Vani raised his head as the carriage passed under the towering stone archway marking the city's entrance. Sunlight spilled onto the bustling streets, casting a golden hue over the cobblestones. The rhythmic clatter of hooves mixed with the hum of voices, merchants calling out their wares, and the occasional laughter of children darting between stalls.
The buildings rose tall on either side, their timber and stone facades adorned with flowering vines and colorful awnings. Banners stretched between them, fluttering gently in the breeze. Market stalls spilled onto the street, bursting with ripe fruits, spices, and shimmering fabrics. The scent of fresh bread and roasted meats wafted through the air, mingling with the sharper tang of alchemical herbs from a nearby shop.
As the carriage rolled forward, Vani's gaze drifted to a cluster of street performers drawing a lively crowd. A man juggled flaming torches while a musician plucked a cheerful tune on a lute. Further down, a pair of armored city guards wove through the crowd, their sharp eyes scanning the throng.
The deeper they traveled, the more the streets tightened, carriages and carts bottlenecking as people squeezed past each other. The voices grew louder, the air thicker with the heat of bodies and the scent of life packed into close quarters. The carriage jolted to a halt. Too many people. Too many carts.
For now, they would have to wait.
As the carriage came to a halt, Elsera leaned out and asked, "Why did we stop?"
Darius glanced ahead before answering, "Looks like the street is too crowded with carriages. We'll have to wait."
Elsera sighed. "It seems like this will take a while." She paused, then turned to the others. "Lioren, Garrik—you two take care of the carriage. The rest of us will go to the place where we will be staying."
Garrik nodded. "Understood, Lady Elsera. We'll meet up later."
With that, everyone except Lioren and Garrik stepped out of the carriage and began walking through the city.
As they moved through the bustling streets, Vani took in his surroundings, the sights and sounds so different from his home village. Everything felt larger, livelier—almost overwhelming.
Darius, noticing his expression, smirked. "So, what do you think of the city?"
Vani hesitated before replying, "Well… it's obviously bigger than my village."
Darius chuckled. "I mean, it's a city. Of course, it's bigger." He paused before continuing, his tone growing more reflective. "Even with all the chaos in the country right now, with laws being broken left and right… life goes on. Kids still play in the streets. Merchants still sell their wares. People struggle to get by, and the guards do what they can. No matter what, everything keeps moving forward. They know they have to."
He glanced at Vani. "You don't have to dwell too much on everything I've said. Just explore the city, take a breath. We still have four days before Elsera meets Lord Darius Evernigh, so don't stress yourself out. Try to take it easy."
Vani still seemed lost in thought, but before he could respond, a firm slap landed on his back. An arm draped around his shoulders, and he turned to see Rowan grinning at him.
"That's right, that's right! Don't think too hard," Rowan said cheerfully. "How about we enjoy ourselves tonight?"
Vani blinked. "Enjoy?"
Rowan's grin widened. "Yeah! Let's grab some food, have a few drinks, maybe even enjoy some company. Lady Elsera said we have free time until she meets with Lord Darius. We might as well make the most of it."
Vani wasn't sure how to respond, but Darius cut in before he had to. "How about we rest for today? It's getting late. We can do all that tomorrow."
Darius's gaze shifted to Elsera, who was walking ahead with Tessa, and he asked, "So, Elsera. Where are we going to stay?"
"We're almost there," she replied.
They walked through the quiet streets until the buildings grew fewer and the road opened up to a secluded estate. The house was large but modest for a noble—dark slate roof, sturdy brick walls, and warm lanterns casting a glow against arched windows and wrought-iron balconies. A terrace overlooked a small, well-kept garden, and a curved stairway led to a circular drive, where a few maids and a butler stood waiting, their posture formal but not stiff. It was private, set apart from the busier parts of the city, meant for comfort rather than display.
Vani eyed the house before turning to Darius. "Is this where we're staying?"
Darius just laughed.
This guy… Every time he doesn't want to answer a question, he just laughs it off like it's nothing.
Vani's gaze shifted to Rowan as he asked, "Do you guys usually stay in places like this?"
Rowan scratched the back of his head, grinning. "Well, it's all thanks to Lady Elsera. She always arranges places like this for us whenever we visit a city."
Vani frowned.
I thought she said her father was only a middle-rank noble. How can she afford places like this?
As Vani mulled over the thought, the butler spoke.
"It's been a long time, Lady Elsera. You've grown into such a beautiful woman—just like your mother."
Elsera smiled. "Thank you, Albert. I'm glad to see you looking well."
Vani took a closer look at the butler. He carried himself with quiet confidence, his silver hair neatly combed to one side. Gold-rimmed glasses sat on the bridge of his nose, framing sharp, observant eyes that missed nothing. His black suit, accented with deep green, was impeccably tailored, every detail precise and deliberate. A golden pocket watch hung from his waistcoat, a subtle testament to his discipline. Though his expression remained polite, there was a keen edge to his smile—reserved, yet never dismissive.
And yet, one thing stood out to Vani.
This butler… He's as strong as Darius…
Albert's gaze settled on him. "Looks like Lady Elsera has picked up another stray cat."
Should a butler really be insulting a guest?
Elsera laughed. "Take us to our rooms, Albert. Two more people will be joining us soon."
Albert gave a slight bow. "As you wish, my Lady. We've prepared rooms and a bath for everyone."
With that, he turned on his heel, his movements fluid, like a man who had done this a thousand times before. The soft click of his polished shoes echoed against the stone floor as he led the way. The group followed, their footsteps absorbed into the quiet of the manor. The warm glow of lanterns cast soft shadows as they walked deeper inside.