Chapter 14

I arrived by carriage to the shopping district and bought any protective gear I could see. It was all with Seniel’s money, but since I considered it compensation money, there was nothing to feel guilty about.

I also bought a few beginner friendly knives and something to protect my neck.

I bought potions that would help me run faster.

Stopping by a magic ring shop, I looked over the rings. Rings that could block a certain level of holy power, it said.

‘Would Kid really use holy power? No, could he even use it……’

They’d said that once one’s nature was twisted, it was hard to manifest holy power, but not impossible. So he might be able to.

If Kid did use it, could I block it? While I was debating, I bought a ring to protect me from his powers. Just in case.

At some point, I realized I had more than three rings dangling from just one hand.

Looking down at the armful of things, I let out a deep sigh. I was still anxious, but objectively speaking, this was plenty. With the money I’d spent on this, I probably could have bought land.

Even though I was splurging recklessly, none of it was fun.

Only five days left until the ship and it was nothing but bleak.

I trudged back toward the carriage.

‘Huh?’

A familiar face. On the other side of the street, Ezette was walking with a soldier’s crisp posture, clad in armor.

‘Wow, she really is handsome.’

Her hair, white and soft looking like whipped cream, fluttered in the wind. Her sunken eye sockets emphasized the solemn gaze, without even a trace of mischief. Even when I’d seen her before, I’d thought she had quite the build, but in armor that physique looked almost unreal.

‘Is this what you call a benefit package?’

Well, Seniel also had a solid body and was undeniably handsome too. But handsome men come in all varieties, and the two of them were different types of handsome. Enough to make me marvel every time I saw them.

Tch. It was a shame Ronan had died young. The heavens were truly heartless, taking away such talent.

Anyway, judging from the armor, Ezette seemed to be on duty. What exactly was she doing? Patrolling, maybe? But wasn’t patrol work more for guards than for holy knights?

‘Then why does she look so grim?’

Had Ezette always gone around with such a heavy expression? I didn’t remember it that way.

The heroine I remembered from the novel was moderately righteous, with fiery anger and determination blazing inside her. Maybe not passionate about everything, but definitely not someone who suited gloom.

But now she looked like someone who had grown weary of life.

Even the last time we met, she’d seemed lifeless, but I’d thought it was just because I was bothering her.

I wondered briefly what was wrong with Ezette, then brushed it off.

‘People can’t be full of energy all the time. Everyone has down days.’

I turned my head to keep going. Just as I did, my eyes met Ezette’s.

Her tired eyes sharpened for an instant.

I dipped my head slightly so as not to disturb her work. At my little nod, Ezette faltered, then her eyes dimmed again. Soon after, she blinked once quietly and turned her gaze away.

Was she sick? I watched her head off in another direction for a moment.

* * *

I stashed the weapons and protective gear in good hiding spots.

Then I flopped onto the bed. There was still plenty of time before Seniel got off work, so I figured I could sneak in a nap.

Maybe because I was so exhausted, I didn’t even have the space to feel yesterday’s tangled mess of fear, pity, and dread. My body just went limp.

I’d asked a maid to wake me before six and I drifted off without worry.

“Madam, it’s time to wake up.”

With the maid’s help, I woke in time for dinner. Having released the tension in my sleep, my whole body ached.

I walked into the dining hall, still rubbing my shoulders.

Seniel was there, dressed in priest’s robes.

His face looked more at peace than yesterday. That little sliver of serenity radiated such holiness that it almost made me feel like I should say a prayer.

Dinner was the same as usual.

Seniel looked like he had something to say, but he didn’t bring it up. I kept busy making small talk and filling my stomach. Not because I had an appetite, but because I needed to store up strength.

After the meal, I took out a flower. Without needing me to explain, Seniel naturally accepted it now.

“I’ll put this one in too. Ah, should I leave the previous flowers as well?”

“Hmm, let’s see. Keep them a while, then toss them once they wilt.”

“I’ll do that.”

As though he’d been given a weighty mission, Seniel stared seriously at the flower. Maybe it was the fatigue talking, but for a moment he looked almost cute.

As I turned to leave, Seniel lifted his hand, then let it drop. Was he about to say goodbye or what? I asked, watching his aimless gesture.

“Do you have something to say?”

“……No. Have a good night.”

Well, that was anticlimactic. I looked at him, but he just smiled awkwardly and said it was nothing.

Judging from that weak reaction, even if I pried he wouldn’t give me a real answer. I gave up quickly and returned to my room.

* * *

It was nearly 8 p.m. Time to wash and get ready for bed.

I told the maid I had a sore throat and asked her to bring a turtleneck nightgown or a scarf so I could wear my neck guard. I doubted turtlenecks existed here at first, but this was a fantasy world where everything seemed to exist.

In the end, I managed to wear the neck guard in spite of how warm I was.

I sat on the bed, glaring at the door. The fact that I was alone again sank in heavily.

I’d been so scared I almost clung to the maid’s legs, begging her to stay just this one night. Thankfully, I still had enough sanity left to let her go quietly.

‘If I had held her back, Seniel would’ve needed two coffins in the morning.’

If Kid didn’t show up again tonight, who knew what tomorrow night would be like.

It hadn’t even been many days since I possessed this body, but my mind and body already felt ruined. I desperately needed to escape before I was damaged any further. I had to succeed in fleeing on that ship.

As I was strengthening my resolve, knock, knock, knock. Someone rapped on the door.

Startled, I let out a weird “Hhhuhhhk!” and practically levitated off the bed.

‘But it’s not even the time Kid usually comes?’

And Kid never knocked!

Trembling with an unknown fear, I heard a voice outside the door.

“Madam, it’s the butler, Herben. A letter has arrived for you, and I wish to deliver it.”

As soon as I realized it was the butler, my body went limp. At this rate, I really wasn’t going to live out my natural life.

“Come in.”

Herben entered. Even though everyone else was probably rushing to leave for the night, Herben showed no impatience. Truly a professional butler.

“Leave it on the table and go. Thanks for your hard work.”

“May you have a peaceful night.”

I wish.

Once I confirmed he’d closed the door, I got off the bed. He’d even thoughtfully provided a paper knife. A letter and the unfamiliar paper knife sat there together.

‘Wait, a letter? I was so distracted earlier I didn’t even think about who would send Vivi a letter.’

I combed through Vivi’s memories, but couldn’t think of anyone.

Puzzled, I examined the envelope before opening it.

Nothing stood out. Just a plain paper envelope, without even a family seal. Which made it all the stranger.

‘Who on earth…?’

Without hesitating further, I picked up the knife. I slit open the envelope carefully. Inside was plain stationery, fitting for the plain envelope.

‘Wow. Look at that handwriting.’

Before even reading the contents, I marveled at the neat, font-like script. Not exactly elegant, but honest and clean, tidy at a glance.

Who on earth would send Vivi a letter like this?

Curious, I skipped the top and read from the bottom.

Respectfully, Ronan Filaxis.

“What? Ronan Filaxis? The Ronan Filaxis I know? So, the heroine, Ezette, sent this?”

Thinking I’d misread, I shut my eyes, then opened them wide. But the words still said: Respectfully, Ronan Filaxis.

Why would she send me a letter?

Could she be planning to blackmail me about fleeing by ship? The heroine? No way.

‘We were good, weren’t we? We even joked together. Was I the only one serious?’

I found myself biting my nails as my eyes moved up. I began reading carefully from the top.

To Lady Vivi McCurt.

This is Ronan Filaxis, who escorted you on Lordwald Street. Could you now keep the promise you made to reward me? I need help.

Please come to Ribeta Café on Albertro Street tomorrow at 2 p.m. I know it’s an imposition, but I have no one else to ask. I apologize.

I will be waiting.

Respectfully, Ronan Filaxis.

Even after reading the whole thing, I thought there had to be more. I flipped the page over. But the blank back told me that was all.

I’d expected a threat, something like “Come or else,” but it was just a request. Maybe a subtle threat, but still.

I stopped frantically flipping the paper back and forth.

‘Does she really need help, and that’s why she’s calling me? Or did she figure something out, and she’s using “help” as an excuse?’

Thinking of Ezette’s straightforward nature, this letter might truly be just what it said. No need to overthink it. But still, something felt off.

‘Whatever it is, I’ll find out if I go.’

The fact that she asked to meet on the memorial day made it suspicious, but I couldn’t not go.

I folded the letter neatly and slipped it back into the envelope. Then I tucked it away in the drawer and went back to bed.

In the pitch dark room, I cocooned myself in the blanket like a fortress. I stared at the door for a while, then shut my eyes tightly and prayed with all my heart.

‘Please let me see Seniel’s face in the morning.’

* * *

Maybe my prayer had been answered.

Kid didn’t appear that night either.