Confusion filled the air as the others followed her lead, boarding a train that would take them on a journey lasting at least four hours. Kirsten leaned towards Bill, whispering with worry, “Do you think Scarlett might be planning to sell us to pirates?”

“But the train is heading further away from the ocean,” Bill countered. “Besides, aren’t the pirates gone? Maybe they’ve become bandits living in the mountains.”

Kirsten pondered for a moment before responding, “I suppose you’re right. I prefer mountains anyway. I’ve never been on a boat, but I imagine I’d get seasick. I mean, I’m already feeling trainsick.”

Feeling the nausea rising again, Bill leaned out the window, attempting to relieve his discomfort. Having already emptied his stomach, he dry heaved, with Kirsten patting his back in sympathy.

“Scarlett, you saw that, right? Pirate ships are definitely not a good idea,” Kirsten asserted.

Amused by their speculations, Scarlett reassured them, “Firstly, I have no intention of selling any of you. And secondly, what kind of valuable work power do you think you possess for me to consider selling you to pirates?”

Kirsten chuckled, realising the absurdity of her suggestion. “Well, I wasn’t expecting that response.”

As the train continued its journey, the group remained uncertain about their destination but trusted Scarlett’s lead.

Finally, after the train ride, they arrived at their destination. It was a villa in the southern part of Salantier, nestled within the picturesque vineyards that Scarlett and Viktor shared. Their agreement allowed them to use the estate as needed, with the earnings from the vineyard split between them. However, the vineyard wasn’t particularly lucrative, so the villa primarily served as a storage space for food rations.

As they stepped off the train, a warm breeze greeted them, a stark contrast to the perpetually frigid temperatures they were accustomed to in the North. The weather here fluctuated between two to three degrees above zero, a welcome change for everyone.

Amidst their awe at the sprawling vineyard and the cosy villa, the villa’s caretaker and his wife, the household maid, approached them with warm smiles. Scarlett took charge, directing the students who were eagerly exploring their surroundings.

“Professor, you can have that room,” she pointed, gesturing towards a designated space. “Kirsten, let’s share my room. The other male students can divide themselves between the two rooms over there. Although, it seems five of you will have to squeeze into one room…”

The male students wasted no time assigning rooms, eagerly claiming their spaces before Scarlett even finished speaking. They couldn’t contain their excitement, especially when they discovered a fireplace in the main living area.

“Look! There’s a fireplace!” one exclaimed, elated.

“It’s been so long since I’ve felt this kind of warmth,” another added, basking in the cosy ambience.

Even Professor Gustav, known for his seriousness, couldn’t resist the temptation. He quickly discarded his coat and happily rolled around on his bed.

“My body feels so light!” he exclaimed with delight.

One observant student couldn’t help but interject, peeking through the door. “Professor, your body didn’t become lighter. It’s just that the weight of the coats is no longer burdening you.”

The professor blinked, realising the truth. “Ah, you’re right!”

While the rest of the group revelled in the joy of the villa and the vineyard, Scarlett and Kirsten made their way to Scarlett’s room, eager to settle in and make themselves comfortable.

Their room was initially intended for Princess Marina, so it was adorned with opulent noble ornaments. Kirsten couldn’t help but run her hands over the softness of the blanket, marvelling at the luxurious feel.

“Wow, it’s so soft,” she whispered, relishing the comfort. Every detail in the room exuded luxury and elegance.

Kirsten settled into the bed, already drifting off to sleep as soon as her head touched the pillow. The fatigue from the long train journey had taken its toll on the students, and their energy was completely drained.

Scarlett curled up on the other side of the expansive bed but found sleep elusive. It was too early to succumb to slumber. She decided to distract herself by picking up a book from the nearby shelf and quietly slipped out of the bedroom.

The sitting room mirrored the ornate decor of the bedroom, a testament to its grandeur. Settling into an armchair, Scarlett rested the book on her knees and gazed around the lavish house. Until recently, she had regarded Viktor Dumfelt as the embodiment of Princess Marina’s desires. However, after listening to him earlier, she realised there was more to the story.

Perhaps he had been nothing more than Princess Marina’s personal punching bag, trapped within the royal family as a means to endure punishment. This newfound perspective made her feel a deep sense of sympathy for Viktor. Despite others questioning if she had no one else to pity, Scarlett genuinely felt sorry for him.

But Viktor was an adult now, and it was time for him to heal the wounds inflicted by his parents’ upbringing. She knew that changing a personality shaped since childhood would be arduous. Scarlett recalled the constant expression she had seen on Viktor’s face throughout their marriage. Making him smile had always been one of her primary goals.

However, the laughter she longed to witness the most was his genuine chuckle in response to a joke. It was a natural and carefree kind of laughter that would escape him after spending joyful moments with his wife.