Regia's eyes opened slowly,she had cried herself to sleep,for the second time since this journey began. She had been jerked awake by a gallop.
They had been riding for so long and it was almost noon. She knew Albania was a far distance but she had never expected the trip to take this long.
The sun did not help matters as it chose that day to display its full splendour. The only thing Regia was grateful for was the that the coach had a cover over it,like that of the royals.
She looked out the window to take a view of the outside. They were no longer in the forest. They were passing a path surrounded with merchants, the first she had seen for hours.
She heaved a sigh of relief when she saw life that wasn't green. They were obviously far away from the village as her coachman drove with a moderated speed.
She felt her heart pace increase when she remembered her home once again but she held herself,she didn't want to cry herself to sleep again.
The coach came to a halt and she wondered why. The coachman then opened a little covering opposite her, telling her that he wanted to make a quick stop to ease his pressed self and asked her if she wanted to herself but she declined.
After a while the coachman returned and the coach jerked and began its movement. They continued their journey into the city.
They were in the outskirts of Newane,the hometown of the duke,Regia realised this because a huge placard was placed at the entrance into the town.
She sighed with relief on seeing that the were finally close at last. She then felt herself tense subconsciously at the thought of nearing the home of the duke.
She watched again through the window as they passed by the busy streets of the town. People were walking around doing their business, completely not minding the regal looking carriage passing by.
The coach entered into a lot of gallops in this area just as they did when they were exiting her village,the bad roads seemed to be a trademark associated with the poor.
The coachman had increased his speed since he had resumed moving the coach. It seemed like he was in a haste for them to get to their destination and she wondered if it was safe,considering the number of gallops that they passed through.
It was continuous and she didn't even know why he was riding so fast,she couldn't stand the tossing around any longer.
Then her mind began pulling all sorts of stunts for her amusement. She wondered maybe he had a family to go home to,one he loved and cared about. At this moment,she had none and was not even sure if she so of ever see the ones she had ever again.
She looked outside the coach once again and noticed that they were no longer in the lowly looking residential area. Where they were now seemed to be inhabited by people of greater influence and wealth,the look of the environs alone spoke a great measure.
She looked as they passed each one beginning to awe at the beauty of it all. She had been stuck in the village all her life,never even going to the wealthier part of her state because she had no business there.
She began to wonder how the insides looked like. The only expensive looking furnishes were the ones she had ever seen were in Miss Rosa's chamber and of course, the intricate and delicate looking designs of her coach.
There were no mud puddles around or open refuse like those in her village and in the outskirts of Newane. The road were relatively smooth and gallop free.
She saw other coaches ride around with people inside. The coaches all looked different but they definitely were all expensive,they were a long stretch from the few carriages she had seen all her life.
The coachman continued with his speed but only this time, he was justified. She continued looking outside,not wanting her eyes to miss a second to feast to its fill.
Mr Alsop's words then came to her,when he said he didn't want her to suffer. She had been so used to one side of life that she totally forgot another side such as this existed.
She felt like going back to thank him again but she knew she couldn't,nor might she ever. The emotions were beginning to rise in her chest again but she sought to distract herself by enjoying the view.
She then watched as they approached a path with trees all around. The path led to a house that had the same semblance of a castle. The coach stopped at this point and she wondered if they had arrived.
The door to the coach then opened and she was then certain that they had. She got down from the coach,helped by the coachman.
When she left lifted her gaze,her mouth almost dropped. This was her new home,she almost couldn't believe this was her new home.
She stood outside the carriage and looked towards the building still marveling at the beauty.
It was so big and she wondered just how many people lived in the house,if the duke's home was this big,how big would be the castle of the royals.
She kept swimming in her thoughts hat she did not notice three maids walk to where she was.
"Good afternoon Malady", they greeted in unison and jolted Regia back to her senses. She turned to face them and gave them a small smile.
" Good Afternoon to you all",she greeted,trying to sound merry. They then began introducing themselves by first telling her their names in accordance,from right to left.
"We are your right hand maids, we are in charge of getting you all settled in properly,now if you follow me,I would take you to the tending chambers", the oldest looking one of them said before turning to lead her into the building.
She followed her lead,the other two maids following closely behind her. The guards opened up the door for them. They walked in and Regia almost gaped again at what she saw.