Chapter 64 – Part 1

“When the sun goes down, the mountain air gets very cold. You can see that the weather is no different from midwinter. Plus, wild animals are active during this time, so you might encounter bears or wolves. That would be as annoying as running into a bandit.”

It was fortunate that Zen lent a carriage, though it was actually a free rental, but the cold and wild animals were areas he could not help with.

Especially when it was this cold. It’s said that mountain beasts could be driven away with the power of elemental spirits, but the wind elementals wouldn’t be able to control the cold… Perhaps if it’s a fire elemental, but well.

In any case, that’s why Zen suggested that my party and I should spend the night at his mountain cabin today.

Doing so would make us a day late according to the schedule, but there was no problem with taking a ship from the port city of Dornach to the East Continent… And if we encounter a problem on the way and make us dally, Theodore might catch up and catch me. Or…

‘The news must have reached House Everett by now… The furious Duke Everett might have dispatched the knights to capture me…’

In addition, Owen and Hessen were also capable enough people who would directly make sure to catch me. I don’t know how fortunate it is that Lennon Chester was out of the picture right now. If he hadn’t been jailed, he’d run like a moth to a fire, just as I finally thought I had a chance.

‘Well, Lennon must be rotting in the capital’s dungeon by now.’

And Florentine, too. I had no interest in them anymore. I decided to accept Zen’s suggestion, putting the thoughts of the two aside.

“Then, I will take your offer for one night only. Thank you so much, Zen.”

Zen blushed and nodded his head. The number of times he blushed today was uncountable.

“No, just this much… I can continue to help you in the future. Anything for you, Lily…”

I got the impression that he was talking gibberish again. Despite that, he called my name ‘Lily’ quite naturally.

Anyway, since that’s been decided, I thought it would be better for each of us to choose a room. When I turned around to utter those words, Harriet for some reason gave a, “Hohoho…” and just smiled like an old man, and Charlotte glared at Zen with fierce eyes.

“……?”

I frowned in wonder, but I can’t wait to rest, so I brought up the main topic instead of asking, “Why is everyone like this?”

“Then, let’s go to our own rooms…”

It was dark all around.

I had no idea where this place was, but it felt like I had been there before.

One thing’s for sure—this was all a dream.

I was particularly sensitive to the environment of a dream, so I was certain. I could tell the difference between any dream, no matter how realistic it felt.

So the fact that it was dark and cold here has no effect on me. Because this was all a dream

—That’s right, you are stronger than you look.

“……?”

I stopped at the sudden voice from somewhere, I quickly looked around. But all I could see was darkness. And the sharp cold to the skin.

—You can’t see me yet.

“…Who are you? Who’s talking?”

The voice was strange. It sounded like a child’s voice, but also like the voice of a very old person.

—I’d need to go back to the past a bit. Goodbye.

The voice murmured something incomprehensible, and then ceased to be heard.

And the dream was shattered too.

“……!”

I woke up with a start. It was a bluish dawn. I was staring blankly at the ceiling and then I got up, when Charlotte hurriedly opened the door and came inside… She must have fallen asleep next to me, but where did she go at this time? I was puzzled and asked Charlotte.

“What’s the matter? What happened?”

“Miss, please put on this dress. We have to hide quickly!”

“What…?”

“Please change into these clothes first while I explain!”

Stunned, I followed Charlotte’s instructions. After changing and putting on my shoes, Charlotte combed my hair through and said.

“Miss, don’t be surprised. Duke Valentino is inside this mountain cabin right now.”

“What…?”

It was a single word with a different meaning than before. Theodore… He had already come this far? How did he know where this cabin is?

My heart was beating anxiously… Was my escape bound to fail like this?

“So Miss, you and I will hide in a secret room in this mountain cabin. But it’s very cold in the basement…You have to dress up well. Wear a hat and a scarf. Oh, and wear gloves…!”

I was shocked and dazed, but Charlotte took good care of me. Then, suddenly coming to my senses, I grabbed Charlotte and asked.

“When did he arrive? What about the others?”

——