Transferred to another life

**Chapter Fourteen: The Return**

The village's shadows deepened as Olivia made her way back to the cart she had previously hired. The evening air was cool against her skin, and the quiet of the village was a stark contrast to the tension she had felt earlier in the tavern. As she reached the cart, she found the same burly man who had driven her before, now preparing for his next journey.

"Back already?" he grumbled, eyeing her with a mix of curiosity and wariness.

Olivia nodded, trying to appear composed despite the weariness of her trek. "Yes, I need to return to the mansion. How much for the ride?"

The man looked her over, then sighed. "It's another two copper coins, same as before."

Olivia reached into her cloak and produced the required coins, handing them over. "Thank you. I appreciate it."

With a grunt of acknowledgment, the man helped her onto the cart, and they set off toward the mansion. The ride was less jostling this time, and Olivia used the time to gather her thoughts and prepare for her return.

As the mansion's towering silhouette came into view, Olivia's sense of relief mingled with apprehension. The security of her home was a double-edged sword; while it offered protection, it also meant she had to be cautious about her movements and any potential repercussions from her absence.

Upon reaching the mansion, Olivia disembarked from the cart and made her way to the back wall where the gap provided her previous escape route. The familiar sight of the stone wall brought a wave of reassurance. She quickly and quietly maneuvered through the gap, her cloak brushing against the rough stone.

Inside the mansion, the darkness of the evening had settled in, and Olivia moved stealthily through the empty corridors. She approached her room with a mixture of anticipation and relief. Her earlier preparation, coupled with the butler's watchful eye, ensured that her maid wouldn't intrude on her privacy.

Upon entering her room, Olivia was grateful to find it undisturbed. The butler had done his job well, keeping her absence unnoticed and maintaining the privacy she needed. She took a deep breath, savoring the calm before slipping into her nighttime routine.

With practiced efficiency, Olivia prepared for bed. She changed into her nightgown and tidied her appearance, grateful for the brief respite from her day's exertions. The weight of her mission had been heavy on her shoulders, but now, in the privacy of her room, she allowed herself a moment of quiet.

The bed was inviting, and Olivia settled beneath the covers with a sense of deep fatigue. Her thoughts turned to the next steps—Elric and the Lunar Rays, the network of allies she would soon have, and the plans she had yet to set in motion. There was still much to be done, but the day's progress had given her hope.

As the moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room, Olivia's eyes grew heavy. She drifted into sleep with a sense of cautious optimism, knowing that each day brought her closer to her goals and deeper into the complex web of her new reality. The journey ahead was uncertain, but for now, she found solace in the peace of her bed and the quiet of the night.