Chapter 1

"Ah, right. I'll give you the shoes I'm wearing too. Look, the gems around the toes, they should add a little to the cost of the medicine, right?"

I took off both shoes, lightly brushed them, and gently placed them in the small, bony palm. While thinking that I should have worn better shoes, I hid my bare toes under the hem of my dress.

"You don't have to give your shoes too... It might cause you trouble, Miss."

"It's fine, it's fine. Don't worry about me. Really, don't."

The boy looked extremely apologetic, but I truly wasn't troubled at all, so I really wanted him not to worry.

I was heading to a rural area with nothing but fields. Such fine shoes would only grow mold and be thrown away. It would be better to sell them and put the money to good use.

– I, Lissette Ashburton, am going to hide away in a place called the Sanctuary for the rest of my life.

Incidentally, the name "Sanctuary" sounds wonderful, but it's just a place with a forest where no monsters appear and some fields. I plan to farm and live quietly there.

On the way there, I saw these orphaned siblings from the carriage window. Both were emaciated, but the problem was with the younger sister. The spots on her small body were familiar.

In my previous life, she had died from the same illness. She could have been saved with medicine, but they were too poor to buy it and she died.

Seeing her like that, I couldn't help but think of my sister who had died in my arms, suffering. Before I knew it, I had instructed the carriage to stop and gave them the accessories I was wearing as payment for the medicine.

This necklace, which I had cherished, would probably never be worn again. I handed the necklace to my maid, Reila, and she looked at me with a puzzled expression.

"Why to me...?"

"They might be taken advantage of if they go alone. So, Reila, please go with them. I'll go on from here by myself."

"What are you saying! I can't leave you alone, Miss!"

"It's fine, everyone usually goes alone."

Yes, I am supposed to enter a convent...

"Actually, you have a lover in the capital, don't you? I'm fine, so please live happily with him."

"......"

"In return, I would like you to occasionally check on these children."

Reila's eyes filled with tears, and she nodded repeatedly. She is a kind woman who was worried about me and even planned to follow me to the convent. I hope she finds happiness.

Originally, I intended to let her go with a suitable excuse along the way, but this was perfect.

"Are you a noble, ma'am?"

"Well, yes."

In the meantime, the boy, who seemed to be the older sibling, looked up at me intently. He was very dirty, but his features seemed well-defined.

He was probably a bit younger than me.

"– Hero"

"Huh?"

As I looked at him, those words suddenly spilled out of my mouth. At the same time, an indescribable fear welled up inside me. I had a bad feeling, so I said, "I'm going now."

"I will definitely find you someday and repay this kindness."

"Really, don't worry about it. Life is better when you're a little selfish."

As I said this, he gasped and opened his amethyst-like eyes wide. Was what I said that surprising?

I stroked the head of the girl, who was breathing heavily, and told Reila to take her to a doctor as soon as possible. Then I got back into the carriage.

"…Ah, I wish I could live longer."

I muttered to myself and looked out the window. Reila and the boy were looking at me with tearful eyes. I hope they forget about me quickly and live happily.

But for a while, the boy's beautiful purple eyes, which had been fixed on me, wouldn't leave my mind.