Chapter 43
Sharie’s cheeks, pale from tension and fear, quickly regained color. Realizing she had been teased, she shot Kaisa a glare.
“I’ve only just arrived in this village. How could I possibly know such old stories?”
Kaisa chuckled, clearly enjoying himself after fooling her so effortlessly. Normally, that handsome face was pleasant to look at, but right now, it felt infuriating.
Unable to speak from sheer frustration, Sharie clenched her fists.
“Y-you… liar!”
She simply couldn’t understand it—how he could deceive her with such a serious expression. Her face flushed red, as if smoke might start rising from her head, and she struck his chest with her fists.
But against his armor-like chest muscles, the blows only hurt her own delicate hands.
“Ouch. That hurts.”
“It doesn’t hurt you at all!”
How could he lie with such composure?
He was always surprisingly kind, indulging her whims with patience, yet at times he turned unexpectedly mischievous. A man whose true thoughts were impossible to grasp.
Sulking, Sharie lowered her fists—only for his strong arm to wrap firmly around her waist.
“What can I do to ease your heart, Sharie?”
Kaisa’s smile never faded, though his gentle gaze carried a weight she couldn’t quite decipher.
“Instead, let me tell you another story. Did you know that in a secluded part of the Varhad palace, there is a well?”
“….”
Another strange tale? Sharie found herself wondering what this man truly thought of her. But she wasn’t foolish enough to be tricked twice.
“That well has long dried up. Even the attendants refuse to go near it.”
Still holding her close, he whispered at her ear:
“But in the past, it was often used.”
This time, she resolved not to react. She would be as unmoving as stone.
But then he added quietly:
“My brother once used it as a prison—for those he wished to be rid of. A younger sibling, for example, who had fallen in the line of succession.”
Her determination wavered. She turned to look at him. His face was as composed as before.
“Another joke, is it…”
Her words trailed off, because she already knew. This wasn’t a joke.
This was something Kaisa had truly lived through. A part of his childhood she had never imagined.
“Is… is that true?”
She asked hesitantly. Kaisa merely curved his lips into a faint smile.
“Who’s to say?”
Leaning his forehead against her shoulder, his low voice brushed against her skin, his hair tickling her neck.
“Perhaps I only made it up, to win your sympathy.”
His evasive answer made her expression cloud over.
“Why would you say something like that?”
Her heart tightened painfully. Until now, she had been too busy fighting her own emptiness to think about his past, or the wounds he might carry.
But now that they had drawn close, she felt differently.
This was never in the original story… If it’s true, if Kaisa really went through that, then I want to comfort him—just as he has comforted me.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
But he didn’t seem to want her pity. Pressing his nose against hers, he drew closer, until she could feel the warmth of his breath on her cheek.
“Why apologize?”
There was no need. She only wanted to know him better. To know if it was true he’d been locked in a well by his own brother, and if so, how he had endured such suffering. She wanted to understand everything about the life he had lived.
But Kaisa said nothing more. Instead, his arm tightened around her waist.
“Don’t make that face.”
What kind of face am I making? Perhaps she looked pathetic, lips pouting and eyes drooping.
“Sharie.”
His voice was gentle, almost coaxing. But for once, she found no comfort in it.
What does he truly feel?
Before she confessed her heart, she had unconsciously assumed he liked her. It wasn’t just his kindness, but the warmth in his voice, his gaze, his smile. Surely, he cherished her.
But had he ever once spoken his true feelings aloud?
An unexpected question rose in her mind, one she couldn’t leave unanswered.
“Kaisa… what do you think of me?”
Startled, he widened his eyes.
“What do I think of you?”
Then, as if amused by her question, he laughed.
Her heart pounded as she waited for his reply. Instead, his long fingers slowly laced with hers.
“Look at me.”
Compelled, she lifted her head. His golden eyes shone like jewels, capturing her gaze.
“Whenever I stand before you, I act like a dog performing tricks, desperate for its master’s reward.”
The rock-solid man she thought she knew was looking at her with such vulnerable, longing eyes.
“Tell me, Sharie. Tell me yourself—what do you think I feel for you?”
Her lips parted to answer—but just then, a loud voice intruded.
“Ah, there you are, the both of you!”
It was Sir Alex, the captain of the knights. Waving cheerfully, he hurried over, then slowed as he realized he had interrupted something.
“Forgive me. Did I interrupt? It’s nearly time to depart…”
Scratching the back of his head awkwardly, he explained that everyone else was ready. Sharie grew flustered.
“I’m sorry. Our walk must have gone on too long. Kaisa, let’s go quickly.”
She tugged at his wrist, and after staring a moment longer at Alex, Kaisa rose to his feet.
“Yes, yes. A long journey awaits. Best we get moving,” Alex urged again.
Seeing the urgency, Sharie assumed they had delayed the group too long. But when they reached the departure site, they found the others only just loading the wagons.
The place was bustling—not only with their own party, but also the villagers gathered to send them off.
“You’re here,” greeted Anette, standing with the captain of the village guard.
But at the sight of them, Anette’s face twisted into a deep frown. Even Rusley, nearby, furrowed her brows in distaste.
What’s going on?
Then she noticed: everyone’s eyes were directed past her shoulder, glaring at someone else.
“That shameless man…”
“Ugh, the audacity…”
Murmurs spread, until she realized who they meant—Alex.
Clearing his throat, Alex tried to regain control of the moment.
“Ahem. Let’s be off then, everyone!”
He donned his helm, but it could shield him from blows, not from the villagers’ sharp stares.
Why? What happened? Sharie wondered. Just last night, when he had sung by the fire like a bard, everyone had admired him.
Edwin leaned close to explain.
“Word is he tried flirting with half the women in the village last night. And when they confronted him, he told them he’d treat them all equally.”
Sharie nearly choked. What kind of nonsense is that? No wonder the villagers were glaring.
“Everyone to your places,” Kaisa commanded, restoring order.
Thanks to him, Alex narrowly avoided being pelted with stones.
“Please, get in the carriage, Sharie.”
As she took his hand to climb aboard, another voice called out.
“Wait, please!”
It was Rusley, rushing forward. Remembering the embarrassment the woman had shown at the camp the night before, Sharie tensed.
But Rusley bowed deeply.
“I never had the chance to thank you properly. On behalf of the villagers, I express my deepest gratitude. We will never forget this kindness.”
When she raised her head, her smile was warm—so different from the weary, sharp-edged woman Sharie had first met.
“May the goddess Gaia bless your path!”
With that blessing, the carriage set off. The villagers waved until the party was completely out of sight, raising their hands or fluttering handkerchiefs in farewell.
Sharie leaned out the window, watching the village grow smaller in the distance.
Under the bright sun, her silver hair danced in the wind.
It was time to return to the castle.
