Chapter 16: CH 14

I arrived at the shopping street in a carriage and bought all the protective gear I could see. It was all Seniel’s money, but I didn’t hesitate to spend it because I thought it was a bargain.

I also bought a few knives that were easy for beginners to handle and things that could protect the neck.

I also bought a potion to help me run fast.

I stopped by a magic ring supply store and looked at the rings. I was looking for one that protects the wearer from a certain level of holy power.

‘I wonder if Kid will use his powers. No, he shouldn’t be able to…’

It was said that it was difficult to express holy power if one’s character was distorted, but it was not that they wouldn’t be able to use it at all, so I did not know if he could use it.

If Kid uses his powers, can I stop him? Contemplating, I eventually bought the ring that protected me from holy power.

Before I knew it, I had three rings stuck in one hand.

I sighed deeply while looking down at my arms full of luggage. Although it was disturbing, objectively, this amount seemed to be sufficient. The money to buy all of this was enough to buy a piece of land.

Although this could be called a shopping spree with a lot of money, it was not enjoyable at all.

There were only five days left until the stowaway, but my situation was still dark.

I was on my way back to the carriage, trudging.

‘Huh?’

A friendly face appeared. On the other side, Ezette, clad in armor, was walking with restraint.

‘He’s so handsome.’

The hair, which looked white and soft like whipped cream, fluttered in the wind. A pair of serious eyes were in the middle of the deep eyeholes. The last time I saw him, I thought he was a big man, but his physique was no joke in armor.

‘Is this my fortune?’

It wasn’t that much, but Seniel also had a strong body and was terribly handsome. However, there were various types of handsome men, so I couldn’t help but admire each one.

Geez. It was a pity that Ronan had passed away. Heaven was indifferent, taking such a blessed person.

Anyway, seeing that she was wearing armor, it seemed Ezette was on duty. What was she doing? Guards rather than paladins usually carried out patrols.

‘And why is her face look so heavy?’

Did Ezette originally go around with such a heavy face? I didn’t think so.

I remember the heroine in the novel was moderately just, yet raging with anger and fighting spirit. She might not be passionate about everything, but she wasn’t melancholy.

But now she seemed like someone who was bored with life.

She’d been as lifeless as she was now the last time we met, but I thought it was just because he was annoyed.

I briefly thought about what was wrong with Ezette and then decided to let it pass lightly.

‘People can’t always be energetic. There must be times like that, huh?’

I turned my head to go back on my way. As I turned my head, I made eye contact with Ezette.

Ezette’s tired eyes became clear for a moment.

I just nodded slightly so as not to interfere with her work. Ezette paused at my greeting, and strangely her eyes clouded again. Soon she blinked quietly and turned away.

Is she sick? I stared for a moment at Ezette heading somewhere else.

***

Self-defense supplies and protective gear had been hidden in a suitable place. After sorting things out, I immediately fell on the bed. There was still a lot of time before Seniel left work, so I thought I could nap.

Maybe it was because I was so tired that I couldn’t feel the complex emotions of fear and pity like yesterday. My body soon drooped.

I slept without worry as I’d asked the maid to wake me up before 6 PM.

“Madam, it’s time to wake up.”

With the help of the maid, I woke up just in time for dinner. Maybe because I was relaxed while sleeping, my whole body ached upon waking up.

I went into the dining room while massaging my shoulder.

Seniel was there in a priest’s uniform. He had a calmer face than yesterday. The little peace made me feel as if I had to pray.

The meal was not much different from yesterday.

Seniel looked like he had something to say but didn’t dare say it out loud. I  was busy filling my stomach with moderate casual greetings. It was not because of an appetite but to save strength.

After eating, I took out the flower. Even if I didn’t say anything, now Seniel received flowers from me naturally.

“I’ll put it in today as well. Oh, can I keep adding the flowers from last time?”

“Mm. It’s up to you. Keep it in moderation and throw it away when it withers.”

“I’ll do that.” As if receiving an important command, Seniel looked at the flower seriously. Maybe it was because I was tired, but he actually looked cute for a moment.

As I was about to leave, Seniel raised his hand, paused, and then lowered it. Are you trying to say goodbye? So I asked, looking at his hand, which had lost direction for a moment, “Do you have something to say?”

“… No. Goodbye.”

What? I looked at Seniel, but he smiled awkwardly and replied that it was nothing. From that rude reaction, I didn’t think he’d give me an answer, even if I bit him. So I quickly gave up and went back to my room.

***

It was past 8 PM. I had to wash up and get ready for bed.

To wear my neck guard, I’d asked the maid to prepare a turtleneck pajama or a scarf, saying I seemed to have a sore throat. I wondered if there was a turtleneck nightgown, but I should’ve expected that anything was possible because it was a fantasy world.

So I put on the neck guard sparingly. It was warm but stuffy.

Sitting on my bed and staring at the door, I felt alone again.

I was so frightened that I’d almost grabbed the maid who prepared the bath water by the leg to tell her not to go tonight. But I eventually sent the maid calmly because I still had my reason.

‘If I kept the handmaiden here, Seniel would have had to prepare two coffins in the morning.’

If Kid didn’t show up even today, I had no idea what tomorrow night would be like.

It had only been a few days since I transmigrated, but my body and mind already felt broken. I wanted to escape quickly before it got any worse. The stowaway had to be successful.

Someone knocked on the door as I was strengthening my will to escape. Surprised, I almost hopped off the bed with a whine.

‘It’s not time for Kid to come yet.’

And Kid doesn’t knock!

As I was trembling in fear of the unknown, I heard a human voice outside the door.

“Madam, this is Butler Hubburn. A letter has arrived, and I want to deliver it to you.”

My body relaxed as soon as I realized it was the butler.

“Come in.”

Hubburn entered. Everyone was busy getting ready to leave work, but Hubburn showed no signs of impatience. He was a butler full of professionalism.

“Leave it on the table. Thank you for your work.”

“I wish you a peaceful night.”

I wish I could have one.

I got out of bed after seeing Hubburn shut the door. He was so attentive that he’d also brought the paper knife over. There on the table was an envelope and a paper knife.

‘By the way, I was so distracted earlier that I didn’t pay attention. But is there anyone who would send a letter to Vivi?’

I traced Vivi’s memory, but there was no one like that.

Before I opened the letter, skeptical, I looked at the envelope.

There was nothing eye-catching about it. It was just a crude paper envelope with no family seal. So it was even stranger.

‘Who the hell is it?’

Without further hesitation, I picked up the paper knife and gently ripped the envelope with it. The envelope contained plain stationery suitable for an ordinary envelope.

‘Wow. Look at that handwriting.’

Before reading the contents, I was amazed by the consistent handwriting that looked like a font. It was far from beautiful handwriting, but the honest and unabashed handwriting was neat at a glance.

Who’d sent such a letter to Vivi?

Curious, I didn’t look up and read from the bottom.

From Ronan Phylaxis.

“What? Ronan Phylaxis? The Ronan Phylaxis that I know? This is from the female lead?”

I closed my eyes before opening them wide, wondering if I had seen wrong, but the text was the same.

Why had she sent me a letter?

Was she trying to blackmail me for the stowaway? That female lead? No, that couldn’t be.

‘We were fine. We even had a joke. Am I the only one who meant it?’

Without realizing it, I bit my nails and looked up. I began to read the letter again slowly.

Dear Lady Vivi McCourt.

This is Ronan Phylaxis, who escorted you on Rodwald Street. Can you keep your promise now that you will reward me? I need your help.

Please come to the Libetta Cafe on Alberto Street tomorrow at 2 PM. I know it’s a rude request, but I have no one to turn to for help. My apologies.

I’ll be waiting.

From Ronan Phylaxis.

Even after reading the letter’s contents, I thought this could not be all, so I turned the letter over. The blank space seemed to say that this was all the content.

Learn more

Pause

Unmute

If you don’t go, I’ll threaten you, I thought she’d say something like this, but it was just a request. Well, perhaps this was a subtle threat.

I stopped frantically flipping the paper over.

‘Is she calling me because she really needs help? Or has she noticed something and called me under the guise of help?’

Considering Ezette’s character, whose charm was honesty, this letter could have been a request for help as it was written. I didn’t have to twist it, but something felt amiss.

‘Whatever happens, I’ll find out when I go.’

It was suspicious to meet on the anniversary of the marquis, but I couldn’t help but go.

I folded the letter and put it back in the envelope, then put it in the drawer and went back to bed calmly.

In the dark room without any light, I wrapped myself like a cocoon. Having built my own fortress, I stared at the door again. Then I closed my eyes and prayed sincerely.

“Please let me see his face tomorrow morning, too.”

***

Did my earnest prayer come through?

Kid didn’t show up that night either.