Before the sun had fully risen, Solomon and his entourage were already standing before the estate gates.
A cool morning breeze drifted across the courtyard, carrying with it the scent of dew-soaked grass and damp earth.
The eastern horizon glowed with streaks of orange and gold as the first rays of sunlight slowly crept over the distant mountains.
Birds chirped from the trees lining the estate walls while the world gradually stirred awake.
The journey to the academy would be long and arduous.
Solomon decided that he might as well depart early, enjoy the scenery, and save themselves some stress.
After all, at night they would still need to keep watch, so they had to make it as far as they could before dusk.
A sturdy carriage stood outside the gates with a coachman holding tightly onto the reins.
The horses snorted softly, their breaths visible in the chilly morning air as they pawed impatiently at the ground.
The coachman had already been waiting for five minutes.
Servants, maids, and guards alike lined both sides of the entrance.
Their uniforms were immaculate despite the early hour.
One after another, they bowed respectfully while wishing him a safe journey.
Solomon smiled warmly and raised a hand in acknowledgement, waving gently to show that he had accepted their heartfelt goodwill.
His father, Miles Ashbourne, stepped forward and looked him directly in the eye.
“Represent House Ashbourne well.”
Solomon met his gaze without wavering and gave a firm nod.
“I will.”
Silvia stepped forward next and crossed her arms.
To everyone else, she appeared as intimidating and composed as ever, but Solomon could tell she was merely putting on a brave face.
The faint sadness hidden deep within her crimson eyes betrayed her true emotions.
“If you fail your exams, don’t bother coming home.”
Solomon chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Just before he boarded the carriage, Silvia quietly slipped something into his hand.
Solomon looked down.
Resting on his palm was a small silver pendant engraved with the Ashbourne crest.
It shimmered softly beneath the morning sunlight.
“Silvia…”
“Shh.” She gently closed his fingers around it.
“Return it when you come back.”
The two simply stared into each other’s eyes.
No more words were necessary.
A silent promise passed between them.
He had to come back.
Not just for her sake, but because he already knew that missing the Ashbourne estate wasn’t merely a possibility anymore.
It had become something inevitable.
One by one, they boarded the carriage.
The coachman snapped the reins.
The horses neighed before breaking into a steady trot as the massive estate gates slowly rolled open with a deep rumble.
Before Solomon knew it, the journey toward the future had begun once more.
…
For a long while, nobody spoke.
Only the rhythmic clatter of wooden wheels rolling across the dirt road and the steady hoofbeats of the horses accompanied them.
Sunlight filtered through the carriage windows, painting shifting patches of gold across the floor with every passing tree.
Marvin, as free-spirited as he was, remained glued to the window.
His eyes sparkled with childlike wonder as endless fields, forests, rolling hills, and open skies stretched before him.
Every few moments he leaned closer to the glass, afraid he might miss something.
It was obvious.
This was his first time seeing the world beyond the estate.
Jessica occupied another corner of the carriage, absentmindedly tapping a quill against her cheek while quietly listing possible supplies they would need once they arrived.
Every so often she scribbled another note before immediately crossing something else out with an exaggerated sigh.
Wilfred, on the other hand, had requested a horse from Miles Ashbourne so he could ride alongside the carriage.
From outside came the occasional sound of hooves drawing closer before falling back again as he continuously surveyed the road, remaining alert for anything suspicious.
Solomon simply sat in silence.
A small smile rested on his lips as he watched everyone become absorbed in their own little worlds.
There was something oddly peaceful about it.
Before long…
He had drifted asleep.
When he awoke next, warm sunlight poured through the carriage window.
It was already midday.
The carriage suddenly came to an abrupt halt, causing Solomon to instinctively steady himself against the seat.
Solomon blinked the remaining sleep from his eyes and straightened in his seat as the carriage settled into complete stillness.
“Is something wrong?” he asked Marvin, brushing a loose strand of hair away from his forehead.
Marvin had already peered through the carriage window.
He turned back toward Solomon before answering.
“It appears that a wagon has gotten stuck in the mud, young master.”
Solomon leaned toward the window and gently pulled back the curtain.
Sure enough, several people were gathered around a merchant’s wagon, their boots sinking into the muddy roadside as they strained to push it free.
The recent rain had softened the earth, and one of the wheels had become deeply embedded.
Horses snorted impatiently while their harnesses creaked under the tension.
“That wagon looks familiar…” Solomon murmured, narrowing his eyes.
He couldn’t quite place it.
Yet something about it tugged at the back of his mind.
“What do we have for lunch?” he asked, leaning back into his seat.
“Scones, young master,” Marvin replied politely.
“Such sophistication on the first day,” Solomon joked with a faint grin.
“I only do as you tell me, young master.”
“True, but it really deserves praise.”
Marvin scratched his cheek sheepishly.
“Thanks.”
A few moments later, Solomon’s gaze drifted outside once more.
Then—
His eyes widened.
“No…
It can’t be.”
Without another thought, he pushed open the carriage door and hurried toward the wagon.
“Young master!” Marvin called after him in alarm.
“Where are you going?” Jessica asked, stepping down from the carriage with Wilfred close behind.
At almost the same moment—
Mark looked up from beside the stranded wagon.
Recognition immediately spread across his face.
A bright smile blossomed across his features.
“Young master!”
He broke into a run.
Solomon found himself running as well.
The distance between them disappeared within seconds before the two embraced.
“The thing I just did reminded me of romance movies.”
His thoughts intruded, but he still didn’t let go of Mark.
“What are you doing here?” Solomon asked after finally taking a small step back.
Mark scratched the back of his head with an embarrassed smile.
“I should be asking you that, young master.”
“Fair point.”
“Well, I’m heading to the academy,” he pointed out, gesturing toward the wagon behind him.
By then, Jessica, Marvin, and Wilfred had finally caught up.
“Wilfred, please help them push the wagon.”
Wilfred nodded immediately before glancing toward Mark.
“Before that, young master…
who is this?”
“Oh, this is Mark.
He’s my benefactor.
He helped me get back to the Ashbourne estate a while back.”
“We are grateful to meet the one who brought our young master back to us.
You have our thanks.”
Mark’s ears immediately turned red.
“Umm…
y-you’re welcome,” he said while blushing.
Wilfred stepped forward and rolled up his sleeves.
“I’ll assist at once.”
“I…
I appreciate the help.”
Solomon tilted his head curiously.
“Why are you suddenly stuttering?”
Mark rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
“Because it’s rare for me to be treated this highly.”
“Aren’t you a merchant?”
“I never said I was a renowned one.”
“Another fair point.”
Mark laughed, the earlier embarrassment slowly fading.
“What wonderful timing!
I was just beginning to think this road hated me, but I guess it was fate planning for us to meet again.”
“Perhaps it was,” Solomon replied with a smile as he watched Wilfred and the merchants begin pushing against the wagon.
A little while later, Mark’s wagon was finally driven out of the mud.
The wheels rolled smoothly once again, leaving deep tracks behind on the softened road.
Luckily for them, nothing had been broken.
The merchants wiped the sweat from their brows while thanking Wilfred for his assistance.
Wilfred simply nodded before brushing the dirt from his sleeves.
Solomon smiled faintly before deciding to be on his way.
“Wait, young master!”
Solomon stopped mid-step and tilted his head over his shoulder.
“Since you’re going to the academy, why don’t we travel together?”
“I would like that.” He smiled before glancing at Jessica, Marvin, and Wilfred.
“Do you guys mind?”
Jessica gave a small shrug.
“Not at all, young master.”
Wilfred nodded once.
“If it is your wish.”
Marvin smiled brightly.
“I don’t mind either, young master.”
“Then it’s settled.” Solomon turned to Mark once more.
“We’re traveling together.”
Mark’s face immediately brightened.
“Thank you, young master.”
Not long afterward, both wagons resumed their journey, moving one behind the other along the winding road.
The afternoon breeze drifted through the open countryside, carrying the scent of fresh grass and wildflowers while the rhythmic creaking of wooden wheels blended with the steady hoofbeats of the horses.
As they traversed the landscape, everything became much livelier.
Mark began telling everyone the stories he had once shared with Solomon, along with several new ones from his recent travels.
Every now and then he animated his tales with exaggerated hand gestures, making Marvin laugh.
Marvin listened with sparkling eyes, hanging onto every word as though each story opened another window into the world beyond the Ashbourne estate.
Jessica quietly asked practical questions about prices, merchants, and the capital, occasionally nodding to herself whenever Mark answered.
Wilfred occasionally corrected Mark whenever one of his stories became too dramatic.
“I don’t remember it happening quite like that,” Wilfred said with an amused smile.
“You just weren’t paying enough attention,” Mark replied confidently.
Solomon simply listened, resting his elbow against the carriage window as a gentle breeze brushed against his face.
Watching everyone interact made the trip feel strangely…
comfortable.