TFLCM - Chapter 135

I followed the man down the forest. I cowered, afraid that I might run into the men I had met a moment ago.

Stuck.

Then, the gray wolf that had been following me licked my hand.

I wondered if it was trying to comfort me. I gently stroked the wolf's head as a token of gratitude.

The North was not much different from the past. Snow fell incessantly, and the sky was gloomy even though there were no dark clouds.

I chased after the man with all my might. Even the man, who had been looking straight ahead, occasionally glanced back. It seemed he was checking to see if I was following properly.

How long did we walk like that? A small house appeared. It looked bigger than the hut where Zion and I used to live.

The man went inside the house. I hesitated, wondering if I should follow him in.

The quick-witted wolves pressed their heads against my legs. I hesitated and went inside.

The house was relatively cramped. Unlike me, who was looking around nervously, the wolves settled down comfortably.

"Please have some. It is warm tea." 

“Ah, thank you.”

I took the cup he handed me. As I took a sip, a fragrant aroma filled my mouth.

"Does it suit your taste?" 

"Yes. The scent is wonderful. Thank you." 

Silence fell after that greeting. It seemed as though the gray wolves were the ones watching our reactions. I felt like I was going to go crazy from the awkwardness. I quickly opened my mouth.

"I have something to ask you." 

“Please speak.”

"...Who are those men just now?" 

“They...”

The man slowly pulled his lips away.

"It is a representative trading company of the North." 

“The top?”

"Yes. We'll do anything for money. The scale is so massive that most of the wolves work under that caravan."

"Why would such busy people be in the forest..."

I couldn't finish speaking.

Thump thump thump!

It was because of the sound of loud knocking on the door.

"Sorry."

The man stood up from his seat. The wolves guarding the side followed him.

The door burst open. Scattering snowflakes poured into the house as if they had been waiting.

The person who entered was wearing a white cloak, just like the man.

“Are you here?”

The man greeted the white cloak with a gentle voice.

"Yeah. I brought this much today."

The figure in the white cloak held out what they were holding. The voice leaking through the robe was youthful.

I couldn't see the face clearly because the hat was pulled down low, but it was clear that it was a woman.

The paper bag the woman handed me was full of vegetables that looked a bit old.

"I picked out only the ones in good condition. I did a good job, right?" 

“Yes. You had a hard time.”

However, the two seemed more than satisfied. The woman shrugged at the man's praise.

"You've been well. You guys too?"

She bent down and stroked the wolves circling at her feet.

"Oh, so pretty, so pretty," the woman who had been stroking the wolf while muttering contentedly turned her head toward me, as if she had sensed my gaze.

I couldn't see her face because of the hat pulled down low, but it was clear she was looking at me.

The woman raised her hand and took off her hood. Her figure was fully revealed.

Silver hair and white skin, clear golden eyes gazing at me.

If I had to find a difference, it would be the difference in eye color.

"..." 

But it was the exact same face, unchanged.

'What is this...'

I pursed my lips.

This is a bit too much. Shouldn't it be a little different?

'She looks exactly like the mom in my memories.'

My eyes welled up with tears. I quickly lowered my head.

'Mom.'

I felt like I was about to spit out those words that were welling up in my throat.

I endured and endured.

"You..."

Just then, a voice came from her lips. It was clearly the voice I had heard in Noelier's memories.

She came closer to me.

We looked exactly alike at first glance. It was to the point where the man in the forest mistook me for family.

She couldn't take her eyes off me, perhaps because she was fascinated as well.

"Have we met somewhere before?" 

She looked me in the eye and said.

The eyes looking at me were as warm as ever.

Not now, but let's meet again in the distant future.

I loved you very much. I never forgot you for a single moment. Not even to this very moment.

The words I couldn't say lingered in my mouth.

I swallowed the words swirling in my mouth. Then, I quietly shook my head and smiled.

"...No."

"Yes?"

She smiled awkwardly at my denial.

"Sorry. For some reason, it didn't feel unfamiliar. I apologize if I was rude."

"It's okay."

"But... it's still fascinating."

She stared at me intently.

"We are very much alike. Don't you think so too?"

As if searching for something unrelated, her eyes busily scanned my face.

Then, turning her head, she looked at the man who had brought me here and spoke.

"Brother, where did you bring this child?"

“In the forest.”

The man called "brother" replied lightly.

"I saw that she was being chased by Theo."

As soon as the unfamiliar name was called, the woman's face stiffened.

"Theo, that bastard..."

She let out a noticeable sigh and turned her head to look at me.

"Sorry."

Then, she spat out a completely unexpected apology. I opened my eyes wide.

"You went through a lot because of me. I'm sorry." 

"It's, it's okay. You don't need to apologize."

I even waved my hand in denial, but her expression did not soften.

"I don't... I really don't get along with that guy. We look so much alike, so I guess they misunderstood."

She said that and took my hand. She was smiling gently.

"By the way, where are you from? Are you from the North too? What's your name?"

I was about to answer, "It's Eve," but I quickly shut my mouth.

This is the past.

If I were to mention my current name, the flow that Aria had warned about could be disrupted.

As I was wondering how to get through this situation, I suddenly held my breath at a thought.

...If she really is the wolf that stole Noelier's heart.

"Um... I'm sorry, but..."

I had to stay by her side no matter what.

" Actually, I lost my memory in an accident."

"What?"

Startled, she covered her mouth.

"Good heavens, oh my. Don't you remember anything?"

"...Yes. I only know my name."

"Name? What's your name? There might be someone around me who knows you."

I met her eyes and spoke. I was reflected in those deep golden eyes that I had longed for so much.

“...It’s Lily.”

Her eyes widened at my words.

“What? Really?”

She held my hand tightly.

"That's really fascinating. My name is Lily, too."

Her eyes, looking at me, sparkled.

She seemed to be very concerned about me. The hand I was holding was hot.

"If you're okay with it, would you like to stay here?"

“Is that okay?”

"Of course."

She nodded.

" It is fate that we met like this."

"..." 

"It's okay for you, right, brother?"

Lily turned her head and asked the man for his opinion.

The man called "brother" nodded to indicate that it was okay. The wolves were also looking at us and wagging their tails obediently.

"That’s good. Make yourself comfortable here. I’ll help you find your family."

Family. Hearing those words, it felt as if my chest had tightened.

Mom, how did you meet Noelier?

What did you talk about when you met?

I was full of questions I wanted to ask, but I tried hard to hold them back.

As my expression darkened, she cautiously looked at me.

"Ah. Are you perhaps uncomfortable? If I was being nosy for no reason..."

“No, no.”

I shook my head.

“Please take care of me.”

Lily smiled brightly at my greeting.

"I look forward to working with you too, Lily." 

***

Lily explained that she was working with her brother at the trading company run by Theo. 

I mean, that man who tried to catch me in the snow.

"...Does Theo like you?" 

Lily's face darkened at my question.

"Yeah. I think so. I'm trying to refuse, but... She's so stubborn that I can't help it."

She lowered her gaze and fidgeted with her fingers.

"But I couldn't just flatly refuse because I didn't have anywhere else to work."

Lily lifted her head again. Then, as if trying to lighten the mood, she forced a smile.

"I'm such a fool, aren't I? I can't even properly say no."

“...Who said that?”

"Uh?"

"Who would say such a thing?" 

I was extremely angry when I found out about Theo's trashy side.

"Don't think like that. Absolutely not! The bad one is Theo—no, that bird—that person!"

"But..."

"Lily. Listen carefully."

I made eye contact with her.

" No one can blame Lily."

"..."

"That piece of trash... no, just holding out against that bastard like this is amazing for Lily."

"..."

"If you ever feel that way, please pat yourself on the back. Tell yourself that you are doing very well right now, and that you are holding on well."

Lily remained silent. She simply stared down at the hand I was holding.

I wondered if I had been being too nosy, but that worry was short-lived.

“You’re really cool.”

Lily raised her head again and met my eyes.

"Even though you lost your memory, how can you be so sharp?"

"Ha, haha. Uh, well?"

Startled, I gave an awkward smile.

However, Lily seemed deeply moved by my words.

"I'll keep your words in mind."

She nodded repeatedly with sparkling eyes.

She had an expression as if she had realized something.

'It must mean that not a single person told you this.'

Anger toward Theo and pity for Lilly were chaotically mixed together.

All I could do was cheer.

I quietly took in Lily's wide-smiling face.

So that I won't forget that smile even if I go back later.

So that I can fully explain to Zion what Mom’s smiling face was like.

***

Acrid cigarette smoke filled the room.

Theo's face was horribly contorted.

How dare you do such a thing to me?

I ran a trading company in the North and received nothing but respectful glances from people. This was the first time I had experienced such humiliation.

Lily, Lily.

Theo kept mulling over her name.

His mind was filled with women who resembled Lily.

Previous                    Next

Support Novellate!