Chapter 12

Chapter 12

I knew what would happen if Kallen were to be shot by the unknown assailant tonight—the arrow’s poison would leave him in critical condition. He would lapse into a month-long coma. It was a potent poison—it could render the dark magician unconscious despite his invulnerable body.

And while Kallen was unconscious, Jade would face a battery of trials. He would lose total faith in those around him because they would surround House Lewelton like sharks smelling blood, eager to exploit their vulnerability.

But how come I’m just remembering this now? The events of the final chapter I’d read were most likely the last future I could predict. And, as far as I was aware, it was the most serious crisis they would face.

I quickly grasped Kallen’s wrist. “Y-your Grace!”

He averted his gaze from the report in his hand and looked at me. “Yes?”

What if Kallen gets hurt today because I gave him the clue? Will it be my fault? My eyes misted over with tears at the thought.

“Please don’t go…” I wept, clutching Kallen desperately. “Please stay with me, Your Grace. It hurts, and I’m scared.”

It didn’t matter if I came across as an ill-mannered child. Even if His Grace found my whining unpleasant and began to despise me, I had no choice. I could be content with the few days of warmth and happiness I had been able to experience. I wouldn’t mind if Kallen shunned me starting tomorrow. The most important thing now was to repay the Leweltons for their generosity.

“Only for tonight. Please?” I wheedled.

How wonderful would it be if I could unveil the truth I had discovered in detail? They’d never believe me, though. In fact, their suspicions of me would only grow.

“I had a dream that someone hurt you. You were shot with an arrow and bled so much. And my dreams… They sometimes come true. I’m not lying, I promise. I’m so worried.” My voice hitched as tears ran down my cheeks. I slowly raised my head to see Kallen, Jade, and Sion staring at me as if locked in place.

Wh-why are they looking at me like that? Are they angry? Are they going to scold me? Kallen gently pulled his wrist out of my grip. He raised his hand, and I instinctively squeezed my eyes shut.

Is he going to slap me? I thought. But he only gently lifted my chin.

“I’m quite perplexed,” he stated. “I’ve never met a greater riddle than you. At first, I wondered what your intentions were, and now you’re crying and telling me not to go.”

I fidgeted, unsure what to say.

“Do you happen to know something more? If so, tell me. I won’t be angry.” Kallen’s voice was sweet.

I took a deep breath, wiped my tears away, and shook my head. “I know nothing else, Your Grace. I simply have a bad feeling.”

“Hmm, I see.”

I slowly opened my eyes. Kallen’s expression was strange, a combination of confusion and discomfort. But he didn’t seem angry. In fact, he looked a little awkward, as a strange smile had replaced his usual composed expression. He looked friendly but with an air of self-consciousness.

“Yes… It’s the truth,” I said.

“It seems I do have a fondness for riddles, as you’ve only stoked my curiosity. About your true identity, the authenticity of your words…”

Did Kallen catch wind of something? There’s no way. I anxiously gulped down my next breath.

Kallen then gestured to Sion and instructed, “Hurry up and bring her some medicine to calm her mind.”

“Right away, Your Grace.” Sion stumbled as he hurried out of the room. It was the fastest I’d seen him move since I’d arrived.

Does this mean I’m not in trouble?

“You’re not angry?” I asked the duke.

“No, of course not,” he replied. He bit his lip for a moment before opening his mouth to speak. “Right. I’ll remain at the manor tonight. But you should lie down. For the moment, it’s most important to stabilize your condition.”

Jade hesitated, then approached me and gently stroked my hair. “Dry those tears, you crybaby,” he said.

“Okay,” I said with a sniffle. His words caused relief to diffuse within my heart.

Thank you. Thank you for being the mature one. Thank you for taking the time to treat me kindly. Is it out of sympathy, or is it simply a whim? In any case, I was happy.

Sion quickly returned. “Please drink this medicine, my lady.”

I shook my head. “No, there’s no need. I’m fine now. As long as the duke stays by my side, I’ll be alright.”

The medicine in Sion’s hand had been heated and placed in a cup, and Jade grabbed it to extend it to me. “Take it. You’re nauseated, aren’t you? If you don’t soothe your stomach now, it will only worsen. Then they’ll have to cut your stomach open and operate on you to make you well again. Is that what you want?”

“An operation?” My eyes widened. I didn’t want to undergo surgery or be in pain in this life, too.

“That’s right. An operation. So hurry up and drink it.”

I nodded and sipped the warm medicine.

Ugh, it’s bitter. Sion wiped the corners of my mouth with a napkin after I’d emptied the cup. I felt like I’d devolved into a toddler.

“I can do it myself,” I muttered.

“But you can’t sleep alone?” Kallen asked.

“No! I’m going to stay with Your Grace tonight!” I insisted, hopping in place petulantly.

Kallen snorted and smiled. It was the most genuine smile I’d ever seen from him. “You’re just too adorable. Whatever am I going to do with you? You’re not even my biological child…”

“I also find her fascinating,” Jade said, nodding casually.

This seems like a strange vibe. This time, I was the one who was flustered. I clenched the candy Sion had given me between my teeth and wiggled my feet awkwardly.

“You should lie down, my lady,” Sion suggested sweetly.

“But I’m not sleepy,” I whined, shaking my head.

If I lie down, I may fall asleep. I can’t let that happen. I won’t feel at ease until the night has passed.

“Now,” Kallen ordered, laying me down horizontally on the bed. Sion pulled up the blanket and tucked it beneath my chin.

I looked at the two men and pouted. “You can’t make me sleep.”

“You’ll feel better after you rest, child.”

I looked at Kallen, who chuckled at the look in my eyes. “Here,” he said, reclining beside me on the bed. “Satisfied?”

My cheeks heated. It was then that I noticed Jade watching us uneasily.

“Come here, Jade,” Kallen called out.

Jade climbed onto the bed and lay down awkwardly on my other side. The three of us now lay in a row.

Sion stared at us with a peculiar smile on his face. “I shall be waiting nearby. Please do not hesitate to ring the bell if you require anything,” he said.

“Right. You may leave,” Kallen stated.

Sion bowed politely and stepped out. I blinked slowly as I looked up at the ceiling.

Why am I suddenly so sleepy?

“Go to sleep if you’re tired,” Jade said quietly.

“It’s normal to feel drowsy after taking medicine.”

“No, I don’t want to sleep… I don’t… want to…” A yawn erupted from my mouth.

It must be because of the medicine. It was a trick. My eyelids are starting to feel heavy.

“Your Grace won’t be going anywhere, right? Please don’t leave me here, even if I fall asleep.”

“Worry not,” Kallen said, his voice laced with gentle amusement.

It feels like we’re a real family… I didn’t remember a lot about my family in my previous life, but I did remember how much my mother and father had loved me. In the few memories I had of them, whether they were crying or laughing, it was always only for my sake.

Kallen is scary, but if he’s always kind to me… My eyes stayed closed. Can I really call this a family of my own? To what extent does an adopted daughter belong to the family? Is it okay if I secretly consider my home to be with the Leweltons?

“Please don’t leave my side…” I whispered, unable to fight off my drowsiness. “Please promise me…”

I must send a message to the police tomorrow, no matter what. Maybe I can submit an anonymous report. I can’t let Kallen look into this case himself. I need the police to catch the culprit, to catch the fortune-teller… But first I must leave the house… I can pester His Grace to let me meet with Marianne, or maybe…

Before I could form a plan, I had drifted off.

* * *

“All right then,” Kallen muttered. “It’s time to go hunting.”

“I fear Lady Lae will cry if she wakes up,” Sion said.

“Well, this will determine whether or not the whole situation is a trap. If I make it back safely tonight or discover a clue, Lae will be but a miracle child. If not…”

Sion handed the duke his rod and said, “If not, then she’s a spy.”

“Precisely.”

It’s one or the other. Kallen was never wrong, and he wouldn’t be starting tonight.

* * *

My eyes snapped open. I felt around for signs of the duke, but the bed was empty. Meanwhile, Jade, covered in a blanket, was asleep in a chair in the corner of the room.

“Kallen?” I cried. I quickly sat up, my eyes darting around the room. “Jade! Wake up!”

“Hmm? What’s wrong?” Jade asked as he massaged his eyes.

“Where’s His Grace?”

“Father left shortly before dawn. He said there was something he needed to look into.”

Out the window, dawn’s first light had just broken. Then I glanced at the clock. It was four in the morning.

I should’ve expected this. There’s no way that wicked duke would listen to me. My heart began to race with worry, but I tried to calm myself before exclaiming, “Jade! D-do you know how to ride a horse?”

“Of course, I do,” he said placidly.

“Please do me a favor then. I promise to pay you back later. I’ll do anything. Please.”

Jade cocked his head and stared at me. “What favor?”

“Please trust me, just this once…” My voice trembled with desperation.

Jade ran his hand through his hair, then stood up. His brow furrowed as he was clearly disquieted, but his movements were swift.

“I suppose,” he agreed.

“Great! To the stables! Hurry!” I grabbed Jade’s hand and bolted outside.

Instead of summoning a stable hand, Jade led his own horse from its stall. The horse’s coat shone black.

Are horses usually this large? My shoulders tensed in fear. Jade placed one foot in the stirrup and slung himself onto the horse without any aid. It was magical. He offered me his hand.

“Get on,” he instructed.

I latched onto his hand, and he pulled me up. He gave the command for the horse to take off, and we began sprinting doggedly against the sunrise.

The wind blew harshly against my cheeks, and shivers raced violently up and down my body. I could barely see what was in front of me. As Jade sat behind me and gripped me tightly, he shouted something into my ear. I couldn’t hear him at first, and it wasn’t until he’d repeated himself several times that I understood what he was saying.

“Are you all right?”

“Y-yes! I’m fine!”

“Why are we heading to the slums?”

Frustration welled up in my throat, choking out any words I might speak. I wished I could tell him the truth. I shouldn’t have fallen asleep.

We eventually made it to our destination.

“Right over there! The third alley!” I shouted. It was the alley where I used to live, and the fortune teller’s red-roofed basement dwelling was nearby. I gripped Jade’s hand and yelled, “Quick, let me down !”

As Jade tightened the reins, the horse whinnied loudly, ringing out in the quiet dawn air. Each of us—the horse, Jade, and I—were sweat-soaked. The two of us rushed to dismount the horse. The sun began to rise behind our silhouettes. But I paused, gulping nervously.

Is Kallen… not here? It was at that exact moment that a riotous noise rang out from the red-roofed building. A scream. A bang. A crash echoed again from the basement, and my left arm began to throb once more.