The journey to the palace had, in truth, been an uneasy one, but the roads were safe, and there had been no monster encounters along the way.
Now that Lilian thought about it, had her uncle not caught her during her last escape from his estate, she would most certainly have crossed paths with one. Considering her luck so far, such a fate would be inevitable.
The journey pressed on with only minimal stops. Escorts rode ahead to clear the path, and the roads themselves were well maintained.
Even so, it had taken them nearly seven days to arrive on time.
It was almost past noon when their carriage finally slowed.
Lilian leaned to the window, unable to resist having a look as the palace came into view. Pale stone walls rose high against the sky, their towers gleaming softly beneath the mute sunlight. The broad gates stood open, framed by banners that stirred lazily in the breeze, and beyond them stretched a vast courtyard bustling with quiet order.
