The next morning, Valeria woke early despite her exhaustion. Sleep had done little to make her feel refreshed, the ever-present paranoia gnawed at her nerves. Every creak, every muffled sound from outside her door made her heart race, half-convinced the king had somehow found her. Determined not to linger, she dragged herself out of the lumpy bed and began preparing for the next leg of her journey.
A small basin with cold water sat in the corner of the room. She used it to dampen her hair, combing through the tangled strands with her fingers. The effort did little to tame the mess. She washed her face quickly, shivering as the icy water stung her skin, then tried to clean her teeth with her fingers—a pitiful substitute for her usual routine. For the first time, Valeria felt the full weight of the luxury she had taken for granted, both in her parents' home and even as the king's captive. A bitter smile crossed her lips as she made a silent vow: once she regained her fortune, she would dedicate herself to helping those less fortunate than her.
Her hand slipped into her dress pocket, where three remaining gold coins rested. It would be enough to get her to Katherine's estate in Lohra. With a steadying breath, she pulled her cloak tight around her shoulders, raised the hood over her head, and slipped out of the inn before anyone could notice her departure.
Out on the snow-covered road, Valeria kept a watchful eye for passing carriages. After some time, she spotted one and approached the coachman, who leaned casually against the side of the vehicle.
"Good morning, sir," Valeria greeted, trying to keep her tone polite. "I need a carriage to Lohra."
The coachman gave her a long, dismissive look, his eyes sweeping her from head to toe. She suppressed a scowl—why did people always look at her like that? After a moment, the man spat on the ground, making her take an instinctive step back in disgust.
"A drive to Lohra, eh? That's a fifteen-day journey, and it won't come cheap," he said, his voice laced with mockery. His gaze shifted, and his lips curled into a smirk. "Unless, of course, you'd like to pay in... other ways."
Valeria's blood ran cold as his lecherous eyes lingered on her chest. She straightened her back, her voice icy as she replied, "I have two gold coins. That should suffice."
The coachman's expression shifted to surprise before his grin widened greedily. "Oh, well then, looks like we've got ourselves a proper lady, don't we?" he chuckled, his tone dripping with condescension. "Of course, I'll take you wherever you need to go, my lady."
Her jaw tightened, but she bit back a retort. She needed this ride, no matter how revolting the man was. "I'm not a lady," she lied firmly. "And for the gold you're receiving, I expect discretion. You'll get one coin now, and the other when we reach Lohra."
The coachman's grin didn't falter as he tipped his hat. "Of course, miss. Discretion's my middle name."
Valeria handed over one gold coin, her fingers itching to snatch it back as his grubby hand closed around it. But she forced herself to climb into the carriage, determined to put as much distance as possible between herself and the palace.
The interior of the carriage was sparse and uncomfortable, with wooden seats that offered little in the way of cushioning. Valeria settled in, wrapping her cloak tightly around herself as the coachman set the horses into motion. Through the small window, she watched the village shrink into the distance, replaced by the shadowy expanse of the forest. The rhythmic creak of the carriage lulled her into an uneasy slumber.
The next eleven days blurred into a monotonous routine. Valeria slept fitfully during the journey, her body aching from the jolts and jostles of the carriage. Each time they passed through a village, they stopped only briefly to purchase provisions before continuing on without pause. The coachman, per her request, barely slept, snatching only a few hours' rest during midday breaks.
By the time they arrived at the Lohra estate, Valeria was beyond exhausted. Her legs wobbled as she stepped out of the carriage, and every muscle in her body protested as she stretched. The endless sitting had taken a toll—her limbs felt stiff, and her backside was unbearably sore.
She reached into her pocket, pulling out her remaining two gold coins. Approaching the coachman, she handed them over, her expression neutral. "Here. Consider the third coin a tip for getting me here in only eleven days."
A normal peasant might earn no more than a silver coin in their entire lifetime. Most survived on mere nickels, scraping by day after day. To such a man, the three gold coins she had given would be a small fortune—more than enough to last him the rest of his life if spent wisely. Valeria was fully aware that she had paid far more than was necessary. She had done the same with the innkeeper, not out of extravagance but because she only had gold coins in her possession, and she doubted these people could easily break such large denominations.
Still, a part of her was glad. For once, her wealth, though now fleeting, had been used to help others instead of being hoarded in luxury. It was a bittersweet feeling, knowing how much she had once taken for granted. But at least now, in her current state, she could offer something meaningful to those who needed it far more than she did.
The man's eyes widened, his grin practically splitting his face. "Much obliged, my lady! A pleasure doing business with you." He tipped his hat with a theatrical bow before climbing back onto his seat.
Valeria waved him off, suppressing an eye-roll at his exaggerated display, and turned her attention to the grand estate before her. The sight of it brought a flicker of relief—finally, a place where she might find safety.
She approached the massive front door and knocked firmly. After a moment, the steward appeared, his expression stern and suspicious.
"Who are you, and what is your business here?" he demanded, eyeing her travel-worn appearance.
Valeria pulled back her hood and lifted her chin. "I am Valeria Elsass. I've come to see my friend Katherine."
The man's eyes widened in recognition. He quickly bowed, his tone shifting to one of deference. "My apologies, Lady Elsass. Please, come in. I will inform Lady Katherine of your arrival immediately."
Stepping inside, Valeria allowed herself a small, weary smile. For the first time in what felt like forever, things were starting to go right.