CH 7

"..."

At that moment, something flew by in the gust of wind and stabbed her in the chest. Emotions like anger or displeasure, as well as swearing, should be coming out now, but instead, there was an unknown palpitation. Why didn't she feel any fear or repulsion towards that man? Why is she out of breath?

"Put... put this on."

Ibella picked up a shawl that was lying nearby, and threw it at the man. The shawl flew right at him, and covered his face as well as the hand holding the apple. Hahaha. The shawl started shaking as if he was laughing. Embarrassed, Ibella grabbed the man's shirt and coat, and ran into the bathroom.

"He seems like a strange person..."

While grumbling to herself, she roughly washed up before changing into clean clothes. After shaking off the dirt and wringing out the water from his clothes, she came out to the drawing room and tilted her head at the warmth that welcomed her.

"Are you done? Come here and sit down."

At some point, the man had brought two chairs in front of the fireplace, and called out to her with a movement of the head. In the fireplace, the fire he had lit was burning brightly.

She didn't even tell him to do it, but he did well on his own.

Ibella groaned inwardly, spread his clothes over the fire and sat down in a chair. The man also sat on the chair next to her, and covered himself with the shawl Ibella had given him. Although it managed to hide his embarrassing upper body, it looked quite ridiculous because the piece of fabric was too short on him.

Ibella asked the man, swallowing her rising laugh.

"What do you do in life?"

"I am a traveler. And you?"

The man answered briefly, and asked back. The pattern of questions between them had been like this since earlier. When Ibella asks, he answers and then asks her the same question.

"I... just do this and that."

Ibella was not in a situation where she could explain properly, so she just gave a rough answer. She couldn't reveal her real identity while assuming the appearance of a commoner. She thought there was no need to explain her hidden circumstances to a traveler passing by. Because he was just asking out of politeness, and it wasn't like neither side had much interest in the other anyway.

Fortunately, the man nodded and didn't ask more. Instead, he stretched out his long legs and leaned his head against the back of the chair.

"You look tired."

Ibella said as she looked at the man, who was making himself comfortable as if it were his own house. Even considering that everything that happened today was because of her, the man she met for the first time was sly and brazen.

"I haven’t slept in days."

"I guess there must have been a lot to see during the trip?"

"It's not that..."

He turned his gaze to her, not moving his head.

"I was thinking about how to catch the cat."

"It's such a pity. You must really like that cat, but you lost it."

"It's okay. Because I will be able to see it more often now."

The man grinned, tearing his eyes from her. Unlike when he was chewing on an apple and teasing her a while ago, he looked kind and comfortable to be with.

He was a strange person no matter how you think about it.

Ibella couldn't disturb him any long as the man closed his eyes and fell asleep. The rain, which was hitting the roof and the windows, sounds like music. Her wet body relaxed, and the flickering flames eased the tension. Is it because of the warmth that her body and mind are at ease? Unable to overcome the drowsiness that came over her, Ibella, who was looking at the flames, fell into a deep sleep. How much time had passed?

Tak.

Ibella opened her eyes abruptly, startled by the small sound. The man sleeping in the chair next to her was no longer here. His clothes, which were hanging out to dry over the fire, were also gone. Ibella jumped up and realized that the shawl the man had put on earlier was now covering her body.

She hurriedly opened the door and went out, but the man was nowhere to be found. Only his footprints remained on the muddy road where the rain had stopped.

The man she met today by chance had left her. As if what happened today was a dream, leaving nothing behind.

Ibella then realized that she didn't even know the man's name.

*****

Five days had already passed since leaving Rosebell House. Ibella was sitting across from Dorothy on a bench in Greenville Park. This day and this park were the time and place they had agreed to meet each other.

"What... what did you say, Dorothy?"

"He hasn't left yet."

"Why?"

"I don't know."

"When is he leaving?"

"How would I know? He just sticks to the house like dough."

"Ha!"

This was a completely unexpected situation. She met Dorothy today to inform her that she would be leaving in a few more days. Of course, this was under the premise that the King's spokesman had returned.

"Anyone would believe it's his own house. Apparently, he is reading books, going for walks or horseback riding, and he even went swimming in the river the day before yesterday. Did he come to meet the Lady, or to take a vacation?"

"He isn't asking about me?"

"Not at all. Humphrey and him must have a lot to talk about. When that man asked him to go hunting together, Humphrey was thrilled."

Dorothy's displeasure grew as much as Ibella's surprise. To her, who cared so much for Ibella, the man who had created this situation was just a thorn in the eye.

"What shall we do, my Lady?"

"Leave him alone for now. If he asks about me, just tell him you don't know anything."

This was something she had to think over again. There must be a reason why her plan failed despite the high probability of working. Of course, the fact that the person involved was a well-known person made her even more uncomfortable.

Tristan Miller.

A person who graduated from the Royal School of Thebes in Atlanta at the top of his class, became a naturalized citizen of Estonia, and then a spokesman for the royal family. It was said that he was attractive enough to become a star in high society, and that he could lead the King by the nose due to his amazing intelligence. Then, he should have understood the meaning of her actions, but why was he still here?

She couldn't guess whether he had taken offense due to his pride, and was thus trying to see it to the end, or whether he decided to take a rest as Dorothy had mentioned. Is he clever enough to see through her tricks, and decided to go against her?

According to what she had experienced, there was a world of a difference between the rumors and reality.

"Then, how long will you stay out of the house?"

"Until he goes back."

He sounds like a pretty stubborn guy, but she has no intention of losing either. If he was going to stop by for only a day or two, she wouldn't have left the house in the first place. Please, may he go back quickly, and announce clearly that there is no hope for her and the King in the future.

"What if something happens again!"

Dorothy's voice rose, then stopped when she realized she had made a mistake. Her face showed that she was more concerned about Ibella rather than self-reproach.

"Don't worry, Dorothy. I haven't had any of those symptoms lately."

Ibella patted Dorothy on the shoulder to reassure her. The reason Dorothy couldn't stand it and stuck to her was because of Ibella's breathing difficulties. It was the most insignificant of the reasons why she did not go back to her family's side in the capital. But for Dorothy, it was the biggest one.

Occasionally, symptoms of hyperventilation or shortness of breath would appear, but the pain went away only by the time she was almost out of breath. The symptoms occurred when Ibella forced herself to recall her memories, or when she was biting into one of her weaker memories. No matter how hard she tried or waited patiently, she choked at the memories that never came back. It was fortunate that the symptoms had almost disappeared.

"Phew. I understand. By the way, are you eating well? Are you sure this place is safe? Even if the house is inside the Bourbon Convent, how are you sure that some men won't enter by going over the fence?"

When the main discussion was over, Dorothy's nagging began in earnest. Dorothy's obsession with Ibella intensified after her honorable master, Lord Campbell, died suddenly in an accident. In particular, what she was most concerned about was Ibella's health and safety. If Dorothy finds out that Ibella brought a stranger into her house yesterday...

"I eat well, sleep well and live well, so don't worry."

Ibella shuddered, and rose from her seat. She has to leave this place before the nagging becomes worse. Before Dorothy squeezes out mournful tears again.

"I'll be on my way. If there is anything urgent, I'll tell Lady Donna, so do the same, Dorothy."

"My Lady. Think about it now."

"I'm leaving!"

Ibella cut off Dorothy's words, turned around, and started running. In an instant, the thoughts that came rushing in intertwined in her complicated mind.

Tristan Miller. The man whose face she doesn't even know keeps getting on her nerves. She knows he is not the kind of person to stay still, but on the contrary, his placid attitude made her feel uneasy.

What exactly is he scheming?

He won't be able to find her, but she doesn't know why she feels so uncomfortable.

*****

The whole area of Emmerville was restless. Even though there were three days left before the actual start of the festival, everyone was already excited.

Ibella deliberately put on some old clothes, and left the cabin. Today's schedule was to go to the rehabilitation hospital for disabled veterans, and take care of the patients.

With a creak, Ibella opened the iron door, and locked it with the key. At that moment, when she pushed the door, confirmed it was completely locked, and turned around...

"Oh my goodness!"

Surprised, Ibella took a couple of steps back without realizing it.

It was him. The man who bumped into her in the heavy rain two days ago, came to her house and left a strong impression. Although it was bittersweet for him to leave without a word, she thought it was better that way. His face was occasionally reflected inside her head, but she thought it would soon disappear.

"Hello?"

The man smiled casually, like friends who had met the day before. She thought it was shameless of him, but she was glad to see him again.

"What are you doing here?"

"I felt sorry for leaving without a word, and I was contemplating whether I should go back to repay the debt I owed."

"It happened because of me, so you don't have to think like that. And this door is always locked, so it's not a place where you can come in just because you want to."

Ibella corrected the man's misunderstanding, and naturally averted her eyes. She seemed to be looking at the door, but in fact, she couldn't look directly at the man's face. He looked radiant no matter where he was, but on a sunny day and neatly dressed, he was even more attractive. On this spring day, green trees and beautiful flowers form a faint background behind him.

"If I can come in, will you let me?"

"I said you can't."

"But if I can?"

"Go in, then."

In response to the unnecessarily persistent man's question, Ibella gave an insincere answer. She didn't think he was asking seriously. It must be like a joke to break the awkwardness.

"I received permission."

The man smiled brightly, slightly showing his straight teeth. Similarly to the weather, his voice sounded wet and clear. The moment the heavy yet warm voice flew in, her ears tickled along with a languid feeling.

"My name is Tay."

"...Please, call me Belle."

Following his smiling face, her lips curled up as well.