The talk between Layla and the hero takes a big toll on Layla's energy and mental health, as she feels greatly affected by their conversation.
Layla might not have a problem with the idea of having her (Ophelia's) husband have another wife, but she still feels heartbroken since she was in Ophelia's body.
After their conversation that night, Layla cried her eyes out in her chamber quietly until there was no single teardrop left. She didn't know when she fell asleep because she didn't remember because she passed out from crying in the deep night.
The next morning, Layla woke up with puffy eyes and a heavy heart. She couldn't shake off the sadness that had engulfed her.
Her servants also noticed how exhausted and drained she appeared, as if she had been carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders.
The servants were very worried about her and served her to their best ability until she got better again.
It's been a few days since that day and Layla received a paper from the hero that appeared to be a document that needed her signature.
Layla read the document and found out it was about the proof of permission that she accepted for the hero to marry another woman and give that woman a title.
The head butler was the one who gave her the document, and she saw how he gave her a pitiful look, but Layla decided to ignore it and read the document with indifferent eyes.
She can feel a pang in her chest, but somehow it became numb, and she continued reading without any emotional response.
Layla lifted her hand and picked a quill from the inkwell on her desk. She was about to sign the document when someone interrupted her.
"Are you sure about your decision, madam?" The voice of the person who interrupted her sounded concerned.
Layla smiled and replied, "Do I look uncertain to you?"
The head butler shut his mouth at the passive-aggressive statement of the madam.
Seeing that the head butler had no plan to respond to her, she continued what she was doing and finally signed the papers.
After that, she smiled towards the head butler and gave him the document to send to his master.
When the head butler was out of sight, her smile immediately disappeared, and an indifferent expression replaced it.
Many days passed after that, and she learned from the servants that the hero and heroine would continue to embark on their mission and leave the estate, leaving Layla behind without meeting her even once after what happened.
Layla felt bitter about that. And the thought of being left behind because they already got what they wanted made her feel bad for Ophelia. Despite that, she didn't regret even a bit about making that decision.
"Madam," the head butler called.
Layla turned her attention away from her thoughts and look towards the head butler.
"The master permitted you to do what you want while he was away with Madam Claudia."
Layla's ears perked up at the way the head butler addressed the heroine.
The hero has already established the place of the heroine in the household. It wouldn't be a surprise that they would announce their engagement and date of their wedding.
Layla smiled at the head butler. "I'm glad to hear that."
She was telling the truth. She was glad that the hero gave her permission to do whatever she wanted.
"Benidict, get a quill and paper," Layla instructed the butler.
The head butler followed her command and gave her the items she wanted.
Layla quickly began writing down to the paper and when done she give it to the head butler. "Send that letter to the Lockhart Estate."
"Pardon?" the head butler asked, quite surprised at the location of the recipient.
"Is your ears functioning well? Do I have to repeat it?"
Layla can't help but be stingy about the question. She was permitted to do whatever she wanted. No questions are needed, and all they have to do is follow her orders.
"My apology, madam. My ears are functioning perfectly fine. There's no need for you to repeat anything," the head butler said politely before leaving the room.
Now that she has been given the opportunity by the hero, she will do as she pleases. She will make a decision that will change the course of her life.
Not even the hero can stop her from doing what she's going to do. She was planning to start her plan after their engagement was out for the public eye, but the opportunity was in front of her eyes; how could she let it pass her?
She knew she had to seize it immediately.
"Ella, tell the servants to prepare everything that is needed for a long journey," Layla ordered.
"Understood," Ella replied, rushing off to carry out her instructions.
"Hmm." Layla felt a rush of excitement in her as she imagined the freedom that she had.
The hero and the heroine embark on their own journey. Should she also choose to go on an adventure of her own?
And the first stop of her journey will be the Lockhart Estate, where Ophelia truly belongs. Ophelia is the head of the Lockhart household, but she hasn't done her job as head since she was busy playing house with the hero.
Layla was curious about the current state of the Lockhart Estate. Now that she's inside Ophelia, that makes her the new Ophelia, and she wants to take charge and doesn't want to neglect the Lockhart household and continue playing house with that bastard hero.
She doesn't want to waste her time waiting for someone who doesn't value her.
She will do anything to make use of her time in a way that makes her feel fulfilled and happy. And to also make sure Ophelia will forget her feelings for the hero, even though Layla was the one possessing Ophelia's body, Ophelia is still present inside her.
Her emotions and feelings for that bastard hero were evidence of that. She wanted to change that because Ophelia's emotions also affected her.
And maybe visiting the place where Ophelia lived most of her life would be the right place for her to start her journey of moving on from that bastard hero.
Lockhart Estate
Layla hoped it was as beautiful as it was in Ophelia's memory.
***