to scold me. It’s been, what, some months since he last had the chance?”

Charlotte’s lips twitched into a small smile. “You think he kept a list?”

“Oh, absolutely,” Noel said without hesitation. “First on the list.”

Charlotte laughed softly, shaking her head. “And yet, you somehow ended up top of the practical exams. I remember him saying, ’The Thorne boy’s grades make no sense.’”

“He wasn’t wrong,” Noel said, grinning. “But I’m sure he’ll still find a way to lecture me about it. It’s his favorite hobby.”

Charlotte chuckled again, her shoulders relaxing. “He did care, though. He always tried to act strict, but everyone knew he had a soft spot for you.”

Noel tilted his head slightly. “A soft spot or a headache, I’m not sure which.”

That drew another quiet laugh from her — the kind that filled the small space with warmth.

After a moment, she leaned her chin on her hand, looking at him. “You know, I kind of miss that. The academy, the noise, even Daemar yelling at everyone to stop setting the training grounds on fire.”

“Hey,” Noel protested lightly, “that only happened twice.”

Charlotte raised a brow, feigning disbelief. “Twice that you’ll admit to maybe.”

Noel couldn’t help but smile. “You’re lucky I’m too tired to argue.”

The laughter faded, replaced by a comfortable silence — the kind that only comes after shared battles and long nights.

Charlotte looked out the window, her expression thoughtful. “Whatever Nicolas wants to tell you… I hope it’s good news. After everything that’s happened, we could use some.”

“Yeah,” Noel murmured, his gaze drifting to the horizon. “So could he.”

The sun dipped lower as they crossed the last stretch of road before Valon. The landscape turned golden and quiet, the fields waving lazily under the evening wind. Inside the carriage, the mood softened—less tense now, just two people suspended in the calm between storms.

Charlotte leaned back against the seat, her eyes following the horizon. “You know… for a moment, I almost forgot we were heading to the castle.”

Noel glanced at her with a faint smirk. “That’s a first. You always get nervous when we have to deal with nobles.”

She gave a tiny laugh. “And you don’t?”

“I’ve had enough of them for a lifetime,” he said dryly, making her giggle.

The silence that followed wasn’t awkward—it was steady, fragile, the kind that made the air feel too real. Charlotte’s gaze lingered on him longer than usual, her lips parting slightly before she spoke.

“Noel… thank you,” she murmured.

He blinked. “For what?”

“For not treating me like a symbol,” she said quietly. “Ever since we met, you just… talked to me. Fought beside me. Not as the Saint, not as some miracle worker—just as me.”

Noel looked at her for a long second, then smiled faintly. “Guess I’ve never been great at following titles.”

Her lips curved into a small, sad smile. “You should’ve been born a priest, you know that? You’d make people believe again.”

“I barely believe in myself,” Noel said, amused.

That made her laugh—but her expression shifted again, thoughtful, almost wistful. “Maybe if I do this…” she whispered, voice softer than the rumble of the wheels.

He frowned slightly. “Do what—?”

Before he could finish, Charlotte leaned forward and kissed him.

It wasn’t long—gentle, trembling, almost uncertain—but it carried everything she couldn’t say. For a second, even the noise of the carriage disappeared. Just warmth, breath, and the faint scent of lavender and dust.

When she pulled back, she avoided his gaze. “Maybe that’ll help me forget,” she said quietly.

Noel blinked once, then smiled—soft, teasing, a little nervous. “Sorry,” he said, voice low, “but I don’t think I’ll let you forget.”

Charlotte’s eyes flicked up, and a shy laugh escaped her. “Figures.”

By the time the moon had risen, the distant lights of Valon shimmered against the horizon. The city was vast and radiant, its towers gleaming with veins of mana that pulsed softly in the dark. The carriage slowed as it passed through the marble gates.

Charlotte lifted the curtain, her eyes widening slightly at the sight. “We’re already here…”

Noel nodded, stretching his arms with a quiet sigh. “Royal carriages — faster than anything I’ve ever ridden.”

The streets were mostly empty at that hour, the quiet hum of mana lanterns reflecting across polished stone. The wheels rolled to a stop before the grand entrance of the castle, guards standing in formation under the banners of Valor.

Charlotte adjusted her cloak and turned toward Noel, her expression calmer than before. “Ready?”

He met her gaze, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

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