Ariana had arrived at the small town in the evening, just as she had anticipated.

As the carriage of the Bronthe Ducal family entered the city gates, people gathered around to gawk.

It seemed that the news of the Bronthe family had not yet spread to this place, and Count Godien greeted them warmly. Thanks to Count Godien’s consideration, they were able to stay at his residence.

The servants unpacked the necessary luggage, and the coachmen took the tired horses to the stable for rest.

While everyone was busily moving about, Ariana stood idly by. Duke and Duchess Bronthe took only their two daughters into the mansion, leaving Ariana alone outside.

“You should come inside, Miss.”

At Rozalin’s whispered words, Ariana nodded her head.

“I think I’ll be more comfortable staying here.”

If Ariana went inside, the Duke and Duchess would have to pretend to take care of her because of the watchful eyes around them.

Ariana did not want to play the role of a fragile and innocent daughter even on a day like this.

She wanted to go out and explore the city, but she couldn’t because there were too many watchful eyes.

Ariana sat on a stone bench in Count’s garden.

“You should go and rest too.”

“I’ll stay with you, Miss.”

“It’ll be uncomfortable. It’s also cold.”

“Oh. Just a moment.”

Rozalin, who had disappeared for a moment, returned with a blanket.

Rozalin draped the thick blanket over Ariana’s shoulders.

“What about yours?”

“I’m fine.”

“It’ll be cold at night.”

“I’m fine, Miss.”

Ariana lifted one side of the blanket and gestured to Rozalin.

“Then come here. If we sit close, it will be warmer.”

Rozalin looked at Ariana with an inscrutable expression and said,

“You really are affectionate, Miss.”

Ariana smiled without reply, and Rozalin sat cautiously next to her.

As one blanket wrapped both people, their body warmth heated the inside of the blanket warmly. It had been a long time since Ariana had felt the warmth of another person, and for some reason, her heart ached.

She felt pathetic that her heart was numbed by the warmth of an unknown maid.

It was only the beginning, and she pitied herself for longing for the warmth of others.

‘Don’t wish for anything. Don’t want anything. In this life, there’s only one thing I can have.’

To destroy those who had sent her to hell, those who were noble yet vulgar.

‘I must not repeat that time.’

Because she wanted to be loved, because she wanted to be recognized, she died without even realizing she was in hell.

Thrilled by a small piece of warmth, happy with a smile that didn’t even contain the heart, she walked into a deeper hell.

A beautiful but stupid woman, a woman with good lineage but without anyone to look after her, is perfect for exploitation. Breaking down a woman who craves warmth and affection from others is easier than flicking a finger.

So people used Ariana until she broke and then threw her away.

The warmth of Rozalin, which had momentarily numbed her heart, hardened again. Ariana looked up and stared at the stars that embroidered the blue night sky.

In each star’s light, the faces of the people who had pushed Ariana into hell were engraved.

With their faces engraved in her heart, Ariana spent the lonely night.

+++

From early morning, the servants were busy preparing for departure.

Ariana climbed onto the carriage just before departure.

As she got into the carriage, she glanced to the side and noticed Rachel staring intently at her. When Ariana smiled at her, Rachel quickly closed the carriage door, as if she had seen something she shouldn’t have.

With Count Godien’s farewell, the carriage set off.

They raced out of the city gates in the opposite direction from their entrance.

Ariana closed her eyes in the jolting carriage.

“You must be tired; take a rest.”

“Okay. Wake me up when we get close to the mountains.”

She couldn’t fully trust Rozalin, so she didn’t fall into a deep sleep.

She dozed, hearing the sound of horse hooves and rolling gravel.

How much time had passed? Rozalin lightly shook Ariana’s shoulder.
“Miss, we are approaching the Weifun mountain range.”

Ariana opened her eyes wide and checked outside the window.

The tall and long mountain range came into view. In the past, Ariana had crossed that mountain range several times upon the command of Victorianna, the third Emperor.

‘Hopefully, nothing goes wrong.’

There was nothing better than arriving in the empire without any incident.

If Rachel really intended to kill Ariana here, things would become much more complicated.

‘If something goes wrong, I’ll die.’

But she had braced herself for that.

Those who bear the sword must be prepared to be struck by one.

Ariana quietly clenched her skirt.

The carriage continued to run. As it entered the mountain road, the carriage jolted more severely than before.

Ariana stiffly tensed and listened to the sound coming from outside.

Had they run for about an hour after entering the mountain range?

Suddenly, she felt that the sound had changed. Rozalin must have felt the same way, as she checked outside the window and said,