The days passed in a flash since the wedding three days ago. Damien was hauling Felicia's luggage into a carriage, as today was the day they would leave town with Edmond. Lisa stood watching with tears in her eyes, clinging desperately to her big sister.
Her father remained composed, surrounded by all nine servants of the household, who stood with their heads bowed, wishing her farewell. Mr. Walton embraced his daughter in a tight hug, whispering words of encouragement into her ear.
"Your mother would be so proud of you," he told her, stroking the back of her head. "I wish she could have seen the beautiful woman you've become."
"I know, Dad. I wish she could have seen me too."
Damien couldn't help but notice a subtle change in Felicia. Though she was only 18, she exuded the air of a mature woman. Ever since her wedding night, she seemed to be glowing.
Edmond, watching the scene from a distance, approached them and wrapped his arm around his newlywed wife. Her body jolted slightly at his touch, but she slowly leaned into him.
A part of him was glad Lucas wasn't here to see this; who knows how the poor kid would have reacted? The heartbreak he would have felt watching the girl he pined for walk off with another man, one far better than him, was almost too much to imagine.
The two entered the main carriage—a beautiful white vehicle adorned with elegant designs of gold and silver—while Damien climbed into the smaller carriage that would travel behind. He gave Lisa a warm smile before entering. They'd already said their goodbyes to one another, in fact she'd even given him a very special gift—a gift that would come in handy later on.
Inside the smaller carriage were Edmond's advisers, who looked at him as if he were dirt.
In front of the main carriage was another medium-sized carriage, occupied by mages tasked with protecting Edmond.
The journey would take around six hours, as they would be traveling along the royal road—a path reserved for nobles and wealthy merchants who could afford the toll. Taking alternative routes would expose them to the risk of bandit attacks, and the journey would take at least three days.
Inside the carriage, Damien sat with three advisors who appeared to be distinguished men. He didn't blame them for feeling offended at being placed in the same carriage as a filthy commoner who reeked of animal excrement and was covered in mud.
If he were in their position, he would question his loyalty to Edmond. Yet, if he were in Edmond's shoes, he would have made the same choice. It was no mystery why Edmond hadn't included them in the main carriage; the reason was obvious if one remembered that he was a newlywed. Everyone knew how their time would be spent for the remainder of the journey.
Despite the embarrassing situation, the three advisors maintained their dignity, not uttering a single word of disapproval regarding Edmond's actions.
"You there, what's your name?" one of them finally addressed Damien. The man didn't even look at him; he kept his head down, engrossed in the book he was reading. He had a long, bushy brown beard, was extremely muscular, and wore glasses.
"My name is Lucas, sir," Damien replied, bowing his head politely.
"I see you know your manners at least; that's good," the advisor said.
Their conversation ended there. Damien wanted to ask the man his name but decided to remain silent. He knew almost nothing about this world due to Lucas's lack of knowledge. He desperately wanted to question the man, but it felt risky; rich folks didn't take kindly to being questioned by commoners.
"What's the point in asking him his name?" another advisor mumbled angrily.
"Nothing, I'm just curious why the young master decided to bring him along with us. He has no shortage of servants at home."
"He must have his reasons. You know better than to question the young master's judgment, Victor. He must have plans for this boy—plans that we cannot see now."
"It doesn't hurt to question the young master's decisions, Lucius. How else would we advise him properly?"
"Does your treachery know no bounds? I implore you to leave this boy alone."
"If that's what you wish, I'll ask him no further questions," Victor replied, never once shifting his gaze from his book.
For the rest of the journey, they sat in silence until the carriage stopped just outside the city walls. Damien peered out the window of the carriage. The massive gate loomed before him, creaking loudly as it opened.
As the carriage made its way through the bustling city, Damien marveled at the beautifully crafted architecture, primarily made of limestone and sandstone, featuring towers and fortresses of varying sizes. There were large apartment-style buildings, with shops and restaurants at nearly every corner.
However, the streets were not the most sanitary, littered with trash and stagnant water pooling in puddles.
"What is this place?" Damien finally broke the silence, after resisting the urge to ask questions.
They sat in silence, not answering his question, until Victor let out a heavy sigh and spoke.
"This is the city of Dhon, one of the wealthiest cities in the country," Victor said matter-of-factly. "Try not to ask any more questions until we reach the mansion."
After another two-hour ride through the city, mostly due to the large crowd of people walking the streets, they arrived at Edmond's mansion.
Damien promptly exited the carriage and approached the main carriage to retrieve the luggage when he was stopped by Edmond, who was exiting the carriage with his wife right behind him.
"Leave them, Lucas. Come with me; I need to have a word with you."
Damien followed Edmond into the mansion, where maids and servants bowed their heads in respect. Edmond paid them no mind and continued through the mansion.
After some time, he entered a room and invited Damien inside. The room was an office, with a large desk situated in front of a sizable window.
Edmond comfortably took his seat behind the desk and scrutinized Damien with a piercing gaze, not uttering a word or offering him a seat.
This situation would have made the average sixteen-year-old at least a little nervous, especially someone in Lucas's position, who was considered lower than a commoner. Even a noble would show the slightest bit of worry if someone of Edmond's caliber dragged them into his office and simply stared at them.
In fact, Edmond often employed this strategy; he would remain silent and watch a person until they became overwhelmed with fear or anxiety and began to spill their secrets.
Yet Damien stared back at him, showing no signs of discomfort. This only reinforced Edmond's belief that he had found someone interesting.