Chapter 481: Duchess’ Castle
After the guards’ commanding shout, the crowd immediately dispersed out of the road and let the royal convoy get on its way back to the Duchess’ castle.
Once they were out of earshot, the spectators couldn’t help but gossip amongst each other.
"Did you hear that?! They’re the Duchess’ personal guests!"
"I thought that the Vanderbilts were supposed to be on their downfall?"
"So they weren’t here to seize their territory?"
They all couldn’t help but look at the rest of the Vanderbilts still left on the property. There were looks of shock, amazement, and even envy thrown at them.
However, even the other Vanderbilts were shocked and amazed that their very own nephew got the attention of the Duchess! This made them feel proud once again to become a Vanderbilt!
Usually, they just received looks of pity from anyone that crossed their mansion. But now, their gazes were one of amazement and envy as they got to receive the honor of having the Duchess’ personal guards escort them to the castle.
This kind of privilege wasn’t just given to anyone. It was the kind of thing that only people from the Legacies received.
Because of this, the question lingered in everyone’s mind.
Were the Vanderbilts about to return to their rightful place in the highest spots of Metropolis?
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Meanwhile, Michael and the rest of them stayed in the royal carriage gilded with gold.
Lylia looked satisfied and comfortable, knowing that Michael rightfully deserved a welcome this extravagant.
Bart, on the other hand, busied himself and eased his nervousness through fixing up his hair and tidying his attire.
Unlike him though, Max looked as pale as a ghost. His grey hair turned grisly white from all the worrying that he went through as the carriage rode through the streets.
Michael couldn’t blame him. The Duchess castle did look intimidating.
He looked out the window and saw, directly in the horizon, a giant mountain plateau that housed the extensive castle of the Duchess. It looked bigger than life, as if the castle dwarfed the planet and the sun itself.
Having it elevated at such heights made it so that anywhere one looked in Metropolis, they would be able to see the majesty of the Duchess’ personal castle.
"Excuse me, but why did the Duchess ask for us?" he asked the royal man sitting opposite him.
"Her royal highness has been informed of an invention of yours that is unusual in its nature. Usually, permission to make this invention legal in Metropolis is done by professionals employed by the royal court.
But for this specific instance, the Duchess requested to see it for herself first. She also wanted to see its inventor. And that would be you, correct?"
Michael nodded. Barnaby told him that he would be contacting the Duchess for the automobile’s inspection. But he didn’t think it would be this fast. It had only been a few hours since they left Barnaby’s Vault.
For such a man with a heavy stature, he sure does move fast, he thought.
Despite the unexpectedness, he accepted the invitation immediately. It saved him the trouble of applying for an appointment with their castle. Of course, having a personal escort wasn’t too bad either.
The carriage continued to ride through the streets until they eventually reached the walls separating the plateau mountain to the rest of Metropolis.
The guards on the gates saw the carriage, as well as the royal man’s emblem that he flashed on the window, and immediately lowered the drawbridge that allowed passage through the river moat running around the walls.
Then, they ascended into a winding road that would eventually lead them into the castle itself.
Michael noticed that there were quite a few people hidden in the trees and quietly observing their surroundings.
I guess they’re the Duchess’ Secret Service.
Though as good at hiding they might be, they couldn’t hide the Light mana signatures in their body. He still saw them regardless of their stealth spells.
Anyway, they were pretty harmless. They just stayed on top of the trees and observed quietly, so he didn’t mind them that much.
Eventually, the carriage reached the top of the plateau, allowing them to gaze upon the castle of the Duchess. It looked like a palace built on clouds since it was constructed atop a mountain, meaning its surroundings were nothing but blue skies.
The castle occupied most, if not the entire area of the plateau. It was only surrounded by gardens that were neatly maintained, and that was it.
The carriage stopped as they reached the front doors, with the royal man stepping out and spreading his hands wide with pride and bravado.
"Welcome to Her Highness’ royal castle! Please make yourselves at home."
His welcome was loud and accompanied by drums and trumpets that rang out from inside the doors. It was very extravagant, something you would expect a royal like the Duchess to do.
"The Duchess of Metropolis would first like to apologize as she is currently away on business for the time being.
She wants me to assure you that she will be back in a timely manner. In the meanwhile, please go inside the royal castle and treat the castle as if it was your own."
The door opened, and Michael saw butlers and maids lined up parallel in front of the doors. They kept their bow towards them, as if waiting until Michael and the others to cross before they could return to their normal positions.
"This is nice," Lylia said with a proud and content smile on her face. She expected nothing less of a welcome for her son.
Bart, on the other hand, took to the butler’s welcome with a normal attitude. He grew up in the Vanderbilt estate after all.
Max was the one who couldn’t keep his mouth shut. It had been so long since he experienced this kind of extravagance that he almost forgot how it felt.
As they walked through the door, they saw everything gilded with gold. The pillars on the corners, the railings near the roof, and even the tilings on the floor; it looked like they were stepping on gold coins.
This palace was luxurious, even by modern Earth’s standards.
"Welcome, dear Vanderbilts."
Michael looked up towards the huge stairs that led to the second floor. There were two couples waiting at the top, waving at them in a warm welcome. He guessed that they were couples because they held each other tightly that only lovers could do.
"That is Prince Harry and his wife on the right, and Princess Elizabeth and her husband on the left," Max whispered to them, as he immediately got down on one knee and showed his respect to the Duchess’ twin children.
Prince Harry walked down to them and tried to get Max back up on his feet. "Please, there’s no need for formalities. You’re here as mother’s guest."
As expected of a prince, he looked...princely. His red hair was neatly combed to the side, and his royal attire had all sorts of golden paraphernalia that looked difficult to wear. Not only that, but his posture was completely ramrod straight, as if it had been taught to him since he was a kid.