CH:43
In truth, she had been scared when she stepped out of the carriage too.
But the thought of protecting the children had consumed her, and she had thrown herself into danger.
‘It was a reckless thing to do.’
But what if she had gotten hurt? What if she had been unlucky and died?
Then no one would have been able to guarantee the twins’ safety afterward.
‘I was so panicked at the thought of them being kidnapped that I couldn’t think that far ahead. It was my mistake.’
She pressed her lips together tightly, then relaxed them and offered an honest apology.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking straight. But… I didn’t mean to insult you, Sir Enrique. It’s just…”
“Just?”
“As you said… I just didn’t have much confidence in myself.”
She hesitated for a moment, then mumbled in an even smaller voice than before.
“I’m… not an important person.”
“What?”
Enrique’s incredulous voice echoed in the air.
But Eugenia’s thoughts didn’t waver.
She wasn’t an important person.
Just an extra in the children’s lives, a background character who had to struggle desperately just to survive, and who could be sacrificed at any moment for the protagonists’ growth.
‘An extra who’s just temporarily acting as the children’s guardian.’
Eugenia gripped her clasped hands more tightly.
Enrique looked down at her with a complicated expression, then exhaled a long sigh.
“If you’re not important…”
“…”
“Miss Eugenia, you are far more important than you think.”
It was the first time she’d heard words like that.
For some reason, a surge of emotion rose from deep within her chest.
Enrique continued in a much gentler tone than before.
“You need to take more seriously the fact that you’re your siblings’ guardian. Sacrifice isn’t always the answer.”
“…!”
Those words hit Eugenia like a blow to the head.
‘Sacrifice isn’t always the answer.’
She repeated Enrique’s words in her mind.
At some point, she had started to misunderstand the essence of her role.
The twins’ original temporary guardian had been their tutor, Aileen.
Aileen had protected the children by giving up her life.
Since Eugenia had taken her place, she had unconsciously assumed that when danger came, she too would have to protect Joshua and Selmia by giving up her life—just like the original Aileen in the novel.
‘I’ve been such a fool.’
She had thought the children didn’t need to suffer a harsh childhood and had wanted to change their future.
And yet, she herself had been the one most tightly bound to the original story.
Realizing this ridiculous contradiction, Eugenia let out a faint, helpless laugh.
“Looks like something’s hit you.”
“Yes, it’s just… I’ve been such an idiot.”
Enrique didn’t press her further. He merely patted her shoulder lightly a couple of times.
That seemed to mark the end of the conversation.
Enrique’s gaze turned to the left again.
He looked at the broken carriage and said gravely, “That thing’s no longer usable.”
“Can’t it be repaired?”
Enrique inhaled deeply, then exhaled.
“The wheel’s completely shattered. It’s beyond repair.”
All they had left were the two horses.
It would be unwise to take the injured one that had been pulling the carriage. Letting it go was the best choice.
‘Animals instinctively know what’s good for them… If it’s just a minor sprain, it’ll heal soon.’
Enrique gently stroked his chin in thought, then said, “We’ll have to walk the remaining distance. Since we have children with us, we can’t ride hard. It’ll be dangerous.”
Eugenia nodded. She had no objections.
“I can walk just fine. But… could you please let the children ride the horse?”
She couldn’t even lift her head as she made the shameless request, staring at the ground and fidgeting with her fingers.
Though she kept speaking, her voice had shrunk to a near whisper.
“Selmia isn’t in good condition, and Joshua… he pretends to be strong, but he’s still a child. His stamina is much weaker than mine.”
Enrique nodded in agreement, as if he had already planned that.
“Selmia will ride with Albery’s horse.”
“Thank you.”
“And Joshua will ride with you on the one I was riding.”
“…What?”
Eugenia blinked rapidly.
Startled, she looked up at Enrique.
“If Joshua and I are riding together… what about you, Sir Enrique?”
“I’ll lead the horse.”
“But if you walk alone, you’ll get too tired…”
“I won’t.”
His short reply left no room for further discussion.
But Eugenia, still feeling guilty, offered a compromise so she wouldn’t feel so bad.
“Then how about the three of us adults take turns leading the horse? Please?”
But Enrique wasn’t having it.
“That’s something Albery and I will handle. You don’t need to worry about it, Miss Eugenia.”
“Why not?”
“You said you’ve never ridden a horse before, so obviously you’ve never led one either. In case something happens and the horse panics, could you calm it down?”
“Ah…”
Eugenia trailed off.
As Enrique pointed out, she wouldn’t be able to manage something like that.
“But I still feel bad…”
“You really do apologize for everything, don’t you.”
That seemed to mark the end of that topic, as Enrique fell silent.
His eyes then landed on Eugenia’s hands.
When Selmia had collapsed earlier, she had hastily picked fruit, and now juice was smeared between her fingers.
His brow furrowed slightly.
Without hesitation, Enrique reached into his coat and pulled out a handkerchief, offering it to her.
“Wipe them.”
“…Thank you.”
Worried about dirtying it, she carefully pinched the edge and began gently wiping her hands.
“I’ll wash it and return it to you.”
He didn’t seem to care one way or another, but gave a short nod.
“Let’s go back.”
“Yes.”
Enrique turned first, and Eugenia followed along behind him meekly.
“What happened to the coachman?”
“He’s dead. Took his own life. I was hoping to find out who was behind this… Sorry.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for. If anything, I should thank you for saving us.”
Suddenly stopping in her tracks, Eugenia bowed deeply to him.
“I know it’s late, but thank you. Truly. You saved my life.”
Enrique nodded and began walking again.
Eugenia matched his stride as she asked, “By the way, Sir Enrique… how far is it to the gates of the Aesa Empire?”
“By carriage, it’d take a day. On foot, about five.”
That was longer than she expected.
Eugenia looked down at her outfit and grimaced.
‘This won’t do.’
She picked up her pace to walk beside Enrique and spoke.
“Um… then, could I ask a favor?”
“What is it?”
“Could you retrieve my bag from the carriage?”
“You’re going to carry it?”
Enrique’s brows twitched.
“There’s more than just clothes in there. Selmia’s medicine, for one. I really think we should bring it.”
Enrique stared at her for a moment, then nodded.
He headed straight to the carriage, jumped inside, and retrieved two bags.
He also let the injured horse go while he was at it.
Fortunately, it didn’t seem seriously hurt, and limped away into the distance.
“Here you go.”
Eugenia bowed her head and took the bags from him.
“Thank you.”
She sat down briefly to rummage through one of the bags, then stood up with something in her hand.
“I’ll be right back. Please watch the children for a moment. I won’t be long.”
Enrique gave her a questioning look, but nodded silently.
After bowing again, Eugenia turned to leave, but paused.
Her face flushed slightly as she pointed at the tree where they had talked earlier.
“Please don’t come over there. And… don’t look either. Okay?”
“…? Alright.”
Eugenia disappeared behind the tree with her bag. When she returned a short while later, her outfit had completely changed.
She gave an awkward smile and shrugged.
“The dress was beautiful, but it wasn’t practical for walking. Or for riding.”
“Ah.”
Enrique hadn’t considered that. He gave a short nod.
Eugenia hoisted her bag and added, “I packed the dress back inside. I’ll change into it again before we reach the Aesa Empire border.”
“Do that.”
They returned to where Albery and the children were waiting.
Naturally, Enrique carried the luggage.
He instructed Albery to ride with Selmia.
Albery mounted first, then Enrique lifted Selmia and handed her up.
She was limp, but thankfully still conscious.
“Please take care of Selmia.”
“Don’t worry, Miss Eugenia.”
Next was Joshua.
Enrique brought over his horse while Eugenia spoke sternly.
“Joshua, don’t kick the horse’s belly like that.”
“I know that much.”
The boy wanted to climb up by himself, but he was too small.
In the end, he had to accept Enrique’s help, though he pouted about it.
Still, it didn’t last long.
Once on the horse, the boy’s eyes lit up with excitement. He gently stroked the horse’s mane with his tiny hands, marveling at the experience.
“Now, your turn.”
Eugenia nodded and approached with a determined look.
“Heave-ho!”
But as it was her first time, she failed repeatedly to get on, stumbling each time.
She gave an embarrassed laugh.
“Haha, this is harder than I thought.”
Unable to watch any longer, Enrique unfolded his arms.
“Shall I help?”
He probably meant to lift her like Joshua.
Eugenia nodded.
As soon as she gave permission, Enrique stepped in without hesitation.
He closed the distance quickly, and Eugenia involuntarily caught her breath.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
He grabbed her waist with both hands and lifted her up.
“Ah!”
Eugenia leaned forward to keep her balance, resting her hands on Enrique’s shoulders.
In that moment, her hair fell forward like a curtain, cutting the two of them off from the rest of the world.
Their gazes locked, deeply intertwined.
