The Dreamer's POV

The Lyma family's carriages approached the imposing gates of the city with an air of expectation.

As they drew nearer, the enormous stone walls loomed over them, their sheer size a testament to the city's grandeur. Towering guards in gleaming armor, adorned with crimson capes and silvered helmets, stood sentinel at the entrance.

That was the first surprise the group met.

… Proper guards?

No, this was simply bravado. It was meant to trick people into thinking grand of a place they wouldn't be allowed entry into.

Sarah Lyma's carriage led the procession, and her aged eyes focused on the guards before her. She gave a subtle nod to the carriage's driver, signaling for him to slow down.

The guards, having seen the Lyma family banner flapping in the breeze above the carriage, immediately snapped to attention.

"Halt!" one of the guards bellowed, his voice carrying authority. "State your business in the city."

The head guard, who led the entourage of the approaching family openly declared to the guards, while opening up a scroll as proof of their identity.

"We are the Lyma family, here to attend to matters of family and estate."

This was merely a natural process, especially considering the state of the capital and how it had gotten attacked not too long ago.

However, certain individuals in their carriages found it distasteful to be stopped and queried by a ruined city.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Still, they beared it.

Sooner or later, they would get to see the Lyma Capital for what it really was.

The guard inspected the scroll closely, and his stern expression softened.

"Very well. Your identities have been confirmed. You may proceed."

One by one, the carriages passed through the massive gates, the guards' watchful eyes never leaving them.

And so, the sight of ruin that they all expected to see began to manifest before them… or so they thought.

No.

None of that was the case at all.

Instead, the grandeur of the city revealed itself in full as they entered.

"W-WHAT?!" Several voices of so many family members nearly leaked out of the carriage as they watched the supposedly ruined city from their windows.

The Lyma family had expected to find a city in disarray, still recovering from a recent attack.

However, what they witnessed left them in awe.

The roads that stretched out before them were wide and immaculate, lined with colorful banners and adorned with lush flowerbeds. The buildings, once thought to be in ruins, were now being meticulously reconstructed.

Teams of skilled artisans worked diligently, their hammers and chisels creating symphonies of progress.

Sarah, the one who had expected the ruin the most was lost for words.

Her aged face could not hide the surprise etched on it.

As for Henry, he couldn't help but exclaim, "I can't believe it! The city looks better than I thought. It isn't in ruin at all!"

No, it wasn't at all.

All of the children and grandchildren were equally amazed at what they were seeing as they made their way deeper into the city.

As the carriages continued through the city streets, they passed by bustling marketplaces mostly occupied by stalls offering mouthwatering street food.

Of course, these goods were only for the construction workers and the other staff who patrolled the city and required refreshment.

None of it appealed to the palette of nobility, but the sight still amazed them regardless.

The air was filled with the sound of laughter and commerce, and the streets were alive with the vibrant energy of a city reborn.

In Sarah's carriage, Henry's young eyes sparkled with even more wonder as he stared at the old woman before him.

"Grandmother, I thought the city would be in ruins, but it's amazing!"

Of course, Sarah could do nothing but respond as she always did when it came to him.

She smiled and patted Henry's shoulder. "Indeed, my dear. It seems the city has shown remarkable resilience."

Despite this, however, the veins on her face could clearly show the kind of emotion she truly felt.

'HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?!'

She simply couldn't believe that this was the Capital they had heard about weeks ago.

The city's rejuvenation was too much of a shock for anyone to take in that even the guards that served as the Lyma Family's entourage exchanged puzzled looks as they marched forward.

All of the Lyma family members exchanged astonished glances, realizing that their expectations had been completely overturned.

They were entering a thriving, flourishing city, and ironically… that left them only with a sense of dread and unease.

The thought appeared in their minds that maybe… just maybe things weren't under their control, after all.

*******

The carriages of the Lyma family rumbled to a halt in front of their family estate. The sight that greeted them left them utterly astonished.

The estate, while not as opulent as its previous glory, gleamed with an air of refined elegance.

The grounds were impeccably manicured, with hedges trimmed to precision and flowerbeds arranged in vibrant displays of color. The once grand but slightly overgrown garden had been transformed into a breathtaking masterpiece of floral beauty.

The mansion itself, although smaller in scale, was a vision of regal splendor.

Its white marble façade shimmered in the sunlight, and the windows sparkled as though they were freshly polished diamonds.

The massive oak doors stood shut, yet welcoming the Lyma family home.

As they alighted from their carriages, Fiona, Margarette, and their children exchanged wide-eyed looks.

Eleanor whispered to her brother, "It's not as grand as the old mansion, but it's so... neat."

"It's more than just neat, Eleanor. It's perfect." William responded.

At the mansion's entrance, a young but impeccably dressed butler stood waiting, his posture straight and his demeanor exuding professionalism.

The Lyma family had never seen him before, and this added to the growing sense of intrigue. He bowed gracefully as they approached.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the Lyma family," the butler began, his voice smooth and composed, "welcome to the Lyma Estate."

Just a few steps behind the butler stood a familiar figure, their family's strongest knight, Drius. He appeared as stalwart as ever, his armor gleaming and his sword at his side.

His eyes, however, held a warmth and familiarity that immediately put the family at ease.

As the family gathered in front of the mansion, the guards stationed around the estate, dressed in matching impeccable armor, stood at attention, forming a protective perimeter.

Sarah, still sitting in her carriage, was helped down by Henry, who had been waiting for her with a sense of anticipation.

She gritted her teeth and did her best to maintain a natural demeanor, but the smug grin that the butler seemed to possess irked her to no end.

And… there was one other thing.

"Young man, who are you?" She slowly approached the butler, her eyes narrowing with curiosity.

Not only was he a new face, but something about his demeanor seemed to be mocking her, her daughters and her grandchildren.

Plus, the ultimate sign of disrespect still hung in the air.

"Where is Theo? Why is not here to greet us?"

*

*

*

[A/N]

Thanks for reading.

Cheers!