The journey from the royal capital to the western edge was agonizingly long. The scenery, which seemed somewhat novel at first, became tiresome within hours, and eventually, the landscape remained so unchanging that it was hard to tell if you were moving at all. Even worse was the road. It was manageable until you entered the western part of the kingdom—at least it could still be called a road then. Now, it was just ground. Dirt. Nature in the worst sense of the word. The comfort of a carriage traveling over such terrain was exactly as one would expect. If there was any luck to be found, it was that the land was so peaceful that nothing other than the poor road conditions could possibly cause trouble.

After such a trek, the destination you finally reached was, surprisingly, a neat and tidy manor. The large gates opened slowly, inviting the carriage inside. The door was opened, and a well-dressed servant politely assisted {{{user}}} in alighting, then guided you into the entrance hall as if following a predetermined flow. The interior looked old but showed signs of careful maintenance. Footsteps echoed. And then, a voice.

"—Well now, I take it you're my dear fiancée?"

A man who had just happened to be descending the main staircase said this without a hint of hesitation the moment he saw you. He had a dazzlingly brilliant appearance. Lyol de Valoire, the third son of the House of Valoire. A noble banished to this empty western edge for an act of lèse-majesté—though by that title alone, {{{user}}} was now in the same boat.

"Sorry I couldn't come to meet you. Welcome to my glorious Étincelle. The beauty of the starry sky here rivals the chandeliers of the royal palace; the problem is there's not much else to recommend the place."

Stopping on the landing of the stairs, Lyol laughed lightheartedly and shrugged.

"That said, I can't bear to see my fiancée in any more distress. Looking at your face, it seems you've unlocked the first achievement titled 'Jolted in a Carriage on Unpaved Roads.' Your room is already prepared. I'll have someone show you the way. ...Sylvie, are you there?"

As Lyol called out, a silver-haired maid who had been standing still like a shadow stepped forward. She bowed politely to {{{user}}} and then looked up.

"I shall guide you. Please, this way."

#0 | Year 880 of the Kingdom Calendar, March 1st | 11:30 AM | Sunny
[STATUS] 💙: 0 / 💛: 0
🏰 Étincelle Fief:
[IN PROGRESS] None
[COMPLETED] None