Cherished Blossom

Winter Passage

Snowflakes gracefully fell down from the sky, a light fog was settling in the air yet stars above could be seen, and from frosted windows one could see a lone carriage rattling in the chilly night. Its cherry wood exterior showing beautifully under the illuminating street lamps. 

With a quick snap of the reins and yell of the Whip it picked up its pace jostling the travelers inside.

Viktoria awoke suddenly with some discomfort. Arousing carefully while opening her eyes she felt that the carriage was still in motion. Elly and Gracefall were not so disturbed from their sleep as she was. Nestled together Elly and Gracefall, her attendants, were only bothered enough to snuggle in closer from the cold and keep on sleeping soundly. 

Though Sebastian, her family's head butler, was not sleeping. His old nervousness wouldn't let him, causing him to check his pocket watch every ten or so minutes to make sure they were on schedule. He had a slight scowl on his face that could be seen in the dim lighting from what the passing street lights gave, but his expression turned into a simple warm smile when he realized her watch of him.

She gave a polite smile back then turned away from his gaze taking a moment to readjust herself against her side window. Looking out she then noticed that the carriage was carrying them faster than from before when they had begun their travel again earlier this afternoon. Passing the fresh laying snow, the darkened images of white covered trees, estates, street lamps were now blurred images.

Viktoria thought to herself, this couldn't have been done at any other hour of the day? Why so late, made her think the man she had been assigned to was a much more private man. Not wanting to raise suspicion among his neighbors of the nobility of his affairs? Or perhaps he just doesn't like crowds?

She didn't receive much information other than the important basic facts. His name, appearance, and quick description of self. She had been debating to herself what Kristopher Clarence's appearance must be because she had received no photogragh.  She was told that he had dark brown hair which was oddly cut in a Lemune style, but she supposed that it made sense to try to blend in with her people since he works for the joint law force between the Alcurian and Lemune people, called the Driren. 

The papers say he's a quiet and dutiful Alcurian devoted to upholding the law, and so too do the  local gossip among the maids and ladies confirm. She also had heard of some of the medals he'd received over the years for his achievements, and that through his efforts had earned various well renowned titles.

"Head of the Household," which is held only by Alcurian nobles insinuating that of their lineage they have been made the acting head of it. "Vice head of Driren," the high position within the Driren of which he now holds. And lastly, "Sir," another honorific that can only be given from the highest court of the Alcurian, the Draconian court. Thus, she assumed naturally, over time earning their favor through these achievements of his is the reason he had been granted a Delecutaunt. That Delecutaunt would be herself on her way to her Master to be. 

However, despite his achievements another reason she had guessed Sir Clarence was an introverted humble sort of an Alcurian man was because most nobility of the higher courts liked to make a show of receiving a Delecutaunt. It was something to boast about, being that they are by far more prideful creatures. Or a Delecutant was at least to be received like a badge of status change, because it was certainly not a very common honor to have even among the Alcurian of nobility who are those of the higher courts, despite the sea of Lemune common folk. 

Mainly the reason it isn't so common was because an Alcurian noble had to informally earn to gain the Draconian court's favor to receive one, and due to the fact there weren't that many Delecutaunts.