Chapter 28

It was the second day of Nonna's absence.

In the evening, I went to meet the man, and as soon as the guard left, I immediately entered and started cutting the iron bars. Since the window is high up, I had to stand on the man's shoulders to cut it. I covered the wire saw with thick leather to muffle the sound as I cut. It's difficult, but if I don't cover it with leather, the 'squeaking' sound would echo, which is not usually heard here.

The tool is a wire saw specifically for cutting metal. It's the type where you insert your fingers into the loops at both ends. I brought this and the lock-picking tools from a secret hiding place.

Considering the length of the visit and the frequency of the guards' patrols, I can only cut one spot per day, even if I try my hardest. I can only cut one side of the iron bars, either the top or the bottom. There are five iron bars. I thought about finding out the exact date and time of the execution, but that would take time, and the castle's clerks are excellent, so I don't want to raise any unnecessary suspicion.

While using the wire saw, I asked the man about his sister's whereabouts.

"Your sister is at home. I'm worried about how she's getting food now that I'm gone. She can't go out in public. She has a mental illness."

I see. All I can do is hope that your sister is alive.

After cutting the bars, I inserted a small piece of black leather and secured it so that it wouldn't be obvious at first glance.

The man repeatedly asked,

"Why are you, a stranger, helping me? Did your sister ask you to?"

I'm disguised, and during the night meeting, it was dark, and I made him unconscious immediately, so he didn't recognize me.

"I'm doing this for myself. Don't worry about it."

That's all I said. The man probably doesn't understand, but that's fine.

I left the prison a little early and locked the door as usual. I greeted the guard at the station.

"Thank you. I'll come again tomorrow."

"The body check will be done tomorrow as well."

The other guards laughed in a crude manner. Let them laugh as much as they want.

After leaving the castle, I visited a store that sells carts.

I bought a cart and tied the horse to it. The horse I borrowed from the rental stable was not only gentle but also smart, and it followed my instructions and pulled the cart.

I guided the horse to a farmer's house near the southern gate of the capital.

"Excuse me, hello!"

I called out loudly, and a stout woman came to the door.

"I'll pay you to keep the cart for a few days. I'll also bring the horse later. If you could take care of the horse for me, I would be very grateful. I'll pay you in advance."

"Why are you leaving the cart here?"

The farmer's wife asked suspiciously.

"My father won't allow my brother to get married. My brother is afraid of being taken back home, so he's leaving the capital. He's going to walk far away with his fiancée to avoid being found by my father. When I heard this, I wanted to at least give them a cart as a wedding gift."

I teared up as I spoke, and the woman understood.

"Okay, I understand. I'll take care of the cart and the horse. Don't worry."

"Thank you! My brother and his fiancée should arrive in a few days. Please have the fiancée wait in the shed."

"I understand. You must be having a hard time with a stubborn father."

"Thank you, ma'am. I'll be forever grateful!"

"That's a bit much, isn't it?"

I returned the horse to the rental stable and hurried home.

"I'm back!"

"Vicky, welcome back!"

"Let's have dinner. I'll make something with what we have."

Today's absence was four hours. Since I returned on time yesterday and today, Nonna seemed relieved.

That night, after confirming that Nonna was asleep, I left the house and ran. I went to the house the man had told me about and knocked on the door. A young woman's frightened voice answered.

"Who is it? What do you want at this hour?"

"Be quiet. I have a message from your brother."

I'm glad you're alive, sister.

The door opened, and I delivered the message from her brother and my own instructions. I had her repeat what I said to ensure she understood.

"Got it? Don't write it down or tell anyone."

"Of course. By the way, what's your name?"

"Kate."

"Kate, why are you doing this? Did Maria and the others ask you to?"

"…Who are they?"

"The people who were treated the same way by the marquis before me. I later heard that Maria, Luna, and Eliza went through the same thing. Are you not related to them?"

"I'm not related."

The sister looked puzzled.

"From here on, if you don't have the strength, everything will be ruined. No matter what, get food and eat well. Do you have money?"

"I do."

The sister's eyes wavered. She doesn't have any.

"Here, it's not much, but use it to buy food. Eat well, sleep, and move around. Got it? Don't get caught and ruin everything."

I left the nodding sister and ran back home. I needed to hurry and make the identity papers for the two of them.

The third day.

As soon as the guard left, I opened the lock and entered, and the man gave me a boost to reach the high window. I focused on cutting the iron bars. There are five iron bars. I continued this for several days.

Later.

When only two iron bars were left, I went to Héctor again.

"I want to specify the date and time. This day and this time."

"Now you want to specify the date and time? There will be an additional fee."

"Really? You keep adding fees. Fine, I only have this much money!"

"Well, that's fine. I'll send someone to pick you up three days from now at this time, and the destination will be just before the southern gate of the capital, okay?"

"Yes. Thank you."

I am now cutting the last spot.

My arms are trembling from the unnatural posture of the past few days, but I ignore the pain and keep cutting the iron bars.

The man, who was giving me a boost, spoke to me.

"Kate, why are you helping me? Is my sister really safe?"

"Your sister is safe. I'm helping you for my own reasons. I can't say more. …Good, all done. I'm going home today. Let me down."

I had become quite efficient at cutting the iron bars.

The next day was all about escaping.

As soon as the visit started, I removed the iron bar that was secured with a small piece of black leather. I helped the man escape through the high window first, and then I jumped out myself. The window was wide but short. I'm glad the man was thin.

We changed into the clothes of delivery workers that I had hidden in the bushes beforehand. We walked past the patrolling soldiers, chatting and smiling, and got into the delivery cart waiting at the cart storage area.

The covered cart had large empty boxes with military training uniforms and maids' uniforms inside. We quickly got into the boxes. The driver, following Héctor's instructions, probably thought he was just helping a runaway couple. That's why he was so bold when we passed through the city gate, even talking to the gatekeepers.

By the time the escape was discovered, more than an hour after the visit started, our cart was already near the southern gate of the capital. I guided the man to the place where I had left the horse and cart with the farmer.

"Go to that farmer's house. Don't forget to pretend to be your sister's fiancé. Your sister should be waiting in the shed."

"Thank you so much for everything. I'll never forget your kindness!"

"It's okay, forget it. Here, this is for the inn and to start your new life. Keep it in separate places so it doesn't get stolen."

"Kate…"

"Stop crying and go quickly. Enjoy your life. And take good care of the horse."

I pushed the man and watched him go. From a distance, I saw the two of them, dressed as farmers, leave the city in a cart.

The ten-day absence from Nonna's house ended today.

I went to the rental stable and completed the procedures to buy the horse.

"The horse was good, so I decided to buy it."

I hurried home after doing some shopping on the way.

"I'm back!"

"Vicky! I'm hungry!"

"Me too. I bought some good meat on the way back. Let's fry it with butter."

"Yay! Meat!"

I'm glad it all went well.

This story will continue tomorrow.