chapter 09
But there was one thing I really wanted to say.
In a low voice, I said,
“Echo.”
“Y-Yes…?”
“Saying ‘I’m okay’ all the time becomes a habit.”
“……”
“If you keep saying it without thinking, you’ll end up forgetting how you really feel.”
That’s how I was in the past.
I thought that if I just said “I’m fine,” then I would be.
I ignored the pain that was eating away at me inside.
Eventually, I couldn’t even tell if I was truly sad or happy.
I didn’t want this child to go through the same thing.
As I gently smoothed down Echo’s messy hair, I added,
“I know. Things aren’t easy for us right now.”
“……”
“But if something this small can bring us happiness, isn’t it worth it?”
Besides, that money was from Echo’s father, Gilbert.
If his daughter uses it, there’s no need for anyone else’s permission.
I asked playfully, but Echo didn’t say anything back.
She just looked at me with eyes that shimmered like something was stirring inside.
“Alright, let’s go.”
“…Okay.”
I turned around again.
I wasn’t sure if what I said worked or if she was just speechless, but Echo quietly followed behind me.
When I glanced back, I noticed her cheeks were slightly flushed.
She must have really wanted that paint, deep down.
Without realizing it, a satisfied smile spread across my lips.
Maybe… we could really get along.
That hopeful thought warmed my chest.
But the moment we arrived home, my smile vanished instantly.
Because of what was lying in front of the door.
It was a letter.
From my father—the Count Hildegarde.
After I sent a letter saying I would reveal the truth about Gilbert’s death, my father had started sending me messages nearly every day.
It was always the same nonsense.
I thought about not even reading this one—maybe I should just burn it.
But I couldn’t show such a rough side in front of Echo.
So, reluctantly, I opened the letter.
“This guy… is he actually insane?”
I couldn’t help but curse under my breath.
Sure, the beginning of the letter sounded surprised and apologetic, clearly trying to soften me up like usual.
But the rest of the letter… was outrageous.
He said something like:
“It must be hard taking care of a child who isn’t even related to you. I didn’t realize that before—sorry.”
And then:
“So how about sending the child away?”
He was suggesting I get rid of Echo.
That since Gilbert brought her home out of nowhere, we weren’t responsible for her.
“Unbelievable.”
I muttered with a bitter expression.
Sure, if I tried to be cold-hearted, technically, I had no duty to take care of Echo.
We weren’t blood-related, not real family.
But how could anyone just throw a child away like that?
Calling it “sending her away” didn’t change the fact that it was the same as abandoning her.
I knew that better than anyone—because I had experienced it in my past life.
Besides, it wasn’t like Louis (my father) said all this out of concern for me.
He probably just thought I was being childish—throwing a tantrum.
To him, Echo was the proof that Gilbert had been unfaithful.
And since Gilbert had died so suddenly, now he expected me to take care of the very person I had supposedly hated—Echo.
So, in Louis’s eyes, getting rid of Echo would allow us to keep collecting Gilbert’s pension, without guilt or hassle.
I should’ve burned the letter unread.
Grinding my teeth in frustration, I suddenly noticed Echo looking up at me, worried.
“Is… is something wrong?”
Her big eyes were full of concern for me.
But I couldn’t bring myself to tell her.
To explain why I was so angry, I’d have to tell her what the letter said.
Sure, I could try to soften it, twist the truth a bit.
But children notice more than we think—especially kids like Echo, who had no one else in the world to rely on.
“It’s nothing serious. Echo, if a letter ever comes with that man’s… I mean, my father’s name on it, could you bring it straight to me? And try not to read what’s inside.”
“…Okay. I’ll do that.”
“Good. Then let’s eat.”
I gave her a big smile and went to finish preparing the meal.
As for the letter from my father—I didn’t care anymore.
I just crumpled it up and shoved it into my pocket carelessly.
“Miss Godell… the letter…”
“Ah, it’s fine. I can reply to this later.”
I smiled lightly as I said it. Of course, I had no intention of replying at all.
You don’t feed a mad dog — and conversations should only be had with people who understand reason. That’s why I figured ignoring him was the best option.
But it seemed I had underestimated Louis’s persistence.
“Miss Godell, um…”
“Another letter, right?”
“Yes…”
This made it the third one. Three letters from Louis had already arrived.
The first tried to gently persuade me. The second begged and pleaded. And now? The only thing left was a threat. I thought I could just ignore even that, but…
The contents were worse than I expected.
“You keep ignoring me, so I have no choice.”
“If you really plan to reveal Gilbert’s death, go ahead.”
“But I’ll be taking Echo with me. That way, I can at least carry on Gilbert’s will.”
“Ha!”
I let out a dry laugh.
Gilbert’s will? What a joke. He just wants to use Echo to squeeze more money out of the system.
Normally, when a hero dies, the pension stops.
But there are exceptions — like when the hero is the head of the household.
In that case, surviving family members might continue to receive part of the pension to help them get by.
Of course, Louis didn’t qualify for that. He lost everything through gambling.
And heroes were required to regularly report to royal officials to confirm they were still alive.
If it were found out that the death was hidden and the pension continued fraudulently, even the hero’s family wouldn’t be spared.
And poor Echo, who had done nothing wrong, would be punished too.
Louis knew all of this. But even so, he couldn’t let go of his greed — trying to use a child for money.
I looked coldly at Echo and said,
“Echo.”
“Yes?”
“If a strange person ever approaches you, scream as loud as you can.”
“…Huh?”
Echo blinked, confused. She didn’t seem to understand what I meant.
Then it hit me — Echo had never been taught even basic safety.
She’d been trapped in this house for most of her life.
In a household with just two women, this kind of safety education was critical.
Even if I let it slide, what on earth was Gilbert doing all that time?
Annoyed by his irresponsibility, I put my hand on my hip and spoke seriously.
“If someone shady comes near you or tries anything weird, don’t hesitate — attack first.”
“Attack…?”
“If you’re not sure what to do, just aim for the middle. You know where I mean, right? Just hit them. Your life comes first, always. And before you open the door, check outside to make sure no one’s there…”
I was going on passionately when Echo suddenly asked in a quiet voice,
“…Is it really okay?”
“What?”
Echo looked calm — too calm — and her expression seemed… heavy.
“If I… disappear…”
“……”
“Wouldn’t that be better for you too, Miss Godell…?”
Right then—
Knock knock.
A knock broke through the silence.
“S-someone’s at the door…”
Echo said it nervously, but I felt like hearing the rest of what she wanted to say was more important.
“Don’t worry about that. Keep going.”
Knock knock knock.
“They’ll leave if we just don’t answer—”
Knock knock knock knock.
“Just finish what—”
Knock knock knock knock knock.
But the knocking only grew louder, more persistent.
No matter how long we ignored it, it didn’t stop.
Frustrated, I glared toward the door with a fierce expression.
I was finally about to have a serious conversation — and now someone shows up? Don’t they know to leave when there’s no answer?!
Then it hit me. Only one person was this annoyingly persistent.
Louis.
That damn father of mine must’ve come all the way here.
Fine. Maybe it was better this way.
We could finally settle this today.
I jumped up and marched to the door.
Then grabbed the doorknob and growled,
“Unbelievable. You show up here and—!”
I yanked the door open and shouted,
“Why don’t you stick that straw in your own fat belly, you useless—!”
“……”
“Useless…”
But my loud, angry voice trailed off the moment I saw who it actually was.
It wasn’t the usual mailman, and it definitely wasn’t half-bald Louis.
What caught my eye first were the blue eyes — bright and clear like a lake, standing out even with the sun behind him.
Next was the neatly combed black hair — mostly tidy, but with a few strands falling across his forehead in a way that gave him an effortlessly cool look.
Then came his sharp, striking features.
I used to think Gilbert was the most handsome man in the world — probably because of Godell’s memories.
But compared to the man in front of me?
Gilbert didn’t even come close.
Our eyes met.
His face had looked a bit tense at first, but the moment he saw me, he smiled gently — as if all that sharpness was never there.
“Is there something on my face?”
“Ah—”
Snapped out of my daze, I quickly replied,
“Sorry, I was just… lost in thought.”
“No problem at all.”
He gave a soft smile.
His voice was calm and polite — gentle, yet clearly keeping a respectful distance.
And the way he handled being stared at so casually… He was definitely used to this kind of attention.
He was the type of person who had everything — appearance, confidence, and presence.
But why would someone like him be here?
