Earlene's POV :
The weather is sunny and the wind fresh. I reached the Whitesburg Duchy a long time ago and the capital city of Adenberd was just Within reach. The Duchy itself is so expansive that even after entering three days ago I haven't reached the Capital City yet.
I opened the curtains of the carriage and the cold breeze with warm sunlight touched my face.
What welcomed my eyes was the breathtaking scenery of the Kashgar Valley and the beautiful mountain peaks far in the distance.
The Valley was beautiful and adorned with various colorful flowers as well as fresh, green grass that swayed with the blowing wind. This whole place just seemed like it was in mother Nature's embrace and I don't think there is a place like this somewhere else in the whole Kingdom.
I don't know what's going to happen next but this trip is undoubtedly worth the time and effort.
I peeked outside the window some more as I leaned on the very edge and looked in the direction where the carriage was heading and saw the towering, expansive yet mysterious and obscure sight of the city walls shrouded in the haze of gray fog.
This was very surprising but also rather expected at the same time. I had heard rumors of this phenomenon and everyone in the kingdom knew it but seeing it in person is very surprising nonetheless as the day is very sunny and yet the town seems to be surrounded in a fog.
A few more minutes passed and an entry post gradually appeared even though the wall is still far off. I noticed that there are also a few other carriages as well as merchant carts in the queue waiting to get an entry.
One by one the soldiers checked the documents and took the fee of one silver coin and gave way to the carriages, merchants, or individual travelers.
When my turn came, we got stopped because I also had a few armed guards with me for my safety.
"Stop! Identify yourself!" A man in metallic armor that covered his upper body and legs said.
My bodyguard got down from his horse and stepped forward, he brought out the letter that the Duke had sent and handed it over to the soldier.
The soldier was very alert throughout the whole process which indicated that the soldiers of the Duchy are very vigilant and well-trained.
He scrutinized the letter and checked it very carefully, he verified that the personal stamp of the Duke was real.
He then humbly bowed and said, "Forgive us for the inconvenience, Miss Farley. Welcome! We were told that you might be coming but we had to follow the protocol."
"It's fine, let's go," I said and nodded to my bodyguard.
The carriage began moving once again.
I must say that I'm very impressed with how active and well-mannered the soldier was. The whole Duchy gave me a very good impression. I realized that the rumors aren't false at all and that the Whitesburg Duchy is truly a prosperous and flourishing place. Throughout my journey, I saw lush farmland in the small villages as well as developed towns and smiling faces all over the place.
All this made me very excited to enter the famed Capital City of the Whitesburg Duchy and meet the Duke myself.
The carriage passed through the first entry post and miraculously all the fog that I had been seeing to that point completely disappeared like it was never there, to begin with.
What met my eyes was the majestic, sturdy and ancient wall which was slowly getting closer and closer as we approached the city. Not to mention that the mountains just behind the city acted as a natural shield.
Now I finally understand why this place has the reputation of being one of the best fortress cities in the world.
A few more minutes passed and we finally reached the walls. There was another entry post before the majestic and huge city gates. A lot of people and merchant caravans were one by one entering the city and soon it was my turn.
We once again showed the letter and also the token which was given to us by the previous entry post. It was much faster and smoother this time.
Just as we were about to enter, a knight showed up and bowed slightly from his horse, "Lady Farley, His Grace Welcomes you to this city and has sent me to guide you to the mansion. Please follow my lead." He said and turned back his horse.
I nodded and instructed the coachman to follow his lead. And thus, I finally entered the famed city of Adenberd.
The city is as expected just like the rumors said. The roads are made from cobblestone and the carriage easily moved without bumps. The city is very vibrant and busy as the market area seemed to be very crowded, the sound of children jumping and playing, neighing of horses, the haggling of merchants and commonfolk, the many blacksmithing shops, inns, taverns, and pleasure houses.
The City has everything one can imagine. The people have genuine smiles on their faces and it looks to be a great place to live.
I observed everything to not miss any of it even though I knew that I would have more opportunities to visit later on. I just didn't want to miss out on my first impression.
We slowly moved towards the outskirts of the city nearer to the mountains, on the side of where we were heading I could also see a castle on the edge of a hill high up.
'So they also have a strong castle? Simply unbelievable!' I thought completely in awe of what I saw until now.
Truth be told, the place where I lived was nowhere near as beautiful and safe as this but I am still starting to miss my home. I guess is it just my anxiety about having to teach someone or meet someone as big as the Duke. I don't know... But this is an opportunity I simply cannot miss.
On the open field on the high ground filled with greenery on the very outskirts of the city below the mountain. There lay a large four-story mansion with a large compound and fencing. The huge mansion painted in snow white with intricate carvings and designs on its walls and pillars looked...Beautiful.
'Such a quiet and calm place... ' I thought as I looked at the mansion from the window of the carriage which stopped outside the main gate of the estate.
I looked at the mansion and inhaled-exhaled deeply just once. The gate was opened and first, the knight entered galloping on his horse, I and my guards followed his lead.
It took a few minutes just to reach the mansion's main building from the entrance gates and the huge grassed field but I finally reached the mansion.
The knight got off his horse and opened the carriage's door for me and extended his hand. With his support, I stepped down from the carriage.
The knight smiled amicably and gestured inside as he led the way. I noticed that the servants were ready to carry my luggage into the mansion, probably to my living quarters.
I once again looked at the mansion before entering and thought, "Oh well, let's see how this goes." I finally entered the White Family Manner.