51

The journey to the Duke's estate had stretched far beyond what was anticipated, the initial plan of arriving at the gates by the dawn of the third day now a distant hope shrouded in the relentless onslaught of a stormy blizzard. The once murky skies had transformed into a tempest of swirling snow, obscuring the path ahead and slowing the progress of the caravan to a sluggish crawl.

Inside the cramped confines of the carriage, Noori found herself increasingly unsettled. The uncomfortable cushioned seats offered little respite from the relentless motion of the carriage, each bump and jolt serving to amplify her discomfort. Despite the urge to escape the confines of the carriage, fueled by her recent harrowing experience, she remained steadfast, unwilling to succumb to her mounting unease.