Upon reaching the capital of Magenta, Cedric galloped through the gates without slowing down. His horse was panting, but he didn't care a bit. Along the main road leading to the palace, his vision was filled with red silk fabrics stretched across roads, ribbons hanging from balconies, and flowers strewn along the way. The horse's hooves hit the petals, sending them fluttering past him.
The further he got into the capital, the tighter his chest became. The ornaments, the faint music coming from the square, all spoke of a grand feast about to take place. Even the children dancing in the streets were singing the same song.
"Your Ma—I mean, Sir!"
Behind Cedric, of all the troops with him, only Sir Alvis was able to keep up with Cedric's fast-moving horse. Sir Alvis was concerned that Cedric's arrival would cause unnecessary chaos in Magenta. He tried to warn the man, but Cedric was too distracted to care about anything else.
