YWPWYLFDM 63

Chapter 63

Unable to bear the silence, Candice broke into the couple’s conversation. From then on, the story flowed without interruption.

“No, listen—while I was distracted, someone cowardly tried to ambush me from behind. By the time I sensed the presence and turned around, it was already too late. I thought, Ah… this is how I die. But then, right at that moment, a savior appeared.”

Natalia closed her eyes as though entranced, recalling the instant when a young girl in a white hat with lace ribbons appeared before her. Even in hindsight, it had been a scene fit for the climax of a grand play.

“A girl, maybe thirteen or fourteen, rushed in swinging a dagger… and in a single strike, she subdued that cowardly pirate who had been about to cut me down. Even though I saw it with my own two eyes, it still felt like I was dreaming.”

As she finished with a dreamy look on her face, everyone let out gasps of awe.

Everyone—except Roderick.

A young girl of thirteen or fourteen. A dagger. Skillful enough to defeat a pirate in an instant.

Those three words immediately brought one person to his mind—Eila.

“…That girl—what did she look like? Her hair color? Her eyes? Did she say where she was headed?”

Roderick asked suddenly, almost desperately. Startled, Natalia tried to recall the girl’s appearance.

“Uh… she had her hat pulled down low, so I couldn’t see her hair. But her eyes… they were blue. A deep sea blue. We didn’t really talk. I was about to thank her, but while I was speaking with the captain, she disappeared.”

She answered as best as she could remember, but Roderick wasn’t satisfied. His questioning pressed on.

“That ship—where was it sailing from and to?”

“Oh, that… it was a trade ship from the Pelles Empire, bound for the Kingdom of Inselkopf.”

The Kingdom of Inselkopf.

Roderick fell silent, lost in thought.

Could that girl truly have been Eila? If so, did that mean Byron had smuggled himself into the Kingdom of Inselkopf? And for what reason?

One question led to another, doubt chasing doubt.

“…Roderick, what’s wrong with you? You’re acting strange.”

Candice jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow, but he didn’t respond.

At first, Ophelia found her husband’s odd behavior strange, but then her expression slowly shifted, as though she was beginning to realize something.

“Um, excuse me…”

At that moment, Austin raised his hand hesitantly, unsure if he was allowed to speak up.

“The truth is, I did catch a glimpse of that girl going into a cabin. A bit of her hair was sticking out from under the hat. It was silver.”

Silver hair. Blue eyes.

A heavy silence instantly filled the room. Everyone, except Austin who didn’t understand, realized what this meant.

The girl could very well have been Eila.

It was the day she was supposed to go to the festival with Gerald.

Eila finished her preparations by putting on a bonnet that completely covered her hair. As always, Lora tied the ribbon and reminded her firmly never to take it off.

When she stepped out of the annex, Cloud was waiting to see her off. Gerald, dressed up more neatly than usual, stood by with an ornate carriage.

“…Have a safe trip, my lady.”

Cloud’s grip on her shoulder was so tight it almost hurt. His eyes brimmed with worry.

Eila couldn’t tell why. Was it genuine concern, uncharacteristic of him? Or was he suspicious of her?

“Mm. I’ll be back.”

Leaving the unreadable Cloud behind, she approached the carriage.

When she came closer, Gerald grinned broadly and extended his hand, offering to help her up.

But Eila ignored him, climbing up on her own.

Having learned noble etiquette as a young lady, she knew this was impolite. Still, she had no intention of showing courtesy to someone like Gerald.

His eyebrow twitched at the snub, his pride clearly stung.

Even so, he forced a smile and climbed in after her. After all, he couldn’t afford to throw away the chance he had fought so hard to win, not over a rejected escort.

Once Gerald sat across from her, he signaled to the coachman, and the carriage started off smoothly.

“Nice weather today, isn’t it?”

While she leaned on her hand and gazed out the window, Gerald tried to make conversation, awkwardly shy.

Why was he suddenly acting reserved, after having been so annoyingly clingy before? She couldn’t fathom it.

“…Yes.”

The weather was indeed fine, so she gave him a short reply.

The sunlight was dazzling, the sky impossibly clear, and a refreshing spring breeze carried the fragrance of blossoms through the air. It was the perfect day for an outing.

If only her companion weren’t Gerald.

“It’ll take about two hours by carriage to reach the capital.”

“Alright.”

Two hours, trapped in this cramped carriage with Gerald.

Annoying, yes. But she’d endured worse—like hiding on the floor of a carriage with Byron. Compared to that, this was nothing.

Gerald kept babbling on, trying to start small talk, but their conversations never lasted. Eila only gave curt answers while staring out the window.

Still, watching the foreign scenery outside, half ignoring his chatter, was enjoyable in its own way.

It was the first time she’d been able to enjoy freedom without Byron and his men watching her every move.

She didn’t have to rush back before being caught. She didn’t have to force a smile to keep Byron in a good mood.

And, strangely, she’d had a good feeling since morning. As though luck was on her side.

It made no sense—what good luck could possibly come while she was stuck with Gerald?

After some time, Gerald finally grew tired of talking to himself and went quiet.

Curious what he was doing, she glanced at him from the corner of her eye. He looked restless, repeatedly fidgeting with something in the inside pocket of his coat.

Something important must have been hidden there.

Seeing his anxious behavior only deepened her suspicion. She turned to face him directly.

“W-what? Do I have something on my face?”

Startled by her gaze, he grew flustered, his guilty conscience practically written on his face.

“…No.”

She didn’t know what he was plotting, but clearly, he was hiding something. She would have to keep an eye on him.

By then, the carriage had reached the capital.

The streets were decorated brightly, musicians played lively tunes, and the air buzzed with excitement. People bought food from street stalls and laughed in high spirits.

Seeing it, Eila finally felt the reality sink in—she was truly at a festival.

Her heart raced with a pleasant thrill, and she wanted to join in—browse the stalls, try the foods, eat one of those sandwich-like things everyone seemed to have.

But the carriage didn’t stop in the festival streets. It rolled straight past.

“…Aren’t we getting out? Isn’t this the festival?”

Eila asked, puzzled. Gerald responded in disbelief.

“Do you think I’m some commoner? How could I possibly mingle with the rabble? Just wait—I’ll take you somewhere really nice.”

What nonsense was this? He was the one who had invited her to the festival. So why bring her all the way to the capital if not for that?

And where exactly was this “really nice” place?

Suspicious, she narrowed her eyes and studied him carefully. The carriage traveled on until they reached an upscale residential district.

It was elegant and refined, certainly—but worlds apart from the lively festival.

“…Here we are. Get down.”

When the carriage stopped, Gerald got out first and once again extended his hand. Stubborn as ever, Eila ignored it and stepped down by herself, glancing around.

Why had he brought her here?

“Ahem. Just wait here a moment.”

Rejected for the second time, Gerald looked embarrassed, cleared his throat, and walked over to his knights.

Lowering his voice, he whispered something to them, pressing something into their hands.

Pretending not to listen, Eila strained to catch his words.

“She and I will be in that café. You lot go have a drink somewhere.”

“What? Young master, that’s a bit…”

“Just take it and go! I swear we won’t go anywhere else. You know how safe this neighborhood is. We don’t need guarding here.”

The “something” he was forcing on the knights was a purse heavy with gold coins.

…He’s getting more suspicious by the minute.

Why was he so desperate to dismiss his guards and be alone with her?