Translator: Missme
Editor: Aru
In the voice calling me, I looked back at Rina.
She opened her lips tightly hugging the bouquet I bought for her.
What is she trying to say?
“Can I call you eonni next time I see you, sunbae-nim?”
I thought it was something serious.
“Okay. You can call me that.”
“Really? Thank you!”
Rina smiled broadly after being absent-minded for a moment, perhaps she didn’t expect I would readily allow it.
“Then see you next time!”
She waved one hand loudly and ran away.
I also smiled and waved my hand to Rina.
Until she went to the crowd and I couldn’t see her anymore.
* * * * *
I remembered what Veloca stated earlier on my way back after parting ways with Rina.
‘A guardian necklace……’
I tried not to think about it while I was with Rina, but the thought of its existence bothered me.
My hand naturally caressed my neck while thinking about it, but all I felt was a blouse and a ribbon.
‘There is no such thing as a necklace, no matter how much I think about it.’
Of course, as far as I remember, I’ve never seen such a necklace.
Did I lose it when I left the theatre?
However, there is no way that I could miss it when I brought the entire jewellery box when I left the theatre.
‘However, the thought that Veloca mistook someone else’s stuff for mine is absurd.’
Veloca described to me the shape of the necklace in great detail.
In particular, the fact that I had it since I was in the nursery was on my mind.
Because the original Lena was not the sort to open up about her personal life to people.
Veloca and Rael were the only ones in the theatre who knew Lena was an orphan.
However, I have no recollection of that necklace.
I was strolling along, simply gazing down at the ground, when I noticed someone’s feet.
We would have collided if I had taken just one more step forward.
“I’m sorry.”
I didn’t notice ahead of me because I was focused on something else.
But I’m thankful I noticed it before I accidentally ran into him.
I moved my body slightly to the side without looking at my opponent’s face.
The other person, on the other hand, was blocking my path.
What is it?
Miss Elena Oreu.”
I noticed a man with a melancholy expression as I raised my head.
The man looked at the paper in his hand and then back at me as soon as our eyes met.
A shiver ran down my spine at that very moment.
“You were looking at the wrong person.”
“Aren’t you Miss Elena?”
“No, my name is Sarah.”
To Sarah, who’s living somewhere, please forgive me for using your name. But, please understand since that name was the only thing that came to my mind right now.
“Then I’ll get going now…”
“Where are you going? Miss Elena, who looks exactly like this portrait.”
The man smiled and showed me the paper he was looking at.
The paper with merely a face drawn, as if it were a montage photo, increased the alertness.
Because it was clear that the person who created that picture was merely trying to find me and drew my face in a rush.
“What brought you to see me?”
“You’ll find out obviously if you obey us.”
Was he sent by the Crown Prince to find me?
No.
If the Crown Prince needed something from me, he would have informed me through the Count.
And besides, the Count had gone earlier in the morning.
“Say it right here. Otherwise, I won’t follow you.”
“I’m afraid I won’t be able to tell you anything right now. Please follow me because it will not harm you. By the way, it’s wiser for you not to think doing something foolish.”
When the man winked, people who appeared to be from his group crept up behind me, as if to intimidate me.
They were pretending as passersby to be able to surround me like this.
My head became cold.
I counted the men there.
One, two, three……six.
I counted them with my eyes and identified six of them.
I would have tried to overwhelm them if there were only one or two of them, but I had no experience dealing with such a group of adult guys.
“Ha…”
A bitter laugh escaped my lips.
They can’t even properly reveal their intentions, yet they dare to claim that they won’t harm me while I’m surrounded like this?
All the dogs on the street will be laughing.
“I’m not sure who sent you, but…”
“…tell him to eat the shit.”
I said, smiling face to face at the man and shouting some nasty words to him that he probably didn’t understand because it was from another world.
(T/N: 엿이나 먹으라고 해요 or 엿먹어 is a real bad word, anyway it means f**k you.)
“What…”
When I raised my middle finger, the man became flustered and his words became slurred.
However, here was my chance.
I tossed the script I was carrying, as well as a box of gloves I had bought with Rina while shopping, at the man.
The script was strewn about, and the man who had been beaten by the box screamed.
“Argh!”
I turned around and dashed through the crowd as soon as the man covered his face.
I could feel the men chasing me and hear them shouting, “Catch her!” behind me.
People bumped into me midway because I was running so fast, and I didn’t have time to apologize.
I have 3 cm runny noses right now. I didn’t even have time to think about apologizing!
(T/N: aka I have 3cm runny noses is an idiom that indicates ‘I’m having a hard time and can’t help others.’)
‘I have to go to the guard station.’
I kept running, trying to remember the path to the guard station.
It was incredible that my brain functioned properly in such a tense situation.
My heart would race whenever I heard a rumbling sound from behind me.
My body felt as if it was dripping with sweat.
Even the tip of my head felt squishy because of the sweat.
No, calm down, it’s okay as long as I can reach the guard station.
So, if I go just a little bit further……!
“Argh!”
At that moment, I felt my ankle snap as my heels slipped.
I thought my vision was sinking in an instant, and before I knew it, I fell to the ground.
“Ugh…”
Screwed shoes!
I wasn’t expecting this explosion when I wore a skirt with high heels and patty coats covered in layers simply to feel better about going out after such a long time.
Still, I felt compelled to get up, so I frantically raised my body from the ground.
However, due to the terrible pain surging toward my ankle, I had no choice but to collapse again as soon as I arose.
“I found her! The girl is here!”
Meanwhile, the man who had caught up to me shouted.
I felt obliged to flee, but I couldn’t move.
Even if I put a little strength into my legs, it hurt so much.
Men flocked one by one, just gasping and staring at the man.
“How can a girl be so fast?”
“Oh, my. She’s running fast.”
The men that approached me surrounded me, taking as deep a breath as I did.
With a sly smirk, the man who had previously blocked me approached.
“Do you have to run away like this? It would have been preferable if you had discreetly followed me.”
The shadows of several men fell over my head.
The thought of being dragged like this and not knowing what would happen made me frightened.
I felt as if I were being suffocated.
‘Someone… Please help me……’
I didn’t mean to ask anyone, in particular, to come and help me.
I just wished for anyone to help me.
As the man’s hand gradually stretched toward me, I tightly closed my eyes.
“Argh!”
My ears were penetrated by a deafening scream.
The voice of the man who was trying to catch me was clear.
A dark cloth dropped over my head as soon as I tried to open my closed eyes.
What is it?
In the meantime, the men’s screams, the sound of twisted thick bones and bodies collapsing have not stopped.
I grabbed the cloth that was blocking my view and tried to get off.
“Please wait a moment…”
I came to a halt when I heard a familiar voice.
“… Lord Egon?”
“It will be over soon.”
My hand, which was ready to lower the cloth, came to a halt when I heard the familiar voice.
And I had the impression that I knew what Caleb had on me.
‘Did he hand over the cloak he usually wears?’
The scent of something I smelled one day is still lingering on the tip of my nose.
As I inhaled the scent and was covered by the cloth, I felt relieved.
I was only waiting for the situation to be handled when I was approached by someone.
I knew without having to look.
Caleb is right in front of me.
“Can I put this down now?”
“Yes.”
I drew the cloth down.
As far as I could tell, the black cloth was his usual cloak.
As I quietly looked around, I noticed several men lying motionless.
Caleb was kneeling on one knee in front of me, with Lord Vessel standing behind him.
“Those people, are they dead?”
I made a gesture toward the males.
Although none of them was bleeding, I was perplexed to find them laying motionless.
“I didn’t kill them.”
“Then…”
“They merely lose consciousness for a moment. You don’t have to be concerned.”
The former was answered by Caleb and the latter by Lord Vessel.
I felt relieved when I heard that.
“That’s a relief.”
It has nothing to do with human rights or morality.
I was relieved because Caleb and Lord Vessel’s hands were not stained with the blood of such people.
“Are you able to stand?”
“Uhm, no. I’m afraid I won’t be able to because I sprained my ankle.”
I couldn’t contain my embarrassment and started laughing.
My face was drenched in a cold sweat.
I used to assume it was because I was too frightened, but now I realize it was because of the pain in my ankle.
“The wound appears to be serious.”
Lord Vessel kicked his tongue and cast a peek at my ankle.
“I’ll handle the rest, Commander, so why don’t you take Lady Oreu to the nearest treatment centre first?”
“Do you mind if I do it?”
“Should I bring Lady Oreu along? Actually, Commander, I believe you should handle the rest.”
“Lord Vessel, I’ll leave the rest to you.”
“However, I believe it would be better if I took Lady…”
“Excuse me, Elena.”
Caleb reached for my back with his hand.
And he immediately lifted me with his other hand beneath my knee.
Caleb murmured in a kind tone when I grasped his collar, surprised by my body’s floating.
“You can wrap your arms around my neck.”
“C-can I help you with that?”
“Yes.”
As soon as I got permission, I put my arm around his neck.
I would not have done it if I had been in my right mind.
My head, on the other hand, felt dizzy, as if the world was spinning.
Caleb held me around in his arms like if I were hanging.
I buried my breath in the nape of his neck, hoping he’d make it to the treatment centre quickly.
I had no idea how much time had passed since that time.
I sat on a sofa, covered in a cold sweat when I recognized what had happened, and an unfamiliar conversation came and passed into my ears.
“Elena.”
“……”
“Can you hear me?”
“I can hear you…”
In fact, it was difficult for me to preserve my mind.
My teeth clenched and my mind drifted as a result of the pain.
I didn’t know just spraining an ankle would be so painful.
“From now on, I’m going to adjust the bones and fix them. Will it be okay? ”
To adjust the bones?
The statements were plainly heard even amid a distraction.
I thought the wound was severe, but I didn’t expect that he had to adjust the bone right.
Caleb’s fingers got tangled between my fingers when I couldn’t answer quickly because I was terrified of the upcoming pain.
“It won’t hurt.”
“R-really?”
“I promise you. It’ll be over in an instant.”
I laughed and giggled without realizing it.
Because I know it’s a lie and a ruse to make me feel better.
But it seems to me that there was no other option.
And Caleb’s hand holding my hand was warm and friendly, so I nodded slowly.
“Then excuse me.”
An unknown potion was poured over my ankle.
My ankle discomfort, which had been scorching and causing me to clench my teeth, had subsided. It wasn’t numbness, but it was similar.
Caleb took out his sword and tore my stockings after carefully removing my shoes from my feet.
—————
Translator: Missme
Editor: Aru
In the voice calling me, I looked back at Rina.
She opened her lips tightly hugging the bouquet I bought for her.
What is she trying to say?
“Can I call you eonni next time I see you, sunbae-nim?”
I thought it was something serious.
“Okay. You can call me that.”
“Really? Thank you!”
Rina smiled broadly after being absent-minded for a moment, perhaps she didn’t expect I would readily allow it.
“Then see you next time!”
She waved one hand loudly and ran away.
I also smiled and waved my hand to Rina.
Until she went to the crowd and I couldn’t see her anymore.
* * * * *
I remembered what Veloca stated earlier on my way back after parting ways with Rina.
‘A guardian necklace……’
I tried not to think about it while I was with Rina, but the thought of its existence bothered me.
My hand naturally caressed my neck while thinking about it, but all I felt was a blouse and a ribbon.
‘There is no such thing as a necklace, no matter how much I think about it.’
Of course, as far as I remember, I’ve never seen such a necklace.
Did I lose it when I left the theatre?
However, there is no way that I could miss it when I brought the entire jewellery box when I left the theatre.
‘However, the thought that Veloca mistook someone else’s stuff for mine is absurd.’
Veloca described to me the shape of the necklace in great detail.
In particular, the fact that I had it since I was in the nursery was on my mind.
Because the original Lena was not the sort to open up about her personal life to people.
Veloca and Rael were the only ones in the theatre who knew Lena was an orphan.
However, I have no recollection of that necklace.
I was strolling along, simply gazing down at the ground, when I noticed someone’s feet.
We would have collided if I had taken just one more step forward.
“I’m sorry.”
I didn’t notice ahead of me because I was focused on something else.
But I’m thankful I noticed it before I accidentally ran into him.
I moved my body slightly to the side without looking at my opponent’s face.
The other person, on the other hand, was blocking my path.
What is it?
Miss Elena Oreu.”
I noticed a man with a melancholy expression as I raised my head.
The man looked at the paper in his hand and then back at me as soon as our eyes met.
A shiver ran down my spine at that very moment.
“You were looking at the wrong person.”
“Aren’t you Miss Elena?”
“No, my name is Sarah.”
To Sarah, who’s living somewhere, please forgive me for using your name. But, please understand since that name was the only thing that came to my mind right now.
“Then I’ll get going now…”
“Where are you going? Miss Elena, who looks exactly like this portrait.”
The man smiled and showed me the paper he was looking at.
The paper with merely a face drawn, as if it were a montage photo, increased the alertness.
Because it was clear that the person who created that picture was merely trying to find me and drew my face in a rush.
“What brought you to see me?”
“You’ll find out obviously if you obey us.”
Was he sent by the Crown Prince to find me?
No.
If the Crown Prince needed something from me, he would have informed me through the Count.
And besides, the Count had gone earlier in the morning.
“Say it right here. Otherwise, I won’t follow you.”
“I’m afraid I won’t be able to tell you anything right now. Please follow me because it will not harm you. By the way, it’s wiser for you not to think doing something foolish.”
When the man winked, people who appeared to be from his group crept up behind me, as if to intimidate me.
They were pretending as passersby to be able to surround me like this.
My head became cold.
I counted the men there.
One, two, three……six.
I counted them with my eyes and identified six of them.
I would have tried to overwhelm them if there were only one or two of them, but I had no experience dealing with such a group of adult guys.
“Ha…”
A bitter laugh escaped my lips.
They can’t even properly reveal their intentions, yet they dare to claim that they won’t harm me while I’m surrounded like this?
All the dogs on the street will be laughing.
“I’m not sure who sent you, but…”
“…tell him to eat the shit.”
I said, smiling face to face at the man and shouting some nasty words to him that he probably didn’t understand because it was from another world.
(T/N: 엿이나 먹으라고 해요 or 엿먹어 is a real bad word, anyway it means f**k you.)
“What…”
When I raised my middle finger, the man became flustered and his words became slurred.
However, here was my chance.
I tossed the script I was carrying, as well as a box of gloves I had bought with Rina while shopping, at the man.
The script was strewn about, and the man who had been beaten by the box screamed.
“Argh!”
I turned around and dashed through the crowd as soon as the man covered his face.
I could feel the men chasing me and hear them shouting, “Catch her!” behind me.
People bumped into me midway because I was running so fast, and I didn’t have time to apologize.
I have 3 cm runny noses right now. I didn’t even have time to think about apologizing!
(T/N: aka I have 3cm runny noses is an idiom that indicates ‘I’m having a hard time and can’t help others.’)
‘I have to go to the guard station.’
I kept running, trying to remember the path to the guard station.
It was incredible that my brain functioned properly in such a tense situation.
My heart would race whenever I heard a rumbling sound from behind me.
My body felt as if it was dripping with sweat.
Even the tip of my head felt squishy because of the sweat.
No, calm down, it’s okay as long as I can reach the guard station.
So, if I go just a little bit further……!
“Argh!”
At that moment, I felt my ankle snap as my heels slipped.
I thought my vision was sinking in an instant, and before I knew it, I fell to the ground.
“Ugh…”
Screwed shoes!
I wasn’t expecting this explosion when I wore a skirt with high heels and patty coats covered in layers simply to feel better about going out after such a long time.
Still, I felt compelled to get up, so I frantically raised my body from the ground.
However, due to the terrible pain surging toward my ankle, I had no choice but to collapse again as soon as I arose.
“I found her! The girl is here!”
Meanwhile, the man who had caught up to me shouted.
I felt obliged to flee, but I couldn’t move.
Even if I put a little strength into my legs, it hurt so much.
Men flocked one by one, just gasping and staring at the man.
“How can a girl be so fast?”
“Oh, my. She’s running fast.”
The men that approached me surrounded me, taking as deep a breath as I did.
With a sly smirk, the man who had previously blocked me approached.
“Do you have to run away like this? It would have been preferable if you had discreetly followed me.”
The shadows of several men fell over my head.
The thought of being dragged like this and not knowing what would happen made me frightened.
I felt as if I were being suffocated.
‘Someone… Please help me……’
I didn’t mean to ask anyone, in particular, to come and help me.
I just wished for anyone to help me.
As the man’s hand gradually stretched toward me, I tightly closed my eyes.
“Argh!”
My ears were penetrated by a deafening scream.
The voice of the man who was trying to catch me was clear.
A dark cloth dropped over my head as soon as I tried to open my closed eyes.
What is it?
In the meantime, the men’s screams, the sound of twisted thick bones and bodies collapsing have not stopped.
I grabbed the cloth that was blocking my view and tried to get off.
“Please wait a moment…”
I came to a halt when I heard a familiar voice.
“… Lord Egon?”
“It will be over soon.”
My hand, which was ready to lower the cloth, came to a halt when I heard the familiar voice.
And I had the impression that I knew what Caleb had on me.
‘Did he hand over the cloak he usually wears?’
The scent of something I smelled one day is still lingering on the tip of my nose.
As I inhaled the scent and was covered by the cloth, I felt relieved.
I was only waiting for the situation to be handled when I was approached by someone.
I knew without having to look.
Caleb is right in front of me.
“Can I put this down now?”
“Yes.”
I drew the cloth down.
As far as I could tell, the black cloth was his usual cloak.
As I quietly looked around, I noticed several men lying motionless.
Caleb was kneeling on one knee in front of me, with Lord Vessel standing behind him.
“Those people, are they dead?”
I made a gesture toward the males.
Although none of them was bleeding, I was perplexed to find them laying motionless.
“I didn’t kill them.”
“Then…”
“They merely lose consciousness for a moment. You don’t have to be concerned.”
The former was answered by Caleb and the latter by Lord Vessel.
I felt relieved when I heard that.
“That’s a relief.”
It has nothing to do with human rights or morality.
I was relieved because Caleb and Lord Vessel’s hands were not stained with the blood of such people.
“Are you able to stand?”
“Uhm, no. I’m afraid I won’t be able to because I sprained my ankle.”
I couldn’t contain my embarrassment and started laughing.
My face was drenched in a cold sweat.
I used to assume it was because I was too frightened, but now I realize it was because of the pain in my ankle.
“The wound appears to be serious.”
Lord Vessel kicked his tongue and cast a peek at my ankle.
“I’ll handle the rest, Commander, so why don’t you take Lady Oreu to the nearest treatment centre first?”
“Do you mind if I do it?”
“Should I bring Lady Oreu along? Actually, Commander, I believe you should handle the rest.”
“Lord Vessel, I’ll leave the rest to you.”
“However, I believe it would be better if I took Lady…”
“Excuse me, Elena.”
Caleb reached for my back with his hand.
And he immediately lifted me with his other hand beneath my knee.
Caleb murmured in a kind tone when I grasped his collar, surprised by my body’s floating.
“You can wrap your arms around my neck.”
“C-can I help you with that?”
“Yes.”
As soon as I got permission, I put my arm around his neck.
I would not have done it if I had been in my right mind.
My head, on the other hand, felt dizzy, as if the world was spinning.
Caleb held me around in his arms like if I were hanging.
I buried my breath in the nape of his neck, hoping he’d make it to the treatment centre quickly.
I had no idea how much time had passed since that time.
I sat on a sofa, covered in a cold sweat when I recognized what had happened, and an unfamiliar conversation came and passed into my ears.
“Elena.”
“……”
“Can you hear me?”
“I can hear you…”
In fact, it was difficult for me to preserve my mind.
My teeth clenched and my mind drifted as a result of the pain.
I didn’t know just spraining an ankle would be so painful.
“From now on, I’m going to adjust the bones and fix them. Will it be okay? ”
To adjust the bones?
The statements were plainly heard even amid a distraction.
I thought the wound was severe, but I didn’t expect that he had to adjust the bone right.
Caleb’s fingers got tangled between my fingers when I couldn’t answer quickly because I was terrified of the upcoming pain.
“It won’t hurt.”
“R-really?”
“I promise you. It’ll be over in an instant.”
I laughed and giggled without realizing it.
Because I know it’s a lie and a ruse to make me feel better.
But it seems to me that there was no other option.
And Caleb’s hand holding my hand was warm and friendly, so I nodded slowly.
“Then excuse me.”
An unknown potion was poured over my ankle.
My ankle discomfort, which had been scorching and causing me to clench my teeth, had subsided. It wasn’t numbness, but it was similar.
Caleb took out his sword and tore my stockings after carefully removing my shoes from my feet.
—————
