IWHERSFL 22

~Chapter 22~

The words flowed without pause.

“I want to take revenge with my own power. If I can.”

Lysian, with a serious expression, added,

“I can help you.”

I had half-expected him to say that… and I let out a small, bitter laugh.

“You don’t have to help. If it’s not done by my own hands, it won’t mean anything.”

Truthfully, I wasn’t burning with revenge to the point of losing control. At least, I wasn’t. Muriel might feel differently.

What mattered most was making sure those enemies wouldn’t entangle themselves in my life anymore.

That was, in my view, the best path forward.

Still, sooner or later, I would have to face Raul somehow. I hadn’t completely untied that knot with him yet.

“For me, I like living like this. When the sun sets, I have dinner and go to bed. When the sun rises, I tend to the flower beds and plant crops in the vegetable garden. Sometimes I wander through the forest, picking edible mushrooms or herbs…”

“…”

“I come to town, browse the market, eat something delicious, and chat about trivial things with the locals.”

Life was most peaceful when it was simple. Of course, unexpected troubles sometimes threatened that peace.

“In my opinion, to carry out a grand revenge, a person has to be… great.”

“…”

“Look at Terni and Winterberg—they’re both dukes’ families. What power do I have? To completely crush those two houses, I’d need to be an emperor.”

Throughout history, becoming ‘great’ is never easy. It’s full of struggles and trials.

Rather than exhausting myself for revenge, maybe it’s easier to wait calmly for the enemy’s downfall to come naturally.

“You know the saying, you reap what you sow?”

“…Right.”

“Then I’ll live the opposite of those who tormented me. I’ll do more good, help others, and live happily for a long time… maybe that’s the best revenge of all.”

“…”

I flopped onto the bed. Lysian turned his head to look at me.

It felt like our conversation had reached its natural conclusion. I had nothing more to say.

As I closed my eyes, darkness settled over me. Lysian’s calm voice carried softly like ripples in water.

“Thank you for sharing your story, Muriel.”

“…Yeah. I just thought you should know. I’m going to sleep now. You should too.”

“Yes, good night.”

I pretended to be sleepy, yawning as I turned over. All I could see with half-open eyes was the wall.

A moment later, the sound of a hinge creaking reached me. Lysian had entered the bathroom.

Lying still, I slowly opened my eyes.

Earlier, when Lysian brushed my hair, I had been too sleepy to resist… but now, sleep wouldn’t come.

‘Did talking wake me up…?’

With a heavy sigh, I sat up.

Unexpected Quest Triggered!

<‘Synchronize Muriel’s Memories’>

Download and synchronize new memories to complete the quest!

Reward: 500 coins

“…”

A quest popped up at the worst possible moment—especially now, sharing a room with Lysian.

‘Notice your timing, system.’

I tried to close the window, but no matter what I did, it wouldn’t disappear.

‘Ugh, this is so annoying.’

No matter how much I cursed internally, the system remained silent. It seemed determined to stay until I accepted the “Memory Synchronization” quest.

‘Why now of all times?! I can do this later!’

Frustrated, I ran my hands through my hair and glanced toward the bathroom.

I could hear the sound of water—Lysian was showering.

‘…It’ll take at least 20 minutes.’

Since he had just gone in, now was the only suitable chance if I wanted to see Muriel’s memories today.

“Damn…”

Muttering under my breath, I moved my finger to the [▶Accept] button.

I wondered what memories would torment me this time…

Quest Accepted!

‘Synchronizing Muriel’s Memories’

Downloading some memories from the backup server…

Progress: 31%

The familiar interface appeared, the percentage quickly rising.

Soon, a clear, cheerful chime sounded, and a new popup appeared:

Download complete!
Some memories are now being synchronized. Brace for impact.

As usual, my vision turned completely black.

Then, my consciousness abruptly cut off.

“Hey! You worm!”

Whack!

A heavy stone hit my forehead and clattered to the ground before I could react.

I had been strolling in the garden when this sudden assault occurred, leaving me stunned.

It was Eddie, the stable boy Tess’s son, and his gang.

“Where do you think you’re strutting around like that? Think being adopted by a duke makes you a real noble?”

“Yeah, yeah!”

“Our dad said you’re just a fake! The duke will throw you away!”

“…”

My reputation had never been good. Born to a servant and a wandering mercenary, abandoned by parents—my father missing, mother deceased years ago, only sister adopted far away—I had no one to rely on.

I survived by doing odd jobs at the Terni ducal estate. Cleaning, errands… anything to cling to life there.

Then one day, the duke noticed me.

‘What’s your name?’

‘Mu… Muriel…’

The duke looked me over slowly, as if gauging my value.

A few days later, I was formally adopted as his ward.

But becoming the duke’s ward didn’t mean a life of ease.

I got nice clothes and learned etiquette, but the duke’s household never treated me as a person.

Literally, I was just a tool.

“Don’t get the wrong idea, servant’s daughter! You’ll be thrown out soon enough!”

“Or sold to an old noble as a concubine.”

One child whispered cruelly, and everyone giggled.

Among them, a pretty blonde girl picked up a stone and threw it at me again.

This time, I dodged it.

Annoyed, the girl stomped and shouted,

“Just because the duke taught you a little doesn’t mean you’re special! Don’t dream of marrying into a good family!”

“Yeah! You worm!”

Several stones flew at me in a barrage. I barely avoided some, but got hit three times.

I had no choice but to turn and flee. Mocking voices followed from behind.

“Look at her! Running like a little mouse!”

“How can she call herself a duke’s ward…”

I rushed up to my room in the ducal mansion, locked the door tightly, and dove under the covers.

Huddled beneath the blanket, my body trembled.

“Sniff…”

The sobs I’d held back escaped, trickling out.

“Sniff, huuuh… huuuhh…”

Tears fell like raindrops, the sorrow of the world pressing down on me. No one comforted me.

I was alone… and the thought that no one would ever care was unbearably painful.

Everyone else had family or friends—why was I always alone?

Not even a single person to defend me or stop the bullying.

‘…I wish someone would protect me.’

I wanted someone to help, stay by my side, and comfort me when I was struggling.

But it was all a futile hope.

“Gasp…”

I inhaled sharply, eyes snapping open.

As often happens when the heart is unsettled, it was pounding wildly.

When I reached to wipe the tears streaming down my temple, a warm touch grazed my skin. A careful hand wiped my tears and gently cupped my cheek.

“Muriel.”

The urgency in his voice carried deep concern.

“Muriel… are you okay? Did you have a nightmare?”

With his brows deeply furrowed, Lysian looked at me with a worried expression.

I stared at him silently, gradually collecting myself.

It didn’t take long to calm down, but forcing myself to smile and say I was fine felt strangely difficult.

“I…”

One word slipped out unconsciously. I didn’t even know what I truly wanted to say.

“…Hold me.”

I realized how strange that sounded after a few seconds of silence.