Chapter 46

The dried fish shop was inside the market. As I walked while humming, our destination appeared in my sight, and the owner recognized me in instant and welcomed me.

“Long time no see, Maria. I heard you went to a relative’s house.”

I’ve never said anything about going to a relative’s house, but I quickly figured out what it meant.

I think Uncle was the one who came up with it. Everyone will think it’s weird if I have been gone for a long time after all.

“What are you buying?”

“Two dried fish… No, three dried fish please. “

Why else would I earn money if I will not spend it, right?

Of course, it should be used in cases like this. I was trying to get my money out of my pocket when people around me suddenly started to stir.

What’s going on?

“H-he’s coming this way!”

I heard a man shouting with a frightened look on his face. Everyone stood close to the side of the road as if they were appointed to do it.

What is happening?

I was looking around when I heard the sound of a horse’s feet from afar. I saw someone running my way on a horse.

“Maria, come this way!”

The owner pulled my arm while I got stuck on my place in confusion.

I went inside the store in a flash, and the horse I just saw passed by me at a rapid pace.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

A sigh of relief came to the owner lady’s face. I looked in the direction the horse ran in.

No, who the hell in the right mind would be running at such an ignorant pace in the market? What if people get hurt?

Wait a minute. No way…

I soon looked back at the lady and asked.

“Is he, by any chance, the Lord’s son?”

“That’s right.”

As expected.

I am well aware of the rumor about the son of the lord.

It is said that the lord is a virtuous man and he governs the village well, but his son did not inherit his good qualities at all.

Of course, a gold and jade* must have been raised with pampering, and the tendency of children who grew up like that was obvious even without looking at all.

(t/n: wealthy) 

He fears nothing. Besides, his father is a lord.

In fact, I heard that the son of the Lord was very vicious and that he was stirring the village by doing bad things.

Whether it was my luck or the timing was just good, it was my first time seeing him in person.

But why is he running like that? Is he a speed maniac?

I found it funny since it’s not a sports car, he probably enjoys the sense of speed while riding a horse. On the one hand, I’m worried.

“Does he usually go like that?”

“I think so? But Sir Isaac seems calm because he’s alone today. When he shows up with his friends, it’s a total mess.”

The lady shook her head. Everywhere I go, there are always insensitive kids who don’t care.

“Well, there’s something bigger than that.”

“What is it?”

“This is just a rumor, but….”

The lady, who showed signs of hesitation, soon looked into my eyes and hardened her face.

“When Isaac was a child, his mother died, and her hair was red. Maybe that’s why…There’s a rumor that he likes girls with red hair.”

I’ve heard of it before. In the past, when I helped Maria’s parents with their restaurant work, I remembered some customers saying something similar.

By the way, I found it ridiculous that he likes red hair.

The lady who saw my expression hurriedly continued, feeling very sorry.

“I guess I shouldn’t have said that. Please forget what I said. Sorry, Maria.”

“No, thanks for letting me know. How much is it?”

I opened my pocket belatedly and paid for what I bought.

It was only a few days after I found out that what the lady said was true.

[Rohin, year 26, month xx, day xx,

Today, I went to take a walk with Boraeng-ie after a long time.

We went to buy snacks first, and I felt nice because the dry fish shop lady remembered me and welcomed me. 

And then I saw the lord’s son. Actually, I didn’t see his face properly, and I only remember the black horse that ran fast.

I was worried because I heard he’s valo… violent and mean. If such a kid becomes the next lord, the villagers will surely suffer a lot.

Anyway, the walk was fun. I was also happy because Boraeng-ie liked it. I’ll take him out every day while I’m here. 

– Maria’s Diary, the day after arriving home-

“This is my first time in Adella, but it’s much more prosperous than I thought.”

Tyr’s voice was full of admiration. Ains’ thoughts were not much different.

It was late at night before midnight when they arrived in Adella. He didn’t notice it yesterday because it was dark, but in the morning, the town was really bigger than he thought.

The small houses are built closely to each other and from early in the morning, carts with luggage and some mules have been busy here and there.

After exiting the alley where their lodging was located, the square quickly appeared. From that time on, Tyr had been expressing his awe.

A large statue of a mounted horse soldier was erected in the middle of the square, and the well-polished road was reminiscent of Granlothea Square in the capital.

“The harbor must be over there,”

He turned his head after Tyr’s gesture. The wagons carrying guests were seen running in a certain direction.

Ains quietly pulled the reins and changed direction.

Likewise, Tyr, who was riding a horse, followed suit.

‘How long has it been since I’ve been this relaxed…?’

Tyr was enjoying the comfort right now, but nobody would ever know how flustered he was just last night.

The reason was, of course, because of his master.

It was the first time in three years that Tyr accompanied the Crown Prince on an inspection tour.

It’s been three days since they ran to the South without a break. Finally, as they entered the village, Tyr spoke in an emotional voice.

“Dasca is farther than I thought.”

Then, Ains who had been silent for a while suddenly spoke.

“It’s Adella.”

“Pardon?”

“This is Adella.”

“……what do you mean?”

“Where we are right now. It’s Adella, not Dasca. “

Tyr blinked his eyes blankly.

“Why Adella……?”

At that moment, a fact flashed through my mind.

‘Miss Maria’s hometown was in Adella, maybe….?‘

In order to get a more reliable reason, Tyr hinted at it.

“Did we came here because this is Miss Maria’s hometown?”

“Other than that, this is the southern part of the country.”

‘Of course, it is, but why do I feel like there’s another reason why he went here other than the inspection?’

That idea has still not changed even now, but he obediently follows Ains on horseback.

At that time, Ains looked back and spoke.

“Find out where it is.”

“Yes “

He quickly answered, as if he had a different thought.

He didn’t even have to ask what he has to find.

‘I have to go find the lord’s estate first.’

Thinking inward, Tyr picked up a little more speed and followed Ains.

What is the probability of having a weird dream three times in a row?

“….ah again?”

A low spirited voice came out of my mouth

I had a busy day today so I went to bed early. I was hoping to have a happy dream.

But why am I having such a weird dream again?

I was grumbling, but I kept my feet moving. A series of groans came out of my mouth.

The canyon-like path between the facing cliffs continued endlessly. The walls that are redder and more grotesque than yesterday hung on both sides. I felt like a hand would pop out of it and will grab me by the back of my head.

Even the moon in the sky was a full moon as red as blood.

“No, am I really dreaming?”

But I couldn’t stop it. The wall was scary and I thought I would be captivated by the afterimage even if I closed my eyes.

“Wah, why is it so hard to walk…”

I straightened my legs.

At some point, my foot stopped without realizing it. I got goosebumps behind my back.

…What’s this foreboding feeling?

I hesitated and looked back slowly. At the same time, a scream broke out in my mouth.

A red liquid like volcano lava came rushing toward me like waves. The moment I recognized it, I started running like crazy.

Before I knew it, my face was full of tears. How long did I run like that? Finally, I saw a hole of light at the end.

Over there. I can escape it if I go there!

It occurred to me instinctively. With hope, I ran to the hole with all my might.

But at that moment, my steps got tangled, and I ended up in a terrible mess.

“W-What should I do….”

The dark red liquid was constantly rushing toward me. I crawled backwards while sitting, but it was not enough to avoid it.

“D-don’t come!”

Go away! Go away!

“No!”

“……!”

My eyes opened widely

I burst out of breath. I blinked my eyes blankly and woke up in a frightening surprise.

I was on my bed.

This look like my room. Beyond the window was full of bright sunlight.

I sighed and pressed down my eyes.

“What kind of dream was that….?”

I stood up from the bed with the blanket belatedly.

The first thing I did was to check the mirror.

Sure enough, there were dark circles under my eyes. It looks like a panda came in front of me and said, “Eat this!” and handed over the bamboo to me, but it didn’t look strange.

I came back to the ruddy bed and sat down.

It’s still too early to eat breakfast… so should I clean up after a long time? I will lose my fat if I move my body after all. Maybe I really should.

Determined, I opened the window wide and started cleaning.

I cleaned the window frames, the mirror, and even the closet.

Then, my eyes landed on the bed. I clean up the bedding every day, but I didn’t remember cleaning up the floor under it.

…Since I decided to clean up, perhaps I should clean that place too.

I crouched, pushed the broom under the bed, and stumbled.

It was then.

“Huh?”

I felt like something was getting caught in a broom. What’s this?

It’s a bit bulky.

I moved the broom gently and pushed it out of the bed.

Then, a dust-covered book came out everywhere.

No, it wasn’t a book. As I turned the page, I saw a neatly handwritten font.

As soon as I read a few lines, I knew what it was. What I found surprising was Maria’s, the real Maria’s diary. My heart was pounding.

I thought I should not look at it carelessly, but on the other hand, I was curious.

….What’s in this? Is there a clue here that can help me go back home?

Thinking so, my heart leans sharply to one place.

After swallowing my dry saliva, I slowly began to read Maria’s diary.