Chapter 7
Arilleti patted Leon on the shoulder encouragingly and left the stable.
Returning what you receive applies not only to grudges but also to favors. Since she had gifted Hezeite with the excellent bait that was the commander of the Black Lion unit, utilizing him was now up to Glenn’s capability.
Arilleti crept back to her room.
In doing so, she failed to notice someone keenly watching her from behind the stable.
On her way back to the room, a question suddenly popped into her head.
‘Wait, didn’t Glenn Hezeite just ask, “Are you, too,” connected to the White Forest?’
Was there someone else besides her whom he suspected of being a Sage?
Arilleti tilted her head in confusion.
That can’t be, can it?
…I don’t know. I’ll think about it after I wake up.
Whether it was a side effect of regressing to a five-year-old body, or the strain of confronting a Sword Master head-on, she started feeling drowsy less than half a day after waking up.
Arilleti burrowed into the blanket and fell soundly asleep within three seconds.
2. Poverty, Oh, Poverty!
‘But why am I here?’
Arilleti had arrived at the Hezeite territory in the blink of an eye. The cause was falling soundly asleep after using her power on Leon Bodapeti. When she woke up, Arilleti was wrapped in a bundle and dangling from a broad back.
‘Uh-oh…?’
“You’re awake, Little Sage! Time for food.”
The knights, including Glenn, would feed Arilleti warm meals as soon as she opened her eyes. They also kept putting something inside the bundle: a hot water bottle. Cuddling it and sticking close to a sturdy back made her eyelids heavy naturally.
“You shouldn’t kidnap people, Uncle…”
“Yes, Little Lady~ We’ll be at the Lord’s castle soon. We’ll put you in a soft bed right away. Good girl, sleep now!”
First, on Dunken’s back, then on Sir Tomvel’s back, and on the last day, back to Glenn Hezeite’s back. By repeating the cycle of eating and sleeping while being transferred from back to back, she had already reached the northern border area.
After passing through the strong fortress walls, they quickly reached the Lord’s castle.
Arilleti looked up at the Hezeite Castle with cold eyes.
‘Poverty…’
It looked like a ruin.
The old, dark, gloomy castle stood like an eyesore in one corner of the territory. The moss-green curtains in the windows were frayed everywhere, and icicles grew haphazardly from the window frames.
Even inside the banquet hall they entered immediately, a bone-chilling cold permeated the air.
The only things inside were two worn-out tables stretching out from the main seat, dozens of backless chairs, four or five decrepit candlesticks, and silver armors lined up against the wall. Golden columns, beams, marble tiles, or dignified sculptures typically found in noble castles were nowhere to be seen.
‘This is a bit extreme.’
Do people even live here? They don’t seem to have heating…
It was as desolate as the Imperial underground prison where she was locked up at the end of her first life. She knew the territory was not well-off, but she didn’t expect this level of destitution. Now she understood why the 3rd Prince Rastian struggled to gain momentum despite having the Marquis of Hezeite as his backer.
‘He’s a backer in name only.’
Glenn gave instructions to the knights.
“Now, hurry and distribute the supplies to the territory people. Everyone will be waiting. Tell them we plan to purchase the insufficient food from the Nemar Territory once the snowstorm stops. So, everyone just needs to hang in there a little longer.”
The knights unloaded the cherished chests they had guarded all the way here from their horses. It turned out to be money and food. For the Junior Lord to personally go out and earn money—how desperate were their finances?
In the first place, with the territory’s circumstances this dire, what gave them the nerve to side with the 3rd Prince? Out of sympathy?
‘Well, he didn’t pass by me when I was buried in the snow, either.’
“…It’s a serious problem to have no money but too much kindness.”
Glenn turned his head at the thoughtlessly muttered words. His hearing was sharp.
“What did you say, Aril?”
Since learning her name, Glenn had been consistently using Arilleti’s nickname instead of calling her “Little One” or “Baby.” Furthermore, he hadn’t persistently questioned her about the Gringen Bridge incident. Thanks to this, Arilleti felt a little more comfortable with him now, a few days later.
But the situation was different now. Arilleti’s voice trembled slightly as she looked around the old castle.
“Uncle, are you poor?”
“Oh, really?” Glenn gave Arilleti an exasperated look. “You’re Aril, so why am I ‘Uncle’ (Ajusshi)? I’m not that old yet! Calling a charming nineteen-year-old ‘Uncle’ is hurtful.”
Then what should I call you?
“How about ‘Uncle’ (Samchon) instead of ‘Uncle’ (Ajusshi)? How’s that?”
She didn’t want that. I might grow attached.
“Uncle (Ajusshi), are you poor?”
“My father is the ‘Uncle’ (Ajusshi). And yes, we are not just a bit, but quite poor.”
“…”
“It’s because it’s mid-winter. The road to the nearest city is blocked. But it’s not this bad when spring comes.”
The road is blocked? Why?
Glenn stretched, placing his hands behind his head.
“Still, our territory is the safest in the area. It’s okay to wander around inside the castle, but when you go outside, hold Tanesa unnie’s hand tightly. She’s a native who’s seasoned in the North, despite her looks. Or you can ask the knight uncles to carry you.”
Glenn messed up Arilleti’s bangs and handed her over to Tanesa.
“Here, Tanesa. Bathe her, feed her, dress her, and put her to sleep. Focus on taking care of this child for the time being.”
“Yes, Junior Lord.” Tanesa cheerfully patted Arilleti’s bottom.
“Come on, let’s go with Unnie now, baby. You need a good scrub and some food.”
“No, I really must leave now…”
“I should look for some cotton clothes too. Though I’m not sure if there are any baby clothes!”
Arilleti, who didn’t even get a chance to speak, was starting to get nervous.
No matter how kind Glenn Hezeite was, and no matter how affectionate the Unnie and Uncles were, she was someone who shouldn’t be here. She had already accepted too much food. Knowing the reality of this desperately poor territory made her feel even more guilty.
‘I mustn’t get attached here.’
It’s a fact that the people who help you during weak and sorrowful times are the ones you remember most. In her first life, it was Albert Federka, and in her second life, it was Lucius.
In her third life, she didn’t want to remember anyone.
‘I need to go somewhere quiet where no one can find me. The White Forest. I’ll go to the White Forest.’
She would finally end her life there this time. Arilleti hardened her resolve once again.
However, Arilleti couldn’t leave the next day.
She was caught with her bag packed.
“Baby, no. Aril?”
Glenn, who was out for a morning patrol, looked down at the small hole in the wall with a slight look of bewilderment.
Arilleti, who had poked her head through the surprisingly small opening, also wore a puzzled expression.
“…Hello.”
“Why are you coming out of there at this hour? Did the heater go out in your room?”
Instead of answering, the child put strength into her two hands and scrambled out of the hole. The daffodil-yellow bag she had gotten from Tanesa dangled from her back.
Operation failed. What now?
