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Chapter 19
You on a Rainy Day (3)
Boom!
A brilliant white flash lit up the sky before lightning crashed down.
Elluciana, who had been about to lie down in bed, turned her gaze toward the window again.
“Trisha. My father isn’t back yet?”
“No, my lady.”
“I see.”
Noticing Elluciana’s unusually somber expression, Trisha added in a comforting tone.
“It’s probably taking longer because of the rain. It’s only been about two hours since he left.”
“Yeah. I know.”
“So please stop worrying and get some sleep, my lady. If the viscount finds out you’ve been forcing yourself to stay awake, he’ll scold me.”
“Pfft—Father would never do that.”
“Still, he might be upset with me. I don’t want to be disliked, so I’m begging you, please go to bed, my lady.”
Elluciana chuckled softly at Trisha’s unusually whiny tone. She knew exactly why Trisha was making excuses to put her to bed.
Once she fell asleep, the time spent waiting would pass in the blink of an eye.
Trisha smiled warmly as she pulled the blanket up to Elluciana’s chest.
“Aren’t you scared? You used to be afraid of thunder and would hold my hand tight while sleeping.”
Elluciana flinched and gave an awkward smile.
“Hmm, I’m trying to endure it. I’ve grown up a lot now.”
“Yes, you’ve grown beautifully, my lady.”
Trisha sniffled slightly, her eyes tearing up for no reason, and turned away with a cough.
“Ahem. Then I’ll be going. But please call me if you get scared.”
“Okay. Good night, Trisha.”
Standing at the doorway, Trisha looked back one more time, as if reluctant to leave.
Elluciana smiled brightly and waved her hand, finally reassuring Trisha enough to close the door.
Sigh… Holding someone’s hand to sleep at this age(?) is honestly a bit much. It’s just thunder, after all.
Then—another thunderclap exploded in her ears like a bomb.
CRAAAACK—
Even with all the noise, it seemed she had somehow fallen asleep.
Elluciana sat up in bed, brushing her tousled hair behind her ears.
The rain still sounds heavy, so I guess it hasn’t stopped yet.
Her eyes were heavy from the light sleep. She rubbed them and glanced toward the door.
“Huh. I thought I heard something.”
But all she could hear now was the steady pouring of rain.
“What time is it?”
Blinking sleepily, she turned her eyes to the wall clock.
About 2 a.m., huh.
She wondered if her father had returned yet. She wanted to go check his room, but if she did that, rumors about her being a scaredy-cat might spread.
Especially on a stormy night like this.
BOOM—
People would just find it cute coming from an 8-year-old girl.
Let’s just say no news is good news.
If anything had happened, the house wouldn’t be this quiet.
Elluciana dragged herself to a chair at the table. She filled a glass with water and drank it in one refreshing gulp.
“Ahh. That’s better.”
As she wiped the moisture from her lips, she realized she was wide awake again.
Then—
Tap—tap—tap—
“Hm?”
Tap-tap.
“What’s that sound?”
Elluciana cautiously stood up.
She hadn’t imagined it. The sound was real.
It was far too weak to be considered a knock, but the soft, persistent tapping was definitely coming from beyond her door.
Who could it be at this hour? And who would dare disturb the young lady of the house?
She didn’t ponder for long.
Whoever it was, she could just check.
“I wonder how good-looking this person is.”
She wasn’t particularly afraid. Within the manor, she was perfectly safe.
Simon had restricted outside access for that very reason.
The former viscount and his wife had died of a mysterious illness.
And the daughter, who barely survived.
It might’ve been excessive, but Simon probably wanted to keep her close until his anxieties were eased.
Elluciana was the only family he had left.
Thankfully, that overprotection had helped her—a blank slate—adapt to this world without worrying about others’ judgment.
But now, she thought, it was time to leave the comfort of her little bubble.
Partly to prepare for an uncertain future, but also—I don’t want to live like a flower in a greenhouse forever.
Sure, her little adventure a few days ago had been impulsive. Surrounded by kind people, she had underestimated how harsh this world could be.
That’s probably why she’d dared to enter the slums with only one escort knight. So reckless.
But I achieved what I wanted.
Simon had scolded her fiercely, but it seemed he had at least understood her desire to break out of her shell.
…I’ll have to beg him to take me sightseeing in the capital one day.
He might not be thrilled about it, but if she asked nicely, her father would probably open the door himself.
He’s always been soft-hearted.
Elluciana smiled to herself as she grabbed the doorknob.
She’d gotten distracted for a moment, but what mattered now was finding out who was outside her door.
Without much hesitation, she opened it.
Creak—
“…Huh?”
Her scarlet eyes widened in shock at the completely unexpected visitor.
What the—why are you here?
Asteine stood leaning against the doorframe, pale as a ghost, staring at her.
“Ast?”
“Haa… haa… Lu… ci…”
“What… What are you doing here? Do you even know what time—?”
Before she could finish, Asteine’s body, which had seemed on the verge of collapse, crumbled like a sandcastle.
Completely unprepared for the situation, Elluciana caught him out of instinct, wondering if this was some kind of dream.
But the damp clothes and the burning heat radiating from his body felt far too real to be a dream.
“You… what’s wrong?”
“Haa… haa…”
“What happened? And why are you soaking wet?”
“Lu… ci…”
His hot breath escaped in pale wisps with every word. Alarmed, Elluciana placed her hand on his forehead.
What the—he’s burning up!
“What happened?”
He seemed perfectly fine earlier in the garden—just acting cynical and getting on her nerves like usual.
That attitude had annoyed her enough to leave early… Wait. Could it be…?
“You! Don’t tell me you’ve been out in the rain this whole time? Oh my god! If your clothes were soaked, you should’ve changed immediately. You’ve been like this all along? Huh?”
“…Lucy. Lu… ci…”
He didn’t seem to register her words, only kept murmuring her name.
Worried that he wasn’t in his right mind, Elluciana supported him and laid him on the bed.
“Just lie down for now, Ast. I’ll go get a physician.”
“…Don’t… go…”
“I’ll be quick. I’ll be right back, just wait, okay?”
But then, his dry, cracked voice broke as if pleading.
“Please… stay… by my side…”
“…Ast?”
Startled by the sudden formality, Elluciana froze. Did he just say that to me?
Before she could react further, Asteine desperately grabbed her arm.
“Hhngh… Don’t go… Mother… don’t… leave me…”
Mother…?
The word echoed in her mind, and Elluciana froze.
His choking sobs were so heart-wrenching, it felt like her chest was being ripped apart.
His grip was weak, like it would fall apart with a light touch—but still, she couldn’t pull away.
That fragile grasp was like the last desperate clutch of a child trying not to drown.
Just what happened to you in your past, Ast?
Aside from when she first found him, Asteine had never shown weakness. He had always been cold, stoic, and detached.
Above all, numb to pain.
But she’d thought it was okay. However faint, she’d seen signs of change.
And yet…
Ast.
Now, he was crying. So sorrowfully, like a baby bird mourning its lost mother.
Even his feeble touch felt unbearably tragic.
“Hhngh… Please don’t go… please…”
His hands fumbled through the air like he’d lost his way. Elluciana took his hand in hers firmly, as if to say she wouldn’t let go.
“Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Hhngh… Mother…”
“I’m right here, Ast.”
She lay down beside him and gently wrapped her arms around his trembling form.
He clung to her like a baby seeking its mother’s embrace. Around her neck, the Lysianthus pendant swayed and jingled softly, as if responding to his emotion.
“I promise I’ll always be by your side. So… rest easy.”
“Hhngh… sob… Mother…”
Maybe he understood her words, because Asteine reached out and pulled her tightly into his arms.
“…!”
Startled by the sudden strength in his grip, Elluciana paused, then slowly patted his back.
As she gently soothed him, the trembling in his body gradually subsided. His contorted expression softened.
Before long, his breathing evened out. He had fallen asleep.
Elluciana brushed the black hair away from his face, revealing his tear-streaked, porcelain skin.
Even like this, how could he look so beautiful?
Especially those thick, wet eyelashes—so painfully lovely.
He really doesn’t look like someone from this world.
Still staring, entranced, Elluciana felt something tugging at her neck. She looked down.
Sometime during his sleep, Asteine had gripped her Lysianthus pendant tightly in his hand.
When did he grab that?
He must’ve been worried she’d run away.
Such a child…
Smiling faintly, Elluciana gently embraced him once more.
She hoped—no, she wished—that he would know he wasn’t alone. That someone cared for him.
Even if it was just a dimly glowing lighthouse in an empty sea.
She wanted him to know that the light shone just for him.
Please, don’t lose your way.
Elluciana wished with all her heart.
…And so, ten years passed.
