1 The carriage ride in the capital (2/2)
The nobleman shrugged as he showed a clear look of disinterest in his eyes when looking at the people outside .The state of her own territory appeared to be miles ahead of the capital, so Elise was slightly confused as the carriage ride continued.
The carriage slowed down to a halt as it approached a spectacular golden gate, that marked the end of the common folk area and the nobility residences. A muscular guard with a handlebar moustache approached the carriage. He wore a white armour and coat with the symbol a sun and moon on the back of his coat.
Elise eyes flashed and her mouth hooked up slightly with a grin as she detected a faint trace of magic power within the guard. The so-called royal knights, were made up of children who had naturally strong magic power within them, often ripped from their parents to become soldiers for the royalty. This was seen as an honour and the parents' silence would be bought either with coin or death.
”Papers and identification please!” he ordered in an arrogant tone. Elise reached within her dress and pulled out her family seal to hand to the driver. The soldier looked at the symbol of the crest and paused momentarily. He gazed slightly at the inside of the carriage but could not see through the curtains. He stood there for a minute thinking to himself but eventually waved his hands and let the carriage pass through the golden archway. Elise clutched her arm tightly as dark marks almost like tattoos began to swirl around her skin.
”Be quiet, there's no sense in acting up when you and I both know that we could kill him in a heartbeat.”, Elise whispered quietly seemingly to herself. She gently unfurled her arm and the dark marks had disappeared almost as if they were never there in the first place. Damien had not even noticed the commotion as he was smiling happily at the sight of the noble residences before him.
Elise gazed at the sights before her and frowned in disgust, the difference between the common area and the noble residence was one of night and day. Huge mansions with golden doors, steps and fountains lined a clean street. Nobles stood around wearing fancy dresses and shirts with expensive jewels and accessories lining their hands, feet and necks. It almost seemed like a different world to the city outside the gate.
The air seemed crisp and clean with beautiful flowers and trees planted between the mansions. Elise looked at the people and saw no trace of hardship or starvation, their hands were soft and clean with most having slightly overweight bodies.
”My lady, do you enjoy the sight? It's quite lovely compared to the filth and swine we saw on the way here”, Damien spoke suddenly. Elise turned to him and spoke in a soft but cold tone,” Yes there is certainly a difference in how the nobles in the capital treat them”. The carriage ride proceeded in silence as there was now a slightly awkward atmosphere. Soon they finally entered their destination, the imperial royal palace. ”Well, it has been lovely travelling with you Lady Elise, but I forgive me as I go ahead.” Damien hurriedly spoke as he dashed from the carriage with his thick frame moving surprisingly quickly.
Elise watched him go towards the palace entrance and slowly walked down the carriage door and onto to the soft fresh grass underneath. She walked towards the palace at a casual pace and admired the design of the building. Even compared to the luxurious mansions of the noble residences, the imperial palace stood out. It was immensely huge and tall where one would have to crane her neck to see the top of the spires that jutted out towards the heavens.
The road leading to the palace was entirely paved with gold and beautiful sculptures of animals, monsters and beasts were sprinkled throughout the garden. The assembly today was to be held in the king's audience chamber which was spacious enough to fill all the members of both the lower and the upper nobility.
Being slightly late did not seem to bother Elise as she confidently walked pass the bowing guards. She tried hard to remember what exactly the reason for the assembly was but eventually just assumed it couldn't be that important. She simply here for a small vacation so she would simply attend for a bit then explore the shops around the capitol.
Little did she know hours later she would be the newly adopted mother of the novel's most terrible and cruel villainess.