At the entrance of the grand palace, Alexis saw a carriage far away from him.
"That feather emblem…" he muttered. "Isn't that the crest of House Selwyn, Will?"
Will glanced over and shook his head lightly. "It seems the duke has come to meet the second prince. They are close, after all."
Alexis let out a low sneer. "I wonder how long he can remain under Selwyn's protection."
Lucas took a seat across from Serena, who was busy sorting through documents related to her store.
"I've already sent a letter to the servants at the villa, informing them of your arrival," Lucas said.
Serena looked up and gave a small nod. "That's wonderful."
"Also, it seems Paul will begin working from tomorrow. Aiden will guide him for the time being."
"You mean the steward I selected before?"
Lucas nodded.
Serena sighed softly, "That's good. After I come back, I hope he will be able to get the grasp of everything. Also did you already know, I met with the second prince today?" "Of course, nothing can get under my watch. I think I can understand what you two talked about. But I wish next time, you would tell me beforehand."
Serena folded her hands, ''I apologise. I didn't think much about it. Don't worry next time, I will discuss with you and Lucia before taking any decisions."
''It's okay, mother. I was just worried about you. You did all of these for us anyway.''
Serena felt guilty and at the same time happy that she wasn't alone.
The next morning, Serena bid farewell to everyone. Lucia had wanted to accompany her, but due to some personal work, she was unable to go.
As the carriage set off, it gradually left Selsey behind, the familiar scenery fading into the distance.
Serena leaned back slightly. "Dyanne, how long will it take to reach Maryland?"
"About a week, Your Grace," Dyanne replied. "We'll be taking the direct route. Some travelers go through the capital first and then to Maryland, since it's nearby—they rest there before continuing. But if we take the direct road…"
She paused briefly. "There are no proper rest stops along the way. We might come across one or two inns if we're lucky."
It took them a week to finally reach Maryland. Serena was already exhausted from the long journey. She leaned slightly toward the window, gazing outside as the landscape slowly changed.
Endless green fields stretching into the horizon, with only a few distant houses watching in silence. It felt less like a place people lived, and more like a place that simply existed.
Soon, a grand entrance gate came into view.
Serena turned to Dyanne. "Is that the entryway to the town?"
Dyanne nodded. "Yes, Your Grace."
Beside her, Rika leaned forward excitedly, peering out of the window.
Guards stood watch at the entrance, inspecting every carriage that passed through.
Helios, the captain of the White Knights, stepped forward and presented the identification card to them. After a brief inspection, the guards bowed and allowed the carriage to pass. The white knights are the knights of Selwyn. They are even more powerful than the imperial knights. That's why a lot of nobles didn't dare to mess with Selwyn not even the imperial family. They could defeat one or two small kingdoms without any help, that's how powerful the white knights are. Serena didn't want to take Helios since he is the captain of the white knights. But due to the resistance of others, she decided to take him with her.
Even after entering Maryland, it took another hour of travel before they finally arrived at the Selwyn villa.
The carriage finally slowed as it approached the Selwyn villa.
Nestled amidst vast stretches of emerald-green fields, the villa stood like a quiet masterpiece against the horizon. Its architecture was elegant yet serene—white stone walls softened by climbing ivy, and tall windows that reflected the golden hues of the sun. A wide front yard—with blooming flowers that swayed gently in the breeze.
Beyond the villa, rolling hills stretched endlessly, dotted with trees and patches of wildflowers. The air felt fresher here, lighter carrying the faint scent of grass and earth.
As the carriage came to a complete halt, servants were already lined up at the entrance.
Serena stepped down slowly, her fatigue still lingering, yet her eyes softened as she took in the peaceful scenery.
Rika looked around in awe. "It's… beautiful, your grace."
Serena gave a faint smile. "Yes… it truly is."