Secret (8)
Ibida was taken aback by my sudden announcement that I would leave, but she didn't hold on to me.
"I'm not sure, but it seems urgent. If you can resolve it, please come visit again later."
"Thank you, I'll come running anytime you invite me."
On my way to the palace, I just looked out the window.
The benefactors found out that I was looking ahead and then Ian joined the fight. My head was spinning.
Rahon watched me silently. His expression was darker than usual as if he was thinking about something.
Nadia, who had been wiggling her fingers in the heavy, heavy atmosphere, couldn't help but ask cautiously.
"Miss, are you okay?"
"Yes?"
"Your expression is so bad. Are you recalling some bad memories?"
I guess she thought I was in a bad mood because I was remembering when my mother passed away.
I smiled and shook my head.
"No, that kind of thing."
"Then that's good. Should I close the window? It's so windy out here, you might catch a cold."
Nadia awkwardly closed the window and drew the curtains. It was a sign that I should stop looking out the window, as she thought Rahon might catch me.
I held her hand still...
"Nadia, you don't have to do this in front of Lord Rahon anymore."
"Yes?"
"Rahon, you know too."
Nadia looked back and forth between me and Rahon.
"What, what?"
"I got my eyesight back. Lord Rahon knows that too."
"Yes?!"
Nadia's eyes grew wide.
She was speechless for a while, then suddenly knelt down on the carriage floor.
"I told Young Lady to do that! She wanted to tell the truth, but I told her not to! I told her to pretend not to see me!"
Nadia, who had been making excuses incoherently, grabbed Rahon's leg.
"It's all my fault. Our young lady is innocent! If I have to be punished, I'll take all the blame and I'll take all the scolding. So please keep this a secret! Yes?"
Rahon let out a deep sigh with a dumbfounded expression on his face.
"Get up, Nadia."
"Lord Rahon, you care about our young lady. So..."
"I don't plan on going around bragging about seeing young lady, so sit down. What the heck, I look like a total bad guy."
"Really? Are you serious?"
"As I said, I love her very much. I can't make it hard for her."
"Then, could you please write up a contract? One that states that you will keep our young lady's secret..."
"What?"
Nadia smiled prettily at Rahon, who was looking bewildered. I stared at her.
It was when I was locked up in prison in my past life.
It was about ten days before the execution when suddenly a loud noise was heard and the entire prison shook violently.
The vibrations were transmitted to the cell I was in. Then the acrid smell of gunpowder wafted in.
“Ugh, ugh! The entrance is open!”
"Who, who is it! I can't see anything because of the smoke!"
"You idiots! Don't just sit there and call the Knights!"
It seemed as if someone had blown up the prison entrance with explosives. The guards could be heard running around in confusion.
I just lay there amidst all the commotion.
Unlike other prisoners, I didn't even have the strength to breathe, let alone cause a ruckus by taking advantage of the chaos.
At that moment, the sound of the cell door opening was heard and someone came quietly inside.
There was no need to ask for his identity because he smelled like Chevio.
"Brother? How did you..."
"Nadia, let's begin."
"Yes, little master.$
"Nadia? Is Nadia here too?"
That's when I realized Nadia had come too.
She helped me up and quickly changed my clothes. They had Nadia's signature warm scent.
"What are you doing now?"
"Your brother is luring the guards. Let's get out while he's at it."
"...Are you crazy? Do you think the guards don't notice that the cells are empty? Are you all doing this because you want to die?"
"Don't worry, Miss. I'll be here."
"What?"
What does this mean?
Before I could even think, Chevio surrounded me. Nadia hugged me tightly.
"You must buy it, Miss."
As she whispered in my ear, I smelled the stench of the prison uniform I was wearing.
It was only then that I realized that Nadia had decided to stay in solitary confinement instead of me.
I reached out in the direction of Nadia's voice.
"Oh, no, Nadia. Don't do that. Please don't do that!"
"...Young Master, please go quickly."
Nadia pushed my hand away cruelly. Soon, I heard the cell door close.
I was carried on Chevio's back and just cried. My helplessness could not have been more damning.
Even though I escaped prison at the cost of sacrificing Nadia, I couldn't even leave the palace.
The smell of blood filled the solitary confinement cell where I was captured by the Imperial Knights and returned to.
I sat down absentmindedly and felt for the floor. Something wet and slippery soaked my palms.
The warden's irritated voice was heard from behind.
"Do you know what happened to that bitch who was pretending to be you here?"
"..."
"Even though she found out, she held onto my legs and wouldn't let me go. She kept saying, 'I can't go, you guys! Let go of my lady!' In the end, she was beaten to death."
"..."
"You killed that bitch."
How could that be possible?
How could she give up her life for someone she is not even blood-related to?
How did I not know that there was such a being next to me in my past life?
The warden was right. Nadia died because of me.
I looked at Nadia again.
Even now, she kneels down for me without hesitation and asks for forgiveness for something she didn't do.
I couldn't stand it any longer so I hugged Nadia. Nadia was dragged in with a bewildered look on her face.
"Miss?"
"Nadia..."
"Why, why are you doing this?"
"Sorry."
"Why, Miss? It was my fault for sweet-talking you."
Nadia blinked her big eyes wildly. It meant that since she had already told Rahon that it was her fault, she should beg him.
I burst out laughing and cupped her cheek.
"Don't do that. I dragged you into it."
"Ah, no, why is our young lady like this? You keep saying strange things. Don't you remember that I told you to hide it from me?"
Nadia desperately defended me.
It was natural for her to be anxious. Impersonating a guardian was punishable by death.
Nadia was protecting me, even though I had committed such a terrible sin. Just like in my past life.
I slowly stroked her back.
"Nadia, do you remember when Lord Rahon didn't show any sign of it at Ibida Young lady's mansion earlier?"
He still gave me buttered bread and brought me drinks. It was also Rahon who escorted me to the carriage.
Nadia's breathing gradually became calmer.
"Now that I think about it, that's true. Then..."
"Eahon will keep my secret. You don't have to worry too much."
“Ah!”
As Nadia let out a gasp, Rahon muttered curtly.
"Well, I'm going to write a contract. I guess I know what Nadia thinks of me.'
"That, that, um. Do you think it was because I didn't trust you, Lord Rahon? I just thought it would be better to be certain. Lord Rahon, you are as beautiful in heart as you are in appearance. I respect you."
Nadia smiled bashfully as if she felt sorry. Then Rahon just laughed too.
Nadia took my hand with a much more relaxed expression on her face.
"I feel relieved now."
"Yes?"
"I was upset because I felt like I wasn't of any help to you all this time."
Nadia straightened out the slightly wrinkled dress.
"Now, tell Rahon anything you couldn't tell me. I'm sure Rahon will be more supportive than me."
"What are you talking about? You are my family and my best friend. You have helped me so much, and yet you say something like that?"
"Miss..."
"Nadia..."
Nadia and I looked at each other with wide eyes.
Rahon, who had been watching us indifferently, suddenly put his hand between us.
"Sorry to interrupt your good time, but we've arrived."
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