'In the Power of Love' is a fantasy-romance novel about a talented priestess and a paladin who are both tasked with touring around the country to cleanse the tainted lands. As they journey together, they find themselves falling in love and facing dangerous obstacles along the way. But their devotion to their duty and to each other only grows stronger as they continue on their quest.
The heroine was an important figure in the church because of her immense divine power, while the hero was a talented paladin who swore to protect the priestess.
Many readers found the hero to be likeable and possess the traits of an ideal husband. He was handsome, talented, caring, and most importantly, he only had eyes on the heroine, never straying from her side.
He was a literal green flag!
The readers couldn't help but root for him throughout the entire story. They knew he was the perfect match for the heroine. His unwavering love and devotion to her were unmatched by any other character in the book.
Plus, the fact that he was a high ranking noble, making them even more compatible since the heroine was also a noble. They were truly meant to be together.
Layla can't help but feel envious of their perfect love story. She read many romance books, but 'In the Power of Love' gave her the most impression because of how healthy their relationship was.
In her last life, romance books always had toxic relationships, and either the hero or heroine was a red flag or both. The readers seem to like the exciting feeling of watching the journey of a dysfunctional couple. That kind of romance book became popular because the readers seemed to fantasize about the possibility of fixing a broken relationship themselves or finding love in unexpected places.
Others fantasize about this kind of thing because they are plain masochists and just want to read that couples want to destroy each other. Layla even believes that some people enjoy reading about dysfunctional relationships because it makes them feel better about their own lives. She often reads comments from readers who say things like, "I want to be choke too."
Layla admits that she does find this kind of story interesting and exciting, but when she read 'In the Power of Love', she felt refreshed.
She really liked that the story showcased a healthy and respectful relationship, rather than one based on violence or control. She likes that story. That was her favorite of the many books she ever read.
But what's this?
Layla thought as she gazed at the ceiling in a daze.
She might have read that story a long time ago, but she still remembered the content of it vividly. That's how much that story itches in her mind.
The name of the hero was Samuel Archer, the paladin and Marquis.
The body Layla possesses has a husband named the same as the hero.
Samuel Archer
Are they the same person, or is it just a coincidence?
Am I inside a novel, or am I just overthinking things? Since there's no Ophelia Archer, wife of the hero, mentioned in the story.
A sharp pain shot through her head, making Layla wince in pain. She curled up like a ball on her bed while touching her head.
This is making me crazy.
"Why am I even thinking about fictional characters and their spouses?" she muttered to herself.
"Seriously, I'm just complicating things."
She wished she could just turn off her brain and fall asleep.
"Madam, I have prepared some herbal tea that may help calm you," said a servant who came into the room with a trolley containing a teacup, teapot, and refreshments.
Layla's eyes twinkled at the sight of the refreshments that she hadn't seen before, but one glance at them was enough for her to know that the food was top notch.
She took a sip of the herbal tea and felt a wave of relaxation wash over her. The warmth of the tea and the soothing aroma of the herbs worked wonders on her frayed nerves. The refreshments are also delicious, and by the taste of them, it was evident that the ingredients were fresh and of high quality.
She took another sip and let out a contented sigh.
It was as if all her worries had melted away with each sip of the drink. She knew she would be coming back for more.
"Do you want some more, Madam?" the female servant asked with a smile.
"Yes, please," Layla replied with a grateful smile.
The servant smiled at her madam's bright expression and watched her take another sip of the drink while standing behind her on standby.
She was always ready to attend to Layla's every need.
A knock was heard from the door, and the servant quickly turned to check who it was.
"Good morning, Madam," the head butler said softly as Layla turned to the newcomer.
Layla mustered a smile at the head butler. "Goodmorning, Benidict. What brings you here?" she asked in a rather polite way.
Layla realized her mistake immediately and wanted to curse at herself.
Is that how a master is supposed to act?
She quickly reminded herself that she was of higher status of this house and should abandon her sucky, polite business personality. Layla can't help acting like that because of her old habit.
Are they going to judge me?!
Layla was really worried about how she acted, despite being in a higher class. She wondered if others would judge her for not fitting in with their expectations.
However, Layla's worries were unfounded, as the head butler and the servant didn't find the way she acted unusual or suspicious at all.
In fact, both the head butler and servants seem happy about the way she acts. She wonder why, though.
"Benidict," Layla called.
"Yes, madam?" The head butler's mind seems to be somewhere else.
Layla can't control her expression and portrays a rather confused expression. The head butler noticed this.
"I apologize for my unprofessional manner. I was just rather delighted to see the madam healthy and back to her usual self," the head butler said, smiling warmly.
Layla can only nod her head in response because she doesn't know how to.
Layla went back to enjoying her teatime and noticed how the head butler was standing beside the servant behind her. She can see her back boring holes at their stares at her back. She feels as if she's under surveillance.
She doesn't know how to shake off the feeling.
The head butler is supposed to be beside the head of the house, then why is he sticking with me?
"Benidict."
"Yes, madam?" The head butler responded immediately and walked to the front of Layla to see her face-to-face.
"Where's the head?" Layla asked curiously.
The head butler was rather confused about what she meant.
"You know, my husband." Layla mustered the courage to call that stranger her husband.
The head butler's face lit up.
"The master is currently out of the estate and is expected to return very soon," he replied.
"What's the reason for his absence?"
"He's in an important position to protect someone important." The head butler said it with a hint of secrecy.
Layla can only nod her head at this.
Protecting someone? Why is that so familiar?
"I will tell you if the master sends a notice of his arrival." The head butler said this when he saw how she became quiet.
"Please do." She smiled, though not really deep inside.
She doesn't want to meet someone else's husband who is now her husband!
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