The next morning I departed along with the servants to the train station. The family doctor was ordered to leave with me to the city. Although the Vanderbergs also owned a villa in the imperial city despite it being officially banned from the imperial family since the reign of the current emperor. However, there were rare exceptions like the highest ranks who were either of the Imperial factions or the high ranking elves apart from the Imperial family.
The Vanderbergs were given the piece of land as a reward for their contributions to the imperial family since the founding of the Empire.
This was probably why the male leads had something in common since they were mostly supporters of the imperial faction. Even Lucien shifted to supporting the imperial faction instead of the aristocratic one that left them in turmoil and Vanderbergs recieved a severe backlash from aristocrats.
"The train is quite luxurious!" I exclaimed in surprise.
"That's because the entire train business is owned by the Baudelaires my lady." Freya handed the luggage to the attendant in charge.
"Not only that but the routes of the train aren't limited to the empire itself. I heard that they are spread beyond the borders of smaller kingdoms surrounding the country."
"You sure are excited when talking about trains Freya," I smirked.
She flushed deeply until her cheeks turned as red as a beet and nodded shyly.
"It's my favorite source of transportation lady. And I'd like to contribute to these projects one day." She looked out of the window with a subtle smile.
"So you're saying you want to study civil engineering?" I asked about her interests. Much more to my surprise she nodded. She wanted to become a civil engineer. I like it. In this empire women had the opportunity to study like men did but were limited to certain subjects. There was no female in fields of engineering, architecture and many other fields. It was pretty frustrating to see that women were still not considered equivalent to men.
"Don't worry Freya. You can always make your dreams come true. I will always support you." I smiled.
Freya touched by my words almost teared up with gratitude.
The service was excellent throughout the travel to the capital. However, it was tiring to travel the entire day. I missed the bullet trains from my past life where the travel could've been for a few mere hours.
Not long after I got off the train I was greeted by my father and his guards who were informed of my arrival a day ago. It was equally scary to know how proactive my mother was.
"Luna! My sweet darling princess. I didn't know you were so impatient to be in daddy's arms." Before I knew my father already had lifted me in his arms.
-"No that's not why I'm here for. And stop cuddling me like some toy."
"Uh~Father the people are watching us." I indicated him to let me down. But all efforts of convincing him were wasted.
It was a second-hand embarrassment for me as I tried to hide my face.
The carriage was prepared and was ready to set off to our destination.
"Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere my little Princess?"
"Other than the rumbling of the carriage there's nothing wrong."
"Well, it can't be helped since the roads are made of cobblestone. But we're finally working on the project that will change the empire's history." He beamed in excitement like a child finally getting a toy they wanted.
"Luna. While you are in the hotel I will send the temple priest to check on you. I'm sorry for not being with you since I still got work to do."
I knew that running a huge corporation wasn't an easy job. Especially when his presence was required whenever a new sample of weapons needed his approval. And him being one of the richest people of the empire and a researcher that even the imperial family wanted to keep in good graces, he was always preoccupied with his duties. All thanks to my great grandfather who rose to fame by just introducing guns while contributing to the great war.
"Don't worry father, Freya will be there with me. But do visit me when you have time okay? I don't want people to make weird rumors about you." I told him to which he chuckled responsively and kissed my hand that felt so tiny in his big calloused hands. They were warm and gentle despite the roughness. The paternal love I craved for in my past life.
"We've arrived my Lord." The footman opened the carriage doors. Freya was in the carriage behind us that was loaded with ou luggage.
I was astonished to see how splendid the capital looked.
"How's it, Luna? Do you like it?" My father lifted me again in his arms but I was too busy admiring the beauty of the capital of the empire.
"It's glorious father!" I exclaimed.
every building looked as if it was studded with unique gems and different valuable minerals and metals. It was no wonder only the imperial family had authority over this place. Rarest flowers were blooming on street belts. While I could see something out of order were the small elves walking around though few. It was just like a place straight out of a fairy tale. Any girl would want to be confessed in a place like this.
"Now let's go to the hotel."
"Father, what are those?" I pointed out the towers with huge lights. The smaller ones were constructed with almost every building so far the eye could see.
"Oh, those? Those are the crystal light towers sweetheart. They were an inspiration from the kingdom of light elves who are our closest allies since the founding of the empire. It's like a mythical protection charm for people around here."
"Father...does this mean that the capital city is expensive?" I asked him out of curiosity.
He paused for a moment then shook his head.
"If it were so expensive then people wouldn't open up marketplace in the first place."
He turned back for me to see the cute-looking shops and well-designed dressing stores on either side of the hotel.
"Now shall we look them up afterward? And be sure to write letters to your mother for my sake as well sweetheart. Or it'll be hard for me to handle her short temper."
I could see a drop of sweat trickle down his cheek. It gave me a chill when I remembered how she ran after Lucien who tried to escape her the last time after Eirlyn's birthday party.
We were finally inside the hotel lobby. The garden outside was remarkable. It was the icon for the imperial family to show off their money out of the palace aw
"Lord Vanderberg? Well if it isn't a coincidence!"
I heard a deep voice of a man in his early thirties call out to my father.
I peeped from behind my father to find that Duke Baudelaire was exchanging greetings with him.
"So what brings you here?" he asked my father.
"Well..."
"Ah~I can see why."
"Pardon?" My father implored.
The duke pointed his index finger at me with a smile.
"Ahem! Yes, that seems to be the case. But what about you-"
"Greetings little Lady. I'm Duke of Baudelaire House. Reinhardt Azel Baudelaire."
"Hey, Reinhardt!" My father snapped at him.
He isn't the type to open up to just anyone else. He was the second person after Rowan to have been with a quiet and observant personality. Although it was mentioned that the eldest two sons were like him.
"Greetings Duke. I'm Luna de Vanderberg daughter of Count Vanderberg." I humbly gave a courtesy but was once again lifted by my father in his arms.
- "That's it I've had enough of this princess lift."
"Hoo~The Count so daring and cold is quite submissive to his precious daughter. Not at all like the academy days." His smoky eyes shone as if he discovered the eighth wonder of the world.
"So? What about you? What brings you to this place?"
"Ah~That-!" He laughed nervously and stopped midway looking behind his shoulder.
Both of us glanced over to see who he was talking about. I was a bit astounded to see the duchess indulged in some conversation with ladies around her.
She is always surrounded by people. As expected from the flower of high society. I heard from Abigail that even the empress tries to reserve an invitation whenever the duchess holds up any kind of event.
Despite being so young she is ever the icon of radiating beauty and overflowing youthfulness. I heard that when the ducal couple has a fifteen years age gap. No wonder he's a doting husband to his young wife.
I was in love with those bewitching and seductive eyes that looked like gems reflecting both turquoise and jade colors at the same time. And her platinum white hair flowed down her waist like the waves of the sea and shone under the warm sun.
She was a perfect character befitting the city itself.
"Florentia wanted to come here...so I couldn't ignore her request."
I could feel something was out of line.
"Luna why don't you go greet the duchess? The duke and I need to discuss something important." He finally let me down and ordered the servants to look out for my needs.
When both of them left the lounge together, I ran to where she sat chatting with the ladies.
"Good day Duchess Baudelaire. Luna of house Vanderberg greets the flower of the high society."
She slowly looked down at me with surprise and squealed in delight.
"Why if it isn't our beloved Luna!"