The Capital of Luxury
Empress Kohl stepped into a taxi that looked as if it had been pulled straight from a steampunk novel - a sleek, elongated limousine with sweeping, curved fenders adorned with brass accents. The swan doors opened gracefully, revealing a fold-out velvet step. On the door, the logo of the taxi company, The Wind of Time (Le Vent du Temps), was elegantly displayed. The convertible roof was open, allowing for an open-sky experience.
She settled into hand-stitched leather seats, their surface decorated with delicate leaf patterns. The interior was a piece of craftsmanship -polished ebony paneling gleamed under the soft glow of vintage lighting, and a small built-in minibar offered a selection of premium liquors. The engine hummed almost imperceptibly beneath the rich, nostalgic melodies playing from the driver’s old radio. As they moved through the city, the taxi glided smoothly along Grand Ducal Boulevard, heading toward Government Square, Carra Rose.
The boulevard was lined with tall trees, their canopies offering shade and a refreshing coolness that made strolling a pleasure. The pavement, composed of beige tiles designed to resist excessive heat, harmonized beautifully with the surrounding architecture. Stone-adorned façades, wrought-iron terraces, and expansive, elegantly finished windows gave the district a refined charm. Lush greenery cascaded from rooftops and adorned main walls, while the air carried the gentle fragrance of small gardens planted around the base of street trees, seamlessly blending nature with urban life.
Government Square and its surrounding streets were free of cars, preserving a sense of tranquility. Instead, silent electric trams glided through the avenues, their routes thoughtfully integrated with dedicated cycling lanes. The metro provided another swift and elegant means of transport, ensuring the city’s heartbeat remained uninterrupted.
Among the residential buildings, refined boutiques, artisanal cafés, and gourmet restaurants added a touch of convenience and sophistication to daily life. Non-residential structures, built from brick, hempcrete, and other sustainable materials, upheld the capital’s unique blend of ecological responsibility and glamour.
As the taxi approached the beginning of the Carra Rose, home to His Grand Majesty’s Court, the faint strains of royal jazz drifted through the golden-domed concert hall. The music, warm and inviting, was like a final, delicate note in an symphony.
Empress Kohl stepped out, leaving the comfort of the taxi behind, and began her walk across Government Plaza, Carra Rose, toward the Palace.
