The carriage that carried Rebo to his destination was clearly a noble's private carriage, painted a gleaming brown with transparent glass windows on both sides—a luxury that allowed passengers to view the passing scenery without letting in the wind. Unlike the cloth-covered windows of common stagecoaches that let in the bitter winter chill, this carriage was designed for both comfort and status.
Larger and more imposing than a typical stagecoach, the carriage's interior was spacious enough for Rebo to stand upright. At the front, two lanterns were mounted with copper reflectors that could project light far ahead, a far cry from the dim lanterns of common carriages that struggled to navigate in the dark without moonlight.
Following Eckert, Rebo boarded the carriage as the butler directed the servants to load the luggage and gifts onto the roof rack. Once the coachman confirmed everything was securely fastened, ensuring nothing would fall during the journey, the carriage smoothly set off.
Though this wasn't Rebo's first long journey, riding in such a luxurious carriage was an entirely new experience for him. The leather-upholstered seats were cushioned with thick wool, almost as comfortable as the plush animal skins in Hyde's sitting room. The interior walls of the carriage were paneled with deep purple pine wood, and the ceiling was adorned with a gilded enamel relief depicting the goddesses of harvest and the forest dancing gracefully. While the rest of the carriage's decorations were modest, the intricate enamel and gold inlays gave it an air of understated opulence.
Such a lavishly adorned carriage was a rarity, even among the wealthy in Southport. Unlike the common stagecoaches, this carriage moved swiftly and steadily over the countryside roads. The sound of hooves and wheels was muffled by the thick glass windows, which also kept the carriage warm. The sunlight streaming through added a cozy warmth, making the ride exceptionally comfortable.
Having barely slept the night before, Rebo began to feel drowsy. The steady motion of the carriage lulled him into a light sleep. In his half-conscious state, he felt the carriage ascend and descend hills and cross small bridges. The road gradually worsened, becoming bumpier as the journey progressed. When Rebo finally opened his eyes, the sun was high in the sky, and the scenery outside had completely changed.
If the route from Southport to Lair had been lush and full of life, here the landscape was desolate and barren. The fields along the road were sparsely planted with crops, and the few trees left standing were stunted and weathered, their ranks thinned by excessive logging. The land was flatter than the hilly terrain near Southport and Lair, with only two small hills breaking the horizon. As they crested one of these hills, Rebo could see two isolated farmhouses in the distance, their walls the color of mud and roofs thatched with straw. Beside each house was a small vegetable patch—the only green in an otherwise bleak landscape.
In the distant wilderness, the tall, dry grass was barely touched by the goats tethered there, as they seemed just as uninterested in the sparse forage as Rebo was in the dreary view. As the carriage continued, Rebo felt a pang of hunger. He remembered the basket the butler had placed in the corner of the carriage. Glancing at it, he noticed that it had already been opened.
He looked over at Eckert, who was resting with his eyes closed, just as Rebo had been earlier. Leaning down, Rebo opened the basket. Inside were a roasted goose and a plate of barbecued pork. One of the goose legs had already been torn off, but the pork was mostly untouched.
Rebo placed the basket on his lap and retrieved a set of napkins and a bib from a drawer under the seat. After preparing himself, he began eating with relish. The roasted goose was excellent, clearly the result of a long, careful preparation, and the barbecued pork was sweet and savory.
Rebo's appetite wasn't large, so after finishing two wings and a few pieces of pork, he felt satisfied. Once he had cleaned up, he noticed that the carriage had entered a small town. The roads here were just as rough, with stone pavement broken into uneven sections. The streets were littered with garbage, reminding Rebo of the area he had once lived in Southport.
The houses in the town were made of mud bricks, their roofs gray and dingy as if they hadn't been cleaned—or rained on—in years. After passing through the town, the road widened, though it remained in poor condition. Still, the broader road hinted at the grandeur of a main thoroughfare.
After traveling another twenty or thirty miles, they finally approached a city. Unlike Southport's bustling energy or Lair's deep history, this city sprawled across the land, its scale even more extensive than Southport's. However, the low buildings stretched endlessly, with only a few taller structures standing out.
The carriage slowed as it entered the city, where the streets were lined with shops, though they were nowhere near as busy as those in Southport or Lair. The roads in the city center were relatively well-maintained, and this area was the most prosperous part of the city.
At one corner of the central square stood a large building with a wide portico supported by thick columns. The marble-paved floor, massive family crest sculpted from marble atop the entrance, and spacious hall all indicated they had arrived at their destination. The original builder of this mansion was clearly a practical man—there were no walls, gardens, or countless spacious rooms. Apart from the front hall designed for hosting banquets and balls, the west side featured a small, well-designed garden. Though it lacked any rare or exotic flowers, it was lush with morning glories, roses, and violets, arranged in a pleasing layout.
The back half of the mansion likely housed the living quarters, all facing south to capture ample sunlight. The builder had evidently tried to minimize unnecessary expenses, and now, Baron Lonna, the current owner, couldn't even afford to live in this grand mansion, highlighting his financial straits.
The central square naturally served as a parking area for carriages, a detail that the mansion's original builder had probably anticipated. The square was filled with various carriages, most of them old and worn, pulled by horses that were equally aged.
"Time to go and make your impression," Eckert said.
"You're not coming with me?" Rebo asked.
"No, you can't rely on me. You need to win everyone's attention on your own. Ted will be with you as your driver and servant, fitting for a noble of lesser means. Most of the guests here will be in a similar situation. I'll be waiting in the carriage," Eckert replied.
Obeying Eckert's instructions, Rebo descended from the carriage. Ted was already waiting at the door, holding the tea brick wrapped in silk. Rebo pulled the invitation from his pocket, then carefully checked himself from head to toe, ensuring there were no flaws before approaching the mansion's entrance.
Up close, Rebo could see that the baron's mansion was indeed far grander than Hyde's estate. The statues of Mars and Minerva flanking the entrance spoke of the builder's military roots, while the columns and walls were built from the same stone used in fortresses.
Two servants standing at the door noticed the well-dressed young man approaching, followed by a servant carrying a gift. This was clearly another noble son, though his clothes were finer than those worn by many other guests, and his carriage was brand new.
When they took his invitation and saw the name "Kayviale Egret Hyde, Esquire," the servants quickly found the name on the guest list.
"Are you Kayviale Egret Hyde, Esquire?" one of the servants asked.
"Oh, no. The esquire is my grandfather. He's too old to travel, so I've come to represent him and show our respects to the baron," Rebo replied.
"Welcome, welcome. The master is inside," the servants said, bowing respectfully.
Rebo stepped into the hall, already filled with guests who had come for the ball. Some had brought their entire families, while others were accompanied by a parent or two with their children. Each was attended by a servant holding gifts. As soon as Rebo entered, he immediately attracted attention.