Forty-seven

We'd already been in the carriage for two hours and Lydia had fallen asleep, much to my delight. I didn't know anyone could watch you so much. She was always staring at me with those piercing blue eyes.

It seemed to me that we were heading for a restaurant at the moment - well, Fallmore was still two days away by carriage - but we had to have lunch, and since Lydia was a princess, she had to eat in a luxury establishment. I didn't mind, as long as I got some decent food and a break from her constant scrutiny.

I looked out the window of the carriage and for the moment we were approaching a town that looked rather small but beautiful, with lots of vegetation and not much human construction.

It was nestled in a valley, surrounded by green hills and a sparkling river. The houses were made of wood and stone, with colorful roofs and gardens. I could see people walking on the streets, some of them carrying baskets or tools, others chatting or laughing.