Among those that had joined Ki on her journey, there was Lumi, Rayleigh, Elizabeth and Adam while Agnes and her siblings remained at home.
A very short carriage ride was taken outside of the village and Ki looked outside of the carriage window. "It has already been so long and everything has changed so much."
There were loud noises of running or shouting from the side or behind her carriage as the villagers offered their good will and wishes towards Ki who was almost sixteen years of age.
Everyone was living to their fullest as those with talent for martial arts were given appropriate training and jobs to do while there were others who lived more simple lives or had a certain area where they excelled.
There was no clear distinction between ranking or importance of their lives as each of them seemed to live in harmony with each other.
Many eyes towards her were friendly and without a sign of malice which was a big change compared to what she experienced in her previous life.
In her previous life, she had grown used to facing the ill intentions of others who wished for her death or wished to bring her to justice for various reasons.
Even the looks of admiration towards her beauty were all too new to her because she had lived most of her previous life hiding her wounds which covered her body.
Back then she had lost her looks, status and any kind of support so she had to pull herself up to the top by any means necessary which earned her many enemies but in the current life, Ki had everything she could ever have hoped for and more.
Ki continued to gaze towards the open gates and the walls that protected around the village as the carriage passed through. 'Now I feel safe leaving others behind.'
While others had taken another carriage or horses, Elizabeth and Adam remained in the same carriage as Ki so when they saw their daughter's peaceful appearance, they smiled to each other.
Elizabeth twisted the flesh on her husband's waist to snap him out of his daze. "Husband.."
Adam grit his teeth and then let out a sigh. "Daughter, is there anything that you wish for? Most of everything which has been arranged has already been covered by you in some way so me and your mother have been unable to make that much of a contribution."
Ki was often too independent and did everything for herself so it was often difficult for Adam and Elizabeth to pamper her or gift her things because Ki would usually get what she needed herself.
Although Ki did have some hobbies which were supported by the family, the overall costs were nothing to the Bombyx family and the two parents wished they could do more for their daughter.
Ki's turned to her father and looked thoughtful. "It is enough to have some new clothes and jewellery for my birthday. Maybe a new tea set and other things.."
She struggled to give a proper answer but then decided to ask for things she would use in her daily life.
Most of the things could be prepared by her mother since Elizabeth was very fussy about her daughter's appearance.
Although Ki would prefer to just dress in a simple dress that was not too restricting or a training uniform, she knew that she was at the age where she would have to dress up properly especially when her status was taken into account.
As someone with the status as the eldest daughter of the Bombyx family which has risen up to hold a high position within the merchant families of the northern parts of the Central Lands, they were also the owners of Wolfden City which had become a popular place for trading.
Many eyes would be on Ki and they would be looking for even the slightest fault with her so her basic manners and clothing were more important than they were previously.
Elizabeth let out a sigh. "I wish you would care a little more about these things but since you have asked, I will arrange it for you."
Adam nudged his wife and complained. "Why are you always trying to put so much onto our daughter. She is already very beautiful that it worries me! All you are doing is enhancing her beauty which will only attract more wolves!"
The image of his beautiful daughter being looked at by men who wished to take her away from him was something he dreaded the most.
Although the father and daughter relationship was a little distant when Ki returned back in time to her youth, they had shortened that distance over the years and Adam did not like the idea of his precious daughter being taken away.
Although his wife valued the same things other nobles did and had great taste in those areas, Adam did not like that Elizabeth was always nagging Ki to behave and appear as it was expected of her but he could not scold her for it because of his love for her.
The Bombyx family were a family with a long history and did not always follow what was considered normal or more publicly accepted.
There had been a couple of eccentric characters which appeared in the family and Ki was already considered as a genius in many aspects so she should be expected some room to act as she pleases so long as it did not cause harm to others.
Through many compromises, Ki chose to wear simple but beautiful clothing which were suitable for appearing in public but she still chose to stay away from overly extravagant and flashy clothing or jewellery.
If there was a need to increase the budget of the clothing or jewellery then most requests would be made to use high quality materials and to make them so that they were very neat and did not stand out too much.
Most of Ki's clothing fit her well and covered a lot of her body but the designs were not too excessively frilly or bright while her jewellery were smaller and the gems on them did not exceed a certain size.
With the gains made from the many mines which had been purchased, there was an abundance of raw gems and ores along with several rarer ones so even one small and simple earring, ring, necklace or bracelet on her body was worth more than most noble lady's husbands were unwilling to pay for.
The rarest of gems were cut down to an appropriate size and the finest silks which came from the Bombyx family and from Ki's own supply of improved silk combined with her bodies maturing and her change in aura had already made her stand out among her fellow noble children who had yet to or had already debuted into high society.
If Ki had chosen to wear more close fitting or revealing clothes or jewellery which drew attention to her then she would only receive more jealousy from girls her own age while the hungry gazes of men would be much worse.
Due to her not often appearing in public, she had been able to avoid such events but Ki could not avoid it forever.
As she listened to her mother and father arguing between themselves in the carriage, her eyes were very warm and gentle which was very unlike how she used to be.
Her aura had stabilised and became peaceful instead of being murderous and overbearing as it was before.
Towards her loved ones, she treat them carefully and was obedient to their words but there were occasions where she had her own say in many things but towards others, Ki still put a little distance between herself and them.
Ki continued to observe the changes inside and outside of the carriage as the carriage headed along the road closer towards the northern border. 'This still all seems like a dream. Everything feels like it is too unreal or good right now that I cannot help but feel nervous. Even with all of my preparations.. I still feel as if this dream could come to an end or an unknown variable could appear and then end this time of happiness.'
Although she had improved greatly in many aspects and grown her powers in many places, there was still a small part of her which felt insecure about her present situation.
After a little more travelling, the carriage had stopped and everyone stepped outside to see the prepared carriages and sleds which were altered for travel through the Northern Lands,
Everyone had dressed in thicker clothing in preparation for their travels and spending time in the north so they were perfectly prepared for their journey as they got on the carriages or sleds which were pulled by the sled dogs or reindeers.
At the front of a small group of sled dogs was Nova who greeted Ki excitedly with her tongue sticking out.
While checking the sword sheathed at her waist, Ki checked a couple more things before she got onto the sled and then ordered them to go.
While Ki was on the sled being pulled by the dogs along with several others who were tasked with protection duties while her mother, father along with the others remained safely within the carriages.
As the sled was pulled towards the borders and passed it, Ki thought to herself. 'Everything is prepared.. now I just need to not drop my guard.'