Chapter 104: Arriving at the Manor

Chapter 104: Chapter 104: Arriving at the Manor

New Year’s Day.

"Vili, hurry up!"

Vilia stood outside Vili’s door, urging him loudly.

Vilia was dressed in a pristine white winter dress, complete with a miniature lady’s formal hat and a pair of exquisite black buckled leather shoes. Mrs. Shaven had meticulously styled her golden hair, curling the ends so she looked just like the child of a wealthy merchant.

She had been to Diamond Town many times, but this time was different. Today, she was going to attend the Lord Baron’s banquet—something Vilia had dreamed of since she was a little girl.

"Miss Vilia, there’s no need to rush. You don’t have to hurry Lord Vili,"

said a man in livery standing beside Vilia. He was the coachman Baron Kels had sent specifically to escort Vili and Vilia to Diamond Town. Vili had originally planned to ride there with Vilia on horseback, but he hadn’t expected Baron Kels to be so thoughtful. This way, at least Vilia wouldn’t have to shiver from the cold on the back of a horse.

"I’ll be right out."

Inside his room, Vili was adjusting his Light Armor.

Baron Kels’s banquet wouldn’t begin until after dark. First, at noon, he had to attend the reception at the manor.

Baron Kels himself would be present at the reception to greet every visiting guest from noon until the afternoon. Some of these guests would also attend the evening banquet, but most were visitors without an invitation to the dinner; they came specifically to make an impression on the Lord Baron.

Additionally, envoys from the barons of other territories would arrive during this time to offer New Year’s greetings. These were the people the Lord Baron needed to receive with special attention.

As the second-in-command of the Diamond Town Personal Guard Team, Vili naturally had to participate in such occasions. He would have to represent Baron Kels and receive guests who couldn’t be ignored but weren’t important enough for the Baron to greet personally.

Therefore, Vili had to wear his Light Armor to the noon reception to signify his status. For him, this reception was more of a professional duty than a celebration.

After making sure his Light Armor was fitted correctly, Vili strapped the Swift Sword given to him by Lacas to his waist.

The Swift Sword was currently assembled with a ring-shaped guard, allowing it to be carried by a sword ring. This made it look more ornamental and further emphasized Vili’s status.

"Let’s go."

Vili stepped out of the room and spoke to Vilia and the coachman.

When the coachman saw Vili, a flash of surprise appeared in his eyes.

This was his first time seeing the legendary new rising star of Diamond Town. He had assumed that Vili, coming from a farming family, would be rather coarse. He never expected Vili’s appearance, speech, and mannerisms to be just like those of the young nobles he used to serve.

"Miss Vilia, Lord Vili, if you please."

The coachman made a welcoming gesture, leading them to the magnificent, noble-looking, pale-gold carriage waiting outside the courtyard.

"Vilia, remember your table manners. Don’t eat carelessly like you do at home, and don’t embarrass Vili," Mrs. Shaven said, walking from the house to the carriage to give Vilia instructions. "Also, don’t speak loudly in front of people. It’ll make you seem impolite. You have to listen to Vili and don’t run all over the place..."

Mrs. Shaven clearly had no confidence in her mischievous daughter.

"Don’t worry, Mother. I’ll watch over Vilia."

Vili wasn’t worried about any of that. More than these rigid rules, he just wanted Vilia to have fun.

Mrs. Shaven pursed her lips and adjusted the lace on Vilia’s dress again.

Just then, Wally ran out of his den, looking at Vili with a pitiful expression. He clearly wanted to be taken along, too.

But Vili couldn’t grant Wally’s wish this time. A white bear showing up at Baron Kels’s reception or banquet would be terribly out of place.

"Bye, Wally! If there’s good food, I’ll definitely bring some back for you!"

Vilia, her face beaming with excitement, blew Wally an exaggerated kiss.

Under the watchful eyes of Mrs. Shaven and Wally, Vili and Vilia boarded the carriage and set off toward Diamond Town.

On the way out of Fandou Village, Vili and Vilia left the carriage curtains open, exchanging New Year’s greetings with the villagers they passed.

Watching Vili’s carriage recede into the distance, the villagers’ eyes filled with pride. They all knew their Lord Village Chief was going to attend Lord Baron Kels’s banquet tonight. A nobles’ banquet—that was something most people couldn’t even dare to dream of.

The carriage moved quickly, but thanks to the coachman’s skilled driving and the luxurious, stable vehicle, Vili and Vilia felt no bumps at all.

As soon as they entered Diamond Town, Vili could feel a New Year’s atmosphere even more vibrant than in Fandou Village.

The population here was larger and more concentrated, and the ways of celebrating were far more varied.

In a society centered on agriculture, New Year’s was the most important festival of the year. On this day, people celebrated with one another, enjoyed delicacies they normally couldn’t afford, and those who were better off would even get new clothes for the whole family.

For them, New Year’s was more like a collective, material indulgence.

"Miss Vilia, Lord Vili, we have arrived at the Lord Baron’s manor."

The coachman brought the carriage to a steady halt and drew open the curtain for the two of them.

With the coachman’s help, Vilia and Vili stepped down from the carriage.

"This is the Lord Baron’s home?"

Vilia stared at the luxurious and stately manor before her, momentarily stunned.

Even in winter, the manor grounds still had large trees full of green leaves and a vast green lawn. Birds flew overhead, their crisp calls echoing through the air. With the silhouette of a distant tower in the background, it all felt like something out of a fairy tale.

Vilia was awestruck by the scene. Seeing the crowds of people in fine clothes coming and going, all her earlier excitement and liveliness vanished, replaced by a timid reserve. She glanced up at Vili, instinctively moving closer and gripping his hand tightly.

"Relax a little."

Vili had expected this reaction from Vilia.

Vilia didn’t say a word, only furtively sized up the people around her, looking quite timid.

In fact, the people around them were sizing them up as well.

Many of them had never seen Vili before, but seeing him and Vilia step down from such an expensive-looking carriage, they all watched with curiosity.

The black gemstone on the pommel of the Swift Sword at Vili’s waist was especially eye-catching.

It was an extremely rare and valuable item, the kind of treasure only a great merchant family could acquire.

This young man and the little girl seemed quite extraordinary. It was just that the little girl appeared so reserved, which struck people as a bit odd.