Chapter 49

The summer solstice sun was slow to set, and even in the evening, it was still bright. The port of Cádiz was rocky, and countless people were gathered on the rugged stones. Everyone held small pieces of wood shaped like boats, lit short candles, and sent their boats out on the waves.

Some laughed as they sent them off. Others cried. Some closed their eyes in prayer.

Everyone seemed to be conversing with the souls of those who had departed, as long as the candles burned.

The back of the port was sandy and grassy.

Simple stalls lined up, selling grilled meat, fruits, sweet baked goods, fruit water, accessories, and simple toys.

Nonna was busy looking at the stalls, and in the crowded crowd, we had to hold hands to avoid losing each other.

(I won't be found here), I felt oddly reassured, but then I thought, (What am I comforting myself for by thinking I won't be found?).

The narrow space was packed with people, making it incredibly crowded. After a long time, Nonna chose a round fried bread heavily sprinkled with beet sugar.

"Mom, it's sweet and delicious!"

She offered me the half-eaten bread. I took a bite and said,

"Yeah! It's delicious!"

Nonna smiled happily. She had recently lost her front teeth, which ruined her beauty, but I found her even more endearing.

"Look!"

Following Nonna's finger, I saw that the tide was about to reach its peak, and a large crowd was simultaneously floating their small boats out to sea.

"Wow!"

Nonna, with beet sugar stuck around her mouth, watched the sea. Thousands of small boats, each carrying a candle, drifted out to sea.

"Nonna, shall we float a boat too?"

"Can we?"

"Of course."

We bought two boat-shaped pieces of wood from a nearby stall and had someone light the candles for us. We carefully shielded the flames with our hands and made our way to the rocks.

"Be careful not to fall and hurt yourself. Watch your step."

"Okay!"

We got our shoes wet from the waves as we, along with the others, floated our boats. The small boats, about the size of two palms, swayed gently and slowly drifted out to sea.

I silently mouthed words to the candle on my boat.

(Dad, Mom, Emily. I miss you. I miss you. I've been trying so hard, but I'm a little tired).

A hot lump formed in my throat, and tears began to fall. Despite the many people around, I crouched down and sobbed while watching the boats.

"Huff... sniff..."

An overwhelming number of tears streamed down my face.

Nonna patted my back with her small hand.

"Sorry, Nonna. I'll stop crying now."

"It's okay. It's okay for you to cry too, Mom."

I wiped my tears and took several deep breaths.

"Shall we buy some souvenirs on the way back?"

I smiled and spoke to Nonna, who looked up at something behind me with a puzzled expression.

I quickly turned around and saw Captain standing diagonally behind me.

"Jef!"

Nonna ran to Captain.

"Jef! Jef!" She clung to him, and Captain picked her up with his left arm and helped me stand up.

"I was prepared to come here every year until I found you. But I found you in the first year."

His voice was as good as ever.

I wanted to say something, to apologize, but all I could do was cry like a child.

Captain called out to a sturdy man,

"Sorry, but I'm leaving early."

"Sure, thank you for your hard work. It was much easier this year with the management officer's help. Good night."

The man smiled kindly as he saw us off. Captain led us to a small house.

"This is my home."

"Captain's home?"

"I'm not the captain anymore. I'm now the security manager of the duchy."

He sat us on the sofa and called out to an elderly woman who seemed to be a servant,

"You can go home now. I'll take care of the rest."

Nonna, still sitting, nodded off. She must have been exhausted from the excitement. I took off her wig, and Captain gently carried her to a chaise lounge, laying her down and covering her with a light summer blanket.

Captain sat next to me, enveloping me in his broad chest without a word.

"I'm glad you're safe. I was so worried about you."

"Sorry..."

"It's okay, you don't need to apologize. I don't want you to apologize. There's so much I need to tell you. I don't know where to start."

Captain held me tightly in his chest and arms and began to tell me many things.

About the assassination team that came from Hager, that I was presumed dead, that the important people in Ashberry had discovered my true identity, and that Lady Yolana and the others were safe.

"I understood when I heard you were the ace of the special forces."

I couldn't look up at him when he said that.

"You don't have to run anymore. Victoria Serrano is dead. You can live a peaceful life now. If you're worried about running into acquaintances, you can live here in Cádiz. The port of Hayden sees many foreigners, but they don't come to Cádiz. It's a half-farming, half-fishing town. Only locals are here except on the summer solstice. Live with me here. I'll commute to the management office."

I asked about something that had been on my mind.

"Captain..."

"Jef."

"Jef, why did you leave the knights and come here? Is it because of me?"

"No, it's not because of you. I had a hunch that you might have left the organization. So I was already considering leaving the knights to live with you. But when you disappeared, I ended up working here. Whether you were here or not, I would have left eventually."

Is that so? If I hadn't been involved with this person... I panicked. Right! The ship!

When I said, "Oh no! The return ship!",

"Send a messenger if you need to contact someone," Jef said, not letting me go.

"I don't want to regret anymore. I regretted so much after receiving that letter. I was so angry with myself for not talking to you sooner. If you're worried about living in Cádiz, we can move to the mountains with Nonna. I can make a living as a hunter."

"..."

"Victoria, where have you been all this time? Were you in danger? I want to hear about it."

"Jef, before I tell you that, there's something I need to ask you."

I straightened my back and looked directly at Jef's face.

My body trembled with nervousness about what I was about to say.

"When I entered the training facility at eight, I was made to give up my name and was given the code name Chloe. I never used my real name for twenty years, but my real name is Anna. Anna Dale. It's the precious name my parents gave me."