The emperor's grand carriages came to a slow stop at the front courtyard of House Mason's estate, a towering structure that looked more like a miniature palace than a mansion. Its walls were clad in polished white marble that gleamed like mirrors, its rooftops adorned with winged angel statues and golden gargoyles reaching boldly toward the sky.
The courtyard bloomed with symmetrical flower beds and a fountain carved into the likeness of a harvest goddess, sending clear water sparkling into a gemstone basin. The whole setup screamed opulence, showcasing the Duke's obsession with flawless grandeur.
