As the sun climbed at an angle into the sky, a convoy of seven horse-drawn carriages slowly came to a stop outside the gates of Lalu City.
Count Nasapus, the City Lord of Lalu City, had long been waiting at the gates and immediately went forward to greet them. Behind him followed the city's nobles of standing and influence.
Yet these important figures, who normally lorded over Lalu City, all bowed their proud heads before the convoy today, their expressions tinged with humility.
There was only one reason they would do so: the family crests on all seven carriages represented the Windsor family, the foremost family in the Candel Empire's Southern Province.
The visitors to Lalu City were subordinates sent to inspect the city by Duke Windsor, the current head of the Windsor family and governor of the Southern Province.
Although these subordinates might not rank as highly as most of those present, they represented Duke Windsor's will, so everyone had to show them sufficient respect and deference.
The first carriage stopped in front of Count Nasapus. Its door opened, and a middle-aged man of about forty stepped down.
Upon seeing him, Count Nasapus could not help pausing in surprise.
This middle-aged man was Aymadu, the steward of the Governor's Mansion. Although his position was not particularly high, he was a confidant whom Duke Windsor trusted deeply.
Given his position, however, he should not have been the right person to serve as a special inspection envoy.
Steward Aymadu clearly noticed Count Nasapus's confusion. He approached and whispered in his ear, "Count, the Duchess has come along this time. Please make suitable arrangements for her."
"What?" Count Nasapus froze.
Wasn't this supposed to be an ordinary inspection delegation? Why had the distinguished Duchess come too?
While he was still puzzling over