Episode 9
Looking at the noticeably smaller number of doors in front of me, it seemed like it was already late morning. But unlike yesterday, there was no sign of anyone waking up.
I stayed lying on the floor, blinking my eyes blankly.
Did I overdo it more than I thought yesterday? No matter how I thought about it, it seemed like I hadn’t woken up from the dream because I’d been so exhausted.
Usually, people have nightmares in this situation, but it felt like my abilities were getting stronger.
[Oh.]
As they say, speak of the tiger, and it appears.
The moment I finished that thought, my body felt like it was flipping over, and the tips of my fingers started to fade.
I let my body follow the strange sensation, and soon I lifted my trembling eyelashes.
“Miss…!”
Where my gaze landed, Tina was looking at me with her teary face, just like always.
The only difference was that her father was beside her this time.
“Good morning.”
It must be morning, right?
I smiled faintly and quickly scanned my surroundings.
With this temperature, sunlight, and lighting, it seemed like it was morning. I hadn’t been lying down for too long.
More importantly, I should quickly tell her father about yesterday’s progress.
“Father, I…”
“Yes, Mia. Do you need anything? Say whatever you want.”
“The treasure we converted into money yesterday… we need to control access to the Thales abandoned mine as soon as possible.”
Even if people sneak into the mine, they wouldn’t find the treasure. But if they did, it couldn’t be sold with extra value.
It’s part of the fortune!
“First, put up tall fences around the mine and station guards.”
If something goes wrong with access, they’ll probably decide to buy the mine themselves. Buying the Thales abandoned mine would be nothing compared to the treasure they would get.
Then others would join the bidding too, and I could just watch, enjoying the smell of money…
“Miena.”
At that moment, a firm voice fell into my ears.
I stopped daydreaming and looked at the owner of the voice.
As expected, my father’s gaze had worry—and a hint of anger—in it.
Uh… anger?
“Do you think this is the time to worry about such things?”
“Huh?”
“Look at you. You’ve been lying down sick, yet you’re still…”
He sighed deeply and then grabbed my hand.
“If you keep falling ill like this every time, it’s a hundred times better not to earn money at all. Yes, it’s better to just stop!”
He said it firmly, like a threat. I blinked blankly, trying to process his words.
So…
He just decided not to earn money because I was sick for only a few hours?
Does my father treat earning money like a joke?
If I’m this weak, how am I supposed to survive in this harsh world?
“Father.”
Partly understanding his concern, I hid my feelings and spoke slowly.
“This is because we traveled a long distance in the carriage yesterday. Even the strongest person would feel tired after a long carriage ride. Besides, our family carriage isn’t of the highest quality either.”
“Mia.”
“I enjoyed yesterday.”
Because I earned money.
I swallowed the last part lightly and smiled. A faint tear appeared at the corner of my father’s eye.
It seemed my carefully trained acting from childhood had worked.
“I want to travel somewhere with both of you, even if it’s not for work.”
Would he stop me again, using my health as an excuse? Really? Who knows when we’d have another chance?
I added a pleading look, and he sighed heavily. Then, shaking his head, he spoke.
“I’ll order the best carriage in the empire immediately. One that puts the least burden on your body.”
“That’s nice, but first, please secure the Thales abandoned mine, Father.”
“Mia, even now, you insist on…”
“Hehe.”
I smiled slightly, and finally, my father laughed with me, brushing his fingertip across my forehead. His hand was shockingly cold.
‘Ah, so that’s why I was sweating. My temperature must have risen.’
I finally realized my condition and rolled my eyes.
My stamina isn’t what it used to be. It’s natural, but still… I need to be careful for the next few days.
“My beloved daughter, Miena.”
As I reflected, my father spoke softly again.
“I’m preparing to let you go with a smile, just as you wish.”
“…”
“That doesn’t mean I’m truly giving up on you.”
His deep, warm eyes focused on me without wavering.
“If you want to travel and enjoy experiences with your mother and me, I hope you take care of your body as much as I care for you.”
“Father.”
“You’re my most precious. No treasure can compare to you.”
I wished I could take all this pain instead, even die in his place if I could.
His gentle voice grew faint and finally faded into a whisper.
His sincere feelings seeped into my ears.
I held his hand tighter and whispered.
“I’ll be careful so you don’t have to worry, Father.”
I want to last as long as I can.
“By the way, what about Mother?”
Now that the debts are all paid, I hope she’s returned to the mansion.
Thinking that, I asked. My father smiled kindly and replied.
“She’s already sent a letter. It’s not far from here to the Duke, so we should get a reply soon.”
“I hope she comes back soon.”
“Do you miss her a lot?”
“Of course.”
When Mother returns to the mansion, it’ll feel like the whole family can enjoy traveling together.
‘Of course, after the Thales mine is secured. Until then, anyone could show up at the mansion.’
When Patrick solves the code and starts acting, others who paid attention to my dreams will start moving too.
So, Patrick, just do well. You can handle the rest.
“Still, fences, guards… quickly.”
Muttering randomly in my fading consciousness, I felt a different warm touch on my forehead.
“Rest well, Mia.”
With that warmer voice, I drifted back to sleep.
I slept and woke multiple times that day. Teaching Patrick in my dreams left me exhausted, and my body suffered.
In the meantime, I received a reply from Mother, and I managed to read it with my cloudy mind.
Now, under the planetarium, I read her letter again.
[Hmm.]
I looked at the line at the end: “Sorry, my love. I’ll return as soon as I can,” and exhaled.
Honestly, I thought she’d return as soon as she got the letter.
<Because the Duke is ill like Mia, I’ll stay here until he recovers.
Luckily, the Duke and his wife are near the capital, so the travel time shouldn’t be long.>
I hadn’t read my father’s letter yet, but it seemed he didn’t go into detail about my condition.
He probably just told her to return quickly since the debts are paid. Mother would hear my story herself when she returned.
That’s so like Father.
I tilted my head and continued reading.
<His symptoms are similar to Mia’s, so I’m more worried.>
[Similar to mine.]
It sounded like he’d recover soon, so maybe it’s not incurable like me. A little envy there.
I finally got up from my seat and left the dream library to find Mother’s dream.
Since discovering my ability, I avoided entering family dreams, but this time I’d make an exception.
Mother must miss me a lot, and I miss her too.
Her letter said near the capital, so her dream must be within my reach.
[Meeting her in person is still the best.]
Following the paper plane with her name on it, I walked briskly. Soon, her nameplate came into view.
At the same time, my greedy eyes couldn’t resist spotting the glowing door.
Wow, this one shines a lot, too.
The name
[Justine Everdin.]
Of course, Mother worked as a maid for the Everdin Duke’s family.
The Duke and Duchess weren’t named Justine, so the dream owner must be the Duke’s son, who was lying sick.
[Let’s just watch for a bit.]
Let’s see what nightmares a sick person has.
I decided and slowly turned the door handle to enter the dream.
What caught my eye was peaceful yet somehow strange.
Not completely villain like Ruce’s dream, but the library looked oddly artificial, like it was “my library.”
[What’s this?]
At that moment, a sharp voice pierced my ears.
I turned, entranced, to see the owner.
Pitch-black hair and cold silver eyes, tired yet sharp.
I immediately realized.
[I never made something like this.]
She’s like me.
