Being treated like a villainess was a given with Layla's character setting. But this world was no longer a noble world or a story for her, so being questioned like this by the protagonist made Layla feel annoyed.

"I am afraid I am not obligated to answer any question you ask. If you have a problem with how I do things, it would be best if we go our separate ways."

Layla offered, and Rosette finally settled down. But she looked annoyed, and her lips bit her teeth in agitation. The female lead had many doubts about Layla, but none of them were something Layla was obligated to resolve.

Adam, who had been watching this conflict from the sidelines, finally got involved, and he immediately put himself between Layla and Rosette.

"Let's calm down and think this through rationally, Rose. I am sure our guard had reasons for wanting this body. Let's try to put our trust in him and give him this much freedom."

Adam proposed to his partner, but Rosette did not seem ready to give up. Her gaze met Layla's when they both looked up, and the female lead made a face that Layla had never seen before.

It looked like a cross between regret and resignation before she gave up.

"Fine! I cannot stop him if he wants to take this corpse. Tsk, I don't even know what is wrong with me for snapping at all of you like this. This is not like me."

Rosette complained as she rubbed herforhead. She behaved a lot more sassy and snappy than usual, and even the female realized this about herself.

But no matter how much she tried to control herself, she could not find the balance inside herself. Her senses could tell that something was wrong with her escort, making her feel suspicious of her.

'The worst thing is, my senses don't see our escort as a danger to us, but they still tell me something is wrong. What am I supposed to do with this information anyway?'

Rosette's instincts were betraying her, and she felt her heart ache. She returned to the carriage and decided to throw herself on the set before looking out the window. That was the only way she could calm herself.

Meanwhile, Layla had a hard time controlling Luna. Rosette's attitude had rubbed the dragon the wrong way, and it continued to want to kill Rosette.

It was only Layla's interference that kept Rosette alive.

Whenever Luna opened her mouth to spit a fireball out or cast a spell, Layla interrupted her by touching a part of her. Somehow, it was enough to keep Rosette alive for a little longer.

The only con of doing this was that she looked like a mentally challenged person when she touched the air above her shoulder.

Adam, who had been watching her do this for a while, stepped aside and avoided her eyes for a while. Even when Layla turned to look at him, he just looked away and pretended he did not notice her gaze. The less he knew what was going on, the better for his sanctity and mental health.

...

Layla had not expectd them to head home so soon, but she had not expected the group to head to the next big village either.

She had wanted them to head back to Duke Lockhart's estate so that she could reveal her identity to Mary and be done with this nonsense, but her party kept traveling to places they did not need to travel to.

"Finally, we reached the Southern capital. Ugh, my back feels like it is killing me. Adam, we are staying at our regular inn, right? Let's head there."

Rosette cracked her back as she adjusted her posture. She had been sitting in the carriage for over a day, and her body paid the price with its stiffness.

Adam sighed before he signaled for Layla to follow behind him. He seemed to know exactly where to go, signaling that he had been here many times before.

The southern Captial was a city often mentioned in the novel, but the protagonists had never been to it before.

It was a city under Duke Lockhart's domain, and he ruled it with an iron thumb. This was also the city closest to the neighboring kingdom and their dukedom.

'Thinking of the next empire's Dukedome reminds me of that kid I saved. I wonder if Daidus Lukewater still remembered me. It has been quite a while since we last met.'

Layla chuckled as she remembered the awkward Duke, who went red in the face as soon as his eyes met Layla's. The poor kid could not look at Layla for long before he went all shy and adorable.

Clearly, he had a crush on Layla, but they had been too young for feelings back then.

'Not that it matters anymore. Romance is one thing I am not ready for and never will be. I would rather pour all my time and energy into working on what I must do.'

Layla walked behind the main duo, and they soon reached an inn. The place was huge and packed to the brim with people. It seemed impossible for anyone to even step inside and book a room.

But Layla somehow doubted that their party would have trouble booking the room, especially not with how the innkeeper folded over himself when he noticed the pair.

He walked toward them and gave a small bow to show that he acknowledged their presence.

"Master Adam, Miss Rosette, it is an honor to have you visit us. We were informed of your visit in advance, and we have your room prepared. Please tell us if you need anything else. We will make sure to accommodate your needs."

The innkeeper spoke in a pleasant and refined voice. He looked at the pair before him with a strong expression showing loyalty. However, his actions were not received well by most of the people who wanted a room as well.