It was already late at night.
Presepe came down the hill with Fenrir. It was quite funny. She had been so confused and depressed on the way up, but she felt completely different on the way down.
She wasn't unaware of the reason. It must all be thanks to Fenrir.
Even she thought to herself that her mood swings were quite extreme, but it couldn't be helped. After all, no one had ever shown Presepe such kindness or offered her direct help before.
"..."
As Presepe walked away, she suddenly lowered her head. Then she looked down at Fenrir's hand, which was tightly gripping her.
It had been a little uncomfortable at first, but it wasn't that bad now. Whether it was because she had gotten used to it, or because her perspective on Fenrir had changed slightly... Presepe couldn't easily decide the reason.
But what is clear is...
Whatever the reason, the fact was that she was not afraid at all to hold hands with Fenrir like this.
Unlike all the male characters who have appeared in the game so far, she didn't sense any impure motives, nor did she get the dangerous feeling that he would eventually harm her.
She could only feel a warm sensation.
"..."
Just as Presepe looked down at their clasped hands, Fenrir was also looking at Presepe very quietly.
Unlike before, the way she didn't flinch
She thought Fenrir was a little cute, and at the same time funny.
She didn't know.
How much I wanted to kill those men who had passed you like this, holding your hand.
And how much I resented myself for having no choice but to just stand by and watch.
So that never again, no one else can reach you. I feel like drawing my sword right now, but if you knew the whole truth, what kind of expression would you make?
Will you hold my hand defenselessly like this then, too? Just like now.
...Fenrir's hand, which was holding Presepe's, tightened slightly.
"Lady Presepe, have you decided on a wish to make?"
"Yes, yes?"
"I think you said earlier that you wanted to make a wish like the others."
"Ah, yes. I do. It's a wish I really want to make."
Fenrir smiled.
"As I mentioned earlier, it is near the exit. You just need to go there, make a wish, and then return to the mansion."
Great.
Presepe answered with a bright smile.
Still, without letting go of his hand.
***
As Fenrir said, the 'place to place flowers and make wishes' was located near the exit.
Whether it was because it was getting very late, or because the festival was nearing its end, by the time Presepe arrived, only a few people were seen leaving.
And Presepe chose the largest and prettiest blooming rose among those bought from the child, just as she had done earlier when choosing the rose Fenrir had pinned in her hair.
"..."
The altar for placing flowers was cramped as expected, and there wasn't much to see compared to what she thought. Since it was made of stone to begin with, its appearance itself was also crude.
Although they could not even be compared to the objects used in the church, several hundred flowers were placed on the dull altar.
"Did people who made a desperate wish like me leave these behind? Will their wishes really come true? Presepe thought to herself as she stood in silence.
"Shall I step aside?"
Fenrir, who had been quietly watching Presepe, asked considerately.
"Of course, it wouldn't be too far, though."
"No. It's fine."
Presepe shook her head and answered in a low voice. Then she approached and stood in front of the foundation.
"..."
Presepe carefully placed the rose the child had given her on the altar. Then, she
clasped her hands together and prayed.
'Help me never forget myself.'
So, not as Presepe, but as Yoon Ju-yeon.
Let me go back to being my real self.
I'll try my best, so please.
It was a prayer that might not have been directed at anyone, but Presepe prayed with all her heart.
"..."
Presepe's closed eyes were reflected in Fenrir's red eyes.
What are you wishing for?
You want to never die again?
You want to break free from that dreadful cycle?
So you want to live freely.
It didn't matter what it was.
I will grant your wish. By any means necessary, without fail.
"..."
In the meantime, Presepe slowly opened her eyes. She looked at the piled-up flowers for a moment, then shifted her gaze to Fenrir.
"Thank you for waiting, Grand Duke."
“Are you finished?”
"Yes! Thanks to you, I feel much more at ease. Much more so."
Presepe answered with a smiling face.
"That is a relief. I did well to bring you here."
"But are you really sure you don't want to change it to a different wish? I feel like I've only done things that are good for me."
Fenrir laughed.
"Didn't I keep telling you? That this was my wish, and that this is more than enough, overflowing with joy."
Although she has gone a bit insane from constantly regressing, there is still someone among Presepe who has not abandoned her conscience.
So she still felt sorry, but it was also true that she had nothing more to add after they went to such lengths.
"Hmm... then let's do it like this."
After a brief moment of contemplation, Presepe looked at Fenrir as if he had a good idea and began to speak.
"Next time, please feel free to let me know whenever you need my help, Grand Duke. Of course, I suppose you will help me more often than I help you, Grand Duke..."
"I have already received all the help."
"... What?"
Presepe gave a look that seemed to say, "What are you talking about?", but Fenrir said nothing more.
But it was true.
Even if she herself doesn't remember a single thing, long ago, Presepe gave him help that no one else could.
That was already enough.
"Anyway, I think it would be best if you went back now."
"Ah, yes. Hannah will be waiting!"
Let's go.
Fenrir naturally held Presepe's hand tightly. Presepe also nodded briefly and took a step with him.
...Since Fenrir has given permission, starting tomorrow she will borrow a map from his study and try to recall her memories again. As she does so, she might find something related to Presepe's past or a place connected to the real male protagonist.
Also, if possible... She wanted to find out more about the broken stone statue she saw at the church. The fact that the system detected it and tried to explain it must mean that it is an object of that much significance.
'I'm so glad I came out.'
Presepe felt much better now, and although there were some minor ups and downs, she had a truly enjoyable time for the first time in a long while. It was fun, too.
The biggest takeaway, in particular, was that she developed the will to try something.
It also allowed her to learn about a person named Fenrir.
It was a very nice day.
'Yeah, I won't just sit still like before. I've even made it out of that dreadful Imperial Palace, so why wouldn't I be able to find the real male lead?'
Presepe, steeling a resolve that was not quite a resolution for the first time in a very long while... began to leave the front of the Foundation with Fenrir.
So she didn't notice it.
The fact that there was someone quietly and secretly watching the retreating figures of her and Fenrir.
Just as it was on the hill earlier.
As Presepe and Fenrir left, only heavy silence settled upon the rough altar.
Soon, a cold, chilly night wind blew in along with the sand, and the rose that Presepe had placed on the mountain of flowers while making a wish fell listlessly to the ground.
Someone reached out a pale white hand over the rose rolling in the sand like that.
"A pathetic wish..."
He hadn't heard it directly, but he knew what wish she had made. He had already noticed from the moment Presepe approached the foundation.
The fact that she would wish to get out of the game.
But do you really think that makes sense?
Do you think it can happen?
...Really, how dare you?
"..."
A large hand with blue veins mercilessly crushed the rose held in its grip.
The tender petals, unable to withstand the force, rolled on the ground like a molted skin, crushed, and red blood dripped from the white fingers pricked by thick thorns, like petals.
However, he didn't care about such things at all.
Instead...
"Your wish will never come true."
He dropped the rose, its petals fallen off, onto the floor like trash and muttered in a sinister voice.
"You will never be able to get out of this game."
Yes, forever.
Vidar chuckled softly, recalling the face of Presepe as she prayed with her eyes tightly closed.
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