Episode 5
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“Auntie.”
“Are you waiting for Auntie Ranie?”
“Yeah! I’m waiting for Auntie.”
“You’re worried because she promised to come today but hasn’t shown up, right?”
“Why isn’t Auntie coming?”
lilia liked Ranie, who lived next door, almost as much as her own mother. She could clearly feel that Ranie cared for her and looked after her with love just like her mom did.
When will Auntie come?
As time went by, lilia’s lips stuck out more and more.
The sight was so adorable that Celine let out a soft laugh. At that moment, there was a knock at the door.
lilia’s face instantly brightened.
“lilia will open it!”
“You’ll go greet her?”
“Yeah!”
lilia toddled to the door. As soon as she saw Ranie’s figure through the opening, her face lit up with a big smile.
“Auntie!”
“Happy birthday, lilia!”
“Waaaah!”
Ranie handed lilia the pink bunny doll she had been hiding behind her back. The little girl’s eyes widened at the sight of the adorable doll.
Her chubby face bloomed with happiness even more than the stuffed bunny itself. lilia hugged it tight and burst into bright giggles.
Celine gave Ranie a grateful look before speaking to her daughter.
“lilia, you should say thank you.”
“Thank you, Auntie!”
How can she be this cute?
The way she chirped like a little chick was so lovable. Ranie unconsciously clutched her chest and staggered back a little.
“Happy birthday, lilia. Grow up healthy and strong.”
“Yes!”
Cute. Too cute.
At some point, Ranie was muttering “cute” over and over inside her mouth like a fool. Just like a fan who finally saw their favorite in person and didn’t know what to do.
The star of the day, lilia, soon fell asleep not long after dinner. Her peaceful figure holding the bunny doll in her arms brought smiles to their faces.
After laying the soundly sleeping lilia on the bed, Celine came out to the living room with warm apple tea. Ranie thanked her and took a sip. A sweet taste spread in her mouth.
“You look very tired.”
“…Do I?”
“It’s because of the farm work, right? I heard about it too. The typhoon damage this year was severe, wasn’t it?”
Celine’s face stiffened slightly. Only then did Ranie recall the devastated apple orchard she had buried deep in memory. She had nearly forgotten it while being busy nursing the man through the night.
For a farmer not to worry about their field… that’s failing as a farmer.
“If you need help, just say so. I’m not much good at farm work, but I’ll help however I can.”
“It’s fine. You don’t have to worry about the farm—”
“How could I not worry? It’s your farm, Ranie.”
The intention was truly kind, but for some reason a chill crept up from her toes. Ranie awkwardly averted her eyes, forcing a smile as she wet her throat with the apple tea.
“Or… do you not want my help…?”
“N-no, that’s not it! I just meant I can manage fine this year, so it’s alright. I really appreciate your willingness to help. Truly.”
“I know. I was only joking.”
“……”
That joke you tossed so lightly feels to a passing farmer like a mortal threat…
“Actually, I knew it was a joke too. …Really.”
Thirsty. So thirsty. Ranie gulped down the hot tea. Drinking it too quickly, she coughed hard and turned her head aside.
Celine handed her a handkerchief to wipe her mouth, her gaze full of gentle kindness.
“I wish Ranie would treat me as comfortably as you do lilia.”
“……”
“I’m still difficult for you, aren’t I?”
Ranie couldn’t bring herself to say no. To be honest, it wasn’t just difficult—it was extremely difficult.
Even if Celine was living like a commoner now, Ranie knew her true status, and that knowledge made it impossible to act casually. And even if she wanted to, the thought of the future male lead kept her in check.
In the novel, the male lead started as trash in the beginning, then turned into a madman later on. At first, he hurt Celine with cruel words, and later, if anyone so much as troubled her, he slaughtered them without mercy.
Let’s say, giving the benefit of the doubt, killing those who harmed Celine could be somewhat justified.
But the male lead didn’t stop there—he even executed those who treated her too casually, condemning them for disrespect. For example, the maids who had been close to her at the mansion were sacrificed.
She had no intention of getting caught up with such a lunatic and losing her life. When it comes to madmen, better safe than sorry.
“I’ll try a little harder.”
“…Huh? There’s no need to go that far…”
“I want to. Because I want to get closer to you, Celine.”
After that, Ranie couldn’t quite remember what else they talked about. The only thought drilled into her mind was to be as cautious as possible if she wanted her head to stay attached to her body in the future.
After that chilling time passed, Ranie finally rose to go home.
“Thank you for the meal. Next time, I’ll be the one to cook.”
“I’d love that.”
What was supposed to be a quick dinner had turned into late night. As Ranie bowed her head and moved to leave, Celine hesitated before speaking up.
“Ranie, thank you.”
“For lilia’s birthday present?”
“That too, but for so many other things. I have so much to be grateful to you for.”
“…Is that so?”
Ranie’s face dimmed ever so slightly. Not wanting her expression to be noticed, she quickly offered parting words and turned away.
“It’s late, so I’ll be going. Rest well, Celine.”
“You too, Ranie. Thank you for coming today.”
Only after she had gotten a bit farther from Celine’s house did Ranie stop and exhale deeply. Her chest felt heavy, like it was weighed down with stones.
She knew exactly why. It was guilt.
She wasn’t someone who deserved Celine’s gratitude. After all, every kind act she showed Celine had an ulterior motive.
‘I’m only doing it for the village.’
Sweet Celine didn’t know that. And that was what made the guilt sting. Because she was using a kind person.
But what choice did she have? Using Celine weighed on her conscience, but she had to protect the precious village.
Most days she was fine, but today, her conscience pricked at her more than usual.
Carrying her heavy heart, Ranie made her way toward the warehouse.
At that time, Herdian, who had once again opened his eyes in the warehouse, let out a hollow laugh as he recalled his last memory. He couldn’t believe he had collapsed from such a trivial wound.
He furrowed his brow, then happened to roll his gaze toward the table. There lay cold soup and a note.
Herdian stared intently at the note for several minutes.
‘What does it say?’
There had never been handwriting this messy. Or was it not messy handwriting but a foreign language?
Clicking his tongue, Herdian tore his eyes away from the note and looked through the small window. Outside, the dark night sky held a bright moon.
Only then did he realize he had been unconscious for quite a while.
‘How long has it been? A day? Two?’
He had lost track of time from being unconscious so long. He tried to piece together his memories but eventually gave up and instead grabbed the sword propped beside him.
By now, the outside world would have declared him dead and stripped away all remaining power and wealth of his house. Thinking of that, he couldn’t afford to waste any more time in this place.
Herdian pushed on the door to leave the warehouse.
Clunk, clunk.
But the door, which had opened easily before, was now blocked by something and wouldn’t budge.
After shaking it several times, his expression hardened. He thought someone had imprisoned him.
Without hesitation, Herdian drew his sword. A flimsy door like this could be broken down easily. Just as he was about to swing, he sensed movement outside.
Step, step. Footsteps drew closer, and he stilled his presence, pressing against the wall, sharpening his focus.
The footsteps were too light to belong to a man. Whoever it was stood in front of the door, took a deep breath loud enough to be heard inside, and then unlocked it.
Seeing who dared to imprison him, Herdian’s eyes widened.
‘A woman?’
But his sword still leveled faithfully at the other’s neck. Woman or not, lowering his guard was out of the question.
“……!”
He wasn’t the only one startled. Ranie, who had come to check on the man, froze when she suddenly found herself facing a sharp sword at her throat. She was so shocked she couldn’t even scream.
What was even more absurd was that the man who had been hovering between life and death until yesterday was now threatening her life.
Was this how someone repaid kindness—with enmity?
Suppressing her fear, she forced her lips to move slowly.
“…You’re awake?”
“……”
“It’s natural to be wary of a stranger. But I’m really not a bad person… Could you please put that dangerous thing away?”
The sword remained exactly where it was. In the dark, the gleam of those blue eyes made Ranie’s blood run cold.
