"I'm truly sorry for their behavior. I'll let your maid through now," Jerome said, embarrassed by the behavior of his masters. Soleia followed him to the gates, where poor Lily was waiting with a frantic expression on her face.
"Princess! Are you alright?"
Jerome quickly stepped forward, wanting to help Lily with the trunk, but Soleia stopped him.
"It's alright, I can pull it along like this."
"You can… what?" Jerome asked, befuddled.
"Wheel it," Soleia said, as she pulled her trunk up vertically. She pointed to the bottom of the trunk, where there were apparently miniature wheels made of clay attached to the bottom, joined together by a wooden pole. "I made this because I got tired of doing nothing on the route here."
"How ingenious!" Jerome praised, his face beaming with delight. Perhaps this new duchess was just what the estate needed to thrive. As they made their way back, Jerome began to inform Soleia about the estate's multiple issues.
Long story short, they had no money. This territory was not considered important by the King, which meant that it didn't get any support from the royal family.
Multiple generations ago, it was considered a stronghold for Vramid, but in the eyes of the current ruling family, it was nothing more than a dumping ground for troublesome court members who made too much noise. As such, no one wanted to lend a helping hand to save the crumbling estate from ruin. Doing so might draw the ire of the current King!
It was simply too much risk for too little reward.
The only thing Drakenmire could boast about was its beautiful scenery, but pretty sights couldn't feed a man. Soleia could only sigh; perhaps she would take a look at the accounts later to see what she could do.
But deep down, she knew the real trouble was going to be dealing with her new family members. Never before had she seen such a group of shameless people!
As Jerome showed her around the pitiful estate, they eventually came to a stop right in front of a door.
"This is the master bedroom where the Duke resides," Jerome said.
"Thank you," Soleia said, but before she and Lily could move another step, a familiar redhead came rushing over.
"Hold it!" Lucinda snapped, using her body to block the path. "What do you think you're doing? Who said you could move into this room?" She then turned to Jerome and reprimanded, "Jerome, this is my cousin's bedchambers. Not anyone and everyone could stay here."
"This is my husband's chambers," Soleia replied evenly. "Why can't I stay here?"
Lucinda scoffed, glaring at Soleia's luggage with disdain. "Either stay in the servants' quarters or scram," she said. "We have no room for a worthless princess. Funds are tight and there are mouths to feed, stomachs to fill. Feel free to leave if you're unhappy about it. Otherwise, pay up."
Soleia gritted her teeth tightly together, suppressing her anger as best as she could. It had been a long, tiring day. If she left, there wouldn't be anywhere she could rest her head for the night other than in the bellies of the monsters.
Going back to the palace wasn't an option either. Her father would simply cart her right back half-alive.
"Fine," Soleia spat out. "I'll chip in to provide for the family. At least until my husband's return."
Lucinda's lips slowly stretched into a broad, sinister smile.
"That's more like it."
Two years later…
Soleia pored over the account books under the candlelight, her quill scratching against the yellowing parchment. Unfortunately, no matter how she balanced the sums, there was still not enough money to buy grain for the estate. Her mother-in-law needed medicine, the horses needed to be fed…
Once again, she would have to dig through her own meager savings to supplement the budget.
Thankfully, Lily had packed all her jewelry so she wasn't completely destitute. Otherwise, she wouldn't have even made it through the first week here in this crumbling, god-forsaken place.
Soleia sighed. Perhaps it was time for her to sell yet another invention.
Previously she had sold a recipe for a thick cream that could protect the skin from cold winds, but the gold coins were slowly running out. She would have earned more if she had produced and sold it herself, but her husband's estate was simply too inconvenient!
"My lady!" Lily knocked quickly on the door. "I've got big news!"
"What is it?" Soleia yawned. "Did Lucinda demand another hot bath? Tell her we have no more hot water to spare!"
"No! It's Duke Elsher! He's returning from the war!"
Soleia immediately shot up from her seat.
"Come again?"
"It's the Duke, Your Highness," Lily repeated. "He's come back―"
Soleia didn't wait for Lily to finish her sentence before she darted off. With her skirts in her hands, Soleia raced through the halls to the front door of the estate. It wasn't a huge building, unlike the palace she grew up in, and it took her no time to arrive at the gates.
She was just in time too.
Winter was much colder here in the northern territory of Vramid, and after the sun had set, fog had quickly gathered in the woods that surrounded the Duke's estate. However, even from a distance, Soleia could see the men on horses marching back in with torches in their hands, Vramid's flag raised high in the air.
An excited breath of air escaped her lips as she descended the steps. After two whole years of guarding the nest alone, her husband had finally returned. She finally wouldn't have to deal with those insufferable relatives of his alone ever again―
Soleia stopped in her tracks when she realized there was someone else leading the troops. Duke Elsher was not on the horse at the front. He was walking right beside it, leading the horse while someone else sat on the animal's back.
A woman.