Chapter 20

The children returned with the silk fabric.

Isabel sat in her chair by the window, looking out at the street, and muttered to herself, as she had done for the past few years.

"Surprised, aren't you? They say Chana wove it. I thought she was the one who had to stay in bed and couldn't play outside since she was little. I never imagined she would become such a wonderful weaver."

Chana's mother says she got better after drinking the water from that farm and eating the food they provided.

"I never found out what illness she had, but did she get better just from better nutrition?"

Isabel felt as if she had finished a task and, holding her knee, used the armrest to stand up.

"Oh? Oh, oh?"

Even though she had said it had gotten better recently, she felt absolutely nothing wrong with her knee now. The sharp pain, the uncomfortable heat, and the stiffness were all completely gone from her knee.

"What's going on?"

She walked around the room with quick steps. She jumped and did squats, but it didn't hurt at all.

Unless that girl was an exceptionally skilled healer, the only thing that came to mind was the silk fabric she had spread on her knee.

No, it couldn't be.

But still, that was the only thing she could think of.

She hadn't cast any spell or even come close to Isabel.

After repeating this internal dialogue a dozen times, she reached the conclusion: "It must have been that fabric."

Isabel spoke to the bracelet, a memento from her late husband, which was displayed on top of the cabinet.

"You know, it might just be. The vegetables and the silk fabric, it's all so mysterious."

Isabel gently stroked the bracelet affectionately.

That night, Isabel visited Hakim's house, timing her arrival with his return home.

"Isabel! You walked here? Is your knee okay?"

"Look, it's fine."

Isabel jumped on the spot to show him.

"Hakim, I need to talk to you. Come to my place."

"O-Okay, sure."

"Hakim, what happened to that silk fabric?"

"The owner of the farm said he would sell it."

"Wait a moment."

"Why?"

"That silk fabric isn't just a high-quality item. Just by spreading it on my knee, it healed me. If it's priced correctly, someone might pay a hundred gold coins for it."

"…Isabel, are you okay? Are you feeling well?"

Isabel slapped Hakim's hand, which was on her forehead, and stood up.

"My head and knee are both in perfect condition! Hakim, bring a rented horse. Here, I'll give you the money! We need to go to the farm right now."

......

"So, Isabel, you're saying this silk fabric has the power to heal knee pain?"

"Yes. I'm responsible for offering only two silver coins. That's why I came here at night."

"I see. Is that what happened?"

Cerio sighed and exchanged glances with his wife, Ilda. Alesia, looking unfazed, was silent, her gaze wandering.

"Wait a moment. You believe my story completely?"

Cerio suddenly bowed to Isabel.

"Yes, I believe you. That's why I'm asking you to keep the secret about this silk fabric. If word gets out about your knee, we might have to abandon this farm and run away. That's all I can say for now."

Hakim, listening to their conversation, felt that all his doubts were connecting.

Thinking back, many things were strange.

The fact that it rained more frequently in this area than in others, that it only rained at night, that the rainwater tasted better than the freshly drawn spring water, and that Chana's health had improved so much. If there was 'magic' on this farm, it would all make sense.

(If that's the case, I have something to say. I must say it.)

"Cerio, this farm has helped me. I'm saying this because my sister was cured. She had a lung disease. The medicine didn't work well, and I was prepared for Chana's life to end soon. But she got so much better with the water and food from here. I'm grateful. I won't tell anyone."

Alesia's parents bowed without saying a word. Alesia, looking at the wall as if looking into the distance, finally spoke.

"Isabel, if this gets out, many people will come, and we won't be able to stay here. I want to use the power of the silk fabric to help people, but I don't know how to do it yet."

"I see. I see. I understand what you're afraid of. Then let's do this. I can use this silk fabric to help without putting Alesia in danger. I'll do it in a way that makes it look like I have no connection to you."

Everyone listened intently to Isabel's proposal, which she made as a way to repay the favor of healing her knee. Alesia and her parents were surprised by Isabel's suggestion, but Alesia bowed and said, "Please, let's do it this way."

"Thank you, Isabel. This way, the power of the silk fabric won't be wasted."

"Alesia, if I can help you, I'll be happy too."

......

On the way back, riding the rented horse together, Hakim thanked Isabel.

"Isabel, thank you."

"I accidentally healed my knee without knowing it. It's my way of saying thank you. Besides, I want to be useful to someone, even if my time is short."

That night, Alesia's parents talked for a long time after getting into bed. The rain was spreading. There was the matter of the silk fabric. They wondered if it was time to stop hiding Alesia's power.

"Even if we rely on Isabel now, I'm not sure if hiding Alesia's power is the right thing to do. Alesia, at her age, wants to help people so strongly, doesn't she?"

"Yes. Thinking back, Alesia was very determined when we hired Hakim."

"I agreed with Alesia's opinion for the first time when she tried to connect with people. I was half in agreement and half worried. But at that time, Alesia already wanted to help people. I don't understand why she wants to help people so much."

Cerio gently stroked his wife's cheek.

"You've always tried to protect Alesia. It's okay. You haven't done anything wrong. Hakim and Isabel are good people, too."

"Yes, but..."

"That child is no longer a little girl. It's time to watch her live her life."

They encouraged each other and fell asleep.