Episode 4
Just as I had expected, it took three full days riding in a cargo wagon before we finally reached the outskirts of the capital.
On the first day we ate nothing and went hungry. On the second day, Jeffrey and I shared half a potato. Before we parted ways, we shared the remaining half to ease our hunger.
Of course, it wasn’t nearly enough to satisfy us, so we were still hungry. But it felt better than eating alone while leaving Jeffrey with nothing.
“Let’s get off when they stop to sleep outside tonight.”
Jeffrey suggested it to me.
Since it was already too late to enter the capital, he was suggesting we spend the night outdoors.
Certainly, it would be a good choice to get off the wagon at dawn, when the guards of the Griam Merchant Company would be less vigilant. That way, we could leave quietly without anyone noticing.
But that plan also created another risk.
I shook my head at Jeffrey.
“No. It’s better if we get off after we enter the capital tomorrow.”
“Why?”
“If we get off tonight, how are we going to get into the capital?”
“Well…”
When I asked, Jeffrey started to answer but stopped midway.
“You said the guards are chasing you.”
The capital guards and the provincial guards had different administrators, so they didn’t usually share information unless someone was a dangerous criminal or wanted fugitive. Still, it was something we had to be cautious about.
Besides, Jeffrey and I were still children.
Two ragged kids like us trying to enter the capital guard area without a guardian wouldn’t be ignored.
“If possible, let’s get inside the capital first and then get off. They’ll probably head to a warehouse run by the merchant company to store the wagon. We can get off then.”
“What if we get caught?”
“Then we just have to be careful not to get caught.”
From experience, once we arrived at the merchant company, the supervisor would go into the main building to make his report.
The employees would have to wait there until he returned, so that would be our chance to slip off the wagon.
“Then tomorrow we’ll really be saying goodbye.”
Jeffrey suddenly said.
He seemed reluctant about the parting that was coming soon.
Honestly, I felt the same way. Spending these past three days together had made me grow fond of him.
“It’s not like we’ll never see each other again. Someday we might meet again.”
“You think so?”
“Of course. And you promised to repay the potatoes.”
At my words, Jeffrey gave an embarrassed smile.
At first, he said he would repay one potato with two. But after getting more potatoes from me afterward, he ended up promising to pay me back six potatoes.
“For now, you should rest and save your strength until tomorrow morning.”
“Okay.”
Once we separated, Jeffrey would probably wander the streets.
I didn’t know how he would become a mercenary, but I was certain he would overcome this difficult situation and succeed.
If I could, I would have liked to help him. But there was nothing I could do for him right now.
All I could do was hope that his future would be filled with good fortune.
I carefully pulled the blanket up to Jeffrey’s neck. He looked embarrassed, as if my kindness made him uncomfortable, but he didn’t push my hand away.
After covering him, I sat down beside him.
I tried to act calm, but inside I was anxious.
I worried about my mother, who must have been terrified when she realized I was gone. I also worried about whether Duke Crayton would believe me.
—
As soon as morning came, the cargo wagon entered the capital and stopped at the headquarters of the Griam Merchant Company.
Jeffrey and I lifted the tarp and looked around, waiting until everyone had moved away from the wagon before quietly climbing down.
Jeffrey, who was taller than me, got down first, and I followed after him.
He helped me down so I could land safely.
I didn’t really need the help, but I thanked him with a glance and quietly began leaving the merchant company.
Only after we had completely left the headquarters of the Griam Merchant Company and reached a quiet alley did we finally let out the breath we had been holding.
“Now we’re really parting ways. Meet your grandfather safely and go back to your mom quickly. She must be worried.”
Jeffrey stretched his stiff body as he said that to me.
For someone so young, he said something quite thoughtful. Finding it cute, I lightly ruffled his hair.
Caught off guard, Jeffrey flusteredly shook his head.
I stepped back from him and gave him a bright smile.
“Yeah. You take care of your health too.”
“…Yeah.”
After looking at Jeffrey awkwardly replying, I turned around.
“Mirabel!”
Just as I was about to take a step, Jeffrey called my name.
When I turned around, I saw that Jeffrey’s face looked as if he was about to cry.
“I’m really going to come repay those potatoes, so you have to wait!”
He shouted loudly and then ran off first.
I waved at Jeffrey as he left.
We hadn’t decided how or when we would meet again, but somehow I felt certain that we would.
When I stepped out of the alley, bright sunlight greeted me.
The sunlight I saw for the first time in three days felt warm and radiant.
Recalling my memories, I began walking toward the Crayton Ducal Estate.
After walking with short steps for thirty minutes, I finally arrived at Duke Crayton’s residence.
Every time I saw it, its magnificent appearance was overwhelming.
I took a deep breath and approached the soldier guarding the gate.
“Excuse me.”
“Hm?”
When I called out, the soldier looked at me curiously.
“What is it, little miss?”
He laughed, apparently amused that such a rare visitor was a child.
At least he wasn’t ignoring or dismissing me. I had expected him to tell me to leave.
“I came to see His Grace the Duke.”
“Just in case I’m misunderstanding—are you a servant from some noble family?”
“No, I’m not.”
“Hmm…”
When I denied it, the soldier narrowed his eyes as if thinking.
Then he spoke.
“I’m sorry, little miss. His Grace is very busy attending to state affairs, so you can’t see him without an appointment.”
It was exactly the answer I expected.
Of course, the Duke had no reason to meet someone like me now.
In the past, he had sought me out because he wanted to give me a request—to ask a famous mercenary to find his daughter.
But right now, I was neither a mercenary nor an adult.
I was just a young commoner child.
Still, I supposed I should be grateful the soldier didn’t scowl and chase me away.
Disappointed, I let my shoulders slump.
If I couldn’t go inside, the only thing left was to wait here until Duke Crayton came out.
“Then…”
“What’s going on here?”
Just as I was about to speak, a deep voice came from behind.
It was a voice I recognized.
“Your Grace! You’ve arrived!”
Seeing the soldier stand at attention, I slowly turned around.
Standing there was Duke Crayton, looking much younger than when I had last met him.
“I asked what was happening.”
When the Duke pressed for an answer, the soldier stammered nervously.
“This child said she wanted to see Your Grace, so I was just about to send her away.”
“I see. Good work.”
“Yes, Your Grace!”
As Duke Crayton began walking, the soldier opened the gate for him.
Watching the Duke slowly walking away, I suddenly snapped back to my senses and shouted.
“Please help me!”
Even though he must have heard me, Duke Crayton did not stop.
I needed something that would make him stop in his tracks.
So I shouted urgently.
“Cornelia Crayton!”
Just as I expected, the moment that name was mentioned, the Duke had no choice but to stop.
Duke Crayton halted and turned to look at me with a stiff expression.
His face looked as if he had just heard something he shouldn’t have.
“What did you say, child?”
His voice had sunk into a frightening tone that matched his expression.
I swallowed nervously.
“I said Cornelia Crayton.”
“How do you know that name…?”
“She’s my mother. Please… please help my mother.”
Duke Crayton frowned sharply and looked down at me.
“Do you even know what name you’re speaking?”
His voice sounded threatening.
I knew why he was reacting so sensitively.
To Duke Crayton, Cornelia Crayton—my mother—was the only daughter he had searched for but could never find.
So of course he would react strongly when a strange child suddenly claimed that Cornelia Crayton was her mother.
But in the end, he would have no choice but to pay attention to my words.
After my mother left, Duke Crayton had spent all that time waiting for her.
“I know. She’s your missing daughter.”
Despite his threatening gaze and voice, I spoke firmly.
“And she’s also my mother’s name.”
“….”
The Duke stared at me silently.
Countless doubts and suspicions flickered in his eyes.
Even as that happened, time kept passing.
Normally I would wait until he overcame his doubts—but I didn’t have that luxury.
“If you can’t believe me, you can go see for yourself. It’s Delphia Village. It takes about three days by carriage from here. Please decide as soon as possible. My mom… she’s very sick.”
Thinking about my mother, who must still be searching for me even while sick, a wave of sorrow surged up inside me.
If not now, there would be no chance to save her.
If Duke Crayton didn’t believe me, my mother wouldn’t last another year.
I didn’t know why I had returned to the past, but since I had been given a chance to save her, I had to seize it.
I couldn’t lose my mother again.
Perhaps because of my grief, tears quickly welled up in my eyes.
I tried to hold them back, but they overflowed and streamed down my cheeks.
“Please… save my mother.”
