The General's Wife Wants to Leave-Chapter 241: A sliver of emotions

The journey from Fairns to Barasca was shorter compared to that from Fairns to the capital of Terra, Cresca.

A couple of hours after the Duke’s entourage finished having a brief rest for lunch and resumed their journey, they were now passing through the Glasstown River—the clear, glass-like stream that became the landmark to feature Barasca.

Staring outside the window, Joanna recalled the day when she stood facing the man, who was probably staring at the same view as her, as he had fixed his gaze toward the window for a few moments now.

After all the heartwarming yet palpitating conversation and indulgence they had, he did not do more than sit lazily next to her with his hand clasping hers and his head leaning against the back of the chair, as if he knew that it was a relief to her. Less Joanna wanted was Canillas applying the idea for learning and practicing to whatever he had on his head at the moment.

Joanna had her eyes fixated on the rest of the stream of water until the view changed into a stretched line of forest consisting of dense, tall trees that seemed to reach the blue sky. A dazzling shade of gold and crimson leaves, a result of the transition from the green color that had predominated the previous season, had always become a mesmerizing sight for her eyes.

When the carriage took an uphill path, Joanna let out a sigh of relief as it would soon mark the end of the tiring, long journey to which she could soon rest and refresh her exhausted body and mind. Not long later, a huge mansion painted in the mix of white, gray, and dark brown, where the blue sky dotted with white clouds came as the nature roof could be seen in the further end of the long road.

Taking a halt in front of a tall, sturdy, dark brown gate where the insignia of de Lara was crafted, the horses’ hooves were resounded when the gate was pulled open by a guard. The horses took another halt when the coachman pulled the rein once they arrived in front of the stairs that led to the grand door of the mansion that had been pulled open by the butler, who was ready to welcome the master of the house.

Placing her hand on the palm of Canillas, who had first stepped down the carriage, Joanna’s eyes fell on a peculiar object that came into her sight, taking her full attention with wonderment. On one corner near the front fence of the de Lara mansion, there was a black carriage that was parked, but Joanna was sure that it did not belong to her father.

Was there a guest? Joanna questioned in her mind.

On the other side, the same wonderment could also be seen on the visage of Duke de Lara, who did not recognize the black carriage that was quite large in size and made of a good quality of wood and iron but bore no insignia for him to guess who the owner was.

"That carriage belongs to me, Your Grace," came a voice from Canillas that answered all the silent questions that were expressed by all the eyes that were pulled at the black, lavish carriage that was like a mystery due to the dark color and the absence of insignia on it.

Almost immediately, the Duke, who stood near his carriage that stopped in front of the carriage that was ridden by Joanna, turned to look at Canillas. In contrast to the Duke, Joanna’s eyes remained fixed on the carriage that belonged to the man who was holding her hand, not bothering to see him, who was now looking at her, only to find her side profile that met his eyes.

"Come, Joanna," Canillas said, gently pulling Joanna’s hand as a signal for her to follow him. He gave the Duke a slight bow when he walked past him with Joanna walking slightly behind him.

With her gaze still on the von Rodega’s carriage, Joanna followed Canillas, walking toward the direction where the carriage was parked.

"This is the carriage that you will ride to Archess," informed Canillas when they came to a halt near the carriage. Although no response came from Joanna, as if she were absorbed by the presence of the foreign carriage before her eyes, Canillas did not stop introducing the carriage to her.

Pulling the door of the carriage open so that Joanna could have a look into the inside part of the carriage where the plush velvet chair could be seen, he asked, "Do you want to go inside to see if it is comfortable enough for a long journey to our home?" to which Joanna immediately shook her head before saying "no" in a voice barely above a whisper.

"Cane!" A deep, cheerful voice broke the silence that surrounded Canillas and Joanna after the response was given by her. The same voice broke Canillas’ gaze from Joanna’s side profile as she kept looking at the carriage as if what was before her eyes was the most attractive thing to have her attention pooled to.

Turning toward the voice that came, Canillas found a curly, blonde-haired man walking at a quick pace toward his direction. Behind the blonde man, two men followed. frёewebnoѵēl.com

"When did they arrive?" Canillas asked Fabio, who stood beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder with a cheerful smile on his face, in contrast to the indifference in Canillas’ countenance.

"Three days ago," Fabio replied, swallowing back his intention to greet the cold young madam who kept her gaze on the carriage, as if not willing to spare the people of her husband a glance.

From what he saw, he assumed that his friend had not been successful in showing how sweet cane was to his wife during their moment in the capital of Terra. How pitiful his friend was, Fabio thought to himself.

And Fabio sympathized with his friend more when his gaze fell on the way his friend held the hand of his wife, who was cold to him and seemed to ignore him. As if trying to give strength to his poor friend, who seemed to have a long, winding journey to win his cold wife’s heart, Fabio tightened his grip on his friend’s shoulder.