The bedroom door was knocked, and the voice of a maid came through.

"Miss, the hot water is ready. Shall we bring it in now?"

"Bring it in."

Zhang Lin set down her book and watched as two maids pushed a large wooden tub into the room. White steam rose from the tub, with delicate red petals floating on the surface. The water temperature was perfectly adjusted, not too hot.

After positioning the tub in the bedroom, the maids stood still, holding bathing items, clearly intending to assist her in bathing.

While Freya might not have minded, Zhang Lin, unaccustomed to such noble services, did.

"You may leave."

"Yes, Miss."

Following her instructions, the maids placed the items down, bowed, and exited the room, closing the door behind them.

The tub was not very large, comparable to a bathtub from her previous life, but it was half her height in depth.

Undressing from her hunting outfit, she let the warm water envelop her body. The faint fragrance of flowers filled her senses, and closing her eyes, she felt the tension and confusion since her transmigration gradually ease.

"To think I've traveled through time..."

Zhang Lin's lips curled into a slight smile, her thoughts wandering.

After a prolonged moment of relaxation, she opened her eyes, quickly dried herself, and changed into a white, noble-style dress.

The book on Byron's history still lay on the desk, and she picked it up, continuing her interrupted task. The book appeared thick, but perhaps due to the material, it wasn't very long. Zhang Lin realized her reading speed and comprehension were much faster than in her past life.

Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

It was as though her intelligence had suddenly increased. Even complex content was quickly understood.

"Did my intelligence improve?" she wondered, closing the book. Even with her eyes shut, she could recall every detail of the text.

"Is this a benefit of transmigration?"

Puzzled but pleased, Zhang Lin swiftly finished the black-covered book. It detailed Byron's three-hundred-year history, mostly accurate despite some apparent alterations. Through it, she gleaned an understanding of her new world.

In summary, it was a world where might ruled, and the strong were revered. There were no traces of firearms, only cold weapons, making it a purer medieval era than her previous world's Europe.

The inhabitants' physical prowess surpassed that of Earth's humans. According to the history of Byron, nobility was not hereditary but required strength to maintain their status.

Freya's father, Baron Green, and the Green family rose to power through sheer strength and skilled swordsmanship. Despite his ruthless and imperious nature, no one dared oppose him due to his formidable prowess, providing the castle its deepest foundation of security.

Zhang Lin walked to the window and opened it, observing the bustling servants below. The sun was setting, casting an orange glow on her youthful face. Through her contemplative eyes, there was a sense of discord.

Deep in thought, she noticed a line of knights riding towards the castle on the sole road leading to it. She could hear snatches of their conversation.

She glimpsed the lead knight—a burly figure in silver armor, with a simple crusader sword at his waist. His golden hair flowed freely, and he held the reins with gloved hands, his ruggedly handsome face marked by stubble, his expression noble and wild.

That was her father, Baron Green.

Sensing her gaze, the baron looked up, a faint smile breaking his stern countenance as he waved to her.

In the grand castle hall, despite the fading daylight, the silver candelabras were already lit, their warm glow mingling with the scent of burning wax. The baron, flanked by two tall captains of the guard, strode into the hall, the clanking of their silver armor resonating.

Mary the steward, Zhang Lin, and numerous servants had been waiting for a while. Besides Mary and Zhang Lin, a frail, pale boy with dark circles under his eyes stood at the front, resembling the baron but with flaxen hair instead of gold.

This boy was Erik, the baron's fourth son. His appearance suggested he hadn’t slept, his eyes bloodshot, his straight posture trembling as if ready to collapse. Despite his lineage, the baron's disdain likely stemmed from Erik's self-destructive behavior.

Freya's memory held little connection to Erik, their interactions limited to formal greetings. In this world that revered strength, Erik would be disowned in a more ruthless family.

"Welcome back, Baron."

"Welcome back, Father."

"Welcome back, Father..."

The mandatory greetings echoed in the hall, and Zhang Lin curtsied in imitation.