YWPWYLFDM 84

Chapter 84

With her head lowered, Aila was picking up branches when Cloud’s words made her freeze. She lifted her gaze to him, startled.

Capella is coming to fetch her.

The meaning was clear. Soon, Aila would be taken back to her longed-for parents, and the couple would die at Cloud’s hands.

Two months had flown by since Aila had begun living with the couple.

Because their cottage stood halfway up the mountain, the summer heat hadn’t been too harsh—but summer had passed, and autumn was already at the doorstep.

“……”

Her mind tangled with thoughts, Aila stopped gathering firewood. Cloud quietly crouched down beside her, reaching to pick up branches in her place.

“Are you all right, miss?”

His face was marked with worry. He couldn’t understand why she suddenly looked so troubled.

“…Yes.”

Aila bit her lip as she looked at him.

At first, she had planned to act on her own. But perhaps, she thought, she might be able to get Cloud’s help in saving Debby and Scott.

This was her chance to test whether he had truly turned to her side—and if she could trust him completely.

“Cloud.”

“Yes, my lady. Please speak.”

“…I’m going to save Uncle and Aunt.”

At her words, Cloud was so shocked that the branch in his hand snapped in two.

How could she possibly know about the plan to kill them?

Byron’s order to eliminate the couple had come only after Aila began living in this cabin. She had no chance to overhear.

Staring blankly, he could only ask, “How did you know that?”

“…Isn’t it obvious if you think about it? That vile man would never let such a danger live.”

She shrugged casually. There was no need to confuse Cloud further by talking about regressions or other unbelievable things.

Fortunately, Cloud seemed willing to accept her reasoning.

“I see…”

“After I leave, I’ll tell them to flee immediately. All you need to do is… lie. Tell Byron you killed them. Can you do that?”

She had been worried they might not reach the safe house she had prepared, and Byron’s men might catch them. But if Cloud lied for her, he could buy them precious time to hide.

“…Hmm.”

Cloud groaned awkwardly, still hesitant to actively help her.

Angered by his indecisive attitude, Aila stood up with her bundle of sticks and snapped at him.

“Think carefully. Is it right for innocent people to die just because of Byron’s greed? What happened to that guilty conscience you had, tormented by deceiving me? Doesn’t this trouble you?”

With a snort, she turned her back on him.

Left alone, Cloud mulled over her words.

The couple truly bore no guilt. They had only been unlucky enough to catch Byron’s eye and be used. Could he really kill them without feeling anything?

Though she had spoken only of this case, her words struck him like a stone thrown into still water.

For years, under the excuse of serving his family, he had harmed countless innocents. He had forced down his guilt, burying it deep. But her words dragged it back to the surface, stirring his heart.

…She is always a child who shames her elders.

Cloud gave a hollow laugh, gazing toward the direction Aila had gone.

“Oh my, Aila. Why do you look so pale? What happened? And your clothes—why are they so dirty? Did you fall?”

“Did you get hurt?”

When Aila returned to the cabin, arms full of branches, Debby and Scott rushed to her side in alarm.

“My clothes? What’s wrong with my clothes…”

She hadn’t even noticed. Flustered, she looked down to see her skirt covered in leaves and dirt from crouching on the ground.

“Oh, this isn’t from falling…”

When she explained it was just from picking up firewood, Debby sighed and brushed off her skirt with care.

“You didn’t have to kneel down like that…”

It pained her, seeing the girl act so timidly in their home, as if she were a burden.

That tender touch only deepened Aila’s guilt.

Even if she hadn’t meant to, she had deceived this kind couple all along. Her chest tightened—and tears welled up in her eyes.

Seeing her cry, Debby and Scott grew flustered.

“Aila, why are you crying? Don’t make Auntie sad, hm?”

Debby dabbed at her tears with a handkerchief she had sewn herself. Scott fidgeted helplessly, not knowing what to do.

Swallowing back sobs, Aila forced herself to speak. If she wanted to protect them, she had to explain—but all she could do was cry. How pathetic.

“I’m sorry, Auntie, Uncle… I’ve been lying to you.”

“Lying? What do you mean?”

The couple tilted their heads in confusion.

“Tomorrow… the woman who came with me will come to fetch me.”

“…You mean your mother?”

“‘The woman who came with me’? That’s a strange way to call your mother.” Debby frowned, puzzled.

“No! That woman… she isn’t my mother! The debts, the sister in the neighboring village—everything was a lie. I tricked you. I’m sorry…”

Biting her lip hard, Aila held back more tears.

Confessing lightened her heart, but the thought of betraying their trust hurt deeply.

“What do you mean she isn’t your mother…?”

“Were you kidnapped? If so, we should go to the authorities—”

Instead of resenting her deception, the couple worried for her. Their kindness stabbed her all the more.

“I can’t tell you the full story… but if I go back with her tomorrow, you must flee this place. Otherwise, they’ll try to harm you.”

She handed them the note Winfred had given her.

She couldn’t be sure they would believe her—but she had to convince them. She refused to lose them.

“Where is this place supposed to be…?”

The couple exchanged uneasy looks, baffled.

“There are people there who will protect you. I’m truly sorry for dragging you into this. But… could you trust me, just this once?”

Her desperate voice trembled. It was as if her very life depended on their answer.

After a moment of silence, Debby clasped Aila’s hand.

“Then, Aila… come with us.”

“What?”

“If these people want to harm us, won’t you be in danger too?”

Stunned, Aila stared at Debby. She had never expected such a suggestion.

Her heart swelled with gratitude. Even after she’d deceived them for two months, they cared this much for her.

“…Thank you, but I can’t. If I don’t go back with her, my life will be in danger.”

Her voice faltered. Even she knew her words lacked conviction.

But as long as the curse bound her, she had no choice but to leave with Capella.

…Wait. Isn’t something strange?

In her past life, the curse-breaking ritual had been performed before she came to this house. So why… hadn’t it been done this time?

No—this wasn’t the time to think about that. The order didn’t matter now. What mattered was persuading the couple.

“Aila…”

“I’ll settle things as quickly as I can. Then I’ll come find you. Until then, please stay hidden where the note says.”

She squeezed Debby’s hand tightly, willing her sincerity to pass through her skin.

And at last—

“All right.”

“We’ll do as you say.”

The couple nodded after sharing a look.

But there was still one problem.

“Aila… we can’t read. We don’t know what the note says.”

Scott admitted it with a flushed face. For common folk, however, illiteracy was hardly shameful. Most could barely write their own names.

“Oh…”

Aila sighed. She already knew this from her past life, yet had forgotten.

“What should we do? I don’t know geography well enough to draw a map…”

If only she were familiar with the empire’s terrain, she could have sketched directions. But she had spent her life wandering aimlessly, never learning.

So instead, she read aloud the address Winfred had written, hoping Debby and Scott would memorize it well enough to find their way.