Chapter 4 (1/2)

Chapter 4

My father sighed deeply.

“Get out, Ophelia. You are just making things worse.”

“No. It’s really my fault! I, I…”

Ophelia’s lips trembled. She turned to me and continued her words, “I asked Miss Evelyn. Isn’t that right, sister?”

“Uh…”

The hesitation did not last long.

“Yes, that is right. Ophelia asked me for a favor—To go out and to help her house!”

It wasn’t that I didn’t feel guilty. However, it was not a human thing to kick Ophelia’s spoon-feeding opportunities she is giving me. Above all else, I had to move to save Ophelia and all of us!

Seeing my reply, she nodded her head broadly.

“Yes, my niece and nephew are sick… but I couldn’t go out, so I asked sister to find a doctor. The Miss…”

Of course, Ophelia’s nephew is from her mother’s side.

Mother’s eyes narrowed.

“Really, Evelyn?”

“Yes.” I nodded right away.

“After all, raising a lowly bloodline is of no use.”

Ophelia bowed her head right away.

“I’m sorry. I will accept any punishment.”

“Sigh.”

My mother sighed.

“There is no punishment now. What kind of punishment should I take for you to get your act together?”

Then, my father stepped up.

“Madam, can’t you please look over this child for me this time?”

Bingo.

Ophelia’s ‘mother’s relative’ excuse was very useful.

Contrary to his fragile appearance and tone of voice, father was a businessman without blood or tears. Still, he was feeling quite guilty about ruining the life of a normal girl in the village. Thanks to this, I was able to get the reaction I wanted when I brought up Ophelia’s mother.

Well, to put it simply, a hypocrite.

Regardless, it is helping me now, so that is a good thing.

“If you say that, there is nothing wrong with it, but she is ruining our Evelyn as well. That lowly person.”

“Evelyn will come to her senses now. Wasn’t she such a straight and intelligent kid in the first place?”

“…Evelyn, get out.”

And so, Mother ordered us to leave.

Of course, Ophelia followed me as well. Sadly, in this house, Ophelia is nothing more than an ‘extra’ who has to silently behave well according to others’ will.

As soon as she came out, she was in a good mood.

“Sister, I’m so glad that you look healthy. I was really, really worried…”

I cut off Ophelia’s words.

“You need to move that stupid turtle right now.”

“Sister…?”

At my words, Ophelia widened her eyes and looked up at me. Her purple eyes were beautiful enough to captivate both young and old, but I rebuked her coldly.

“Did you think I wouldn’t know the turtle you go visit every day?”

“Of course, I thought you would. Sister knows everything.”

“Ha…”

My head hurts.

Ophelia is so kind and innocent, even to the point that a person that has to play the villain like me feels incredibly uncomfortable and frustrated.

“Anyway, that filthy turtle can no longer be raised in a pond.”

“W, why…?”

I swallowed my saliva.

The answer swelled up to my throat.

‘It is because you will run into Cassius Brudenell at the pond, trying to go see the turtle!’ was what I wanted to say, but it was impossible, so I explained calmly.

“Because we are going to fill the pond.”

“…!”

Ophelia covered her own mouth with her slender hand.

“You don’t want that turtle buried in the dirt, do you? So, hurry up and put the turtle in the tank.”

“Yes, sister…!”

Hearing my words, she hurriedly left the room, but she glanced back at me as if she had something to say.

“Sister.”

At her call, I frowned.

I do not know what kind of strange words will come out of that pretty head this time.

“Thank you.”

“Huh…?”

“You told me in advance so that the turtle would not die.”

As I was speechless and staring blankly at her, Ophelia smiled shyly and disappeared. A sigh came out of my own accord.

‘Cassius Brudenell…kidnapped such a good girl…’

Kidnapping her? Doing all sorts of unspeaking things to a girl as kind and pitiful as this…

I can’t let that happen.

Never.

***

A few days later.

Finally, the major work to completely fill the pond was completed. If it was still two days later as the same as the original, it would be the day Ophelia and Cassius met. Thankfully, the construction is almost completed.

Everyone thought I was crazy, but nonetheless, no one confronted me because I looked relatively calm, like normal.

Everything is going exceedingly well.

Thanks to this, the land has become solid and there is no moisture to be found.

‘Hm, shall we plant an apple tree later?’

After all the workers had evacuated, I strode on the ground that used to be a pond to make sure it was well-tended.

‘It is well done. Now, for the time being, I should not even go near this place…’

Just then,

A man fell from the sky.