The interior of the carriage was nothing short of luxurious. The wooden finish was flawless, without a single rough edge, and the precisely fitted panels left no room for even a coin to slip through.

Even a brazier had been installed on the wall, ignoring the basic premise of carriages that forced one to endure heat when it was hot and cold when it was cold—this was a supremely extravagant setup.

On one side of the carriage, a spacious seat, more than a chair but less than a bed, had been prepared for important guests, partially concealed by a sheer …