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~Chapter 33~
I stared blankly at Othello.
His voice echoed in my mind over and over again.
“……”
His green eyes, tinged with a hue close to turquoise, held the red glow of the setting sun.
What could he be thinking right now? I had no idea.
A moment later, he climbed up the rock and calmly reached for my hand.
Othello’s back looked unusually grown-up.
“……”
I took his hand and walked forward.
And then my thoughts spiraled into confusion.
Ever since I was born into the Winchester household, I had repeatedly gone over the plot of the original novel.
In truth, there was no need to judge whether they were good or evil.
“The Darkness of Winchester.” “The Empire’s Worst Villainous Family.”
That’s exactly how they were described in the book.
Their evil deeds were enough to make anyone frown.
Even now… I couldn’t deny that they were villains.
But was it really right to let the novel determine my judgment?
These people weren’t just characters in a book anymore—they were real, breathing people.
The wind ruffled Othello’s pink hair, tickling my face.
“Sasha.”
As I walked through the grass holding Othello’s hand, Jin came into view.
His expression was stiff as he stood with his back to the sunset.
All around him lay dozens of dead wolves, their bodies twisted in gruesome ways.
The thick stench of blood filled the air.
He walked over quickly and stood in front of me, reaching out his hand.
“Are you hurt…?”
Jin’s voice was rough and urgent.
It was nothing like his usual calm tone—almost demanding.
But his hand, which had been reaching toward me, didn’t touch me.
It stopped midair, as if he was hesitant about the blood covering it.
He withdrew it.
“…I’m glad you’re okay, Sasha.”
His fierce gaze, stripped of all warmth, made my heart sink.
A cool breeze of the evening passed between us.
Othello stared at the setting sun, while Jin kept his eyes fixed on me.
Yes. Ever since I was reborn, my goal had always been clear.
This damned villainous family was something I had to escape.
The Duke Ricardo, Othello, and Jin were all people I had to keep at a distance.
That’s all they were supposed to be.
“Miss…?”
From far away, Maya came running toward me, one arm in a cast, kneeling to meet my gaze.
“Are you okay, Miss?”
I shook my head.
No, today I was definitely not okay.
My chest ached, my mind was in turmoil—I didn’t know what to do anymore.
The reason I felt this way about Othello and Jin… must be because I had truly become Sasha Winchester now.
I had wanted to remain on the outside, but here I was, with them.
The sense of belonging to Winchester… the actions of Jin and Othello… they were shaking me.
Was this really okay? What if I ended up becoming part of their family for real…?
I bit my lip hard.
“You must’ve been startled. Something happened.”
“What?”
“Go in with Maya first. I need to talk to Jin.”
At Othello’s words, Maya scooped me up.
Her shoulder against my nose gave me a sense of relief.
My tangled thoughts slowly began to settle.
Permetis stood frozen, her face pale.
The Duke of Winchester’s personal knights were approaching the summer estate.
Nearly a hundred men clad in black armor—an elite force fit for war with Taylors.
They halted in front of the estate.
At the front was Loen, Duke Ricardo’s lieutenant, also wearing black armor.
There was no one in the estate to stand against such terrifying soldiers. Even if Jestia were here, she wouldn’t stand a chance.
Loen dismounted and approached Jin, Othello, and me, standing in front of the mansion.
He knelt on one knee before Jin and paid his respects.
“We have come to escort you, Young Master, by order of the Duke.”
A little distance away, Permetis stood clutching her skirt, biting her lip.
What she had done to me had been exposed by Othello.
She had tried to deny it to Jin in a panic, but his eyes remained cold.
— You’ve always doted on me, big brothers, haven’t you? Please?
Her desperate plea, with trembling eyes, only earned her contempt.
— I was just jealous because everyone only liked Sasha! And I had nothing to do with the accident!
Even as she sobbed with her hands covering her face, I could tell it wasn’t genuine.
When I turned away and buried my head into Maya’s shoulder, my brothers left Permetis behind and stepped out with me.
— I guess today was the last hunt with Permetis.
Jin had muttered while gazing at the darkened sky.
Apparently, everything that happened here had been reported to the Duke, Ricardo.
And he had responded by sending this terrifying force.
“……”
The knights ignored Permetis completely as she stood frozen in fear.
A show of power—this was just the beginning.
“Is the young lady unharmed?”
“Mhm.”
When I nodded, Loen gave a heavy sigh of relief and smiled faintly.
Then, with a cold gaze, he looked toward Permetis.
When our eyes met, Permetis quickly glanced at Loen and lowered her eyes.
Well, that’s what she gets.
Remembering how she tapped my forehead and spoke of my life so lightly still made me feel sick.
We boarded the carriage we’d arrived in.
On the way back, the Duke’s knights would escort us.
“B-but… big brother, if you leave like this…”
Flustered, Permetis ran up and grabbed Othello’s sleeve.
“If you go now… what will happen to me?”
Tears welled up in her eyes as she pleaded with him.
“We’ve already said everything there is to say.”
Othello’s voice was cold and sharp.
Permetis flinched, likely recalling the moment when she had been thrown back by his dark flame earlier.
Still, perhaps unwilling to part like this, she cried again.
“It really was just an accident. I didn’t know anything about it! I might’ve been rude to Sasha, but that’s not enough for you two to abandon me! Sasha’s fine anyway!”
Othello, who had been silently staring at her, leaned closer.
From inside the carriage, I saw him whisper something in her ear.
I couldn’t hear the words, but from the way Permetis’s face turned deathly pale, it couldn’t have been anything good.
Leaving her frozen in place, Othello climbed into the carriage.
And so, under the dark night sky, we departed for the Winchester estate.
I heard Jin’s voice ask Othello,
“What did you say to Permetis just now?”
But Othello leaned his head against the wall of the carriage, closed his eyes, and said nothing.
I was glad he didn’t answer.
Whatever it was, it probably wasn’t suitable for a child to hear.
“No matter what the investigation finds, both Lady Jestia and Permetis will be held accountable by the family for endangering the young lady.”
“If they lose the summer estate after Wilners, I’d love to see their faces.”
Sitting beside Othello, I began to doze off.
In front, I heard Loen and Jin talking.
“If this was a deliberate attempt to harm the young lady, they won’t escape death.”
“Be thorough. Permetis is denying it now… but anyone can see this wasn’t an accident.”
After a moment of thought, Jin added,
“If she’s involved, she’ll have to pay with her life.”
His voice revealed none of the kindness he had once shown her.
Under the dim moonlight, the world remained quiet.
Clack, clack—the sound of wheels turning.
My small three-year-old body, worn out from the day, began to drift into sleep.
As I nodded off, I felt something pulling me gently.
My head came to rest against something soft—and I assumed it was a pillow.
“You.”
Othello’s quiet voice reached my ears gently.
“You’re the only one always at peace, aren’t you, Sasha?”
And just like that, I fell into a deep, warm sleep.
