ITHTJ 46

Chapter : 46

Those Who Hide Secrets (8)

I quickly covered my mouth with both hands and glanced around.

Worried I might be caught, I withdrew the cluster of light and hid in a nearby thicket.

“I’ve never heard of bandits appearing in the hills within the Grand Duchy… Huh? Could it be a wild animal? Like a boar or a bear…?”

I had even deliberately scattered more light, just in case something scary appeared…!

…Then, at that moment, I suddenly realized.

“Wait a minute. Do I really need to hide? Whether it’s a wild animal or bandits, I could just blow them away with magic, right?”

There’s no reason for me to be scared; my skills aren’t paper-thin.

With that thought, an inexplicable confidence surged from somewhere deep in my chest.

“Alright. Let’s just blow them away.”

It was at that moment I made my decision.

Thump. Thump.

Slow footsteps were approaching, steadily drawing near.

I peeked my head out of the bushes to see whether the presence approaching me was human or animal.

Then—

“Who’s there?”

A low, familiar voice reached my ears.

‘Huh… If I heard correctly, that voice is…’

My eyes widened as I looked for the owner of the voice.

“It’s Eclipse.”

Even in the darkness, I could recognize him immediately. It was undeniably Eclipse.

“Why is he still here? It’s already pretty late at night.”

Just as I was bewildered, I saw Eclipse walking toward me. Oh no… I must have been spotted!

“Show yourself.”

I’m not a bandit or a wild animal, Your Grace! I’m just an innocent citizen!

Clutching my broom tightly to prove my innocence, I dashed out of the bushes.

Sweeping the ground like crazy as I went.

“Good heavens, look at all this dirt. No matter how much I sweep, it never ends.”

“…Bloomhier?”

“If the Grand Duke has to walk through this, it shouldn’t be so dirty.”

Eclipse looked at me with a drained expression.

I swept with all my might, trying to blow away my embarrassment.

“I’ll make sure to sweep diligently from now on, Your Grace. Just follow behind me.”

But this was the mountains, and the dust wouldn’t disappear.

If anything, the more I swept, the more the dormant dust particles seemed to revolt.

Behind Eclipse, quietly observing my solo performance, soldiers suddenly rushed in.

“This way!”
“What’s the matter, Grand Duke?”
“Eek!”

Seeing fully armed soldiers running toward me, I jumped in surprise.

Yet strangely, I also felt a sense of relief.

‘Thank goodness. I’m not alone.’

Even though it was natural, I had worried a little because of what happened a few hours ago.

Even five years after his ascension, there were still people who didn’t approve of Eclipse.

‘What if an assassin took advantage of me being alone…’

Just as I questioned my unnecessary worry, Eclipse spoke to me.

“What are you doing here?”
“Ah… well…”

Since we had already met, there was no need to hide. I told the truth.

“I usually enjoy taking walks while riding my broom, and this seemed like a perfect place for a stroll.”

“A stroll…? At this hour?”

Eclipse looked quite surprised.

“I’ve noticed this before, but you do have a rather daring side.”
“Do I…?”
“Otherwise, you wouldn’t come alone to a place where wild animals appear.”

Wait, wild animals really appear here?

Had I been wandering around cluelessly?

“Wild animals…? What kind appear?”
“Mostly wolves or bears.”
“Ah… I see. I didn’t realize.”

Thankfully, I had my broom, my inseparable companion.

If things got dangerous, I could just leap into the sky.

No matter how much a bear tears a person apart, it wouldn’t reach someone flying above. Right?

“That woman, the last time she…”
“Y-Yeah, I think so?”

The soldiers behind Eclipse whispered among themselves as they looked at me.

Their faces were hidden under deep helmets.

I thought to myself, they must be pretty shocked too. Let’s cut them some slack.

A witch going for a mountain stroll at this hour wasn’t exactly common.

After averting my gaze from them, I looked back at Eclipse.

He ordered the soldiers, who had gathered around him,

“Everyone, return to your positions.”
“Yes, sir!”

The soldiers quickly dispersed.

I blinked, impressed by their brisk movements, when Eclipse, who had been quietly standing, spoke to me.

“You said you came out for a walk.”
“Yes.”

His gaze turned toward the mountain summit.

I hadn’t noticed it before, but that area was surprisingly bright despite the late hour.

It must have been thanks to the torches held by the soldiers.

“Let’s go that way.”

Eclipse moved first, and I hurried to follow behind him.

At the top, the first thing I saw was a gravestone surrounded by a small flower bed.

Eclipse approached the gravestone and carefully knelt on one knee.

He seemed concerned that his movements might damage the flowers.

“….”

Watching him, I became careful as well.

I quietly observed his back as he gently touched the gravestone.

I knew from the original story that Stella’s memorial was here.

But—

“It feels strange experiencing this in person.”

Perhaps because a scene that was merely a description in a novel had become real.

Seeing Eclipse sincerely mourning his sister’s death, and realizing that it was me standing by him, felt unbelievable.

Eventually, he stood and spoke softly.

“I haven’t told you this, but today is my sister’s death anniversary. And this…”

His gaze remained fixed on the memorial.

“This is a monument in honor of my sister.”

I naturally looked at the memorial too.

The stone, made of high-quality material, bore the deceased’s name and a short inscription:

Stella Everett, remembering a short but beautiful life

Despite being in a remote mountain, the memorial was very well-maintained.

It was obvious that someone had taken great care of it.

“Today, I would have liked to go to the Everett Barony, where my sister is buried… but…”

His voice lacked its usual strength.

Though I could only see his back, I had the sense that his expression was tinged with sadness, which made me a little gloomy.

“Since I inherited the title, I haven’t had the time. So I arranged this memorial as a small gesture.”
“I see.”

“By the way, Bloomhier, you said you came for a walk?”

He turned to me.

I vaguely anticipated what he might say next.

Perhaps, ‘This is Stella’s memorial, so don’t come with such a casual mindset.’

I expected that, but—

“My sister loved meeting people. She had an outgoing personality and could quickly befriend strangers. I’m sure she would be happy to see you.”

My prediction was completely off.

Instead, he smiled faintly, saying Stella would be glad to see me.

“I wish you could visit often.”

I thought I’d be treated as an uninvited guest…

But it seemed he welcomed my presence.

Somehow, I felt I understood Eclipse’s heart a little.

‘He probably wants her memory to remain alive in people’s hearts, rather than her being forgotten.’

In the original story, Stella was just a minor character.

A passing figure, destined to be forgotten. Just like me.

‘If I hadn’t realized I had been reincarnated, I too would have been forgotten.’

No, there probably wouldn’t have been anyone to remember me.

Who would remember someone with no family or friends?

Thinking like that, I even felt a sense of kinship with Stella, who was in a similar situation.

‘Alright. I’ll visit often, then.’

If Eclipse was busy with work, I could come frequently.

Of course, I didn’t know if Stella would like me.

‘Would she dislike me for trying to deceive Eclipse…?’

I shouldn’t. I’ve changed now, Stella!

And Your Grace seems to like me too!

So Stella, you’ll understand with your generous heart, right? You will… right…?

‘I’ll come often from now on, Stella. I’m doing my utmost to save Eclipse, so please watch over me.’

I hoped my greeting would reach her.

I gave a short, respectful nod toward the gravestone.