28th September 301 Paign Era.
A lot of people are gathering in front of the mayor's residence. They're the king's envoy to Inver. After a week of staying in Baroks, it's finally time for them to resume their journey.
Except for Duan and a handful of people to assist him in training the soldiers. He had another week here to train the soldiers. Although the training course is a bit cramped, the soldiers in Baroks maintain their enthusiasm. Logically speaking, who doesn't want to try using the cannon.
Also, the crowds keep getting bigger everyday. Duan can bet there are spies from other nations as well. But, he doesn't care about it.
Let the SIN handle them.
"Make sure you didn't forget anything, Audrey." reminded Gerald.
"I don't. It's not like I bought a lot of clothes with me," said Audrey.
Gerald simply stares at her for a moment without spitting a word. He didn't know if three bags of luggage counted as a few or not. In the end, he chooses to keep his silence.
Samuel and his wife, Aurora are watching them putting the luggage on the carriage. They're certainly sad about their departure as the couple has grown close to them during a week of their stay. They offered to provide Gerald and Audrey with accommodations during their return journey to the capital.
But their offer was met with rejection.
Gerald needs to deliver the results of the resolution to the king as soon as possible. So, they move at a fast pace to the capital.
"Make sure both of you stay healthy during the journey." Samuel drops his advice to them.
"And don't eat weird things," Aurora added. After spending time with Audrey, Aurora is a bit worried about Audrey who has a tendency to eat whatever foods she has never tasted before.
"I'll be careful. Take care of yourself too, Aurora." Audrey responded to the reminder with a vague answer. She neither agrees with Aurora nor promises to stop her habit. Audrey can't let a few stomach aches hold her back in a path of gourmet conquest.
....
Inver City, Kingdom of Inver.
After eight days of travelling, they finally see the Inver's city wall. The carriages move into the city after confirming their identities at the gate.
Their destination is the Palace of Hadria.
There are two ways to get there.
First, by avoiding the city altogether and taking a direct route. The second is a longer path that involves entering the city from the north and then leaving through the west gate. The third option is to stop in Midvier and travel to Inver via boat. Then, one needs to ride a carriage to the palace. This option is only available to nobles.
Gerald deliberately went with option two, passing through a town, because he didn't want to run the danger of being ambushed if they take a desolate and direct route to the palace.
Like in Baroks, Audrey peers through the window to observe the capital of another kingdom. She's searching for something interesting and unique here but only to meet with disappointment.
With a sigh, she gives her comment, "How should I put this...The city is a bit dull despite its city being larger than Bideford in terms of size. I can't sense the vibrant and liveliness emitted by people here. The architecture here has no aesthetic. It feels like the building was built simply to serve its purpose. Nothing more nothing less. If I were to choose my honeymoon spot, it would never be this place."
Gerald laughs at her words, "Hahaha. Nobody came here for the honeymoon, Audrey. First of all, this city has no attractions except for the palace and lake nearby. Unfortunately, both are off-limits to visitors. The lake itself can no longer be visited by the public as the military uses it as a training camp. Also, Inver was established to escape from the Inveria family with a goal to retake Ferlochia from the current Inveria family."
Twenty minutes later, the carriage stops at the purple palace, the Palace of Hadria. As its nickname suggests, the palace is ninety per cent purple in colour. Such monotonousness is unheard of.
Its size is at least five times bigger than Ryntum Mansion. Despite its size, it is rather dull or soulless to be exact when compared to the residence of the king in Bideford. No painted walls, portraits, or exquisite decoration. The only expensive-looking item that can be found is a marble statue of a monarch in a different stance that is dispersed around the three gardens.
Their arrival was greeted by a man in his fifties who introduced himself as a palace butler but he doesn't mention his name for some reason. The butler doesn't show any emotion. He simply maintains a straight face.
ραпdα nᴏνɐ| сom Behind him are a group of servants to help unload their luggage.
"Dear guests, allow me to take all of you to the Guest Chamber where you'll stay during your time here." said the butler respectfully.
'At least, they still have some manners to treat us with respect.' Audrey doesn't let her thoughts come out. Instead, she simply throws a smile.
"Thank you, Mr butler. Please show us the way." Gerald politely replies. Except for important documents, he left all the luggage behind for servants to move to their rooms.
Six minutes is all it takes to reach the Guest Chamber. It is a three-story structure with opulent guest quarters for state visitors. 175 rooms in all were furnished with expensive furnishings. This is the only part of the palace that looks normal for a palace standard. It is grand, expensive and gold-glistening.
"This is where all of you will be staying. Feel free to choose any room available since there are no other guests at the moment. For the sake of your convenience, however, I suggest you pick the room on the ground floor. In case you need anything, do not be reserved and reach us out." The butler gives a lengthy explanation. Just right before the butler wants to leave, Gerald asks the old butler a question.
"Excuse me, Mr butler. May I know when we're able to meet King Isaac?"
"King Isaac's schedule is currently full. He'll meet you in two days. In the meantime, you're free to move around the palace." Mr butler then walked away.
"Great, tomorrow we have a full day to waste. Should we go touring the city? I have low expectations though." Audrey asks Gerald.
"What tour? You're not here for vacation. You're going to stay here tomorrow and help me with these documents." Gerald shook his briefcase.
"Tsk, I thought you forgot." Audrey clicked her tongue. Her attempt to escape from responsibility failed successfully.
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