Chapter 110: Lady Vaelora von Iskandar
The carriage rumbled to a slow halt.
Noel shifted in his seat, eyes narrowing as he peered through the frost-covered window. The view beyond was anything but welcoming.
High stone walls towered before them—thick, weatherworn, and built for war, not for show. The Iskandar stronghold wasn’t the ornate manor one might expect from a noble house. It was a fortress, plain and simple, nestled deep within a snowy valley between jagged mountains.
Snow lashed the world in thick sheets. The sky above was a dull gray, pressing low over the peaks like a weight. Even the air felt heavier here.
Noel exhaled slowly and reached for his gloves, pulling them on with deliberate care. He wore a long black winter coat, the fabric thick and insulated, with a high collar turned up against the wind. Sturdy black boots rose to his knees, crunching faintly against the carriage floor as he shifted his weight.
His blond hair had grown slightly during the past weeks, now falling in uneven strands across his brow. Against the starkness of his attire and the bleak world outside, his emerald-green eyes stood out sharply, bright and cold.
Beside him, Noir sat quietly, fur puffed out against the cold. His black coat shimmered faintly with streaks of deep violet, each strand seeming to catch what little light remained. His eyes—dark irises rimmed in a deep shade of purple, surrounded by inky black—watched the world with a calm, unreadable gaze.
’Looks like we’ve arrived, Noir.’
Noel pushed the door open and stepped down into the snow. The wind hit him instantly—biting and sharp, cutting through layers as if seeking out weakness. He straightened his coat, ignoring the chill.
At the front of the carriage, the butler sent by House Estermont—remained seated, reins in hand. The horses stamped restlessly, breath misting in the frigid air.
Noel approached him, voice calm. "You can return now. Let them know I’ve arrived safely. I’ll be back before mid-April."