Chapter 7: The place I want to leave (3)

Chapter 7: The place I want to leave (3)

The siblings approached the carriage with feigned indifference, their spirits secretly soaring.

Despite the unsightly and distressing experiences we shared, it seemed they wanted to maintain their dignity in front of others.

Unaware of their true feelings, Hena and I followed them from behind.

Earlier, a bright smile had adorned Sirien’s face, a sight I hadn’t seen in what felt like forever.

For 17 long days, a shadow seemed to linger over the siblings’ expressions.

‘I hope those shadows never return to their faces.’

The carriage, having ventured into the snowy expanse, came to a halt.

The person who alighted was none other than Count Roxen, accompanied by a number of knights that hadn’t significantly changed, suggesting they were brought in secrecy.

What troubled me was the absence of any familiar faces among them.

It was curious.

I had thought I was acquainted with most of the Duchy’s knights.

Could there be someone I didn’t know?

Their robes were too shabby to reveal any armor, but their vigilant demeanor was unmistakable, indicative of trained individuals.

Perhaps they were from the border guards, pulled in from all directions due to the urgent circumstances.

What was Count Roxen like in the original story?

Despite trying to recall, there was no mention of him.

Everything I knew about Count Roxen came from what I had seen and heard within the Duchy.

This meant there was a high likelihood he was deceased a decade later.

In the original storyline, his position and those of his relatives had been taken over by others.

Although most of the Duke’s relatives met their demise at the hands of a vindictive Sirien, the descendants of Count Roxen were not listed among the victims.

‘Did Sirien, ten years later, not hold a grudge against Count Roxen?’

Nevertheless, the Count Roxen I saw again seemed to have not enjoyed pleasant times.

His face was etched with fatigue, dark circles under his eyes, and his skin looked more sallow than before.

He resembled an office worker worn out from overtime, evoking a sense of sympathy.

“Uncle!”

“I’m sorry, I’ve arrived quite late.”

Sirien approached Count Roxen and embraced him.

The count reciprocated the hug and gently patted her back.

However, his expression was far from relaxed.

“You two must have endured a lot. You shouldn’t be in a place like this... It’s all due to my inadequacies. I’m sorry.”

“Please don’t say such things, Uncle.”

“It’s a relief to see you both healthy. Razen, Hena, your efforts must have contributed to this. I owe you my gratitude.”

“I just did what I had to do!”

“We merely fulfilled our duties.”

Count Roxen offered polite words, but as is often the case, what follows is usually more significant than what precedes.

It seemed heavy, evident from the deep ruts left by its wheels on the path it had traveled.

Indeed, there was never meant to be space for us in that carriage from the start.

“I’m truly sorry... but under these circumstances, I cannot bring you along. It took a long time just to make the necessary preparations to return here discreetly. That’s also why I couldn’t keep the ten-day promise.”

“So, we need to stay here longer?”

“Yes. I know it will be tough, but please bear with it a little longer. We are making efforts to get you out of here as soon as the situation allows.”

“Uh... okay, understood.”

As the conversation ended, Count Roxen signaled to his knights.

The knights began unloading various boxes from the carriage into the cabin, likely provisions and essentials for our prolonged stay.

Sirien, her eyes filled with tears, bit back her words as she resentfully watched the knights, yet her gaze ultimately rested on me.

She might unjustly resent them, seeing them as the cause of our extended stay in this cabin.

Yet, just like before, Sirien never threw a tantrum, avoiding actions that would inconvenience everyone.

She swallowed her shadows alone.

Her white hands trembled. It was pitiful to watch, so I took her hand.

“Are you okay?”

“Y-yeah, I’m okay... How about you? Are you okay?”

“Me? What’s there not to be okay about? Oh, are you talking about my father?”

“Yeah.”

“I guess it was just his time to go. That man, he never did take good care of himself. I always thought he’d end up like this someday.”

Who was comforting whom?

Even though she was struggling with the current situation herself, Sirien still looked out for me first.

Her small hands wrapped around mine.

It must have been quite cold outside. Sirien’s hands felt unusually warm today, their gentle heat enveloping mine.

It was as if all the warmth in the world was concentrated in Sirien’s hands, making me unaware of anything but the heat emanating from them.

It was so hot it felt like it might burn, yet it wasn’t painful.

Terion asked,

“I understand the situation. It would have been nice to receive updates if it was going to be delayed like this, but I guess it can’t be helped now.”

“Ah, updates... Yes, I’ll see what can be done about that.”

“Do you have an estimate of how long it might be? Surely, you don’t intend for us to stay here indefinitely.”

Terion’s question was logical and sharp, befitting a noble.

He gently reproached the past while using it as a pretext for his next request, crafting an atmosphere where it seemed natural to get what he wanted, leaving no room for alternatives.

It was the rhetoric of someone accustomed to dealing with people from birth. Had he grown even here?

Count Roxen fell silent for a moment, pondering how much longer we would need to stay.

“Three months. I stake my name on this promise. No matter the delay, I will get you out of here within three months. And I’ll ensure updates are sent every week.”

The time was longer than expected. But having received a promise sworn on his name, he didn’t press further.

Thus, our cabin stay was extended.