The sun had barely risen when Angelo ran down the stairs, dragging a suitcase almost bigger than himself. The zipper was crooked, half his clothes spilling out the sides, and his expression was a mix of tension, excitement, and pure youthful energy.
"Dad! Everything's ready!" he shouted, pushing the suitcase toward the door.
Esmond appeared right behind him, running a hand through his hair, wearing that calm expression of someone who wakes up without haste because he knows exactly what's coming.
"You're way too excited for a royal invitation," he commented, laughing.
"A summons from the Queen, Dad! That's not something that happens every day," Angelo replied, breathless but smiling. "And we're going by car, right? Let's go fast before this excitement wears off!"
Esmond took a deep breath, about to say something, when a familiar voice came from outside.
"Uh… Mr. Esmond! Young Angelo!"
Sofi — the messenger who had nearly passed out delivering the invitation the day before — appeared again, this time much calmer… but clearly bringing bad news.
"I'm sorry… this is entirely my fault. I should have told you yesterday," he said, hands clasped apologetically. "We're not going by car."
Angelo froze in the doorway.
"What?"
Sofi straightened his posture.
"The Queen insisted that the trip be made by private jet."
The silence lasted half a second.
"A PRIVATE JET?!" Angelo shouted, eyes wide. "That's insane! I don't think I've ever been on a private jet in my life!"
Esmond tapped his shoulder, smiling mischievously.
"Never? You were on one two months ago."
Angelo blinked, thought for a moment… and gave up trying to remember.
"Ah… reliving is part of living," he muttered, his excitement already back.
The three headed to the car that would take them to the private terminal. On the way, Esmond glanced at his son's improvised suitcase.
"Do you even have enough clothes in there? You can't show up in front of the Queen looking like you just woke up inside a volcano."
"Hey! There's nothing wrong with my style!"
Esmond laughed slyly.
"And besides… there are some pretty girls at the castle. It wouldn't hurt to look a little more presentable."
Angelo almost tripped over his own feet.
"Girls? Dad, please! I'm twelve! I just want to beat you one day. After that… maybe I'll think about that stuff. Don't corrupt my innocence!"
Esmond burst out laughing.
Sofi, walking behind them, watched the exchange completely lost.
In his mind, confusion reigned:
I've never seen anything like this. They're… strange. But… it works?
The ride to the private hangar took only a few minutes.
When they arrived, Angelo stopped in his tracks. Esmond stopped too — just to enjoy his son's reaction.
In front of them stood the most elegant jet they had ever seen.
A white aircraft, smooth as porcelain, cut by glowing yellow lines running along the fuselage. The nose was sharp, almost predatory, and the wings held reinforced engines — clearly capable of speeds far beyond the ordinary.
"Wow…" Angelo almost whispered.
"Not bad," Esmond admitted.
"This jet belongs to Frostrion AeroWorks," Sofi explained proudly. "They provide direct service to the Royal House. The Queen had it prepared exclusively for you."
Angelo didn't even try to hide his smile.
Esmond rested a hand on his son's head.
"Go on. Enjoy it. Things like this don't fall from the sky every day."
Angelo ran toward the foldable stairs, taking two steps at a time, unable to hide his excitement. Esmond followed more calmly, enjoying the boy's joy.
Sofi entered last, closing the door behind him.
The jet picked up speed on the runway…
…the engines roared…
…and in less than a minute, they were airborne.
The landscape of Luna Lume shrank away like a folded map.
Less than twenty minutes later — thanks to supersonic technology — they could already see, in the distance, the bright white walls of the Supreme Royal City, surrounded by the soft glow that always announced the presence of the House of Hope.
"Toward the House of Hope"
Angelo was still admiring the jet when Sofi appeared again, now more hurried than before.
"Mr. Esmond! Young Angelo!" he called, gesturing to the left. "Please, follow me. On your left, you'll see the heliport. That's where the helicopter that will take us to the House of Hope is waiting."
Angelo turned, curious… and his eyes lit up.
At the center of the heliport rested a sleek, modern helicopter, painted deep red, with golden details outlining the doors and rotors. Its metallic shine reflected the sunlight almost majestically.
"Well… the helicopter is pretty," Angelo said, approaching slowly.
It truly was. But there was something that drew even more attention:
a pair of small cannons positioned just below the cockpit.
Angelo frowned.
"Wait… cannons?" he said aloud. "Are we expecting some turbulence…?"
Before he could finish the sentence, Sofi raised a finger.
"No, Young Angelo! Don't worry. These cannons are part of the new fleet the Queen is developing. They're merely safety measures. Rest assured — we'll be flying through a secure zone. There will be no attacks."
Angelo opened his mouth to reply, but Esmond wrapped an arm around his shoulders and said in an exaggeratedly serious tone:
"And even if someone attacks us… we'll just parachute out."
Angelo slowly turned to face him, staring as if he were looking at a completely absurd creature.
"What?" he asked, eyes wide. "Dad… sometimes you say things that make absolutely no sense…"
Esmond laughed loudly.
"Relax, relax! I was just joking!"
Behind them, Sofi sighed quietly — clearly used to, but never prepared for, the Orsons' peculiar sense of humor.
The three finally climbed the side stairs and entered the helicopter. The interior was spacious, with dark leather seats and wide windows that allowed a full view of the surroundings.
As soon as they settled in, the rotors came to life, spinning until they became a transparent disc.
With a gentle lift, the helicopter left the heliport…
…and rose into the sky, moving swiftly toward the imposing castle of the House of Hope.
The helicopter slowed, slicing through the air gently until it touched the heliport with an almost imperceptible sway. As soon as the side door opened, Angelo was the first to jump out.
The warm air of the royal city hit his face.
He lifted his head…
…and the castle filled his vision.
"Wow…" he murmured, barely realizing it. "It's not the first time I've been here… but it's always good to see this castle."
Esmond, stepping out right behind him, smiled proudly at his son's reaction.
Ahead of them, the House of Hope rose with an imposing presence that seemed to span eras. It was ancient and modern at the same time, harmonizing styles that, in theory, should never work together — yet here, they did.
The main structure resembled classic castles from ancient mythologies: tall towers, white walls, banners waving in the wind. But at the center stood something no ordinary castle possessed:
A colossal circular column, white as marble, inspired by the ancient Temple of Jerusalem.
Its top was rounded, like a perfect dome, shining under the sun.
All of this contrasted with the modern wing on the right: special glass walls, elegant metallic structures, straight and curved lines that seemed to defy traditional engineering. It was an architectural fusion as strange as it was beautiful.
The surrounding gardens completed the view: meticulously trimmed trees, crystal-clear fountains, flowers arranged in geometric patterns visible only from above. Angelo absorbed every detail, enchanted.
Meanwhile…
"Nnnngh…!"
Behind them, Sofi struggled desperately to carry Angelo's suitcase. It felt as heavy as solid lead. He grabbed the handle, pulled, his body leaned dangerously backward… almost fell… but managed to take a step.
One single step.
Which seemed to consume his entire soul.
"O-okay… just… just… thirty more meters…" he said, completely exhausted.
Another step. Then another. Each one a journey of pain and suffering.
Finally, he dropped the suitcase, gasping, nearly kneeling.
"This is impossible… this… this weighs like four hundred kilos…"
Two castle guards saw the scene and rushed to help. Even with three people, moving the suitcase required serious effort — which only deepened Sofi's confusion as he thought:
What does this kid carry in here? Rocks? Armor? A meteorite?
Angelo didn't even notice. He kept staring at the castle, eyes shining.
"Well… I hope I finally get to see the Queen this time," he said excitedly.
Esmond chuckled softly.
"Yeah. You've never actually seen her. I hope this is the time."
Angelo puffed out his chest.
"It will be! Even if I have to walk into the royal hall and see her myself!"
Esmond turned quickly.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Easy there, warrior! You can't just invade the royal hall!"
Angelo laughed.
"I know, I was joking. But I really want to see her."
Esmond affectionately ruffled his hair.
With Sofi behind them being practically dragged by helpers — and the suitcase carried as if it were a cursed artifact impossible to move — the three followed the wide marble corridor leading into the castle.
The massive entrance doors opened…
…and they crossed the threshold, officially entering the House of Hope.
As soon as they passed through the gigantic doors, Angelo felt the air change. It wasn't just the temperature — it was as if the atmosphere itself carried history. The castle's interior was even more grand than the exterior.