Chapter 63

63

“…….”

Jen stared at me blankly. The longer his silence stretched, the more my anxiety grew. Upon reflection, he was someone who had no reason to hide me.

Although he had been kind to me, I couldn't be sure if he still was. Moreover, as a member of the aristocratic society, he would undoubtedly view such an escape unfavorably. He might even hand me over to Theodor.

I nervously bit my lip. Each minute, each second waiting for Jen's response felt unbearably long. Did he realize it? That I was on the run? What should I do now?

The oppressive silence was finally broken as Jen spoke.

“……I see, I understand.”

“……?”

“I will keep it a secret. I'm on the duchess's side. Don't worry!”

……I couldn't understand a word he said. Keep it a secret? On my side? What did he mean? Did he really realize that I was on the run?

But he didn't give me time to process. He was a man of quick action.

“Then, I will use my elemental power to transport the duchess and your companions to the cabin. It's completely safe, so don't worry.”

As the golden wind swept through, making the others flinch in fear, Jen added with a smile. I was conflicted about whether to reject his offer and run away.

But as if to prove he was the Wind Elemental, 'Ventus' instantly transported us to another place.

Jen Delacroix's cabin.

* * *

“I built this cabin here because the bear skins around here are quite tough and good…… I sometimes come here to hunt.”

“…….”

“Also, like earlier, I periodically come here to eliminate criminals…… and, well, the scenery of this mountain is beautiful, so I often come here to relax.”

Jen earnestly explained why he built the cabin in such a place. When I nodded without a word, he laughed awkwardly, “Haha……” I felt sorry for him, but I didn't know what to say. After all……

The cabin was built at the edge of a cliff.

‘It's not like it's a demon king's castle or anything……’

I didn't know Jen Delacroix had such bizarre tastes. ……Anyway, since I had received his help, I decided to say something, even if it was just a formality.

“You have unique tastes. ……Well, it's better than being ordinary.”

Jen asked with a hopeful look.

“Do you really think so?”

“……Yeah, well……”

I avoided his sparkling eyes, which made me uncomfortable. This man…… he reminded me of a Golden Retriever.

“I like being free. Although I'm the heir to the family now, I'm relatively free. But once I inherit the dukedom, I'll be tightly bound to the family. I really didn't like that. So, I thought I should travel as much as possible before then, find good places, and build several hideaways where I could fly away when life gets boring.”

Was he chosen by the Wind Elemental because he had a free spirit? I nodded silently, listening to him. Encouraged by my attention, Jen chattered even more. ……He really did remind me of a Golden Retriever.

“On the other hand, my brother doesn't like going out much. He's sociable, but he prefers to stay at home…… You know what I mean? Roji is like that.”

Roji is the nickname for Rozenn Delacroix. Jen's younger sister and the Duchess of Delacroix. A person who lives without any restraint, completely ignoring others' opinions. ……And, in a similar way to Jen, she can be somewhat tiring.

What can I say, this brother and sister are…… like the strong midday sun?

“What about the duchess? Do you like traveling?”

“……I'm not sure.”

If I said something like, ‘I've never traveled before, so I don't know,’ or ‘I'm not healthy enough for long trips,’ the atmosphere would become gloomy. So, I answered in a rare positive tone.

“I'll know once I travel. Whether I'll like it or not……”

As I smiled faintly, Jen Delacroix looked at me with a dazed expression for a long time without saying anything.

“……?”

Puzzled, I stared at him. Suddenly, his face turned red, and he quickly averted his gaze, blinking rapidly.

“Oh, um, I…… I suddenly felt hot! Is the fireplace too strong?”

“……”

There's no fireplace in this corridor…… I frowned and tilted my head. For some reason, Jen seemed flustered. He moistened his lips with his tongue, swallowed hard, and said,

“Um, by the way, I have something to show you, Duchess.”

“……To me?”

“Yes, it's not far from here! This way.”

I followed Jen's lead. He was as tall and had long legs as Theodor, so his steps were much faster than mine. I didn't try to catch up and walked at a leisurely pace.

Jen, realizing he was too far ahead, stopped suddenly and waited for me with a red face.

He looked apologetic, but I wasn't bothered at all, so I smiled to show it.

“So, what are you going to show me?”

“Oh…… This way.”

Jen pointed to a wall in the corridor and hurriedly pulled a curtain cord.

As the tapestry-like curtain rolled up, a frame hidden beneath it was revealed.

“……!”

Recognizing the painting in the frame, I was so surprised that I froze on the spot.

‘This painting……’

My heart pounded. An indescribable tremor overtook me. It felt like I had found a lost milestone in my life, and at the same time, like I had reached the end of my journey.

Seeing it again, this painting penetrated even deeper into my heart than before.

*The Lamp in the Darkness*

A painting by an unknown artist who was favored by the king. A wanderer or a hermit standing alone in pitch-black darkness, holding a faint lamp in his hand.

“…….”

I still didn't understand. Why I was drawn to this painting. The exact reason.

But…… I think this way. There's no need to know the reason.

It's enough to know that this painting is special to me.

“…….”

……Yes, it's like falling in love with someone, as Jen Delacroix once said.

Without taking my eyes off the painting, I smiled faintly and murmured softly.

“The light of this lamp is faint but eternal. Because it's preserved in the painting.”

The moment is preserved, time is preserved in the painting. I've always thought that perhaps this is why people paint. To preserve eternity.

“In such deep darkness, this lamp will never go out. It will shine forever.”

……At that moment, I finally understood.

Why I liked this painting.

I smiled more brightly and turned to Jen. His golden eyes were staring at me in a daze.

Strangely, I felt a sense of lightness. It felt like I could really fly away somewhere. I still don't know what this feeling is. But one thing is clear…… Lili Everett, or rather, ‘Lili,’ no longer needs to be saved by anyone.

Since childhood, I had desperately wished for someone to save me.

Please, someone, take me out of this hell, give me hope.

After meeting Theodor, I mistakenly believed he was my savior.

I must have subconsciously hoped that our marriage would be my escape. To be free from Everett's clutches forever.

But, the mistake was, more accurately……

Not that ‘Theodor was my savior,’ but……

That ‘I couldn't save myself.’

Even though it was impossible.

I laughed out loud. I was sure I was laughing, but strangely, my eyes felt hot.

Something warm was streaming down my cheeks.

“……Duchess of Valentin……”

Jen called out to me in surprise. No, he wasn't calling me. I shook my head and met his gaze.

“I'm no longer the Duchess of Valentin.”

“…….”

“I'm not Lili Everett either.”

“…….”

“I'm just…… ‘Lili.’”

For the first time in my life, I could laugh with a clear heart.

It was really, really fortunate.

To be able to see *The Lamp in the Darkness* one more time before I died.

* * *

The injured received proper treatment, and thanks to the rest at Jen's cabin, everyone's condition improved.

It was a stroke of luck.

However, the problem was that it was getting late, making it difficult to descend the mountain.