On the fourth day, in the afternoon, the carriage finally arrived in the picturesque small city of Everdeen. Although it was the capital, it was not as commercially developed as the cities in the southern part of the country. The weather played a significant role in this, for while there were four seasons, spring and summer were rather fleeting. The temperatures were lower than in the central and southern regions, imposing limits on crop cultivation. Autumn brought frequent rain, while winter was long, accompanied by fierce northern winds and blizzards. The area, unloved by the sun, lagged behind in its progress.

The carriages carrying the two individuals and Cain's secretary veered off in different directions. Chase, Cain's secretary, headed towards the Vanderbilt estate, where they were expanding a hotel. It was also a place where Cain supervised and sought to foster development.

As Laila and Cain's carriage ventured out of the urban center, they began their journey towards the outskirts of Heavenly Hill.

"Oh," she exclaimed.

Gazing at the scenery beyond the carriage, she was captivated and continuously enraptured. This place was vastly different from the areas they had passed through. Gentle hills unfolded before them, with shallow slopes leading to yet more hills, collectively forming a desolate landscape. Well-paved roads were flanked by granite, creating boundaries between the path and the fields.

Scattered here and there were peculiar trees, while brown tendrils resembling coral filled the desolation. The sky and the horizon were tinged with different shades of gray, enveloping the entire scene in a hazy atmosphere.

Each person would have their own evaluation, but when Laila beheld the vast expanse, it stirred a feeling of profound appreciation within her.

"At present, it may lack charm, but when spring arrives, the hills will be adorned with blooming heath flowers. It will be a sight to behold, almost to the point of overwhelming," she remarked.

Cain's words, meant to console her, were in fact an expression of his weary state of mind. A sea of flowers, adorned in hues of violet, lavender, pink, and blush. Travelers would proclaim its beauty, but that was a tale told during journeys. To behold such a spectacle for years on end seemed capable of inducing a madness.

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"It's still magnificent now. Of course, it must have been even more so back then."

"Well, I suppose."

Cain let out a bitter laugh and turned his head.

"The people living here must be fortunate to dwell in such a picturesque place."

"Not all of them feel that way. I know people who couldn't stand it and left. They found the scarcity of sunlight melancholic, the incessant rain tedious, and the sound of fog and wind eerie like ghosts."

Laila looked at Cain with a skeptical gaze. In his eyes, she glimpsed a hint of doubt. It appeared he was convinced that no matter how much she praised this place for its beauty and magnificence, there would come a time when she too would grow tired and yearn to depart.

"But who?"

"My former fiancée."

"...!"

Laila was taken aback by his unexpected response. She had never imagined that he had a fiancée. A man like Cain would surely have not only a fiancée but countless lovers as well.

At first, I had no interest in his private life, and later, as we were already a married couple, I didn't give it much thought. It was a faint sensation that scratched my mind, even though it was a past affair and she had no reason to concern herself with it. The protagonist, Cain, seemed utterly indifferent.

"In regard to him..."

"We broke off our engagement a long time ago. She's already married."

"Ah..."

In Cain's composed voice, Laila felt a peculiar sense of relief. She didn't believe it was a feeling akin to jealousy. It was simply because she thought it would be uncomfortable for her husband to have another woman outside their marriage, even if it was only in a formal sense.

"It's mentioned in the contract, and during our marriage, we won't pursue relationships with other individuals."

"Yes, I understand."

Laila felt gratitude for his preemptive explanation. In truth, she hadn't fully comprehended the document as her reading skills were still a work in progress. As soon as Cain discovered that she could write her name, he brought forth the papers and patiently explained every line, guiding her through them. Even though she only managed to read bits and pieces, there was no error in what he had conveyed.