Albert was standing by the entrance, as Leticia had prepared herself for the outing. He looked the same as usual with his stiff demeanor and back straight. He had one hand on the door and the other on his side with his eyes focused forward and all the other servants did the same.  

“Have a save trip, master.” Albert stated, while his hands opened the door for her.  

Leticia felt a strange sensation that she was being watched, as she made her way outside, towards the two long sets of stairs. She made her way down to be greeted by a few more servants who were all lined up next to one another to greet her on the way out.  

A carriage that was painted in the Braxton colors made its way to the front of the estate led by two dapple greys.  

As it slowed Leticia could make out the eagle with the two swords crossing each other stamped onto the door. It seemed everything here had the Braxton empire stamped onto it. Was it perhaps Fredricks obsession for the empire or the family’s obsession? Leticia felt unsure.  

The servants all lowered themselves at once in unison, once the carriage had made a complete stop. The coachmen jumped off the back of the carriage to open the door for her. “Master, we wish you a safe journey.” 

 Leticia felt a sense of pressure and responsibility to uphold the Burton’s status. With her head turned towards the door that had been opened for her, she placed her hand on the side bar and tightened her grip. She put just enough force to help herself up to take a peek into the interior of the carriage which had nothing but red velveteen seats and some more gold lined with metal inside.  

She had lived her whole life showered in luxuries, yet it felt like a part of her had changed.  Perhaps, it was Fredricks own personality that had rubbed off on her, since she did reside in his body.  

He was more of a person that didn’t enjoy the same luxuries as the nobility and preferred simplicity over complexities. Leticia always assumed that this was something that he had learned while training to be a knight, since her brother was the same. 

  Leticia managed to settle herself in, with her hands against the curtain to make out the boundary of Fredricks estate. She caught wind of some shining lights that could only be a reflection off of armor making their way towards the carriage. It made the carriage shake and vibrate before it slightly tilted to one side, before it stabilized with the pounding of hooves, and several nickers now close enough for her to see.  

Several mounted knights in Braxton colors rode up in an orderly fashion. They were probably her escort, as they pulled up their horses and they all lined themselves up into a straight line. They raised a hand and put it upon their chest.  

They waited for a moment, before they bellowed out a loud, “YOUR GRACE!”   

Leticia leaned back in surprise and released the grip of the curtain. She stumbled and pulled on one of the side curtains almost tearing it, for it gave a small ripping noise. She immediately allowed herself to fall backwards onto the seat. She felt a tad bit dizzy, with her head now spinning from the sudden fall. Her two hands now against the seat, she pushed herself back up, and regained her sitting posture. A good shake of her head to focus, as she opened the curtains once more. She stuck her hand out and gave a wave of her hand out due to formalities.  

“What is that supposed to mean?” a voice questioned her action, and the others seemed to whisper before there was a pause and some silence amongst the knights. “Probably to get into position.” The group split into two with one to lead the front, and the other the back.  

“I hope this will be comfortable enough, your grace.” One of the knights, who had his face covered by his silver helmet, had ridden to the side of the carriage up towards her window. Once he felt he was close enough, he pulled up his bay horse to a halt. They were now a few feet apart from one another, and Leticia observed him put both his hands onto the silver helmet and slid it off. He adjusted it and put it in between his arms, before placing his free hand onto his chest.   

Leticia at first did not want to look at the man, but she lifted her head out of respect that this man was one of the kingdoms knights. She had expected a disgruntled man, but instead found an older gentleman with a white beard a few inches in length, some grey uneven hair about shoulder length, and a pair of grey clouded eyes.  

Leticia took another look to confirm her suspicions that this man was blind by the way his eyes were clouded. This would be the first time she encountered a knight that was blind.  

How is he able to fulfill his duties? 

 “It is more than enough.” She said not to keep everyone waiting. 

He put the helmet back on and with his gentle hands, led his horse towards the back line. 

Leticia had her head out of the window to observe the man who maintained his good posture, and balance as he rode his mount around the corner to meet up with the back line. She began to wonder how he was able to ride, and why did he not retire at his age. 

“Foreward!” The voices echoed, and Leticia settled her head back inside the carriage as it began to move.   

She sat for a good duration of time, then leaned to her side out of boredom, as she fiddled with her suit, and then the emblem upon her chest. A hand on her ear, and then on her lap, until she pointed her head down towards the floor. 

The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became. The closer she got to the capital, the heavier she began to breathe with her hands now sweating profusely.   

Inch by inch, foot by foot. Each second wasted, and each minute that passed made her want to turn back.