The morning sun was shining brightly over the capital city, melting the top layer of the white snow. The large iron gates of the Thompson estate swung open wide. A heavy wooden carriage, pulled by two strong brown horses, rolled slowly into the wide stone courtyard.
Before the carriage even came to a complete stop, the wooden door was pushed open from the inside.
Ryan got down from the carriage. He did not wait for the steps to be lowered. He jumped down, his small boots landing with a soft crunch in the wet snow. He was a young, energetic boy with bright eyes and messy hair from the long journey. He wore a thick winter coat, but he did not feel the cold. He was simply too excited to be home.
"Mother!!! Father!!!" Ryan shouted at the top of his lungs. His cheerful, high-pitched voice echoed across the quiet courtyard.
Miss Nancy, Ryan's older nanny, climbed out of the carriage carefully. She held onto her long skirts, looking worried as she stepped down.
