Episode 46
The day Cheshire left the Basilian estate was peaceful.
Kierne, as usual, was away from the house, and the twins had come to pester her but were dragged off by Belzeon.
Left alone, Cheshire sat in her room, trying to write a letter.
It felt like leaving a letter would make for a beautiful farewell.
“Hnng…”
But writing with her tiny hands was no easy task.
No matter what she wrote, it came out as barely legible scribbles.
Struggling with the pencil and crumpling the paper, Cheshire gave up on the letter.
She didn’t have much to say anyway.
What could she say when she was running away?
Resigning herself, Cheshire sat by the window with Hata, munching on snacks.
Today’s treat was muffins stuffed with milk and chocolate.
Normally, dogs shouldn’t eat chocolate, but Hata, being a beastman, happily devoured the muffins alongside her.
Cheshire nibbled on her muffin, gazing out the window.
The beautifully tended garden now boasted newly planted pink rose bushes.
They were the same kind she’d seen with Kierne in the Imperial Palace’s rose garden.
Kierne must have ordered them planted here.
Somehow, they bloomed even more vibrantly and lushly than those in the palace, which was remarkable.
She stared silently.
Even after leaving the estate, she’d probably miss this garden a little.
Lost in sentimental thoughts, she ate her chocolate muffin.
*With this mood, I might even miss that creepy snake’s castle and the Black Forest.*
If Kierne hadn’t been the Master, she might have stayed with the Basilian family longer.
There were still so many unanswered questions about them.
How had the Basilian family become lords of the underworld?
Why, despite wielding such power, did they remain secluded in the eastern Black Forest?
*I’m curious why Kierne was collecting information on fairy experiments…*
She was especially curious about what the three brothers did in the underworld.
*They’re young boys, but with that level of skill, they must stand out.*
Yet she’d never heard a single rumor about them.
Just then, she spotted Ishuel with a parasol and Karuha holding a sword in each hand, passing by in the distance.
Sensing her gaze, the boys looked toward her at the window.
Cheshire waved, acknowledging them.
*If the three brothers keep frequenting the underworld…*
Since she’d likely stay in the underworld too, she might catch a glimpse of them from afar someday.
Not to approach or talk, of course.
But seeing their faces, even briefly, would feel nice.
She’d like to see Kierne too, but meeting the Master usually meant heading toward death, so that was tricky.
Smiling at the twins waving back enthusiastically, she thought, *I’d at least want to know they’re all doing well.*
In the dead of night, she stuffed Hata into a small bag and slung it securely across her body.
She looked around for anything else to take, but there was nothing.
Cheshire tied a handkerchief over her head to cover her conspicuous golden hair.
Then she toddled to the door to wait for Belzeon.
*Creak.*
Not long after, the door opened with a low groan.
Belzeon, clad in a worn black hood, stepped inside.
He paused briefly upon seeing Cheshire with the handkerchief tied around her head, then handed her a small hood.
Without a word, she removed the handkerchief and put on the hood.
*But what’s with his bag?*
She’d brought a bag for Hata, but Belzeon was carrying a large one, which seemed odd.
*Is he giving me something as a gift?*
It was bigger than her, though.
She figured he wouldn’t send a toddler off alone, so perhaps an adult guardian was waiting.
Maybe he was handing the bag to them, she reasoned to herself.
Once she was fully cloaked, she looked up at Belzeon.
He scooped her up in one swift motion.
Hiding her inside his robe, he quietly slipped out of the estate.
Throughout their escape, Belzeon didn’t encounter a single soul.
He knew exactly when and where the servants would be.
Kierne and the twins were out that day as well.
She recalled what Belzeon had told her.
“I’ll make sure all three are out of the house that day.”
She’d worried they might come after her, but he’d assured her otherwise.
Judging by the silence, he’d handled it perfectly, whatever he’d done.
They exited through a side gate at the back of the estate, where a shabby, old hired carriage waited.
The elderly coachman was dozing in his seat, nodding off despite the early hour.
That carriage would take her to a safe place where she could hide from Kierne.
A quick glance showed it was empty inside.
She’d expected an adult to accompany her, so this was surprising.
*Am I riding alone?*
Not that it mattered.
As long as she reached her destination, that was enough.
Belzeon gently set her down.
Cheshire took a small breath and looked up at him.
This was it—the real goodbye.
With a hint of affection in her eyes, she said, “Thank you so much.”
She bowed politely.
She waited for a farewell, something like *Let’s part ways here*.
But Belzeon remained silent.
*What’s going on?*
He wasn’t rude enough to ignore a final goodbye, so it felt strange.
The silence stretched uncomfortably long.
Finally, Belzeon spoke.
“I’ll go with you.”
Cheshire blinked, stunned.
Doubting her own ears, she cautiously asked, “…What?”
No way.
Please say it’s not true.
Her *what?* carried that unspoken plea.
But Belzeon didn’t bother repeating himself.
He continued, expressionless, “You did me a kindness, and I’m simply repaying it.”
“A… kindness?”
Her, doing *Belzeon* a kindness?
*No way!*
Was he dreaming or something?
She couldn’t believe it, but he spoke quietly and firmly.
“…You comforted me. So I’ll do the same, at least once.”
His words were clipped, but she understood enough.
*So he’s saying he’s coming with me to comfort me?*
Sure, she’d once consoled a crying Belzeon, giving him bellflowers and patting his back.
He’d sobbed like a child, and she’d done her best to soothe him.
*But I never cried!*
She had no need for comforting, yet Belzeon was acting strange.
As if she’d been weeping and clinging to him in loneliness.
*This is insane!*
She was so shocked and exasperated she stood there, mouth agape.
Then she snapped out of it.
If she didn’t act fast, he really would follow her.
Thinking quickly, she blurted, “B-but you have work to do!”
Indeed, Belzeon handled much of the Basilian estate’s administrative duties.
His absence would leave a significant gap.
She could already picture secretaries and servants scrambling to find him.
Belzeon was responsible.
She hoped he wouldn’t abandon his struggling staff so easily, but…
“Well,” he said, one corner of his mouth curling into a smirk.
That smile was so eerily like Kierne’s that a chill ran down her spine.
“Let that damned father figure it out.”
Torm
ented by Kierne, Belzeon had fallen.
