Chapter 41
“Hmm… right? No, left!”
She was completely guessing her way through.
It wasn’t clear whether she simply didn’t think to ask someone, or if it was the pride of the Roash bloodline—unable to bring herself to ask for help. But considering she had asked her for directions before, it didn’t seem like she was incapable of doing so.
Still, they couldn’t just wander around lost forever. Sophia came to a stop and made a suggestion to Stella.
“Let’s just ask someone for directions.”
“No way. You can’t trust adults.”
“….”
“If they find out we’re lost, they’ll definitely try to trick us and take us somewhere else.”
Given their current location, it seemed Stella had been strictly taught to be wary of people. And it wasn’t exactly wrong.
Of course, not all children were trustworthy either. Some people used children to lure others in.
“It’s fine. I know how to find the way from here.”
Stella had probably been outside more often than Sophia, so she decided to trust her memory.
Left, straight, left, straight…
And then, they were right back where they started.
“…Hmm, that’s strange…?”
“Excuse me, could you tell me the way?”
While Stella stood there tilting her head in confusion, Sophia wisely approached a passerby to ask for directions.
“Go straight, then turn right? Thank you!”
Honestly, they should’ve done that from the start.
After getting the answer from a kind-looking lady nearby, Sophia returned to Stella. This time, it was Sophia who took Stella’s hand and led the way.
Unlike before, when they were aimlessly wandering, Sophia now strode forward with purpose. Watching her from behind, Stella muttered quietly to herself.
“…Sorry… I’ll buy you a Mont Blanc next time we meet.”
It seemed she was at least aware that she’d caused more confusion.
“It’s okay. You didn’t really do anything wrong.”
“No, really. I’ll definitely buy you one! A debt’s a debt!”
“…Alright then, if you say so.”
Sophia could already picture her insisting endlessly, so she simply nodded without protest.
Stella stared at Sophia, who was now confidently leading the way, and smiled. She looked cold at first glance, but she was warm—she reminded Stella of someone. Clutching Sophia’s hand tightly, she chattered away.
“You’re really dependable, Sophia. Like a big sister. Are you the oldest in your family?”
“No.”
“Really? Are you an only child?”
“…No. I have two older brothers.”
“Oh! I have an older brother too!”
Delighted to find something in common, Stella raised her voice a bit louder than necessary.
“My mom said my brother’s going to become the Central Castle’s dog. Oh, becoming a dog means being loyal to them!”
Though the term wasn’t exactly a compliment, the child must have been told it in a more palatable way.
Eren Gurt Roash had been an outsider in his family even before going to the Central Castle, but after joining them fully, the Roash family’s disdain only grew stronger.
It made sense. Going to the Central Castle meant severing all ties with one’s family and living solely for the center.
Who could possibly approve of someone who kept their family name only to declare themselves a lapdog of the central powers?
“Well… I have a brother, but it’s not like we’re even close.”
“….”
“How about you? Do you get along with your siblings?”
Sophia didn’t respond.
But that silence was answer enough, and Stella, noticing it, quickly changed the subject.
“Oh, look! That’s my favorite Mont Blanc shop!”
At the tip of Stella’s finger stood a patisserie just about to close for the day.
“I know where to go from here! Let’s hurry!”
Grinning brightly—as if to make up for Sophia’s quiet demeanor—Stella grabbed her hand and took off running. Just like when they first met, her face was full of energy as she led the way to the plaza.
When they reached the large clock tower, the one they had seen before, a voice suddenly called out from afar.
“Sophia!”
Red cheeks, ragged breaths, and desperate eyes.
Joshua and Benjamin came running up and knelt before her, examining her from head to toe to make sure she wasn’t hurt.
They let out a sigh of relief, bowing their heads.
“Thank goodness…”
“We’re really glad you’re safe.”
Only once they were certain she was okay did their expressions soften, a faint smile curling at the edges of their lips. Their eyes were slightly red, as if on the verge of tears.
After confirming Sophia was unharmed, Benjamin’s gaze finally fell on Stella.
“Oh… Stella?”
“Long time no see!”
The Roash and Roberti families had maintained a close and long-standing relationship, so the children were familiar with each other.
“You were with Sophia all this time?”
“Yeah. We got lost together. So we became partners! But… what’s your relationship?”
Since Sophia’s identity wasn’t publicly known, and they didn’t look alike, it was a natural question.
Originally, they would’ve lied to keep her hidden. But Bled no longer acted as if Sophia’s existence had to remain a secret. So there was no reason to lie now.
“She’s our little sister. Due to some circumstances, her existence isn’t widely known.”
“Your sister… Oh! I made a huge mistake!”
If she was Benjamin and Joshua’s sister, then that meant Sophia was also the daughter of the Lord. Stella suddenly remembered how she had spoken to her—casual speech, getting her more lost, even bringing up siblings…
“I’m so sorry…!”
Tears welled up in Stella’s eyes as she offered an earnest apology. But Sophia simply shook her head.
“It’s fine. I don’t mind the way you talked.”
“Still…”
“We’re companions, aren’t we?”
“…Yeah!”
“There’s no need to stand on formality.”
In fact, that would be more uncomfortable. After all, she didn’t even carry the Roberti name.
At Sophia’s words, Stella fidgeted with her fingers, then softly spoke.
“Then… are we friends now?”
“…Friends?”
“Yeah!”
She had thought that word would never apply to her.
“…I guess so. Frie—”
Before she could finish the word, Stella threw her arms around her.
It was the first time she’d ever been hugged by someone her own age, and Sophia froze up, unsure of what to do.
“We’re friends now!”
Only Stella’s cheerful voice echoed in her ears.
“Ah! I think I hugged you too hard!”
Noticing that Sophia wasn’t moving or breathing properly, Stella quickly pulled away.
“Don’t die on me!”
“I-I’m fine.”
No matter how hard she tried, Sophia couldn’t get used to this girl’s boldness.
“Young Lady!”
“Oh, Cyril!”
Stella, who had been sticking close to Sophia, turned at the familiar voice and saw her attendant approaching.
She ran over and threw herself into Cyril’s arms. Apparently, she was quite the hugger.
“Where on earth have you been? I was so worried!”
“Sorry. I got lost. But I’m fine now. Sophia helped me.”
“Sophia…?”
Stella pointed at her, and Cyril followed the direction of her hand, taking in the sight of Sophia—along with Benjamin and Joshua standing nearby.
“My goodness… Forgive my rudeness.”
Cyril bowed her head politely, but her eyes remained fixed on Sophia.
The small child standing between Benjamin and Joshua.
That child—there was no doubt.
Beni Ro Ransel. That woman’s daughter.
The child everyone said had died was alive, standing right before her eyes. Was she seeing a ghost? Was she imagining things?
Unable to hide her shock, Cyril’s expression stiffened, prompting Stella to ask curiously:
“What’s wrong, Cyril?”
“No… nothing. Shall we head back now, Young Lady? It’s getting quite late.”
Gently urging Stella, Cyril glanced once more at Sophia. She could see Joshua brushing back Sophia’s messy hair.
Not a ghost. She was really alive.
Cyril decided she would report this immediately and departed with Stella for the carriage.
Now that the maid who had been staring so intently at her was gone, Sophia could breathe a little easier. But she knew it was only a matter of time before the entire Roash family learned of her existence.
Bled wouldn’t bother silencing anyone. Her story would soon spread through whispered rumors.
Whether that would be a good thing or not… she didn’t know yet.
But one thing she was certain of—she had no intention of giving up her newfound freedom.
She refused to go back to being trapped.
“Well, let’s head back too.”
Only after making sure Stella had safely left did Sophia finally turn to leave as well.
