Chapter 3

"Wow..."

I had finally made it to the place I had always wanted to visit—the city of knowledge in the neighboring country of Slaphar.

To be honest, I ran out of money halfway through my journey and had to work to earn more. Even though I was a duke's daughter and had been shunned, it was my first time working. However, the skills I had learned from cooking and cleaning at home, as well as my self-study, proved useful.

Earning money to pay for lodging by working was tough. ...To be honest, I almost got scammed a few times, but a woman nearby helped me, and everything turned out fine. She also taught me a lot of things.

I was, in a way, quite naive. I had never ventured out of the places I was given, whether it was my family home or my husband's house. I had never really gone outside. My family didn't want me, a stain on the Sinfogia family, to go out.

So, the only things I knew were what kind people had taught me and what I had learned from books. Fortunately, my knowledge often helped me, but there were also things I could only understand by talking to people who lived in the area.

At home, there were times when I didn't get meals or help with cleaning, but it wasn't always like that. Despite everything, I was still taken care of. In my husband's house, I didn't face any inconvenience in my daily life. So, doing everything myself here was full of surprises.

Even the most mundane things were fresh and exciting for me. Plus, ...even if it was inconvenient, people here listened to my stories as just "Klevana." No one really wanted to hear the stories of Klevana Sinfogia. ...So, I was happy.

I managed to get here with the help of kind people. Apparently, I look quite vulnerable. Maybe it's because I'm naive and act cautiously. Honestly, it's the first time I've been called vulnerable.

I have sharp eyes and am often perceived as being angry all the time. A woman I met once said I looked like a cat.

I booked a room in a hostel on the main street of the city of knowledge, Epis. I chose a place on the main street because books said that back alleys in big cities can be dangerous. As a woman traveling alone, there's a risk of being targeted by criminals. The lodging was a bit expensive, but I stayed there for my own safety.

I want to live in this city, so I need to find a job and a place to live.

I heard that if you live in Slaphar for ten years, you can apply for citizenship. Of course, if you get married, you can change your nationality without the ten-year requirement.

I entered my room at the hostel and let out a sigh, removing my bandages.

To travel alone, I had to flatten my chest. ...That's because my chest is quite large by general standards. Large enough to attract unwanted attention. My sister once said, "With your vulgar chest, you'll be attacked if you go out alone in the city." I read in a book that women are sometimes attacked for such reasons, so I decided to make myself less noticeable.

I think one of the reasons for the bad rumors about me was my body and face. While the direct cause was my family, ...I was rumored to be promiscuous. That was far from the truth, and I hardly ever went out. I think my older sister and younger sister had more relationships with men. However, as noble daughters, such relationships were undesirable, so they used drugs or magic to revert their bodies to a state where they didn't know men. Ironically, the rumor was that I was the one who used those drugs and magic. Even with such rumors circulating, I only knew my previous husband. Even though I now have the freedom to live as I please, I don't intend to have such relationships with multiple people. I think it's better to be cautious.

I was married but had no experience with love. I had only read about it in books and seen people in love. However, from what I read, having vulnerabilities can make you a target. I want to avoid situations where someone approaches me even if I have no such intentions.

"...I'm sleepy."

Thinking about the future, I started to feel drowsy.

I had just arrived in this city a little while ago. I had never traveled by carriage for such a long time before. My body ached, but I was excited to have reached my destination.

—Tomorrow, I'll go to the library.

With that thought, I fell asleep.