The massive gates slammed shut behind them. finally they step into Lalucia's busy city. The streets were alive with many people like merchants, townsfolk, and some travelers.
As they many buildings that appeared to be taverns where present all around. Laughter and music filled into the streets—people were playing instruments, some where selling goods shouting over stalls, and some cooks calling out their daily specials from their restaurants.
"Holy shit…this is literally like a fantasy manga" Lucian says to himself.
"is that another human animal hybrid thing" he says looking at a nearby merchant then back at fenrine in shock
"Ahh you mean Demi-humans, I'm surprised you don't know that"
"Demi humans? What the hell are Demi humans? You mean like you…"
Fenrine glanced over her shoulder in amusement at his remark"Yes you idiot, well there's elf's and and beastmen and there are all under the category Demi-humans"
"Make sense?" Fenrine said
"Uhhh…yeah I get it" Lucian says scratching his head
They continued to walk through the busy crowd, her eyes glanced over at Lucien. "This district is where the city is mostly alive where people live, work, and find whatever comfort they can, it's a very lively city" she said, pointing toward a nearby tavern. "If you want information, or a place to disappear, this is it."
Lucian glanced around, absorbing the huge city like sponge. "This is fucking…crazy," he said, voice low. "Nothing like that damn cave."
She smirked slightly. "No place like home, huh?"
They kept walking , the streets growing wider and clearer as they neared the city's center. Here, the buildings rose taller, Elegant shops displaying fancy clothes, rare gems and jewelry.
As they walked toward the Nobel district the royal palace came into view, a sprawling huge castle of very polished white stone it almost looked like it was the moon. It's walls shining under the sunlight. Many towers looked like they where going up into the clouds, banners bearing the royal crest that looked to be a phoenix, fluttering back in forth from some wind. Many Guards in golden armor stood with attention scanning and patrolling
"What the hell is that place..what does some king live there?"
Fenrine's she laughed a little. "Looks like you know to how observe unlike with Demi-humans, yeah that's where the royal family lives. Their The center of power here."
Lucian swallowed hard, eyes locked on the palace's towering walls. "So... your family's estate is near there?"
She glanced at Lucien and nodded her ears twitching slightly. "Yeah well not quite. Like I said it's in the noble district. It's a life far removed from the city streets, it's a little…how would you say…suffocating"
As they moved through the city's main square, the atmosphere changed almost immediately, Lucian could feel the weight of tradition and wealth. The narrow streets had slightly modern homes and beautiful gardens, even some big estates.
Lucian looked around shocked "this place kind of reminds of a early 1800 London, I guess there is some modern here at least"
Fenrine looked back at him with confusion "1800 what?"
"….forget it's not important" Lucien said waving his hand back in forth the air dismissing him it
They continued to walk.
Lamp lights, tall iron posts topped with softly glowing magical orbs that didn't look like electricity, it casted a warm, golden glow over the cobblestone floor. The lamps lined each street in even lines, giving the air a feeling of refinement and safety. Many Elegant carriages rolled by as the passed.
The buildings themselves were very tall, mad from what liked to be pale stone and red brick, Balconies with iron railings overlooked the streets, some had hanging gardens and flowers.
Many People strolled along the sidewalks—some men in tailored coats and suits, women in flowing dresses. Their conversations were pretty quiet and conserved for the most part .As Lucian and Fenrine passed, those conversations stopped , and eyes locked on to Lucian's unfamiliar face and out of place clothes. He felt the heavy weight of their curiosity and suspicion pressing in on him, he felt like he was being looked at like a test subject.
He leaned closer to Fenrine, voice barely above a whisper. "Uhhhh…. I think They're staring."
She didn't stop her pace, her tone unbothered. "They always stare at outsiders. Especially here. Just keep your head up and walk like you belong...don't worry"
Lucian tried, though he felt like his heart was gonna explain any minute. As He wakes he heard manywhispered conversations.
A group of finely dressed young nobles paused at a street corner, One of them, a tall boy with golden blond hair, offered a measuring glare to Lucian.
"Who is that with Lady Fenrine?" A shorter boy says
"His clothes, they look filthy—look at the state of him." The tall Nobel with golden blond hair says with amusement
"I haven't seen him before. Do you think he's some slave she bought?" Another Nobel
Fenrine nodded in return, not slowing her pace. "Ignore them…This district is all eyes and stupid nonsense."
The streets curved down as the walked, they passed by what a appeared to be a small school, where some students where playing beneath a cherry tree. The Children had very fancy and neat uniforms, who being watched over by stern looking woman.
finally , they reached an imposing iron gate set into a high stone wall, the crest of House Valcairn above it—it had silver wolf beneath a crescent moon. Past the gate, a beautifully kept garden led to a grand manor, it had to be three stories tall with wide windows.
Fenrine pressed her hand to a discreet symbol carved in the wall. With a gentle "click", the gates opened. She led Lucian inside, the gravel crunching beneath their feet as they made their way up the path.
Lucian glanced back, watching the gate close behind them.
Fenrines pace slowed, she glanced back at him with a hint of warmth. "This is my familys , Lucian…I know it's very fancy…I apologize"
He nodded, taking in the estates quiet power . "It's ok….. I just hope I don't embarrass you."
Fenrine paused, turning to Lucian with a steady gaze.
"Wait here," she said, her voice calm but carrying an edge of urgency. "I need to tell my father the situation. Hopefully, he… understands."
Lucian nodded, swallowing down hard his stomach turning. As Fenrine disappeared into the gardens, the weight of the moment settled heavily on him.
Lucian took a breath, he looked around surveying his surroundings. "I almost had a stroke seeing all this stuff in this city..now this…my brains gonna melt for sure…"he thought to himself, heart pounding. LaLucias city , the noble district's, the estate—it was a lot to take in one go.
He shifted uncomfortably, hands clenched at his sides. "I'm probably going to be excuted for being friendly with a Nobel" he joked to self trying to lighten the mood
The distant sound of footsteps on the gravel drew his attention back to the manor, where Fenrine vanished inside.
The footsteps approached louder, Fenrine appeared, her expression guarded, her eyes had a hint of uncertainty he hadn't seen before.
"My father wants to meet you, Lucian," she said quietly, voice steady had some hesitation.
His heart sank deep into his stomach, a cold chill settling over him. "Right… lead the way," he said, forcing himself to remain calm though his mind screamed otherwise.
"This might be the end of the road for me," he thought
He followed Fenrine through the garden's paths, past neatly trimmed bushes and flowers and stone statues that felt like there watching every step. The big grand doors of the manor appeared ahead, dark and quite imposing.
Lucian felt a chill run down his spine, whatever awaited beyond those doors would decide his fate. And he wasn't sure he was ready.
The moment Lucian walked inside,The air inside was cool and and smelt surprisingly like vanilla, he could feel the wealth hit his nostrils. Sunlight filtered through the tall windows across the marble floors . The main hall and grand staircase almost made him faint from the wealth, its big ceiling painted with scenes of mythical beasts, the art was so detailed Lucian half-expected the figures to move and attack him.
the manor was alive with the quiet sound of activity. Footsteps could be heard back and forth softly over carpets, the gentle clatter of dishes and the low murmur of servants could be heard.
A small group of servants and maids waited in the entryway, their uniforms crisp and faces curious. They bowed their heads politely as Fenrine entered, there eyes locking on curiously toward Lucian's homeless looking appearance. He felt their stares. some curious, some looked at him with distrust, all measuring him up in down in silence.
Fenrine stopped just inside the hall, her composure practiced. She glanced at Lucian, then addressed an older maid with very kind eyes and streaks of silver in her hair tied neatly in a bun. "Agatha, please escort Lucian to a guest room and see that he's provided with…ahem….suitable clothes." She turned and looked at Lucien then back at the maids and servants. "He's a guest, so please treat him with respect."
Agatha stepped forward with a gentle, reassuring smile. "Of course, my lady. Master Lucian, if you'd follow me?" She said putting her hand out in a gentle gesture
Lucian glanced at Fenrine, who offered a small, encouraging nod before slipping away toward another part of the manor, her footsteps echoing along the marble floor.
Agatha led him upstairs deeper into the estate, moving through corridors that had many portraits. He passed a library where shelves towered almost to the ceiling with books.
Some Servants could be seen cleaning the upper floor quietly, some pausing to offer a nod or a curious gaze for a short second.
Agatha opened a dark red wooden door and gestured for Lucian to enter. The room inside was spacious, illuminated by a bright chandelier on the ceiling. A huge bed stood against one wall, A very big wardrobe, carved with the Valcairn crest, sat slightly open, revealing neatly folded dressshirts, pants, and a selection of formal coats—clothes far fancier than anything Lucian had ever worn in his life.
"There's hot water for bathing , and if you need anything else, just ring the bell," Agatha said, motioning to a golden bell on a nightstand near the bed. "I'll just be outside, please take your time to relax master Lucian." She said warmly and politely bowing towards him
Lucian nodded, his voice tense but he tried to calm down. "Thank you, this is a very nice of you."
As Agatha departed, Lucian took a shaky sigh.
Lucian paced back and forth in the guest room. "Keep calm, Lucian, keep calm," he muttered to himself, trying to steady the nerves in his body.
He stopped by the window, looking out at the gardens, then turned back and resumed his restless pacing. "Now I have to meet her father and hope he lets me stay... What is he? Some duke? Some patriarch?" His voice cracking slightly,
"Well, all I know is that I'm shitting bricks," he admitted with a wild uncomfortable laugh, running a hand through his long messy hair.
Finally, unable to ignore the sweat clinging to him from the journey, Lucian headed toward the bathroom. The white door creaked softly as he pushed it open, revealing a surprisingly modern space. To his astonishment, there was not only a large, polished white bathtub but also a shower
"They have showers here in this world…? Well I Mean I am in the noble district" Lucian said to himself almost making fun of himself for asking the question
He let out a sigh and turned the handle of the shower and stepped inside, the warm water washing away some of the sweat and his fear.
Time passed, He was inside longer than he attended to, watching the steam, steam around the mirrors .
When he finally turned the shower off and got out, he felt clean and relaxed, he wrapped himself in a thick, white towel. For a moment, he simply stood there, feeling out of place like a being a foreigner in a different country.
A gentle knock hit the door, steady and polite. "Master Lucian? It's Agatha," the maid called, her voice as kind as ever.
He opened the door a crack, peering out. Agatha waited in the near the bathroom door, holding a neatly folded pair of clothes and a pair of polished black slip-on shoes.
"I thought you might prefer something a bit more… appropriate, for meeting the Lord of the House," Agatha said, offering him the clothes gently.
Lucian accepted them, eyeing at the very fancy white dress shirt and finely tailored black pants. The fabric felt very soft and expensive. Even the black leather on the shoes shined slightly
"Man these people are loaded in the bank huh?" Lucien thought to himself
He managed an awkward smile. "Thank you, Agatha. I think these are the nicest clothes I've ever seen, let alone worn."
She chuckled softly, her gaze was warm. "You'll do just fine, Master Lucian. First impressions matter here, but it's what's beneath the clothes that counts most in the end."
He scatched his head and chuckled, grateful for her reassurance. "I hope you're right…hahaha"
She bowed her head. "Take your time. When you're ready, I'll be just outside to show you the way."
As Agatha stepped back into the hallway outside the bedroom, Lucian heard the door close began to dressed carefully, The shirt fit perfectly, his pants fitting comfortably around his legs, and the shoes slid on like they'd been custom made just for his feet.
He walked over to a golden mirror that was against a wall. the soft glow of the chandelier casting a warm light over his reflection. He straightened the collar of the crisp dress white shirt and smoothed the fabric over his somewhat lean body, he let out a smirk.
"I look pretty handsome in these clothes, I might make the ladies faint" he said chuckling to himself.
"All that training in the shitty cave is paying off," he said to himself, his chin lifting just a bit higher.
For the first time in what felt like forever, Lucian was on a high horse—a brief, exhilarating moment all of his fear was replaced by hope, or maybe even power.
He breathed in deeply, savoring the feeling, knowing all too well that the real part was still waiting just outside the door.