<Chapter 26>
“…Yes.”
Erica had reflexively started to make an excuse but quickly changed her mind and nodded obediently.
Her goal was to rescue her mother from Jonathan Blanche’s grasp and run away together.
That goal had become so massive in her life that it nearly consumed her entirely.
Because of that, she had never thought about what kind of life she would live afterward.
Or rather, perhaps it was more accurate to say she couldn’t think about it.
Sebastian continued.
“Life is long. Even ten years from now, you’ll just be twenty. So what will you be doing at twenty-one? At thirty?”
He paused, waiting for the girl to answer his question.
But Erica’s lips remained sealed as if they were made of wax.
When she didn’t reply, Sebastian let out a slow, quiet sigh.
“Planning for the future is good. It’s much more constructive and proactive than living tied to the past. That’s why I tend to like people who dream of the future.”
But you mustn’t become so consumed by it.
If you do, you’ll end up losing the present.
Life isn’t a novel.
Just because you achieve your goal doesn’t mean that shining moment will be preserved and displayed forever.
And life after achieving your dream might not be what you envisioned.
Moments of glory and joy are fleeting, and in the end, you’ll have to keep living through a long stretch of reality.
That’s why Sebastian thought Erica needed to experience as many things as possible.
“Besides, didn’t you say you’ve been sickly since childhood and never participated in outside activities, even in the capital?”
“…Yes.”
When a noble lady raised in innocence and ignorance was suddenly dropped into society, it usually didn’t end well.
Regardless of individual abilities, society in general was just that way.
‘That’s probably enough nagging. I think she kind of gets what I’m trying to say.’
She seemed at least smarter than her father.
Sebastian clicked his tongue silently.
Then, to lighten the heavy mood a little, he added another reason.
“And if you’re going to deceive them, you might as well do it properly. How reliable do you think the information brought by a caged canary locked up in the Grand Duke’s estate would seem? To avoid suspicion from Marquis Blanche, it might be better if you were seen actively moving around.”
“Oh… You’re right. That does make sense.”
Nodding as if she fully understood, Erica’s eyes sparkled.
“You even considered that… You really are amazing, Young Master!”
Sebastian narrowed his eyes slightly at the sudden compliment.
Then, as if he couldn’t help but laugh, he let out a small chuckle and flopped onto the bed.
“Well, time to sleep now.”
“Ah, yes!”
Erica hurriedly ran around the room, turning off the lights.
Then she carefully climbed into the empty bed and laid down.
She pulled the blanket up to her chin and tightly closed her eyes, but that didn’t bring sleep any faster.
‘Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve slept next to someone other than Mom.’
Her fingers clutched the blanket a little more tightly.
Erica cautiously opened one eye and glanced to the side.
Even in the dark, she could clearly see the distinct outline of black hair.
But his red eyes were not visible—he must’ve had his eyes closed.
Lying flat on his back, the boy had one arm resting behind his head.
Yet, she couldn’t hear his steady breathing. He didn’t seem to be asleep.
Even so, Erica couldn’t bring herself to speak first.
Sebastian was still a difficult person for her to approach.
‘I can’t sleep… What do I do?’
And why was her heart beating so fast?
Worried that he might hear it, Erica curled herself up tightly.
She stayed like that for a while longer.
Then Sebastian’s voice came from the other side.
“Not sleeping?”
At the sound of his low voice, Erica’s eyes widened, and she turned toward him.
He was looking at her, eyes now open.
Just as she had imagined, his red eyes shone brightly even in the darkness.
Like rubies untouched by any impurity.
“Ah! I—I was making too much noise, wasn’t I?”
I’ll be quiet now.
Murmuring in a barely audible voice, she squeezed her eyes shut again.
“…No. That’s not why.”
Sebastian quickly denied it.
After a brief silence, he spoke again.
“I’m curious about something.”
“You’re curious? About what?”
Opening her eyes again, Erica couldn’t hide her curiosity.
Her tiny voice trembled like a fragile sprout swaying in the breeze.
But in contrast, Sebastian’s tone was calm and composed.
“Do you remember the monster attack before we arrived at the Grand Duke’s estate?”
“Ah… yes.”
Erica answered with a stiff voice.
Her body, once relaxed, immediately tensed up.
Her grip on the edge of the blanket tightened.
How could she ever forget?
That was the day Bonfiju died.
It was the first death Erica had ever experienced in her life.
Sebastian could tell that something was off about Erica’s atmosphere.
Well, it wasn’t exactly a happy memory, so why would this little girl welcome such a topic?
But since he’d brought it up, he had to address it properly.
Taking a short breath, as if to steel himself, he got straight to the point.
“At that time, you knew the monster was coming before it appeared.”
Still lying down, Erica nodded.
She wanted to answer, but strangely, no words came out.
Nothing had changed since earlier, and yet a chill ran down her spine.
Her body began to tremble like a leaf in the wind.
It was the first time she had ever encountered a monster.
Was it because the alien nature of the creature had terrified her so much?
More than a memory, that day had remained in Erica’s heart as an emotion.
Thanks to Sebastian’s care, she hadn’t seen most of what happened—but no one could block out the sounds.
Bonfiju’s cries for help.
Listening to that desperate scream, Erica had curled up inside the carriage.
As she hugged her small body tightly, thud, thud, thud!
With a ringing in her ears, she had felt as if something was pounding on her body like a drum.
Still, just as Sebastian had said, she clearly remembered stopping the carriage that day.
Later, Milord had explained that those monsters were relatively easy to deal with, but the unexpected death had caused chaos and confusion.
After the incident was handled, no one brought it up to her again.
So Erica never asked. She didn’t want to remember.
And yet, now, Sebastian was asking her about it.
Erica swallowed hard.
“Tell me. How did you know?”
Sebastian, now sitting upright, stared at her with a blank expression, waiting for her reply.
Sweat had already started to bead on Erica’s forehead.
The Grand Duchy of Acliff was located in the northeastern part of the Angelica Empire.
Because of this, the air was cooler than in other regions, even in the middle of summer.
Erica looked up from the room at the clear blue sky.
Then she turned her gaze back to the garden.
The sunlight scattered across the splashing fountain, making the water droplets sparkle like jewels.
“It really is beautiful no matter how many times I see it.”
Erica murmured dreamily.
The more she looked at it, the more she came to love the Grand Duke’s estate.
A gentle breeze blew in at the perfect moment, tickling Erica’s curly hair.
As she tucked her hair behind her ear with her fingers, flutter flutter—
Two small birds flew in from somewhere and perched gently on her window frame.
“Hello.”
Even at Erica’s greeting, the birds weren’t startled.
On the contrary, they seemed to grow even more comfortable with her and stepped closer.
As she gently stroked their heads with her fingertips, a soft smile deepened on her lips.
‘That’s today’s courage refill. Then, shall we begin again?’
Turning away from the window, Erica took a deep breath.
Then, steeling her heart, she pulled the bell rope.
Unlike the first day, a knock soon came at the door.
“Young lady, did you call?”
Joanna entered the room cheerfully once again.
Seeing her, Erica cautiously made a request.
“Could you send word again today?”
