Wendy didn't lie when she said we're close to the castle of grand duchy, they let me open the curtains when we're close to the grand ducal's territory.
It almost look exactly the same as the castle back in Wisteria, but the Wisteria trees here are all pure white and amethyst in color without the other shades that exist in Wisteria.
The moat has a crystal clear water and wisteria trees surrounding the castle beautifully, the stone viaduct looks gorgeous with the flower of Wisteria creating a tunnel.
We reach the end of the cut off viaduct, the ironwood draw bridge was laid down connecting the castle, the black steel portcullis was pulled up and another gate was being opened by the knights.
Dad headed in with some of the nights first, as the carriage followed inside with the rest of the knights following behind us.
Once we pass the small tunnel, a beautiful sight of a courtyard filled with white roses, like snow in spring.
The carriage stop by the entourage of castle keep's entrance, where servants are all lined up with Sir Rupert in the very front, waiting.
The carriage door was opened by Sir Ulysses, Paul head out and brother followed then Wendy got off the carriage and I grab my small bag and she help me off the the door was shut as my dad approach us and pick me up as I hug my bag tightly while the new faces of people greeted us so brightly.
"Welcome to the Capital of Hestia, Lord Dritan and Lady Althea, welcome back your grace." Rupert greeted brightly while I smile back and look around, trying to avoid the eyes of the people I've never met before.
At least their auras are all purple-ish warm pink and everyone seems welcoming.
"Rupert, get the messenger and inform the emperor that the port is all settled this morning." Dad instructed as Rupert bowed gracefully.
"I shall heed your command, your grace." Rupert answered courteously as the servants started helping unloading the luggage bags.
"The rooms at the east wing are prepared as your grace instructed." the old man in suit, who resembles Gilbert, our butler back on Wisteria, but this man has a little bit of long salt and pepper hair tied in a low pony and a silver spectacle on.
"Albert is the butler here, he's Gilbert's twin brother, that's why they resemble a lot, my lady." Rupert said, amuse at my curious gaze as I oh and nod, as the old man smiled brightly.
"Your Grace!" Father turn around as Viscount Terezia, Paul's father who's part of the vessels of Wisteria, charging in a rush riding a black horse.
"The emperor is on the way here, your grace!" he shouted in a rush while the servants become alerted and dad tighten his grip on me.
"That rascal really couldn't wait." he muttered under his breath as Viscount stop on his track getting off the horse and handed the pile of papers I just noticed he's holding onto, to my dad who sighed and grab it.
"The emperor is coming then." he announce as the servants go and move without a say, gracefully, while we all entered the castle keep.
It's just as luxurious as the Wisteria grand duchy, but bigger.
"Hand your bag over to Wendy." dad instructed as I frown and hug my bag tightly and shook my head stubbornly.
"Thea wants to carry a bag too." I mumbled while my father's expression turn amused.
"It's only about a month I left for work, and now my daughter doesn't listen to me? Are you hiding something in that bag of yours?" dad asked threateningly but his pink aura only intensify which looks funny as it contradicts to his dark military uniform and jet black hair.
He suddenly poke my side making me squirm and burst into fits of giggle, he chuckled and kiss my forehead then put me down on my feet.
"Zola, go lead the children and Wendy to their rooms, then lead the maids after, and Wendy, bring them back ready, the emperor will be visiting." dad instructed the old strict but friendly looking lady who bowed as dad usher me to go with my brother, Wendy and Paul.
I go and hold on to my brother's coat who stroke my hair, as we watch father busily return to Rupert, and Viscount Terezia.
"Welcome back Lord Dritan, Sir Paul and Miss Wendy, and welcome to the capital, Lady Althea, I hope you find your stay at ease here, I'm Zola, the head maid of this grand ducal's manor. This way to the west hall to your rooms." Zola spoke courteously and lead the way pass the grand hall, taking the left stairs up as we followed and the rest of the servants behind us, holding the luggage bags.
We made it to the end hall way with doors around.
"This will be Lady Althea's room, across is Lord Dritan's. Miss Wendy and Sir Paul will reside the guest rooms at the entry of the hall there my lady so you can easily call Miss Wendy if needed." Zola pointed at the white gold door on the right which will be my room, and and identical door across, which is my brother's and the two other doors which we just walk pass by, the nearest at the entrance of the east wing hall.
I nodded, understandingly as my brother take his coat off and the servant quickly attended him and Sir Paul while Wendy thanked Zola and open the door of my room.
"Let's go in my lady, I'll fix up your clothes and hair before the emperor comes." Wendy said as I wave at Zola without a word and enter the room, Wendy assisted me to the vanity while Zola instructed the maids where to put the luggage bags.
"You can leave you bag on the bedside, no one would dare hold it my lady." Wendy said as I look around and the servants all nodded with bright smiles.
"You can put your faith on us my lady, only you can access it as you wish." Zola spoke at ease as I hum looking at my bag and look up to her.
"It's Thea's favorite toys and books." I mumbled, using my special ability which is taking advantage of my charm, and it always works as their aura turn brighter which made me feel safe that everyone here are not going to dare harm me.
"After meeting the emperor, we can tour you around the mansion, my lady. His grace made sure to reimburse the castle's interior and exterior to closely match the Wisteria grand duchy, so my lady would feel comfortable staying here." the servant with auburn brown hair and deep brown eyes said excitedly and courteously as I nodded and Wendy started brushing my hair swiftly.
"I like books, is there a library?" I ask wondering as Zola hum and nodded.
"There is, my lady, even a gazebo and the late duchess' conservatory where you can read and rest at the garden, his grace finally allow an access only for you." Zola spoke as I oh and feel really happy with my father allowing me to access one of my mother's conservatory.
"Here, Miss Wendy." one of the servants with chestnut hair and blue eyes showed up from the closet with a white lace fabric oversized bow barrette, which is almost as long as my hair.
Wendy nodded and tied my hair in a loose half up do with crown braids like, not mending my baby hairs and just let it as is then place the hair ornament behind to finish it all together.
'She's really amazing with decorating my hair.'
"We don't have much time for my lady to change dress, and I don't want the dress to come to waste, you look like a little fairy." Wendy said fondly and dusting a bit of gentle powder on my face to freshen me face up a little and my neck.
The servants agreed to Wendy, talking about how I resemble mother so much and what clothes and hairstyles I should wear next.
Looks like they are all well prepared, as if they've been waiting for my arrival for long, they even have the clothes, shoes and accessories from Forema, all sorted and planned out.
I could only watch their twinkling eyes, as I get off my seat with Wendy's help and I put my bag on the bedside and open it to take out my teddy bear.
"Oh my, that's a pretty bear my lady." the auburn hair servant, Daisy, just from what I pick up from their conversation, said fondly.
I really have no control of my body sometimes.
"Yes, daddy gave it to me before he left home, Wendy, brother, Sir Paul and I drink milk tea with Misty all the time." I said, patting my bear making them gasp and flustered as Wendy chuckled and stroking my hair.
I named my bear randomly when dad asked me to name it, I couldn't think of anything than call it Misty, what the auras seem like to my eyes.
I need these people around me, I want to get along with them and protect me till I can protect myself.
Capital is full of greedy people, they'll help me know everything ahead for sure in the future.
"We can go and ask the Grand Duke to allow us to get varieties of teas on this coming trade my lady." Wendy said with an idea as I nodded eagerly.
The trade, I have to go to the trade, the red camellia is the only thing I need.
"And flowers?" I ask as Zola oh and nod.
"I think the east will trade plants and medicines, if my lady happens to not be allowed to go out, we can go and find what my lady likes." Daisy said as I hum and act like thinking hardly.
"Maybe something new? Like, one we don't have in conservatory?" I said as they hummed nodding while Wendy sighed.
"Almost every floral and medicinal plants are in late duchess' garden conservatories, so anything rare that the Grand Duchy haven't acquired, we can look and try purchasing it my lady." Wendy said just as the knock on the door interrupt us and Zola open it to see Sir Ulysses who has a bright but tense aura greeted us.
"I was tasked with Lady Althea's protection, I've come here to pickup my lady as his grace ordered, the emperor is now on the viaduct and about to cross the drawbridge." Sir Ulysses spoke and I wasn't even shocked that he's the one appointed to be my temporary protection.
"We can't take Misty, my lady." Sir Ulysses said which made me feel flustered and put the bear down my bed, they were so use to me carrying it around.
"Alright." I mumbled and walk my way out and hold onto his coat as he escort me to the hallway where Paul and my brother are talking casually and walking down the hallway with Sir Orion, and Sir Colin who takes part as my brother's security back in the academy, he has a really cool maroon long hair tied in high ponytail and deep brown eyes.
He's super friendly and drinks milk tea with us sometimes, like Sir Ulysses and Sir Orion.
"My lady, we can't keep up with their pace, I'll carry you instead." Sir Ulysses said as I feel disheartened and stare at him with a frown and sigh defeated.
"Why am I so tiny?" I whine complaining and reach up to him as he stifle a laugh, picking me up while I heard Wendy, Zola and other servants stifling a giggle too as I ignore them and Sir Ulysses put me on his left arm then go.
"Enough sleep and proper diet should help, you ate vegetables at the temple excellently, so that will maybe add a couple centimeters to my lady's height, I heard kale, broccoli and carrots improves height, even cabbages, cheese and milk too." Sir Ulysses said as I stare at him intently.
I'm being treated like a child.