Even if I wanted to lie, nothing came to mind. In the end, I rose from the bed and bowed my head politely.
“My name is Yvonne Crocus. I’m not suspicious, I promise.”
“Yvonne Crocus,”
The man repeated softly, his tone layered with quiet meaning. Just hearing his voice made something flutter in my chest. It was the kind of voice that sent a warm shiver down my spine—a voice that belonged undeniably to a grown man.
‘A real adult, man’s voice…’
As I glanced at him, Rowan smiled at me, a glimmer of teasing in her gaze.
“Having a name doesn’t mean you’re not suspicious, you know.”
Honestly, I wasn’t used to people being wary of me. I had lived most of my life quietly within Count Kleene’s estate. Their doubt felt foreign. Still, I clasped my hands together and answered politely.
“I’ve been under the protection of the Kleene household. I hesitated to give my name because I was afraid it might cause trouble for the Count and Countess if it got out.”
At that, the man frowned deeply, his brows drawing together.
‘Did I say something wrong?’
Feeling his pressure, I shrank back a little, shoulders tensing. Rowan, noticing the shift, softened her voice as she asked,
“How did you end up living with the Kleene family? Are you a noble too? Your surname’s different, so I take it you’re not their daughter?”
I couldn’t exactly tell them I’d been chased by mysterious people before being found by Count Kleene. So instead, I recited the version of my story that the Countess liked to share in public.
“I’m a noble in name only. My parents passed away when I was very young, and I’ve been told the Kleene family took me in because they were close friends with my parents.”
“I see. That must’ve been hard.”
Rowan said sympathetically, nodding her head. But unlike her, the man remained silent, his arms crossed and his expression full of disapproval.
‘Why is he frowning like that? Does he not believe me?’
Having spent my entire life within the Kleene estate, I didn’t even know how one was supposed to prove their status. I clutched the hem of my skirt tightly with both hands.
‘I really don’t know anything about the world…’
No wonder I hadn’t noticed the relationship between Emil and Rossiane.
As the image of their kiss flashed through my mind, my heart dropped with a heavy thud. Yet somewhere deep inside, I still wished it had all been a dream, or a misunderstanding.
It was all just… lingering attachment.
‘This ache in my chest…’
A sigh escaped me before I could stop it. Just then, Rowan clapped her hands and beamed, cutting off my train of thought.
“Miss Yvonne, congratulations! You’ve passed the interview! Can you head to the capital right away?”
“W-What? I passed? This right away?”
All I had done was introduce myself, yet they said I passed? I blinked in confusion, and Rowan quickly took both of my hands in hers.
“Yes! There’s a very urgent matter. We truly need your help, Miss Yvonne.”
Rowan’s voice—insistent and warm—overlapped in my mind with Emil’s, from the vision Pepe had shown me.
〈You were always clinging to that knitting basket.〉
He’d smiled every time he received something I made, but behind my back, that’s what he thought. The memory sent a chill down my spine. Yet, part of me hesitated.
‘Am I really going to run away just like this? Won’t I regret it?’
I hadn’t even spoken to Emil yet.
The future I’d seen hadn’t happened—not yet. No matter what, Emil, Rossiane, and I had spent over a decade together. We were friends.
‘Even if I leave… shouldn’t I end things properly first?’
I wanted them to acknowledge the hurt they caused. I wanted to say goodbye, not just run. Only then, I felt, would I leave without regrets.
Having made up my mind, I lifted my head and spoke clearly.
“Please give me a little time.”
Rowan tilted her head with a polished smile, as if she already knew what I was going to say.
“You want to inform Count Kleene first, don’t you?”
“No, that’s not it.”
I hesitated, fumbling for the words. Even though I’d made up my mind, the moment I had to say it out loud, shame and reluctance rushed up before anything else.
“I was… supposed to get engaged soon. I think I need to talk things through properly with my fiancé before I go.”
“Engaged…?”
Rowan’s expression dimmed for a moment. Then, with renewed energy, she grasped my hands again and gave them an encouraging shake.
“Whatever the story is, stay strong. I’m sure you’ll sort it out just fine.”
“Thank you.”
I gave Rowan a polite bow and was about to leave the room when the man who had been standing like a statue—arms crossed—finally moved. Slowly, he straightened up.
“Want me to come with you?”
I blinked at him in surprise.
“What? Why would you?”
He narrowed his eyes at me in clear annoyance.
“… After I listened to your sob story for hours, that’s the response I get?”
“Huh? Sob story?”
“Yes. You cried your heart out about being betrayed by two people. Or did you forget already?”
I couldn’t remember a single thing he was talking about—but with that stiff, serious face of his, there was no way he’d lie.
Most of all, I vividly remember the ugly handkerchief he had offered me. Startled, I quickly lowered my head.
“Ah! I-I said all that? I’m so sorry. I apologize!”
“No need to apologize.”
“S-Still..”
If not an apology, then what was I supposed to do?
Lost, my eyes darted everywhere as I fumbled for a response. Rowan, noticing my panic, took hold of my hands again and gently redirected my attention.
“So, when do you think you’ll be ready to head to the capital? Like I said—we’re really in a hurry.”
When.
‘I won’t look back anyway.’
A miserable future was waiting for me. There was no point in clinging to regrets.
I met Rowan’s eyes with a steady gaze.
“I’ll go back, wrap things up for good, and come straight back here.”
“Good, Miss Yvonne. We’ll be waiting for you.”
I bowed politely and headed for the door. Just as I reached it, the man called out again.
“Why haven’t you answered my question yet?”
“Sorry?”
Without thinking, I turned around at his words.
The black-haired man was still frowning deeply, as if something continued to irritate him. A question? What question?
‘Was it the one about coming with him?’
What exactly was he planning to do if he came along? Punch Emil in the face or something?
His deep, crimson eyes—dark and heavy—looked like they could actually do just that. He had a stern, intimidating aura, but somehow… I wanted to lean on him.
Still, settling things with Emil and Rossiane was my business. I shook my head firmly.
“No, I can go alone.”
“….”
Even though he’d offered first, he didn’t say anything in return. He just turned his head away with a sharp motion, clearly annoyed. I flinched a little at his reaction, and Rowan quickly waved her hand as if to tell me, Go on, hurry.
I gave her a polite nod and turned to leave. Just before stepping out, my gaze briefly brushed over the man’s still-grumpy face.
‘What a strange person.’
Come to think of it, I didn’t even know the name of that black-haired man.
‘When I come back, I’ll ask him first. For some reason, I bet his name sounds just as stiff and heavy as he is.’
Despite the heavy weight in my chest and the gloomy walk back, I found myself smiling faintly just imagining that man’s name.
When I stepped outside, the sky was cloaked in the faint light of dawn. I quickened my pace, not wanting to lose my resolve.
* * *
By the time I carefully slipped back into my room, trying not to be seen, Pepe, who had been dozing off while waiting, rushed toward me with a flurry of tiny footsteps.
「You rascal! You brat! Making me worry like that! Staying out all night without a word! If that’s how it’s going to be, then take me with you next time!」
“Shhh.”
I raised a finger to my lips, signaling him to keep quiet. Peper immediately startled and glanced around nervously. Then, in a hushed tone, he asked,
「Where on earth did you go? Do you have any idea how worried I was?」
“I’m sorry. Did anyone in the household notice I was gone?”
「A maid came by once during the night, but when you didn’t answer, she figured you had simply gone to bed early and left.」
“I see. Thank you.”
I pressed a light kiss to Pepe’s forehead. After removing my robe, I started to change clothes. As I did, Pepe asked,
「Then why on earth did you stay out all night?」
“The interview took place in a tavern. I was waiting for someone from the merchant group, and… I tried beer for the first time. Next thing I knew, I’d fallen asleep.”
「Tsk tsk, why drink something bad for you?」
“I was curious about the taste.”
But honestly, I should’ve just stayed curious. I had no idea it would give me such a headache or that I’d completely black out.
‘And in front of a total stranger, too… ugh.’
I groaned and held my forehead. Peper fluttered over and placed a tiny hand on my forehead.
“Huh?”
At that moment—strangely enough—the pain vanished. Startled, I blinked wide-eyed at Peper, who puffed out his chubby belly proudly.
「You carry the blood of fairies, ones close to nature. So you’re more sensitive to toxins like alcohol. I can heal you, but you must avoid drinking again.」
His smug tone made me smile despite everything.
