Once we were up, we immediately set out for Noir. Amelia and Sir Gordon led the convoy to its destination.
We moved as quickly as possible, but not too much that the horses and knights would be exhausted.
About six days later, we reached the Kalsan City of Noir.
We pulled up to the front gates and paused for a moment. The knights of Noir checked the carriages to be sure that we didn't have anything suspicious...
As a result...
We heard a knock on the carriage door.
Isabella unlocked it and the guard opened the door.
"We're here to check for any...thing..." The guard stopped as he stared at Isabella.
"Is there a problem?" She asked him.
"N-n-no... Who are you?" He asked quickly.
"I am First Princess Isabella Victoria Albatross. I am here on important business with my husband," she said.
He stared at her in response. Almost as if he were in a trance.
"Isabella, let me talk to him," I said.
I assumed he would pay more attention to me.
Isabella leaned back and I waved to the guard.
"We're here on important business. Let us through, please," I said.
The guard looked me up and down curiously. A moment later, he froze on my eyes.
"A-ah! Yes sir! Right away! My sincerest apologies, my lord!" The guard said as he shut the carriage door.
No doubt Amelia had tried to reason with them, but rules were rules.
As we rode through town, Isabella and I looked out the window.
The buildings here were tall and made mostly of dark wood and stone. There was quite a lot of snow on the ground as well.
This city looked more like a snowy military fortress. It made sense for the dwelling place of the core of the Kalsan military.
Eventually, it came into view...
A massive and luxurious mansion surrounded by high walls with several guard towers posted regularly at specific intervals.
The front gate was made of painted steel bars that connected when closed to form a large emblem.
An emerald flame behind two crossed swords.
It was the Iratus family Estate.
I sincerely hoped that we would not be here long...
The guards outside the gate reluctantly allowed us to pass and soon, we were in front of the mansion.
"Wow. This place is almost as big as Castle Albatross," Isabella said.
"And somehow much more menacing..." I said.
I couldn't feel the sense of impending doom, but I could feel danger in this place.
It was like we were being watched from above, but when I looked, I saw no one.
I shook my head, then both Isabella and I went into the mansion.
Just before we entered, Sir Gordon mentioned that he would be taking the knights to a local bar for some drinks and rest. He left Amelia to take care of us.
In all honesty, I felt safer with her.
Beloved sister of my father, my flesh and blood.
A member of the Iratus family and a warrior of the highest calibur.
Amelia was at least on the same level as Sir Gordon. And she only looked to be in her late thirties. Sir Gordon was at least sixty-five years old.
Lastly, the maid and butler, along with the two advisors joined us as we entered the mansion.
We were immediately greeted by a gorgeous woman in her mid twenties wearing a dress adorned with emeralds. Her hair was black just like mine and her eyes were dark blue.
"Greetings everyone. We've been expecting you," she said.
"Expecting us?" I asked.
"Yes. We received word of your arrival not long ago. Archduke Tyranus is too busy to meet with you today, but you may stay the night here. He will be with you all tomorrow. Additionally, to Amelia and Mizik I say: welcome home," The woman said.
He's not even going to meet with us right now? At least he didn't murder us as soon as we walked in the door...
Amelia leaned over and whispered to me.
"That is Alice Iratus. Tyranus' wife. Treat her with the respect of a Queen."
Isabella overhead Amelia and stepped forward.
She gave a graceful bow and smiled at Alice.
"Archduchess Alice Iratus. It is a wonderful pleasure to meet you. I am Fir-"
"Quiet, Albatross filth. We know who you are. Your presence here is tolerated only because of your husband. Do not forget our generosity," Alice said with a look of disgust.
I stepped forward and felt Amelia place her hand on my shoulder.
Fine...
"But of course. I humbly apologize and thank you for your kind hospitality. I hope we can get along!" Isabella said with a smile.
It was as if she didn't even hear the insult. That took an incredible amount of restraint and humility...
Alice waved at some of the maids standing on ceremony nearby and they escorted us to our rooms.
As we walked...
Well...
I couldn't help but feel like every normal-eyed woman in this house was staring at me like a piece of meat.
Every time I would look around, I would see a girl of some kind here licking their lips and undressing me with their eyes.
"Is it just me, Mizik, or does it feel like these women are watching you?" Isabella said.
"I don't think it's you..." I said.
Amelia had already gone to her room and we were brought to a vacant one.
After we entered, the servants and advisors we brought along were taken to their rooms.
A maid stepped into the room behind us and bowed her head.
"Welcome home, Master Mizik. We are currently preparing dinner. Would you like me to do anything for you? Perhaps I could get you...an appetizer?" She asked with a smile.
"I-"
"Do not answer that, Mizik. I can tell what these people want," Isabella said.
The maid glared at Isabella with pure hatred.
"I know what you are doing here. You and the other maids think that if you can gain Mizik's favor, you will be allowed to rise above your standing, yes?" Isabella said.
"What's it to you, Albatross filth? You're already living a life of luxury in your castle. Can you hate us for wanting better lives?" The maid said.
Suddenly, I realized that mine and Isabella's roles were completely reversed here.
Isabella had a lot of experience with these things. If I wanted to get out of here, I needed to listen to her.
"No, I cannot. But did you stop to consider his happiness? Mizik has certain needs as all men do. Needs that theoretically any woman could fulfill. However, he is also a human being with feelings. Mizik is not a breeding mule. He is my husband," Isabella said.
The maid simply frowned and looked at me.
"You can have any of us that you desire. We will attend to your every need, no questions asked. And I do mean every need. When you grow tired of this woman, please let me know. Otherwise, we will inform you when dinner is ready," the maid said.
"Umm-"
"Thank you. You may leave," Isabella said as she cut me off again.
The maid glared at Isabella and left.
Isabella saved me the trouble of turning them down myself. I was grateful.
I had no intention of leaving Isabella for these common whores.
"Thank you for that," I said.
"I trust you not to give in to temptation, but that also doesn't mean I'll be leaving your side for a single moment... These women are man-eaters. Every one of them..." Isabella said.
I was familiar with the term.
My father used to tell me all about the crazy things some girls would do to get what they wanted...
I think I know where dad got his stories from...
"Just so you know, it's difficult to find other women attractive when I'm married to someone as gorgeous as you," I said.
Thanks, Dad.
Isabella's face turned red and she smiled warmly at the compliment.
"If you're trying to make me feel better...it's working..." She said.
"I'm glad. Let's figure out what to do for when we talk to Tyranus," I said.
"Agreed. Then later..." Isabella said with her voice trailing off.
"Yes?"
"Oh, nothing. Let's just focus for now."
* * *
After an hour or so, one of the maids entered the room while Isabella and I were discussing how to deal with Tyranus. She bowed her head to me and glared in at Isabella in disgust.
"Dinner is ready. Please follow me to the dining room, Master Mizik," she said.
I stood up and put my arm out for Isabella. She wrapped hers around mine and we followed the maid.
"Master Mizik, may this servant ask you a question?" The maid said.
"Go ahead," I replied. I saw Isabella look worriedly at me.
"Are you against having multiple partners? We are trying to find the best way to serve you, Master."
"Highly against it. My affections are for Isabella alone."
"Such a shame, Master. Many of us find you more than desirable. Moreso than most of the other Iratus men. If you change your mind, please let any one of us know," She said.
"Not likely," I said bluntly.
I could see Isabella smiling at me from the corner of my eye.
After walking for a while, we eventually came to a large set of double doors.
Once they opened, we were led into a large room with a single, very long table and many chairs.
It was similar to the dining hall in Castle Albatross, actually. Except that like the rest of the mansion, the carpets were red, lined with emerald green and the walls were made of a dark colored wood.
We saw lots of men and women standing around and chatting with each other. A lot of these well-dressed individuals had eyes just like mine.
I think I hate this place...
I could feel Isabella tighten her grip on me as we entered the dining hall.
Truthfully, I had been to a lot of the dinners at Castle Albatross. Even some of the very high-class ones.
But here, I felt far more nervous.
I could see many of the women here eying me up and down.
This was not the sort of attention that I wanted.
Furthermore, a lot of people were also glaring at Isabella...
And as we stood in the dining hall, surrounded by so many hostile faces, I began to silently wonder to myself if my father had actually left for Lorelei on purpose.