Klaus walked the familiar paths that connected the annex to the main estate, his steps unhurried despite the pull he felt toward the Eastern Tower. The Lionhart grounds stretched before him like a small kingdom unto itself—hundreds of acres of carefully maintained gardens, training yards, administrative buildings, and residential quarters that housed one of the continent's most powerful noble families.
The estate's sheer scale never failed to impress him. Ancient oak trees lined pathways that could accommodate entire merchant caravans. Ornamental lakes reflected centuries-old architecture that spoke to wealth accumulated across generations of imperial service. Guard posts positioned at strategic intervals reminded visitors that this wasn't merely a residence but the seat of power for rulers who governed territory spanning thousands of square miles.
