Chapter 36

Melissa blinked once, then opened her eyes again.

For a moment, she felt as though she had been dreaming, and a small laugh escaped her lips.

“Oh, of course, heroes only exist in fairy tales. I don’t really know if someone like that ever existed in real life.”

And yet, sometimes.

Only sometimes…

Her gaze softened with a faint sense of longing.

Whenever she fell asleep, there were nights when she dreamed of being wrapped in a warm, peaceful embrace that made her heart feel safe.

In that dream, a stranger, her hero, saved her younger self. And every time she woke from it, she found herself humming happily all day long.

“But you know what? Something even more wonderful happened in real life.”

She had finally made a friend in her village.

Of course, when she first met Demius, she had been too focused on treating his injuries to think much of it. But as he began to recover, she suddenly realized something.

For the first time ever, someone her age had come to the Village at the Edge.

When that realization hit her, her heart pounded so hard she could barely sleep.

Her first friend from the village.

No one else could understand what that meant to her.

A precious, irreplaceable friend who belonged only to her.

That was why, even though she was happy to see him recovering, a small part of her felt uneasy.

What if he left soon?

What if he disappeared just like that? The thought frightened her and made her a little sad.

“I was so surprised when he said he wanted to open a flower shop in the village.”

That was when she made up her mind.

She would help him with everything she had.

But in the end, Melissa laughed quietly.

“Turns out, I was the one getting help.”

You know…

She lowered her voice as if whispering a secret.

“I used to like sunny days more than anything.”

Her cheeks turned slightly pink as she added softly,

“But after I realized Mimi’s flowers could drink all the rain they wanted, I started liking rainy days too.”

From that moment on, whether the sun was shining bright or the rain was pouring down, every day became a good day.

And that was all because of him.

Every single day became so fragrant, so dazzling that even the air seemed to glow.

It felt as though everything around her was singing.

Of course, such moments never last forever.

“Strange, isn’t it?”

Melissa whispered.

“A miracle happened to me.”

Mimi had asked her to come along.

That was when she finally realized something.

Mimi must have felt sad about parting ways.

And she, too, had felt that same sadness.

More than she had expected.

That feeling had only grown stronger after she arrived at Eisenhart.

She knew she was slower than most.

She had always been a bit dull when it came to emotions, so it couldn’t be helped.

But there was one thing she knew for certain.

The year Demius spent in the Village at the Edge and the year she now spent in Eisenhart would always be the brightest of their lives.

“Oh, of course I don’t mean it like that. Mimi only brought me along because he needed my help, after all.”

Melissa blinked, then looked at Shilen.

“Do you think Mimi ever regrets marrying me?”

“…?!”

Shilen’s eyes went wide, and she shook her head fiercely.

Melissa laughed when she saw how hard the girl moved, almost straining her neck.

“Thank you. You’re very sweet, Shilen.”

Shilen quickly shook her head again, trying to show she wasn’t being kind, only telling the truth.

But Melissa just smiled and whispered to herself with quiet determination.

“I’ll work hard so I won’t be a burden to Mimi.”

Yap!

She clenched her fists tightly.

“I’ll make the most wonderful garden for him!”

Then even after she was gone, her garden would remain and bear beautiful fruit every year.

Under the blue sky, the green leaves would thrive, and when the sweet fruits ripened on their stems, maybe he would think of her.

Even if only sometimes.

Melissa smiled faintly at the thought, then lifted both arms high in renewed energy.

“Alright, time to get back to work!”

* * *

Would they really be alright?

Shilen twirled a small twig between her hands as she remembered that moment.

Then she looked up.

Ah.

A yellow butterfly fluttered across the sky.

Shilen dropped the twig and stood up, as though enchanted.

Something deep inside told her she had to catch it.

She had to.

Wait for me.

Her lips moved soundlessly as she chased after it.

The thoughts of the two adults faded from her mind as she ran, reaching her hands toward the butterfly.

* * *

“There you are!”

“You again?”

Natalianne’s tone was curt, though her annoyance was mild.

They were in the library, filled with the scent of paper and dust.

Sitting on the floor in the farthest corner, Natalianne had been reading when Melissa approached her with a cheerful smile.

She really did remind her of a cat.

The sight of her curled up in the corner made Melissa’s palms itch.

‘So cute.’

She couldn’t see the eyes hidden beneath the black veil, but she could easily imagine how deeply focused they must have been before she walked in.

Melissa sat down across from her naturally and said,

“The subjugation squad will be back soon. I heard they’re preparing a grand feast, with plenty of your favorite vegetable dishes.”

“I’m not going.”

The quick refusal made Melissa’s eyes widen.

Natalianne flinched slightly, then pouted and turned her head away.

“It’s just a welcome party. Seeing certain people would ruin my mood.”

“Certain people?”

Melissa tilted her head, confused.

Natalianne frowned slightly.

Should she say it or not?

After a pause, she muttered coldly,

“I don’t like anyone. That’s all you need to know.”

“That can’t be true. I like you, after all.”

“You—!”

Natalianne spun her head toward her, and under the veil, Melissa caught a glimpse of flushed cheeks.

“How can you just say things like that so easily…!”

Her shoulders trembled before she let out a small sigh.

“Forget it. I’m not going.”

“Hmm.”

Melissa pursed her lips in thought.

Seeing that, Natalianne braced herself.

Here it comes again, one of those typical lines.

‘That’s not true.’

‘You’re mistaken.’

‘They’re family, you should at least show your face.’

Those sorts of things.

Natalianne took a quiet breath, waiting for the words she had heard too many times before.

But instead, Melissa simply nodded with a thoughtful look.

“Then maybe we can have a party of our own?”

Natalianne froze.

She looked up, startled, only to see Melissa smiling brightly, as usual.

“Yes, that sounds perfect. The welcome party can be for everyone else, and ours will be just for us. Two parties mean twice the fun!”

“Why.”

The question slipped out before she could stop it.

“Why aren’t you asking?”

“Asking what?”

“Why my family and I don’t get along.”

“Oh.”

Melissa blinked, genuinely surprised.

“Was I supposed to ask?”

Natalianne’s eyes widened at the unexpected response.

For a moment, she couldn’t even breathe. Then, without realizing it, she let out a small sound that might have been a laugh.

“No. Don’t ask.”

“Alright.”

Melissa nodded easily, her tone light and simple.

Something about that straightforwardness felt refreshing.

Like a soft breeze blowing through her tightly closed heart.

“…You.”

Natalianne lowered her gaze slightly and whispered,

“Why don’t you ask?”

Her voice was quiet.

“You don’t ask about my family, about what I’ve done, or even…”

Her fingers hesitated before brushing the black veil that covered her face.

“Even about this.”

“Should I ask?”

“If I tell you not to, will you really not?”

“Of course.”

For a brief moment, Natalianne stopped breathing again.

Something within her shifted.

It wouldn’t last, she knew, but still…

“You really are strange.”

“I hear that a lot.”

Melissa laughed softly.

“I’m not very good at reading the mood.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Natalianne muttered, then rolled her eyes away.

“…It’s not bad, though.”

“You mean you like it?”

Her words came so lightly that Natalianne couldn’t help but laugh.

She was shameless, yet sincere, and somehow, it wasn’t unpleasant.

As she chuckled quietly, a thought crossed her mind.

‘My foolish brother’s taste isn’t as bad as I thought.’

Then she froze.

What was she thinking?

She was supposed to drive this woman away.

That was the only way she could free herself from this suffocating grand ducal family.

‘…Damn it.’

Natalianne shut her eyes tightly.

Just then, noise echoed through the library hallway.

‘What now?’

Her brows furrowed in irritation.

She had clearly told everyone not to disturb her when she used the library as her workspace.

But the door burst open with a loud crash, and someone ran in.

“M-my lady!”

“What?”

Natalianne’s eyes snapped open, sharp as blades.

The servant trembled, holding up a large newspaper.

“T-the, the newspaper…!”