Chapter 10: Start of the A New Journey

It took at least two days to prepare Layla's journey to the Lockhart estate, which is far away from the territory of the Archers.

The head butler was dumbfounded by her decision to visit the Lockhart Estate, but the head butler didn't open his mouth to speak about it because, one, she was given permission to do whatever she wanted, and two, the Lockhart Estate is her territory and she's the head of that household.

She has every right to visit her land, which she neglected for years just to stay secluded in the Archer Estate.

A carriage and supplies for their camping are prepared with one female servant, and eight knights are going with her to ensure her safety and provide any assistance she may need along the way.

It was still winter, and the weather was too harsh for a long journey, but Layla insisted on starting the journey, very eager to get out of that jail-like estate.

After the preparation was complete, they set out on their journey, equipped with everything they needed along the way. Since it's still winter, they will book an inn at every stop as much as possible, and as a last resort, if there's none in there, they will camp out in the open.

Layla was not worried about the cold since the carriage she was using was equipped with an artifact that makes the carriage warm. As for the knights that protect her, she specifically ordered the head butler to give them the best equipment they have to withstand the cold weather.

They are well prepared for any harsh conditions.

Once Layla was out of the estate's gate, she never even once looked back at the mansion, and her sight was set in front of her, ready to face an unfamiliar new world.

The harsh winter makes people want to stay inside their homes, making it less crowded in villages that they pass by, and the inns are always booked, but somehow, they manage to find a warm and welcoming place to rest each night.

Inns are booked more when its winter compared to other seasons since many people are seeking shelter from the cold weather. Most of the customers in the winter are adventurers and merchants who brave the harsh conditions to trade goods and explore new territories.

All Layla can see are white bed sheets stretching as far as the eye can see. The warm and sunny days of summer that she saw in Ophelia's memory are nowhere to be seen.

In her journey, Layla was always inside the carriage, and there's nothing for her to do that she can't avoid overthinking at times.

She was having second thoughts about whether she should continue on this journey or turn back. Or is she making a wise decision?

She has many things to consider. Is her decision to permit her husband to have another wife a wise one? Is this journey going to be worth it?

Only time will tell.

Many things are rushing through her mind, so she started coming up with plans for the future and thinking about how this decision will impact her life. Or will it make her happy—make Ophelia happy?

Just a bunch of questions that she can't answer right now.

But somehow, when those questions linger in her mind, her resolution is solid and doesn't change her mind. If she ever gets the chance to go back to the past, she will still do the same thing.

"We will stop at the market in the next village to stock up on supplies for the journey, madam," the leader of the knight informed.

"I understood," Layla said with a smile.

Layla got the chance to see a glimpse of the life of every village they passed by when they stopped to either book an inn or stock up on supplies.

The lives of the villagers were refreshing for her eyes and made her reminisce about her life as Layla.

The villagers are nice and approachable, which makes the experience even more enjoyable.

Layla peeked outside through the window and saw the thickness of the snow slowly decreasing as their journey continued.

"The snow is decreasing," Layla commented.

"It must be because the temperature is warmer in this part of the kingdom, madam," replied her servant.

"Is the Lockhart territory cold right now?" Layla inquired; her curiosity piqued.

"Yes, madam. However, it was on the warmer side compared to Archer territory."

Layla nodded her head. "That's good to hear."

Their journey continued, and they finally arrived at the territory of the Lockhart household.

When they entered the border of the territory, they were greeted by bustling people on the street with coats of various types and colors, going about their daily activities.

Layla takes a curious look at the people outside the carriage, seeing how their coats are less thick than what they wore. Driven by curiosity, she opened the window, resulting in cold air rushing inside the carriage.

She took off her gloves and felt the cold air on her fingertips.

"Madam, the cold air will chill you if you keep the window open," the servant warned.

Layla looks at her servant. "It really is less cold here compared to the Archer territory," she said, her breath making smoke.

The cold air on her fingertips made her shiver, but she couldn't help but feel amazed by this fact.

The servant sighed and smiled at her, then closed the window. "Is that enough to feed your curiosity, madam?"

Layla nodded, satisfied already.

The servant smiled warmly as she covered her Madam with thick blankets to protect her from the cold as she started to sneeze.

The servant's smile faded when the madam fell asleep, giving her a pitiful look of exhaustion and concern.

Everyone in the Archer estate adored Ophelia; she was kind and sweet and always went out of her way to help others. They were happy that their master married such a compassionate and caring woman.

But somehow, their married life started to deteriorate when the madam got ill, and her kind and sweet nature began to fade away. It must have been the effect of the pain and suffering she endured that she started acting that way.

The once caring woman became distant and cold towards the people around her, even towards her own husband.

What was worse was that they had been separated for a long time since their master was given a mission, making their relationship even worse, and not long after he left for his mission, the madam fell into a coma.

The servants were very happy when they saw how their madam woke up from a long coma and started to get better every day, and her kind nature came back. However, even if that's the case, their relationship as husband and wife has forever changed.

All the servants are disappointed and sad to witness how they slowly drift away.

And what makes it worse is that their master came back with a woman who seemed to have stolen his heart. And their madam couldn't care less.

They knew that their marriage will not last long, but they didn't think it will progress faster than they think.

The priestess was introduced by the master as his second wife in front of everyone, and after that they left to continue their mission, but somehow, they knew they were going to the church to legitimate their engagement and eventually get married.

And now even their madam was trying to leave the estate. This reality made them sad.

Ella, the closest servant of Ophelia, decided to follow Ophelia wherever she went. If she leaves, she will also do the same.

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