“Madam, are we leaving now?”
As she came down to the first floor, Rose came up to her and spoke to her with a kind face.
"Yes."
Ravielli answered simply, her expression somewhat stiff. The conversation they had upstairs still weighed heavily on her mind.
But regardless of Ravielli's intentions, Lucian spoke politely as he handed her the inn key.
“Thank you for being kind to my wife.”
“Don’t worry. But your face looks...”
“Did you say Rose?”
Lucian smiled and wrapped his arm around Ravielli's shoulder, pulling her gently towards him.
Ravielli also tried to keep her expression as relaxed as possible. She hoped Lucian wouldn't use her clumsy behavior as an excuse to act rashly.
“Thank you for your concern.”
After a while, Lucian gave a few coins to a servant who was leading a horse that was tied in the stable, and then put Ravielli on the horse first.
“Take care, ma’am!”
Rose went out the door and saw Ravielli off.
As the innocent and kind woman grew further and further away and smaller, Ravielli's heart grew heavier.
Even after a full day of running, they were still in the Marquis's domain. Ravielli stared at the rapidly receding landscape with hazy eyes, trying to clear her mind.
After running for a while, they arrived at the entrance to Galatea.
Ravielli dismounted and followed Lucian, her gaze fixed on the somewhat rough ridge and the distant scenery.
The two of them didn't say a word until the cold, damp morning air began to warm up considerably.
She thought she just hated talking to Lucian, but when the silence actually got longer, it was Ravielli who was the one feeling uncomfortable.
Lucian found a place to sit, took a towel out of his heavy bag, and laid it on a flat rock.
“Sit down.”
“...”
Ravielli sat there in silence, looking down at her skirt with a listless expression.
The dress, made of rare fabric, was in such a state of disrepair that it needed to be repaired immediately.
It was something that Theano would change several times a day depending on his mood or taste.
Although it wasn't completely covered in dirt, the moment she saw that the hem had turned black, Ravielli felt an inexplicable pleasure.
“Is it difficult?”
What woke Ravielli from her deep thoughts was a jug of water that Lucian handed her.
Ravielli silently accepted the water jug and gulped down the precious water.
Lucian looked somewhat surprised at her rough appearance, but soon hid his smile and began to speak.
“Are you planning on never speaking to me again?”
Ravielli, who had been drinking water as if she was about to empty it all, put the water jug down on the rock with a loud noise.
Then, she finally managed to get the words out that had been stuck in her throat the whole time she was there.
“Are you really going to kill her?”
“Who?”
Ravielli raised her eyebrows at the man's naturally charming voice.
Then Lucian let out a hollow laugh and revealed his white, even teeth.
“Are you still thinking about that?”
“....”
“You really are like a child.”
“What did you say?”
“Why are you so immature?”
Lucian swallowed what he was about to say.
“What are you trying to say?”
She asked back, but she thought she knew what he was trying to say.
There was a time when she was a child, ignorant of the ways of the world, growing up like a precious bird in a cage.
Even as an adult, she was still stuck in isolation, unable to get a chance to go out into the world.
"Mrs. Iacinth, I was just joking. I was just saying it because you were so scared."
“...”
"Really? Do I look like such a thug? Like someone who'd kill anyone if they wanted to?"
Lucian raised both hands and looked very aggrieved.
When Ravielli doesn't answer, he drops his hands to the floor and lets out a hollow laugh.
"I'm a doctor. My specialty is saving lives, so I can't even kill a single ant."
“...”
“I can’t even joke with you.”
“You think that’s a joke?”
“Who are you talking about killing? And what difference does it make if I kill a nameless maid?”
“...”
"You still keep those words in your head? Did you really expect me to kill that woman to end your misfortune?"
At Lucian's words, Ravielli opened her eyes wide and questioned.
“That’s ridiculous.”
“Oh my gosh, you really are a scary person.”
Only then did Ravielli realize that she had no chance against Lucian.
“Yes. Let’s stop.”
“Tell me as much as you want.”
“Stop it.”
Not knowing that it was a joke, Ravielli thought of Rose the whole time she was running.
She felt so sorry for Rose, who had to work all day, but she was so tormented by the thought that she might die because of a few words Rose said.
But Lucian was trying to cover it all up by saying it was just a joke.
“Are you angry?”
When Ravielli didn't say anything, Lucian slowly approached her and sat down on one knee.
“Ravielli.”
“...”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think you’d take that so seriously.”
Lucian carefully took Ravielli's left hand and gently kissed the back of it.
She wanted to pull her hand away, but she couldn't get away from the man who bowed his head in front of her.
"I'm sorry I wasn't considerate of someone as delicate and naive as you."
“...”
"Sorry."
Ravielli closed her eyes without looking at Lucian.
Somehow, she felt emotionally immature in front of this man.
She was greatly agitated by trivial things, and her mind was strangely twisted.
Ravielli opened her lips, comforting himself that her situation could not be helped.
“Yes, but there’s a condition.”
“Tell me anything.”
By the time Lucian's hand carefully returned to his original position, Ravielli's heart had softened considerably compared to the first time.
But she hid the fact that a space had formed in her chest and spoke in a somewhat sensitive voice.
“Promise me you’ll never call me Molly Iacinth again.”
“Yes, Ravielli. But...”
“?”
“That name suits you quite well.”
Lucian gave a refreshing smile that made one laugh along.
At that moment, Ravielli became curious about the man in front of her.
“Did your mother give you your name?”
"Yes, that's right."
Ravielli closed her mouth, trying to ask what it meant.
It was true that she wanted to know, but she felt like it was crossing the line.
“It means tears shed by God.”
Lucian spoke as if he had entered and exited Ravielli's mind.
"That's quite sentimental, isn't it? Did you think it didn't suit me right now?"
“No, that’s not it.”
"I've wondered why she named me that. What could have been the reason? Perhaps, rather than blessing my life, she simply wanted to leave her son a legacy of my father. To her, my father was like a god, or something more."
“...”
"He abandoned his children and disappeared, but I was probably his only connection. It's hard to understand my mother, who lived a miserable life, yet couldn't let go of my father until the very end."
Ravielli noticed the pain that had risen in Lucian's eyes and then subsided in an instant.
It was an emotion that only someone who had experienced the same sorrow could feel.
“Lucian.”
"I am the seed that God sowed but never reaped. I am destined to remain in the shadows forever. That's why I have a hard time forcing myself to smile. I can't survive without it."
Lucian, who had said that, straightened his bent knees and stood up.
When the sunlight hit her brown hair, it swayed and shone golden like a field of ripe wheat.
Without realizing it, Ravielli thought that the sight was very pleasing.
But just as she was convincing herself that even this thought was blasphemous, the voice of a man more powerful than the ripe grains of wheat in a field touched her.
“Ravielli.”
"Yes?"
“It seems like it’s been a while since we got here. Want to give it a try?”
Lucian said, pointing to the horse standing leisurely.
“Me alone?”
"Yes."
He was already untying the rope that had tied the horse to the tree, as if he had already decided to give the horse to Rabieli.
“But it’s been so long since I’ve ridden alone.”
“It’s okay. I was worried because they said it was hard to tame... but it’s not very gentle, but it likes people.”
“...”
"Besides, it's been carrying us for over a day, so don't be too scared. Trust Ale."
She thought just riding with Lucian would have been enough, but the thought of holding the reins and riding the horse herself made her heart race.
Will I ever be able to enjoy a sense of liberation all by myself?
Ravielli, rising from her seat, couldn't hide her excitement. She clutched the hem of her skirt and nimbly attempted to mount her horse.
Lucian took off the robe he was wearing and placed it around Ravielli's shoulders.
“You’ve got the reins right.”
Lucian looked at Ravielli, who was mounted on a horse, smiling leisurely.
She looked down at Lucian and joked, feeling much better than before.
"What if I take the Ale and go somewhere else alone? I'll leave you alone in this vast wilderness. Are you okay with that?"
“If you want, then do it.”
At Lucian's words, Ravielli tightened her grip on the reins once again.
The playfulness that was always in his voice has disappeared, and he now speaks in a dry voice, as if he has become a different person.
And, his eyes looked lonely for some reason.
She was about to say, 'I'm just joking, I'll go around and come back.'
“Go where no one can find you, Ravielli.”
Lucian added softly, patting the horse's rump a couple of times.
Then the horse raised its head, lowered it, and then began to run forward powerfully.
“Let’s go, Ale.”
The words were unhesitating, as if they were leading her to a new destiny.
As she came down to the first floor, Rose came up to her and spoke to her with a kind face.
"Yes."
Ravielli answered simply, her expression somewhat stiff. The conversation they had upstairs still weighed heavily on her mind.
But regardless of Ravielli's intentions, Lucian spoke politely as he handed her the inn key.
“Thank you for being kind to my wife.”
“Don’t worry. But your face looks...”
“Did you say Rose?”
Lucian smiled and wrapped his arm around Ravielli's shoulder, pulling her gently towards him.
Ravielli also tried to keep her expression as relaxed as possible. She hoped Lucian wouldn't use her clumsy behavior as an excuse to act rashly.
“Thank you for your concern.”
After a while, Lucian gave a few coins to a servant who was leading a horse that was tied in the stable, and then put Ravielli on the horse first.
“Take care, ma’am!”
Rose went out the door and saw Ravielli off.
As the innocent and kind woman grew further and further away and smaller, Ravielli's heart grew heavier.
Even after a full day of running, they were still in the Marquis's domain. Ravielli stared at the rapidly receding landscape with hazy eyes, trying to clear her mind.
After running for a while, they arrived at the entrance to Galatea.
Ravielli dismounted and followed Lucian, her gaze fixed on the somewhat rough ridge and the distant scenery.
The two of them didn't say a word until the cold, damp morning air began to warm up considerably.
She thought she just hated talking to Lucian, but when the silence actually got longer, it was Ravielli who was the one feeling uncomfortable.
Lucian found a place to sit, took a towel out of his heavy bag, and laid it on a flat rock.
“Sit down.”
“...”
Ravielli sat there in silence, looking down at her skirt with a listless expression.
The dress, made of rare fabric, was in such a state of disrepair that it needed to be repaired immediately.
It was something that Theano would change several times a day depending on his mood or taste.
Although it wasn't completely covered in dirt, the moment she saw that the hem had turned black, Ravielli felt an inexplicable pleasure.
“Is it difficult?”
What woke Ravielli from her deep thoughts was a jug of water that Lucian handed her.
Ravielli silently accepted the water jug and gulped down the precious water.
Lucian looked somewhat surprised at her rough appearance, but soon hid his smile and began to speak.
“Are you planning on never speaking to me again?”
Ravielli, who had been drinking water as if she was about to empty it all, put the water jug down on the rock with a loud noise.
Then, she finally managed to get the words out that had been stuck in her throat the whole time she was there.
“Are you really going to kill her?”
“Who?”
Ravielli raised her eyebrows at the man's naturally charming voice.
Then Lucian let out a hollow laugh and revealed his white, even teeth.
“Are you still thinking about that?”
“....”
“You really are like a child.”
“What did you say?”
“Why are you so immature?”
Lucian swallowed what he was about to say.
“What are you trying to say?”
She asked back, but she thought she knew what he was trying to say.
There was a time when she was a child, ignorant of the ways of the world, growing up like a precious bird in a cage.
Even as an adult, she was still stuck in isolation, unable to get a chance to go out into the world.
"Mrs. Iacinth, I was just joking. I was just saying it because you were so scared."
“...”
"Really? Do I look like such a thug? Like someone who'd kill anyone if they wanted to?"
Lucian raised both hands and looked very aggrieved.
When Ravielli doesn't answer, he drops his hands to the floor and lets out a hollow laugh.
"I'm a doctor. My specialty is saving lives, so I can't even kill a single ant."
“...”
“I can’t even joke with you.”
“You think that’s a joke?”
“Who are you talking about killing? And what difference does it make if I kill a nameless maid?”
“...”
"You still keep those words in your head? Did you really expect me to kill that woman to end your misfortune?"
At Lucian's words, Ravielli opened her eyes wide and questioned.
“That’s ridiculous.”
“Oh my gosh, you really are a scary person.”
Only then did Ravielli realize that she had no chance against Lucian.
“Yes. Let’s stop.”
“Tell me as much as you want.”
“Stop it.”
Not knowing that it was a joke, Ravielli thought of Rose the whole time she was running.
She felt so sorry for Rose, who had to work all day, but she was so tormented by the thought that she might die because of a few words Rose said.
But Lucian was trying to cover it all up by saying it was just a joke.
“Are you angry?”
When Ravielli didn't say anything, Lucian slowly approached her and sat down on one knee.
“Ravielli.”
“...”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think you’d take that so seriously.”
Lucian carefully took Ravielli's left hand and gently kissed the back of it.
She wanted to pull her hand away, but she couldn't get away from the man who bowed his head in front of her.
"I'm sorry I wasn't considerate of someone as delicate and naive as you."
“...”
"Sorry."
Ravielli closed her eyes without looking at Lucian.
Somehow, she felt emotionally immature in front of this man.
She was greatly agitated by trivial things, and her mind was strangely twisted.
Ravielli opened her lips, comforting himself that her situation could not be helped.
“Yes, but there’s a condition.”
“Tell me anything.”
By the time Lucian's hand carefully returned to his original position, Ravielli's heart had softened considerably compared to the first time.
But she hid the fact that a space had formed in her chest and spoke in a somewhat sensitive voice.
“Promise me you’ll never call me Molly Iacinth again.”
“Yes, Ravielli. But...”
“?”
“That name suits you quite well.”
Lucian gave a refreshing smile that made one laugh along.
At that moment, Ravielli became curious about the man in front of her.
“Did your mother give you your name?”
"Yes, that's right."
Ravielli closed her mouth, trying to ask what it meant.
It was true that she wanted to know, but she felt like it was crossing the line.
“It means tears shed by God.”
Lucian spoke as if he had entered and exited Ravielli's mind.
"That's quite sentimental, isn't it? Did you think it didn't suit me right now?"
“No, that’s not it.”
"I've wondered why she named me that. What could have been the reason? Perhaps, rather than blessing my life, she simply wanted to leave her son a legacy of my father. To her, my father was like a god, or something more."
“...”
"He abandoned his children and disappeared, but I was probably his only connection. It's hard to understand my mother, who lived a miserable life, yet couldn't let go of my father until the very end."
Ravielli noticed the pain that had risen in Lucian's eyes and then subsided in an instant.
It was an emotion that only someone who had experienced the same sorrow could feel.
“Lucian.”
"I am the seed that God sowed but never reaped. I am destined to remain in the shadows forever. That's why I have a hard time forcing myself to smile. I can't survive without it."
Lucian, who had said that, straightened his bent knees and stood up.
When the sunlight hit her brown hair, it swayed and shone golden like a field of ripe wheat.
Without realizing it, Ravielli thought that the sight was very pleasing.
But just as she was convincing herself that even this thought was blasphemous, the voice of a man more powerful than the ripe grains of wheat in a field touched her.
“Ravielli.”
"Yes?"
“It seems like it’s been a while since we got here. Want to give it a try?”
Lucian said, pointing to the horse standing leisurely.
“Me alone?”
"Yes."
He was already untying the rope that had tied the horse to the tree, as if he had already decided to give the horse to Rabieli.
“But it’s been so long since I’ve ridden alone.”
“It’s okay. I was worried because they said it was hard to tame... but it’s not very gentle, but it likes people.”
“...”
"Besides, it's been carrying us for over a day, so don't be too scared. Trust Ale."
She thought just riding with Lucian would have been enough, but the thought of holding the reins and riding the horse herself made her heart race.
Will I ever be able to enjoy a sense of liberation all by myself?
Ravielli, rising from her seat, couldn't hide her excitement. She clutched the hem of her skirt and nimbly attempted to mount her horse.
Lucian took off the robe he was wearing and placed it around Ravielli's shoulders.
“You’ve got the reins right.”
Lucian looked at Ravielli, who was mounted on a horse, smiling leisurely.
She looked down at Lucian and joked, feeling much better than before.
"What if I take the Ale and go somewhere else alone? I'll leave you alone in this vast wilderness. Are you okay with that?"
“If you want, then do it.”
At Lucian's words, Ravielli tightened her grip on the reins once again.
The playfulness that was always in his voice has disappeared, and he now speaks in a dry voice, as if he has become a different person.
And, his eyes looked lonely for some reason.
She was about to say, 'I'm just joking, I'll go around and come back.'
“Go where no one can find you, Ravielli.”
Lucian added softly, patting the horse's rump a couple of times.
Then the horse raised its head, lowered it, and then began to run forward powerfully.
“Let’s go, Ale.”
The words were unhesitating, as if they were leading her to a new destiny.
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