Chapter 268: Futherfield
When they got to Futherfield, it was sunset. An orange hue filled the skies, and Rose found herself looking up through the carriage window one too many times. It was a pretty sunset, and while she stared up at it, she didn’t remember her turmoils.
Futherfield was quite the town. It was just as big as Stonegate—possibly bigger. However, it didn’t have strict entry like Stonegate did. There was a huge fence and a main entrance, but it didn’t look like it went all around the town.
Rose could probably guess that the town was too big for that or perhaps there was some other reason she was unaware of. She doubted it was something she could ask anyone about.
Rose could see how they had a bandit problem, but the situation itself was indeed strange. Edenville barely had any guards and only an easy-to-break wooden gate, yet they had never had any issues with bandits. But here was a major town close to the capital having such a problem. It was concerning.
At the same time, it made sense that bandits chose this town, as it was flourishing and they had a higher chance of running into rich nobles and wealthy merchants than they would in Edenville. Regardless of the risk of it being close to the capital, the profits would be enormous.
Rose frowned as she realized the streets weren’t as bustling as Stonegate’s. They had arrived in Stonegate similarly around dusk, but it had seemed no different from noon.
The streets were filled, and more importantly, the marketplace had been open. Here, they didn’t pass through the marketplace, but the path to the Lord’s residence was quite empty.
Children didn’t run after the carriage, nor did they stare. They weren’t given the chance to. Mothers scolded their children to go into the houses, and if they didn’t listen, they would go as far as to drag them inside. After that, they locked their doors shut, and only the light of candles could be seen from outside.
It didn’t take too long for the carriage to go through the town and soon enough, they went through the gates of the Lord’s estate. The carriage hadn’t even reached the gates before they were swung open and allowed inside. Prince Rylen and Thomas had gone ahead and Rose suspected that was the reason they had easy access.
The carriage slowed then came to a full stop in front of the main building. Rose gripped the edge of the window as she stared out. The door was quickly opened, and Caius stepped out first.