Chapter 10 (2/2)

Meanwhile, Ash, who returned to the mansion much later, became a victim of my interrogation.

“Be honest. You knew that evil spirits would target me, didn’t you?”

[Oh, no! I didn’t know.]

“Don’t lie. You said with your own mouth that many beings coveted the power of an Epure.”

[T-That…]

“Well, I’ll know by tomorrow morning. Because I’ll jab your butt with horns if you lie.”

[Eeep!]

At my threats, it became anxious and hid under a blanket to fall asleep.

I thought, ‘no horns…’ as I moved the sleeping bird to my bedside and lay flat next to it.

Though it had been a very tiring day, I couldn’t fall asleep easily.

I stared at the ceiling until my vision went all dark late at night.

***

Days passed peacefully without an incident.

I—who was depressed a few days ago—slowly regained my energy in the meantime.

I secretly continued throwing away the Qualum leaves from my tea.

‘It’s unsettling.’

Even though the leaves had no known hazardous effect, I didn’t want them to go into my system.

There was never a good intention for putting something so discreetly in someone’s beverage.

“The weather is nice today.”

I had been staying in my room to protect myself, but I was desperate for warm sunshine.

I decided to take a walk outside, even if it was for a short while.

“Do you see anyone on the stairs?”

[Nobody is here! I think you can leave now?]

As Ash flapped its wings with the confirmation, I quickly ran down the hallway and scurried down the stairs.

I was worried that I might encounter Carrine.

However, my worries were subdued when I didn’t encounter anyone on my way out.

“Huff…”

I wondered where I found the courage when I secretly left the mansion the day before yesterday.

Perhaps my expectations of this mystery being solved overcame my fear.

[Then, I’ll go look around the mansion!]

“See you at the detached building. Be careful.”

Ash turned around after I waved at him.

The path to the detached building was quiet.

Unlike the well-maintained garden in front of the mansion, this path was filled with grasses here and there.

But thanks to the warm sunshine, I felt like taking a walk.

It was then that something caught my eye.

There was a swing tied to the arm of a tree.

‘They have swings in a place like this?’

It seemed that the swing was steadily managed and used from time to time, seeing that it was strongly bound.

‘Should I try it?’

After sitting on the swing, I stomped a few times until I was floating over the ground.

The swing began to move.

The creaking sound cutting through the air felt refreshing.

“…I wish I could live like this for the rest of my life.”

A life filled with simple happiness and no one to threaten ne.

To gain that, I had to somehow find a safe way.

A way to survive my enemy.

‘I wonder what Carrine is doing.’

I intentionally stayed in my room so as to not run into her, because I didn’t know what I would do if I faced her without any prior measurements.

Luckily, there were no mishaps such as Carinne wishing to see me.

However, as time passed, my anxiety began to rise.

‘Is it because of an Epure’s premonitions?’

I was afraid that Carinne would not sit relaxed.

‘She might be thinking of every possible way to deal with me.’

I kicked my feet vigorously against the air to shake off my depressed mind.

I gazed upon the wide field of grass as my body rose higher.

The lush green color helped calm my pounding heart little by little.

Then, my eyes spotted a narrow trail beyond the field of grass.

‘Where does that lead to?’

[Olivia!]

My curiosity was suddenly cut off by the call of Ash.

“How was your trip?”

When I slowed down the swing and came to a stop, it sat on my lap.

“How was it? Did you find Carinne?”

[Negative. I looked everywhere, but I couldn’t find her. Are you sure she’s in the mansion?]

“That’s strange. Did you check each room through the window?”

[Yes, but some rooms had too thick curtains for me to peek inside.]

I was disappointed by its answer, but instead of expressing that, I patted its head and praised it for its hard work.

“I see. Good job.”

Only a few seconds later, I heard someone’s voice behind me.

“Lady Olivia.”

It was Mary.

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