HDBMTD 82

~Chapter 82~

“Exactly. It’s truly a heartbreaking matter. That’s why I gave him the position of city manager. He’s the guardian of this city.”

I looked at the Governor with mixed feelings. He really did seem like a kind man. He probably created that position to give Bill a salary and to take care of him.

“Where does he live now?”

“He lives alone in a house on the outskirts of the city. Originally, he lived there with his wife and child, but after Bill got sick, his family moved away.”

“I see…”

The Governor’s face turned somber as he continued.

“He never said it directly, but I think he was divorced. I still exchange letters with him sometimes, but he never once mentioned his family.”

My heart grew heavier.

I kept imagining Bill’s lonely life—sitting in that once lively home on the city’s edge, staring at his hands as they slowly turned black.

After that, we chatted with the Governor’s family about various things—the food, the history of the mansion—but Bill’s story kept echoing in my mind.

“Having the two of you here was truly an honor.”

By the end of the meal, I could understand their warmth.

The Governor’s family, once merchants, often worked with the Eshafe. Because of Cambiata, many of their friends were kidnapped or killed.

So they sincerely thanked Nocturne and Aria for eradicating Cambiata.

The problem was… it was me, a Cambiata, who was receiving the gratitude meant for Aria.

“Don’t worry. Though we sided with the Empire, it wasn’t because we looked down on the Imperial Family. Out of loyalty, we would never report the Princess’s movements to the Court.”

“…Thank you.”

The Governor’s family even tried to gift us expensive artifacts, but I refused them all.

I had no choice but to accept their kindness toward Aria, but I couldn’t accept material wealth—it pricked my conscience too much.

I’ll just have to work harder with Nocturne to wipe out the Cambiata Club… then maybe I’ll feel a little less guilty.

With that resolve, I managed to soothe my guilt.

When we left the mansion and headed toward the carriage, Nocturne finally spoke.

“Does it still bother you?”

“…What do you mean?”

“That waste handler’s story.”

He opened the carriage door for me as he said it. He had noticed how much Bill’s story was on my mind. I awkwardly replied,

“It does bother me, but… there’s nothing I can really do.”

And it was true. I couldn’t do anything for Bill.

All I owned were Minette’s earrings and the little stone Cain had given me. When I ran away from the palace, I lost my power and status.

If I summed up my life realistically, I was nothing more than: ‘Ex-Cambiata, now unemployed and penniless.’

Then Nocturne asked carefully,

“Do you want to meet him? To talk with that waste handler?”

I froze halfway into the carriage and turned to look at him.

Truthfully, yes—I wanted to meet him.

But it felt strange. Nocturne only ever acted gentle around Aria; toward everyone else, he was cold and distant.

I used to call him a “puppy angel,” but after living as Visro for two months, I understood now—Nocturne really didn’t care about others.

So for him to take interest in a stranger was unusual.

Did I show my concern that clearly? Or…

I looked at him, and suddenly it hit me.

Bill—a hero who saved a city but couldn’t live in it.

His story strangely resembled Aria’s.

I met Nocturne’s eyes, hesitated, then finally nodded.

“…Alright. Let’s go meet him.”

Even if I couldn’t help Bill much, maybe Nocturne could. If Bill was struggling financially, Nocturne could surely support him.

The Governor had said Bill lived in a quiet house on the city’s outskirts. Nocturne remembered every detail and told the driver the exact location.

Once again, thick fog surrounded us. When the car reached the forest road, Nocturne stopped.

He opened the door and looked back at me.

“Wait here.”

“Yes, I understand.”

The car couldn’t go any deeper into the forest, so Nocturne would have to find Bill himself.

He stepped out, about to close the door, but suddenly opened it again and warned me,

“I’ll say it again. Do not follow me. Stay here and wait. Promise me.”

“…I promise.”

Only after I nodded firmly did he finally close the door and walk into the forest. I couldn’t help but laugh softly.

He’s treating me like a disobedient child.

What happened back in Ghost Village must have left a big mark on him.

Back then, I thought being apart for a little while would make him less dependent on me. But instead, it took longer than expected, and I ended up in danger, which only made him cling tighter.

So this time, it seemed wiser to ease his worries.

Nocturne must be seeing Aria in Bill…

After all, everything he cared about was connected to Aria: me, her replica; Cambiata, her enemies; and now Bill, a hero like her.

Bill was different though—he was a positive connection.

A hero who saved his city, but could not remain in it.

Just like Aria, who saved the world, yet was no longer part of it.

Aria is gone… but Nocturne still can’t let her go.

Honestly, there isn’t much I can do for Bill… I can’t cure Magi Poisoning, I can’t bring back his family. But maybe if we help him, it’ll ease some of Nocturne’s regrets…

Perhaps through Bill, Nocturne could finally let Aria go in peace.

About thirty minutes later, the assistant said, “Ah, he’s back.”

I looked toward the forest. Branches were shaking, and soon, Nocturne appeared—leading Bill out as if he’d captured him.

…Ah, did I say captured? Nocturne was just holding Bill by the arm and guiding him, but it looked so much like he’d dragged in prey that I almost said the wrong thing.

“Duke.”

I hurried out of the carriage. Bill looked startled and stepped back. From the outside, it looked like he wanted to run but was stuck because Nocturne was holding him.

Of course, since he was a teleporter, he could’ve escaped already if he really wanted to.

“Hello, Bill.”

I greeted him before he could shrink further.

Bill was a big man with brown hair, middle-aged, and broad-shouldered—almost bear-like. I had noticed his size even earlier in the fog, but up close he seemed even bigger, as tall as Nocturne but stockier.

“Ah, hello, miss. I… don’t understand what’s going on.”

His reaction surprised me.

Even in the north, there weren’t many people who didn’t recognize Aria’s face—especially among the Eshafe. Some even called themselves her followers, members of “The Golden Butterfly.”

Yet here was someone who didn’t know her. Strangely, it was refreshing.

Since he didn’t recognize me, there was no need to reveal I was the Princess. Smiling warmly, I said,

“Sorry about this. My Pair can be a bit too blunt sometimes, so I hope he didn’t scare you.”