Chapter 27

On my way back from work, I held Nonna's hand and asked her to stay home. As expected, Nonna looked worried.

"Vicky, do you really have to stay home alone?"

"This time, I absolutely can't bring Nonna. I can't compromise on this. I'll try to come back as soon as possible."

I've always managed without leaving Nonna alone at home. But this time, I can't bring her.

"Think of this as an important job for Nonna. You'll have to stay home every evening for a while. I'll go as quickly as possible and come back as soon as I can. Trust me. If you have any problems while I'm gone, go to the main house."

There was no response.

"If you really don't want to stay home alone, I can ask to stay at the main house from the beginning. But Susan is working there, so she won't be able to take care of you. You won't be alone, but you'll have to be a good girl somewhere in the main house."

"...I'll wait at home."

"Thank you, Nonna. I appreciate it."

I apologize in my heart but don't say it out loud. If I apologize, Nonna won't complain at all. I want to let her complain and listen to her.

After returning home with Nonna, I decided to go out alone immediately. No matter what Nonna asked, I only said, "It's an important matter."

"I plan to be back in about three hours, but it might take four. If you get hungry, you can eat anything here."

"I want to eat with Vicky."

"Sure. I also want to have dinner with Nonna. Okay, I'll hurry back!"

"Alright. To make Nonna's stay as short as possible, I'll rent a horse."

I prepaid for two weeks of horse rental. This way, I can use a horse whenever I want. If I like it, I can buy it. I have to return the horse to the shop each time after finishing my errands. Taking it home would complicate the explanation to Yorana.

"Sir, do you know how to handle a horse?"

"Of course."

"Please give it frequent breaks."

"I'll take good care of it. I only need it to go to and from my mother's place, so don't worry."

This time, I disguised myself as a red-haired woman and went to a tavern at the end of a winding alley.

"Are you Hector?"

"Who are you?"

"My name is Kate. I heard from someone that you can help if I pay you."

"It depends on the job and the money."

There, I consulted about eloping.

"The person I love is married. We want to elope, but his wife waits for him at the exit of his workplace every day. She's the kind of person who doesn't understand why he would be hated for doing this. I want to sneak out without his wife noticing during work."

Hector frowned.

"Can't he just say he's not feeling well and leave early?"

"Both of us and his wife work in the same place, just in different departments. The elopement will be discovered immediately."

"I see. Where does he work?"

"The castle."

"The castle... The fee will be a bit higher."

"How much?"

I paid the amount he mentioned on the spot.

"That's all the money I have. Are you sure it's enough?"

"Yes. It's just about getting out of the castle. No problem."

"If possible, I want to escape from the capital as well, so please take me to the outer gate."

"Alright. Come back here the day after tomorrow. I'll let you know the details then."

"Got it. Thank you."

I then went to visit the prison in the royal castle, showing my ID as Kate.

"I'm the lover of the man who was arrested for brandishing a knife at a ball. I've come to visit him."

"Ah, Karl. I have to search you."

"Yes, please do."

Even though I was prepared, being thoroughly searched is very uncomfortable. They even check my underwear. I get angry at the other guards who leer, but this is how women are treated when visiting death row inmates in any country.

Accompanied by a guard, I reached the stone prison at the end of the corridor.

"Hey! Your lover is here."

A man in his forties, who was lying on a crude bed, got up.

This is the first hurdle.

Compared to this, the body search is nothing. I silently pleaded with the man not to say anything extra. Please understand!

The man bowed deeply to the guard after looking at me.

"I've heard rumors that he will be executed soon. Guard, can I talk to him alone?"

"Sure. You have one hour. I'll come back when the time is up."

"Thank you!"

The stone prison, the iron bars with a large lock, the thorough body search.

Perhaps because of these security measures, the guard nodded and left without hesitation.

As soon as the guard left, I said to the man, "If you want to be saved, pretend to be my lover. And stay quiet for now."

I looked out the window of the prison and listened carefully. The sound of military boots clattered. I counted the intervals between the patrols, which took about an hour.

I confirmed that the prison door could be easily opened and closed it again. Seeing this, the man was surprised, and I told him,

"There's no escape route from this door. You'll just be killed by the soldiers."

I thanked the guards and left the castle. I mounted the horse and returned it to the rental shop. Now, I have to hurry home.

I bought bread, meat, and fruit at the market and ran home.

"I'm back!"

"Welcome back!"

I put the things I bought on the table and hugged Nonna.

"Thank you for staying home alone."

"It was fine."

"I'm glad."

"Vicky, are you sweating?"

"Yes. I ran as much as I could because I wanted to see Nonna quickly."

Nonna squinted, looking as if she had seen something bright.

"Vicky, you don't have to run to come home. I can wait."

"Yes, thank you. You're such a good girl. And a strong one too."

The dinner we had together was simple but delicious.

This story will continue tomorrow.