Chapter 24

It had been a week since I started living in the cabin in the forest.

I was surprised at how calm I was, more so than I had imagined. Perhaps it was because I had experienced unjust deaths many times, or perhaps I had subconsciously realized that there was no escape once I caught their attention. I couldn't tell anymore.

I was relieved to be able to spend my days peacefully.

"Maybe I'll do some knitting."

After finishing dinner, I decided to knit until I felt sleepy. I picked up my knitting needles and yarn and sat down in a chair. Even if I made something, there was no one to give it to. If I gave it to them after I died, it would only burden them.

– Whenever I was quietly doing something, my thoughts always turned to Ralph. Is he doing well? What is he doing right now? Is he resenting me?

We had only spent about two months together, yet I realized that he had become a significant presence in my life.

I tried to ignore the pain in my chest and continued knitting silently.

"……?"

Just as I finished knitting one sock, which I had no one to give it to, a dull thud came from outside, as if something had fallen. Soon after, I noticed footsteps approaching.

The sound, which echoed inside the room with a clunk, clunk, eventually stopped in front of the door. It didn't seem to be the guard's footsteps, and my heart began to beat rapidly.

I put down the tools I was holding and placed them on the table, clenching my hands tightly and staring at the door in fear.

The next moment, a loud thud sounded, and the door collapsed inward. It seemed to have been kicked down. Even though it was supposed to be protected by Melvin's magic, what was happening?

There was no place to run in this small house. As panic set in, I could only wait, stepping on the fragments of the broken door and listening to the person approaching.

When I saw his face in the light, I gasped.

"……W-Why?"

Ralph stood there, holding a holy sword in one hand, covered in blood.

Why was he here? Why was he so covered in blood? Was he injured? I couldn't ask, as my voice caught in my throat the moment I saw his expressionless face.

I realized my hands were trembling, and the yarn I was holding rolled across the floor and stopped at Ralph's feet.

The strong smell of blood filled my nose.

"……Why did you run away from me?"

He looked at me, but his dark eyes didn't reflect me. I couldn't tell if he was angry or sad. He gently reached out and touched my cheek. The warm, blood-soaked touch sent shivers down my spine.

"You're a liar, Lady Rizette."

"……"

"You promised you would never leave my side."

Finally, the words "I'm sorry" spilled from my lips. He continued, "It's okay."

"I still love you, even if you're a liar and a terrible noble."

Hearing the words "I love you" from him for the first time, I felt an overwhelming urge to cry. A mix of sadness and emptiness welled up inside me, and my apologies continued to flow.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Lady Rizette's beautiful face is stained."

Ralph gently released me, referring to the blood on his hand.

"Are you hurt?"

"No."

"But this blood… then, whose is it?"

"Who knows?"

Ralph smiled slightly, as if it didn't matter. I realized that the calm and kind Ralph I knew was gone.

"Lady Rizette, you don't need to worry about such things."

"Ralph, I—"

"It's my fault. I couldn't make you feel safe. It's all my fault for putting you in a situation where you felt the need to run away."

What was Ralph talking about?

"But it's okay now. You taught me that it's better to live selfishly."

"Why, Ralph?"

"I'm fine as long as you're alive."

Then, Ralph sprinkled something from a small bottle he had taken out. The room began to tilt.

By the time I realized it was something to make me lose consciousness, it was too late. My body went limp, and I was held in Ralph's arms.

– What will happen to me now? How did it come to this?

"Good night, Lady Rizette."

With those words, my consciousness faded.

◇◇◇

"……Ugh."

As I slowly opened my eyes, an unfamiliar ceiling filled my vision.

Where am I? As I sat up in bed, a metallic clinking sound caught my attention. Looking down, I saw a sturdy ankle shackle on my foot.

A thick, sturdy iron chain stretched from it to the wall.

"What is this…?"

Panicking, I looked around and realized I was in a cell. My mind struggled to understand what was happening.

– That's right. Ralph came to the cabin, and then—

"Are you awake?"

Looking up, I saw Ralph standing near the iron bars.

"I brought you some food. Would you like to eat with me?"

He had a soft smile, and a tray with warm food was on it. The contrast between the situation and his demeanor sent a chill down my spine.

I immediately understood that he had locked me in here.

"Where is this? Please let me out."

"I had your favorite bread prepared."

"Ralph, listen to me. I—"

"There's dessert too. Please eat a lot."

The mismatched conversation and the words that couldn't reach him made me want to cry. Was this because I left him without a word?

Ralph, who had opened the lock with one hand, came to me, placed the tray on the table, and knelt down, taking my trembling hand.

"Ralph, you're in danger too. Please let me out."

"It's okay. I'll protect you, Lady Rizette."

"Please, listen to me. I don't care about myself, but—"

"Everything will be over soon."

Ralph no longer heard my words, no matter what I said.

He gently wiped away my tears, which had been flowing, and said, "I love you," with the most beautiful smile I had ever seen.

Thank you always! I've been enjoying reading your comments very much…!

This concludes Chapter 2. The next chapter will be the final one, so I hope you will stay with me until the end.