Ch#51
“Surprisingly, people make a lot of mistakes, you know?”
“Huh…….”
“They live by forgiving and being forgiven for them. And kids like you should be forgiven even more.”
The Gravekeeper tapped her cocoa cup.
“Bitter, then sweet. Isn’t that the truth of life?”
“…….”
Was it really that simple?
It was something I’d never experienced in my previous life.
One slip-up meant the end. I probably slipped up twice, and that’s why I lost my family twice.
The despair and shame I felt returning to the orphanage each time I was sent back still remained as a dark lump inside me.
“And Sis doesn’t think you did anything that bad. So it seems a shame to scare yourself away from such a good friend.”
“Ugh……. I’ll give you a therapist certification.”
“What?”
“Psychological counseling…….”
“Hahaha. So cute.”
The heartily laughing sister ruffled my hair.
This time, we sat side by side and drank cocoa.
We’d eaten a full meal and even dessert. It felt like a complete course treatment, and thanks to it, my heart felt much lighter.
After downing the entire cup of cocoa, I stood up.
“I’ve made up my mind.”
“Oh?”
“Later, after I finish everything I have to do. I’ll tell my friend the truth and say I’m sorry.”
It might turn into a very long story. I’d have to start from my previous life.
Would Uncle believe me? I still wasn’t sure.
“But I’ll ask if I can still stay by their side……”
The plan to leave was scrapped.
‘Once I achieve my goals, I’ll tell them everything I’ve been hiding.’
And beg them to keep being my family.
The fear of being abandoned still lingered. But it was a little better than before.
And even if I end up hated, I don’t think the affection they give me now is fake.
‘It’s okay.’
I was really okay now.
Finally, I felt like I could call for Uncle.
“Um…… I have to go back!”
I hopped down from the chair. Dusk was settling outside the window.
“Alright. Bye! I won’t see you off!”
The Gravekeeper waved from her seat at the table. Seeing her bright face, I waved back.
Before fully closing the door, I hesitated and added,
“Um, I’ll make sure to spread the word that you’re not a witch!”
The Gravekeeper chuckled softly at that.
See? She’s so kind and pretty—calling her a witch is too much!
I dashed up the hill again.
‘……Huh? Wait a sec.’
My steady steps paused. I tilted my head.
‘Something from that conversation…… I feel like I missed it.’
What was it? Just my imagination?
“Ruby! Where have you been?!”
“Ah, coming now!”
At Void’s shout from afar, I ran again.
Eh, probably nothing.
All I wanted was to hurry back and call for Uncle.
Thud. The door closed, and through the window, she watched the child trot away. Propping her chin on her hand, the woman stared for a long while.
A smile naturally formed on her lips.
“Girls really are different, huh.”
Daughter of which house?
Sir Yugen? Sir Hector? Or maybe one of the new knights they took on recently?
“Must’ve come to the castle with her dad and got lost.”
According to Yuris, kids that age were found in the most outrageous places. They were busier exploring than adults.
Recalling the round face sobbing her heart out brought pity and amusement. What secret could such a little one have that made her so sad?
“Ah, I should’ve at least asked her name!”
She regretted it too late.
How much time passed like that?
Darkness fully blanketed the Memorial Park, and the fireplace embers died down.
The old cabin door opened silently.
“Come on in.”
Only then did the woman rise. The interior quickly filled with shadows in black masks.
“It’s been a while, Hazel.”
Hazel, at the front of the shadows, gave a brief bow.
“You returned early, my lady. I thought it would take longer.”
“Yeah. Riam cleared the path midway, so I came ahead.”
“And young Master Riam?”
“Said he’s off buying a monster compendium or something. Sigh, really. Why do all boys that age have such interests?”
The woman—Rosetta Jebeurt—let out a light sigh laced with genuine exasperation and affection. Hazel smiled with her eyes.
“By the way, Eina. You’re the witch, huh?”
“Am I?”
One of the shadows tilted her head.
This cabin was Rosetta Jebeurt’s secret hideout with her mercenary maids. Few knew of it.
Spreading all sorts of gruesome rumors had effectively kept people away.
“You dyed your hair.”
“Yeah. Suits me, right?”
Hazel nodded with a smile. The perfectly disguised pink hair was now familiar.
“But…… who was here?”
At the follow-up question, Rosetta nodded.
“Oh, a little girl. Looks like she wandered into the small garden by mistake.”
A girl? Sharpness flashed in the maid’s eyes.
“……Come to think of it, I saw a few knights bringing kids today. Something about a fool’s gathering or whatever. I’ll tell them to be careful.”
“Nah, it’s fine. Kids make it better.”
Rosetta stretched languidly with a casual tone.
“So, Hazel. Rubian must be pretty lovable, huh? Your face changed completely.”
Hazel looked down shyly, scratching her forehead.
“……Yes. Very much so.”
Rosetta smiled warmly at the sight.
It had been over ten years since she rescued these women—used as assassins in an illegal guild—and made them her maids and servants. Rosetta herself, an illegitimate child of a minor noble, had fled the guild back then, faced trials, and was eventually adopted into a count’s family.
None of it would’ve been easy without Leviathan’s help.
‘Mm, good thing I didn’t kill him when we first met.’
Rosetta thought of her dear husband’s face while sharpening a long arrowhead.
For a moment, then the lively chatter began.
“Why on earth did Levi bring Rubian? What kind of kid is she? Ah, I’m so curious. So curious she even appeared in my dreams!”
She was the one most curious about Rubian.
The maids chuckled familiarly, enjoying Rosetta’s reaction. They all chimed in about Rubian’s cuteness and loveliness—Hazel the most.
“I want to hurry and hug her tight.”
Even with lingering reluctance on her face, Rosetta packed her things.
“Alright, time to go. Ipson, right?”
“My lady. You’re really not stopping by the castle?”
Hazel added,
“His Grace must miss you terribly.”
“Yeah. He’s too overprotective; that’s why.”
It was a curt answer. Rosetta spun her index finger on the table with a grin.
“Ah, I want to go to the New Green Festival too. But he’ll just tell me to rest. He’s the only one who doesn’t know I’m healthy now. I’m not some glass doll.”
“…….”
“And I stopped here first…… to spend time with our baby after so long.”
Her blue eyes turned toward the distant small garden.
The maids, knowing what lay at the end of that gaze, fell silent with somber faces. Rosetta briskly donned her outer coat.
“Let’s go. Mom has to clean up all the monsters on the way to Ipson so our little ones can enjoy the New Green Festival worry-free, right?”
Rummaging through the wooden wardrobe, Rosetta pulled out a longbow hidden among the clothes.
Gazing at the bowstring gleaming in the moonlight, she recalled the girl’s silver hair from earlier.
Would they meet again?
Rosetta smiled softly to herself.
“Time to do some housewife cleaning after so long~”
I hope we meet again.
Next time, I’ll make even sweeter cocoa.
