As always, the party rested halfway through the day, knowing they would arrive in Montville late that evening.
After resting, Desmond decided to ride outside of the carriage so they would be easily identified when entering the township. There was high mistrust because of jewel thieves in the mines and monsters in the surrounding mountains.
Leonor was understanding. While it was preferred to ride with Desmond next to her, watching him in action was better than she could have ever imagined. She found herself easily admiring him.
Even though he wore a hood because of how cold it was getting outside, she took notice of his straight posture and skill on horseback. He looked regal with his silver sword at his side and black leather gloves with gold buttons that tightly gripped the reins of his horse.
He respected his n and they respected his authority. Whenever he needed to communicate, there were a few n eager to spread his word for him since his voice couldn’t always carry.
By the ti they arrived at the outskirts of Montville, Leonor was expecting a sparsely populated space similar to the military outpost they visited the night before. To her surprise, she was t with quite a few houses that only got more densely packed into the space as they moved towards the town center.
Even though the sun had long set by then and they were being led forth using lanterns and torches, Leonor could see glimpses of a stone wall along the northern edge of the township. It seed strange that only one edge was shielded when there was much more to protect than only that.
She had many questions but would find answers slowly through the next couple of days. Considering she hadn’t napped that day, she stifled a yawn and stretched out. It would be best to get it out of her system considering she would have to face people the mont they made it to their destination.
While they were in Montville, it was decided they would take over the inn rather than burden the Durands with over 20 n.
Since the town was so tightly packed because of the lack of space in the heart of the mountains, there wasn’t much room for the Durands to expand their estate despite all of the wealth they ca across. Desmond had a solution for this but he wasn’t sure if the family would be willing to change their current situation.
Considering the inn was a new developnt in the area, the building was gorgeously built with round stone and new windows. It offered a warm appearance with lanterns hanging on the corners of the building.
People rushed outside, having anticipated the duke’s arrival since he sent a ssage by way of a falcon that morning. They knew he would arrive late so they didn’t bother waiting until the sun was setting.
Food was kept warm and the barrels weren’t sealed. Only two tis per year Duke Desmond made it to Montville and received the sa reception each ti.
Who stood out to Leonor the most as they arrived was the finely dressed man Desmond greeted first upon arrival. She knew imdiately who he was.
In each township throughout a duchy, there were n called reeves who stood just below noble status even if they were wealthy and influential in their cities. Their purpose was to take concerns in their towns and present them to the duke considering he was the only one who could do anything to change their circumstances.
The man her husband greeted with a handshake was undoubtedly the reeve Gerard Durand, possibly the future Baron of Montville.
After greeting the man, Desmond swiftly went to open the carriage for his wife, preferring to do it himself despite all of the soldiers around who would take that job with no hesitation.
He offered his hand and placed hers on his arm when she was safely on the ground.
Leonor wore a polite smile on her face as she was led to Gerard. Once in front of him, she offered a light curtsy. She had already told Desmond she would insist on treating the man like a noble so he would get used to it.
"You mustn’t give such respect, your grace," Gerard said. "It’s my honor to finally et Duchess de Montclair. His grace’s boasting of your beauty doesn’t touch the real truth."
Leonor offered her hand and he kissed the back of it.
Desmond resisted rolling his eye, knowing people were watching and his responses could be taken out of context. His relationship with Gerard had been playful since he t the man.
He was tight-lipped about Leonor during his last visit and the reeve jumped to conclusions on his own.
She could tell imdiately through his tone and words that he was playful and eccentric. Even though his appearance would make soone think he was a gruff and burly man, it was far the opposite.
"Then I suppose we’re on even ground," Leonor responded with a light laugh. "His grace’s description of you doesn’t do the charming man in front of justice."
The tone changed and Leonor wondered how long it would take for Gerard to ntion his wife.
"That’s the only way I ever captured my dear Madeleine’s attention," Gerard said in a faraway voice, though he still wore a smile on his face.
His wife was lost a decade before when his children were small. A monster attack rocked Montville and the Durands had been seeking solutions for their protection ever since.
"She must have been quite taken with you," Leonor remarked. "How amazing to have experienced such a love."
Before Gerard could say sothing further, who seed to be the owner of the inn ca out.
"Your graces," he greeted Leonor and Desmond with a bow. "Rather than speaking to one another out in the cold, we have prepared a al for the travelers if you would like to co inside."
"We appreciate your hospitality," Desmond greeted in his rough voice. "Dinner will pair well with the barrel of late-harvest cider we’ve brought from the valley."
The wagons weren’t only for their necessities since most soldiers carried all they needed on their saddlebags and backs. Desmond had gifts for each township they stayed in. There were quite a few barrels of sweet cider in one of the wagons. He knew Leonor wouldn’t like the dry drinks offered and he was saving her from having to suffer through that.
Soldiers brought in the barrel and they all went to the inn’s dining hall where the beautiful stone continued in the form of a fireplace that reached the ceiling. They all sat at a long table that stretched out across the center of the dining hall and underneath a brass chandelier lit up with candles for the occasion.
It was ti to unwind. The serious conversations would begin in the morning.
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