Under Sin Mountain, covered with white snow, a luxurious carriage approached from a distance.
Floating between the curtains, a peerless beauty cocooned in layers of blanket.
The black long cloak draped over Aliana's floor-length dress of white. The dress with accented gold around the high neck and sleeves was long wrinkled by the layers of blanket.
Aliana swore the moment she stepped foot into the mansion, she would find all the books about magick and find out how to regulate the magick to heat herself. Like what was the use of an elemental magick if she couldn't warm herself. That was useless and ineffective.
Aliana senses something was wrong but a burst of real energy hit, and the slender girl hurriedly flew out of the carriage. It was the body's reflex and the moment she realized her flying body she fell in a loud thump.
Her humiliation was nothing compared to the clashing sound between weapons, groaning of the injured, and vigorous yell of attack. The Jovan Army was washed in the flames of war for decades, even the latest recruit had killed more enemies than any long-run politician.
It only took them less than five minutes to subdue their attackers.
"My Lady.." Lex and his men pointing their sword at those people's neck, murderous aura surrounded them.
Lex's lingering voice was waiting for her order, but Aliana wasn't the real Aliana Jovan. She never actually killed people, "Knock them off, we take them with us. They can be useful in some ways."
"But My Lady, they try to kill you. It will be unwise to let them stay."
Aliana might not be a commander in war but she had led some of the best heights crew, "Are you questioning my method?"
Lex was an illegitimate son from a Baron in the capital city but the Baron treated him and his mother harshly. After his mother passed away, Lex turned himself into the army. He trained with Aliana before the war and during the war, his expertise in close-range combat was appreciated by her - she directly promoted him from foot soldier to be her second in command.
Lex knew he was overstepped but Aliana was his reason to stay in the army, she was the first person who believed in him and respectfully treated him as human. The slander over poisoning the troop's water reserves and the wound from the celestial lightning had worried him, now an assassination attempt near Aliana's fiefdom. The enemies of his superior were eager to destroy her.
Lex signaled his men to execute the order then walked beside Aliana, "Commander, this is too dangerous don't you think?"
"We aren't in the army, don't call me Commander Sir Lex." Lex shut his mouth due to her reprimand, "Adrian city is the fief of the Ducal of Jovan in name but my ancestors never set foot here, they were too busy guarding the borders or fighting a war for the empire. In other words, we are in a foreign land, we do not know which of them are our enemy or friends. Do you understand why I don't let you kill these assassins?"
"I was short-sighted, My Lady. I'm sorry."
"Just tell the boys not to be careless. We will only eat the food we have for this journey only, at least for the next month. This is martial law."
"Yes, My Lady."
"Lex?"
"Yes?"
"That includes our dog and horses. Don't let anyone poison us again."
"Yes, Ma'am."
Aliana sighed of relief after Lex talked to the guards.
That was the most natural thing Aliana could think of after reading Aliana Jovan's journal. It was good that the two of them shared a common interest in journaling and thankfully unlike her, Aliana Jovan not using the vaporize ink.
Aliana Jovan was looking for something, she desperately want to be in Adrian city. She kept writing about the Magician for pages, considering the world she lived in the fascination was reasonable. But the starting point of this obsession was fishy, she started researching about the legendary Magician after a raid with the Nams, whatever happened in between started this.
Aliana needed protection, she must stand guard and survive this world to get back to her world.
The first rule in a foreign situation; gathered information.
"My Lady, we are here." Lex's voice paused her movement on reading Aliana Jovan's journal.
The moment Aliana touch the ground, she almost cracked her poker face. "You sure Ed say this just a manor?"
Even in her modern standard, Aliana must admit this place was more of a castle than a manor of a fief owner.
"Sir Ed was born and raised in the capital city. We can't compare our standard to his."
Covered in light snow, the manor was a two-story building with three high towers. The main tower had a gigantic clock in the middle, while the left and right tower was an observatory. The yard covered with snow-covered plants was enough to make Aliana realize that her current office was more than just what meet in the eyes.
Inhaling the air, Aliana could feel a particular sensation she was familair with. It was the same vibration when she finally touched the Diadem of Love.
"Welcome to Adrian Manor, Duchess."
The elder man with his low ponytail led the staff behind him to salute.
They kneel in one knee while lowering their head and crossed their right arm to the left chest. It was the highest form of respect but Aliana didn't know how many of them planted here as spies or the direct enemy of the Jovan clan.
Aliana Jovan's reputation was resounding throughout the land. Most people didn't have a chance to be near her and those who did were kept at arm's length by her. She knew from a very young age that her legacy was something that could turn the world upside down if she wanted to. She was raised to be strategic and ruthless, her indifferent nature was a fact known to all.
Thankfully this trait was something she could take advantage of. During her recovery from the celestial strike, she hardly said anything but Sir Ed and Anne take care of her in an orderly manner. So did Lex and the other employee. The problem was she couldn't act like a cold lady Aliana Jovan was all the time, that's why she left Ed and Anne in the capital in the name of guarding the Jovan Manor.
But Aliana must establish her stand here, she purposely deepening her voice "You all may rise."
"Thank you, Duchess."
"My name is Luke Sanders, I'm the manor's butler. I will help you feel at home here, Duchess. If there's anything you need don't hesitate to let me know."
Just like Aliana expected, the man leading the staff was the butler. Years of mingling in upper society in her previous life trained her senses, after all a robber must not steal from those less fortunate.
"The staff and I have tidied up the master suite for you, Duchess. We have also prepared guest rooms for your entourage. If you have special instructions we will be at your service."
"That's very thoughtful of you Butler Sanders."
"It is our duty, Duchess.."
"Then I'll have to trouble you to escort my knights to the guest room. Please also make sure the stables are comfortable for our horses and dogs. They are quite feisty, don't let the staff get near them. Especially the girls, we won't be responsible if anyone got disfigured."
"Yes, Duchess."
Aliana half whispering to Lex, "Tell the boys to clean up and rest well, we will resume work tomorrow."
"Yes, My Lady."
Lex and the entourage were led by some of the staff.
"Butler Sanders."
"Yes, Duchess?"
"Please show me the way to my office."
"This way, Duchess."
Aliana's motive might be just to seek information, but Luke got a good impression of Aliana.
Luke was a native of Adrian city and inherited this job from his father. His family had served the officials assigned to this frontier town but had never once met the owner of the region - the Jovans. Luke was honored but also nervous. Furthermore, stories of how Aliana leading the war from the age of 13 and the recent scandal about poisoning the enemy's water supply made her reputation very diverse in the Lyn Empire.
"Butler Sanders?"
"Yes, Duchess?"
"I'm new here but I'm eager to learn, do you have a book recommendation to know Adrian city better?"
"Everything you need is here, Duchess. Adrian Manor's library has the most extensive collection of books throughout the city. Here we have all the books related to geopolitical conditions to the history of Adrian city from time to time. Likewise, records related to the business of the nobles and work reports of officials who were once stationed in Adrian city."
"How about books regarding Magick?"
"It was a mandatory book for the Lyn Empire's citizen, we have some of the best books here, Duchess. Even the original copy Warrior Manual written by the late Arc Duke Adrian."
"Thank you, Butler Sanders."
"It's my job, Duchess. Do you need anything else?"
"Now you've mentioned it, I actually want to meet the nobles. If I invite them to a banquet do you think they will come?"
"Of course they will, Duchess. You are their direct superior now."
"That's a relief."
"When do you want to host it, Duchess?"
"How about a week from now? Do you think the staff can prepare a party on this short notice?"
"Of course, Duchess. You can rest assured."