Road to the Crown

The entire city had a layout of the droplet of water, with its sharp end pointing at the north, along the bank of the nearby river, while the thick side governed the marshes of the south. As the main road cut through the middle of the city, right after the line of taverns, stables and other necessary service buildings, it followed a short, wide path between two bulks of houses and shops, only to let the traveller step out to the town's plaza.

Spanning around fifty meters in each direction, it formed almost a perfect square, with the magistrate and church at its south and north end, and an orderly line of shops, and small mansions decorating the remaining outline of the plaza.

With the letter from the mayor now in my hand, I didn't bother to hide our presence, cutting right through the middle of this open space. Not only was this a form of a declaration to any possible watchful eyes if there were any, but also a hint for my own troops to join us in the parade.

"This way."

Taking the lead of our group, Elia moved to the front, guiding us through the open space towards one of the bigger buildings beside the plaza. Spanning over thirty meters from the front of the city, I couldn't even tell how deep into the city it extended, yet it already turned obvious how stupidly large it was. Just by selling half of its size for the craftsmen use, one could boost the economy of this city by quite a bit!

But taking the fact that this city was the sole fief of Elia's family, it became obvious why even her father who most likely built this mansion in the first place, was soo eager to showcase his own importance with the size of his home. I guess, compensating for one's insecurities was as common in the future as it was now.

After reaching the doors, most of my men already joined out the triumphant march of sorts, and Elia simply pushed the doors open, as if entering her own home. Well, in fact, she did.

"Who's there?"

Stepping inside right after her with my hand already placed on top of the handle of my sabre, I saw a servant lurking out of the corridor and entering the same hall we did after passing the doors.

"Lady Elia..?"

As if he was unable to believe what he saw, his face at first lighted up with clear happiness, only for his expression to turn sour and terrified when he realised the meaning behind her homecoming.

"Hello, Neren. How was life going when I was away?"

Instead of putting herself on the guard, Elia openly smiled, with her body moving as if she wanted to just drop the act, run towards the guy and give him a fullhearted hug. Thankfully, she regained her composure before she would lose the last bit of noble face she had in front of all my men, and nodded her head, greeting the old retainer of hers.

"Oh, ever since young lady left… In short, it was hard."

Hanging his head as if Elia's question brough bad some bad memories, this Naran guy hesitated for a moment, before turning his head back up and seizing up me and my people.

"And those gentlemen are?"

As if only now did he notice us, he was clearly torn between approaching Elia and keeping a safe distance from the rest of us. While I couldn't blame him in this particular situation - after all, a group of around fifty men suddenly invaded the house he was serving for - but I couldn't help but wonder, how did no one notice Elia's ring before I would point it out to them!

"Please, welcome my husband-to-be, Mike of the Tarnow, of the Leliwa Crest."

Turning her entire body to the side, Elia pointed at me with an open palm, while gracing me with a cheerful smile. Maybe it was because she finally came back to her home, or maybe because of the joy of finally getting rid of those who attempted to claim their inheritance, but her entire body was oozing happiness at this moment.

"What's this commotion!"

Suddenly, out of the main corridor cutting through the entire mansion and leading to both of its wings, a middle-aged woman stepped out. With her robes screaming nobility in everyone's face, I could even recognise some of the materials they were made off. Not because I was any knowledgable in this particular field, but because velvet was one of those particular materials, that once insanely expensive, turned affordable to everyone with the power of industrialisation.

Just a single look at her would bring one the image of the bad step-mother from the always-popular cinderella story, with her face already twisted with the wrinkles that brough the corners of her mouth down, and created a deep, constant frown on her forehead.

"Welcome, Step-mother. I hope you have been well."

With her voice oozing irony as her face twisted in hate, Elia gave a small curtsey that I would never suspect her to be capable of performing, before once again raising her hand towards me.

"I would like you to meet Mike. As we already promised ourselves to each other, I think you ought to call him the lord of this place!"

With a triumphant smile pushing away her previous hateful expression, Elia looked at me with a smile soo cheerful and grateful at the same time, that she almost managed to shake my determination to keep this mater non-personal.

Almost.

"Let me introduce…"

Just as I wanted to properly explain who I am and why she should pack her things up before my men would help her, she raised her hand as if she had the right to silence me before she cut right in the middle of my sentence.

"I don't care who this brute is, but if you don't get the hell out of my house, I'm sure the town's guards will help you!"