WSRN 15

chapter 15

Sian Hilberg stared quietly at Elena in front of him. Perhaps he could understand something that way.

Elena Hill was peculiar. She seemed suspicious in every way, yet she didn’t look like someone skilled in lying.

Still, looking at her innocent face, one thought persisted.

“If they sent something like this just to gather information, they’re really dumb.”

Sian swallowed his cynicism.

“…If you’re going to hide it, hide it properly.”

“What?”

Her teasing smile annoyed him. It was the kind of expression that made you want to poke at her for no reason.

He didn’t know why Elena wanted to hide the letter, but it didn’t matter.

“Eventually, I’ll know where it’s going and even the contents.”

Since she had come to Hilberg, it was only natural. All that was needed was a little patience.

He could be sure it wasn’t something he needed to worry about too much. And yet…

“I want to know right now.”

Sian spoke without realizing it.

“…The letter. Is there a special place you’re sending it to?”

“Don’t worry. It’s not a suspicious letter.”

Yet she shook her head slightly, as if she couldn’t show it.

“Why?”

He wanted to ask that. It was a feeling even he couldn’t explain.

Everything about her was strange. But the strangest of all was, naturally, the blonde girl who had casually tugged at his sleeve.

“Anyway, let’s eat together, okay?”

She approached so casually, appearing honest, yet it was impossible to guess what she was really thinking.

Sian thought he didn’t know how much he could trust Elena, but strangely, he also wanted to trust her.

“…I’m confused again.”

Sian naturally replied in a teasing tone.

“What’s the point of eating together?”

“You don’t get it. Eating together makes it taste better.”

He marveled at how naturally she presented such an illogical argument.

“Just like before.”

What he had inherited as Hilberg was certainly something that could be called an ability. But it didn’t apply to him in the same way.

Unlike the Duke or Blair, Sian struggled to control it. Sometimes, even innocent people were frightened by it.

He could still hear the echo of someone backing away in fear.

“….”

But Elena wasn’t afraid. She casually referred to what Sian considered a curse as a kind of power.

“She doesn’t even know anything.”

Perhaps that was the kindness she could give. But Sian was not someone capable of offering kindness.

He knew his own personality. He knew how it appeared to others. And yet…

“Is she telling me to stay by her side?”

In Elena’s verdant eyes, Sian’s reflection shone softly. In that face, waiting for him, he found himself unable to shake his head.

“Suspicious. I know it’s suspicious. And yet…”

In the end, for the first time in a long while, he had a meal not in his room, but in the dining hall. And with someone else, too.

As he returned to his room on the same floor, Sian had a premonition.

If Elena Hill were a spy sent by someone, he felt certain he would be the first to lose his life.

I stretched and yawned dramatically.

“Who said stretching in the morning makes you taller?”

The bed was comfortable, and I slept deeply without a care in the world. At this rate, I might grow bigger than in my previous life.

As I rolled around and stretched, there was a knock like yesterday.

I recognized it now—the calm yet not slow rhythm. It had to be Marian. Rolling over, I quickly agreed while my cheek was still pressed into the pillow.

“Y-yes!”

I couldn’t look like yesterday, of course. I hurriedly got up.

Marian entered the room, smiling faintly as she greeted me.

“Did something good happen this morning?”

“Good morning!”

“Good morning. Shall I help you wash your face?”

I had been doing it myself haphazardly until now, so it felt awkward, but I nodded.

“Even dukes help with things like this…”

Then, stepping into the bathroom and seeing my reflection, I was shocked. My golden hair, like threads, was frizzy and tangled everywhere.

“I don’t even look human!”

I looked like a small yellow-furred animal. Only then did I realize why Marian had been amused and why she had suggested helping me wash up.

“…I rolled around too much.”

Blushing, I pressed my hair down as best as I could, and Marian smiled again. It wasn’t an unpleasant smile, but it made me feel even more embarrassed.

Thanks to Marian’s help, I quickly looked presentable again and took out the letter from the drawer.

I had written it in a hurry after returning to my room yesterday.

But there was a bigger accomplishment.

I had eaten with Sian.

“His expression was a bit confused, but…”

Ever since we promised with a pinky swear, Sian seemed strangely gentler. Like a venomous snake turning harmless.

And naturally, eating together always strengthened bonds.

That was the rule of our greetings: “When shall we have a meal together?” Even if we weren’t in Korea.

“Seems like he was a little curious about the letter.”

Even if he suspected, I absolutely couldn’t show it to Sian. It was a letter addressed to the “heroine” of this world. He shouldn’t get curious just because of the name.

“Why did I even come all the way here?!”

With Sian not around, it seemed best to send it quickly.

“I’d like to send this letter…”

“Shall we go now?”

“Oh, no! I wanted to collect some flower petals first. They don’t have to be picked; fallen ones are fine too.”

“Flower petals…?”

Marian tilted her head. It seemed odd, but I wanted to get them. It was our mark in letters exchanged with Aria.

It was so that Aria wouldn’t be confused receiving a letter from the Hilberg House without context.

“Then I’ll take you to the greenhouse. Shall we go?”

“Oh, so seriously?”

Maintaining a greenhouse cost so much even most noble houses couldn’t afford it, so it was hard for anyone to enter without an invitation.

Noticing my hesitation, Marian added calmly:

“Miss Elena is now Hilberg. There’s no reason for you to hesitate.”

She was simply stating a fact. It was for me, not a made-up encouragement.

It made me straighten my shoulders.

“…If a guardian treats someone like this, anyone would consider them family for life.”

I understood the extraordinary loyalty. I knew there was no discrimination, but…

“It feels different experiencing it firsthand.”

Her natural courtesy felt considerate.

Marian straightened her knees and stood up. Something shiny fell from her long skirt.

“Marian, something—”

“Oh my… my apologies.”

Before I could finish, she quickly grabbed it and tucked it into her arms.

“…What was that?”

It looked like a small knife. Surely she didn’t carry that around normally…? An ordinary servant?

“Not a novel, really.”

But I had possessed a novel’s world. It felt like a slap to wake me up.

I forced a laugh.

“It didn’t fall. …Haha.”

“This place is scary, after all.”

Then we exchanged painted-on smiles and headed to the greenhouse.

The greenhouse was stunning. Not as extravagant as a palace, but befitting the Hilberg family.

My eyes were drawn to the flower bed at the center.

It wasn’t particularly rare, but its white and yellow petals made the heart feel calm.

“So cute and dainty.”

Even the dandelions, known for growing anywhere, were perfectly arranged.

“Did someone collect their favorite flowers here?”

I liked it enough to walk around and pick up fallen petals.

“Can’t pick from living flowers… Ah, here!”

As I bent down, I heard a rustle from across.

“Huh? Who’s there?”

Feeling guilty like a thief, I quickly stood up—and came face to face with the source of the sound.