The whereabouts of the heart (7)
Baba's explanation was simple.
So while you were luring the windcatchers, Ian snuck into the brewery and rescued Luther?
It was a normal operation, nothing out of the ordinary. I had guessed it would be like that.
But why do you keep looking at me like that while you're talking?
I felt like he was hiding something from me, but I couldn't catch the person who came back from the dead and questioned him, so I pretended not to know.
"Has the Third Prince noticed your betrayal?"
"Yeah, they assigned the second-in-command of our guild to me as a watchdog."
"You didn't know?"
"...Yes."
It seems like he knows someone is watching him, but he just lets it be for fun.
"Haa, what should I do with you?"
As I let out a long sigh, Baba glanced at me.
"I told you it won't be like that anymore..."
"You promised me, so just let it slide this once. Not twice."
Baba nodded his head wildly with a bright expression.
At times like this, he seems like a child. An assassin looking innocent. He can't be so incongruous, but strangely enough, it suits Baba.
"Please investigate the Third Prince as well. Since he has already noticed, you know that you need to be more careful than before, right?"
"I'll never get caught. Don't worry."
"I'll be returning to the capital in a few days. Come visit my house at the right time."
Baba asked, fiddling with his mask.
"You couldn't see it before?"
"You know where I am. Come find me whenever you need me."
"Whenever?"
"Yes."
Baba chuckled, pulled back his mask, and escaped through the window.
I looked outside, but I couldn't see even a shadow of where he had gone.
Even with all these skills, he didn't shake off the guard.
"If you do that again, I'll have to scold you."
I shook my head and called out to Nadia and Vivian.
Vivian asked worriedly, waking up much later than usual.
"Are you feeling unwell?"
"I fell asleep late. Can you prepare dinner while I take a bath?"
"All right."
After taking a bath, I had a late breakfast.
While Nadia was airing the room and Vivian was cleaning up the dishes, Rahon came to visit.
He quickly scanned the bedroom and lowered his voice.
"That guy?"
"He went."
"Did Oslo notice that?"
"Yes."
Perhaps because he was conscious of Vivian, Rahon changed the subject.
"I'm going to see Ellie. Do you want to come with me?"
"Is Ellie sick?"
"No, I'm just going to monitor her to make sure she's not slacking off and that she's doing well in her rehabilitation."
"Ha, you surprised me. Okay, let's go together."
"Then get ready and come out. I'll go down first."
"Yes."
As I went out with Nadia, Rahon was standing in front of the carriage. Nadia whispered in my ear.
"They are all looking at Rahon."
The maids passing by were all glancing at Rahon. Some maids even deliberately walked in this direction. All of them had reddened cheeks.
I found myself stopping and admiring him.
Rahon, lost in thought as the wind blew over him, seemed like something other than a human.
Wouldn't that be what a fallen angel who fell into hell looked like? It was truly breathtakingly beautiful.
He, who had been looking down at the ground, turned his head to me. A faint smile spread across his expressionless face.
"Millenia, let's go."
The carriage carrying us started off smoothly.
Nadia muttered, looking out the window.
"The sky is cloudy."
As she said, the sky was covered with dark clouds. It looked like it was going to rain or snow soon.
'It can't be good if the weather is bad.'
I was worried about the knights who left for Orquidwood.
If it snowed, it would be better because the monsters' movements would become slower, but if it rained, it would be a problem.
Because the anti-monster herbs will be washed away, the knights' movements will also become slow.
'I hope you won't get hurt.'
Even though I was certain of victory, I was still anxious. As I was swallowing a sigh, Rahon opened his mouth.
"Oh, I didn't say that."
"What?"
"You asked me to do something, right? That thing."
"Ah..."
You mean you didn't tell them that I asked you to heal Ellie?
"What are you talking about?"
Nadia asked, tilting her head. It seemed as if Rahon was speaking vaguely because of her.
"I asked Rahon to do something. You did well, Rahon."
"Get ready to get off. We're almost there."
"It's close."
Ellie's house was located a little outside of the city of Eldern. It was a small two-story wooden house with a small storage room attached.
Ellie and Hugh came out, having heard the sound of the carriage. They didn't look surprised as if they had been notified in advance. Before the carriage could even stop, Ellie limped toward us. She must have practiced a lot because she walked quite naturally with her cane.
"Sister!"
"Huh? Ellie?"
Let's pretend to be surprised, Ellie shouted in an excited voice.
"I can walk now!"
"Congratulations! I heard from Rahon."
"Oh, really? I wanted to tell my sister, but I tried to hold it in until I could walk without crutches. If I had known this would happen, I would have just bragged about it."
"I'm proud enough now. But you didn't come close to the carriage, did you? You're hurt, so back off."
"Oh, of course. Don't worry, it's more than ten steps away."
"You're more than ten paces away, yet your voice sounds so good?"
"Oh!"
The carriage stopped as Ellie flinched back.
Ellie's house was cute.
There were cute props here and there that seemed to be Ellie's taste, and there was also a picture of Hugh hanging. The overall atmosphere was soft and comfortable.
As we sat around the sofa, Hugh brought out some tea.
Even before I could drink my tea, Rahon's nagging began pouring out.
"Ellie, are you practicing walking well? If you slack off one day because it's hard, the next day..."
"The next day will be twice as hard. I told you I was working hard."
Ellie pursed her lips as if it was something she had heard a couple of times.
"Do you know how many children like you are paralyzed? They just spend their whole lives lying down."
"..."
"But you're healthy. Do you know how lucky you are? You should never take it lightly."
Ellie bowed her head sullenly.
"I know... I'm grateful. When I grow up, I'll definitely repay your kindness, Rahon."
"Don't think about repaying the favor, just focus on rehabilitating properly. Since you've been bedridden for so long, you'll have to work several times harder than a healthy person."
"Of course, I will participate in the marathon next year too."
Rahon's stern expression softened and he flicked Ellie's forehead with his finger.
"That sounds like a marathon. What kind of guy can't even walk without crutches?"
"Ouch! It hurts!"
Ellie rubbed her forehead. She was drinking tea with a small smile when Hugh spoke to me cautiously.
"I... Miss."
"Yes?"
"The sketch of the future painting is almost finished. Should I bring it over?"
"Already?"
"I guess the places you told me about felt familiar, so I was able to make quick progress."
"Good. Then, would you show it to Nadia?"
"Yes, please wait a moment."
Hugh went to the storage room and brought out some sheets of paper. A total of five sketches were spread out on the table.
"Here it is."
Nadia glanced around and opened her mouth calmly.
"There are five. I'll explain them to you one by one, Miss."
"Yes."
I looked at the five sketches while pretending to listen to Nadia's explanation. They were quite detailed, even though they were just outlines without any coloring.
'The third picture seems most similar to the future I saw....!'
Just as he was thinking that, Hugh pointed to the third picture.
"Actually, this is the place you mentioned. It's near Stonewood, and I've been there a few times to sketch. I remember seeing this tree then."
"Nadia, which drawing is this?"
"It's the third, Miss."
"Mr. Hugh, please proceed to the third drawing. How long will it take?"
"Well, I think we can finish it in about a week."
"Good."
Suddenly, I felt Rahon's gaze. He was silently looking at me.
I didn't know in my past life that it was very difficult to feel someone's piercing gaze and not show it.
What are you thinking? Surely you haven't noticed that I'm looking at you?
Contrary to concerns, Rahon did not open his mouth until we returned to Eldern Castle.
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