The Villain's Lost Daughter - Chapter 63

✿

Suddenly, I turned my head in surprise at the touch of another person on my shoulder.

‘Did someone see me throw a spell?’

That’s what I thought for a moment as I turned back.

Thinking about it, that would be quite difficult.

“It’s been a good night.”

But the thought quickly disappeared from the familiar face that I saw as soon as I turned around.

“Sir Lian?”

The man’s eyes are folded in front of his reflective name.

I couldn’t hide my surprise at the appearance of someone I’d never expected to see here.

He slowly opened his mouth, where joy and surprise coexist.

“Long time no see.”

Lian’s voice was faintly heard by the blazes that burst in my ears.

He seemed to have noticed it too, so he smiled softly and glanced up at the sky.

Then he shook his head and said, “I’ll have to wait a little longer.”

The voice was also barely small enough to hear clearly.

“I guess so.”

I turned my gaze again after giving an answer that might be heard by Lian.

My mana floating in the sky was gradually diminishing. There wasn’t that much magic in the first place.

Maybe the extended fireworks display would be over in a minute.

Lian and I waited until the color that was embroidered in the sky disappeared without saying a word.

“They were really pretty today.”

“I know. The last one was especially the best!”

People who had gathered in the square also started to disperse one by one.

“…It’s awkward.”

In a strange feeling, I glanced at the dark sky. Of course, I know why it’s awkward.

It was because it came to mind while watching the fireworks.

The figure of Lian who met eyes with me on the street a few days ago, but disappeared without a word.

What had been forgotten for a moment came to mind again, and my mind became complicated.

I could feel Lian staring at me.

‘What should I say?’

I shook my head hard. But those worries were useless.

“Miss Erita.”

Because Lian approached and talked to me first.

✿

Lian and I walked slowly along the bustling street.

Lian asked if we should walk for a while without saying much.

I replied “Yes”.

It was true that fireworks were the main theme of the day, but since the night market was open until dawn, there were still many people.

There was no exchange of words between us as we walked a step or two apart.

‘…After all, that person was Sir Lian.’ I was thinking that way.

The last vestige of hopelessness vanished the moment I saw Lian’s face. But I had no intention of asking Lian about it.

As I thought before, there must have been a reason, and I didn’t want to ask why.

“Miss Erita.”

“Yes?”

Perhaps it was because I was thinking that way that I expressed my embarrassment when my name was suddenly called.

Lian laughed low at the silly answer.

“It used to be like that, and it still is, Erita is surprised every time I call her name.”

“Ah… I was thinking about something else for a while…”

Embarrassed, I laughed quietly and blurted out my words. I couldn’t see it, but I could feel my face turning red.

My cheeks were slightly warm when I rubbed them with an awkward touch.

“More than that, how did you recognize me? It was difficult to see where I was.”

“Well..”

At my question, Lian shook his head and tilted his head slowly. His blue eyes were full of mischief.

“Just with my gut feeling?” Lian replied with a clever smile.

With a gentle smile, the awkward air so far flew away.

“Oh, my… What’s that?”

The tone of my voice that came out as if it was ridiculous was the same as usual.

After that, we walked out of the square with casual conversations.

Miraculously, the night was not cold at all, not long after the winter wind had receded.

The noise of the street wound in my ears like a quiet background sound.

‘I wonder if we walked for another ten minutes or so?’

Lian’s steps seemed to be slowing down, and soon stopped altogether.

The talk about the festival that would continue for three days including today was about to come to an end.

I stopped two or three steps behind and turned my gaze to Lian.

“What’s wrong?”

Lian’s face, looking straight at me, had a slight smile and a strange tension.

‘Why do you look like that? What’s wrong?’

He appeared to have had that thought.

Just as I was about to call him in wonder, Lian said in a pleasant low voice.

“…There’s something I have to say today.”

It was a little lower than his voice I’ve ever heard.

To be precise, it must be said that the lightness that had been buried in his voice had disappeared.

For some reason, I asked, startled, at Lian’s serious attitude.

“What do you have to say?”

“Well.”

Lian’s nodding expression was still.

“Well, then, shall we go somewhere quieter?”

It’s a little noisy here. For some reason, I didn’t think it was a light story, so I asked so.

“That would be great.”

Lian, who looked around for a while at my words, affirmed.

Certainly, the crowded, wide streets were unsuitable for conveying what needed to be said.

Fortunately, it was a little far away from the square, so it was easy to find a quiet place.

Even if we walk a little into the alley from the wide street, the noisy crowd has faded.

There was also a pathway to go to a restaurant or cafe.

However, given the crowded surroundings, it was obvious that it would be the same. Because today was a festival.

“It’s still a little noisy, but I think it’ll be fine here.”

“Yes, it is.”

Lian smiled softly as I spoke in a light voice.

I was going to ask what he had to say, but I quit. I thought he would say it without rushing.

“…Miss Erita.”

Then Lian, who hesitated for a moment, called my name in a low, soft voice.

“Yes, Sir Lian.”

When he answered with his blue eyes, Lian opened his lips.

It was then…

“Aww…!”

Behind me came a man who looked like he was very drunk.

“Wait a minute.”

At the same time, Lian stretched out his arm a little hurriedly and pulled me slightly.

If he hadn’t pulled, I would definitely have bumped into the man.

But the movement was so sudden that I touched his sword.

Thud~

There was a dull sound of something falling.

“Sven, you son of a—! I won’t let you off next time!”

The man who exited without colliding with us screamed and walked away with stumbling steps.

“Thank you, Sir Lian.”

I thanked him slightly away. Lian didn’t answer, but I didn’t know because I was looking down.

I was looking at the floor to find something that had fallen with a small sound a while ago.

“Oh, I found it!”

There was a small object at my feet.

“…I’ll pick it up.”

Lian’s voice sounded like he was bewildered at first.

“Hey? I can pick it up.”

I replied and bent on my knees and picked up the small object.

It was a ring that looked quite old.

“Is it an important item to see you carry it around even though it’s this old?”

As I rolled on the floor, I gently brushed the dust from the hooks.

Fortunately, the scratches were no longer visible to the naked eye.

“I’m sorry, you fell because of me…”

My mouth stopped talking with regret because I sensed something familiar. My hand, which was about to pass the ring to Lian, also stopped.

I stared down at the little ring in my hand. I felt like I was reminded of something.

“This ring is….”

It was that ring, I didn’t even know that word popped out.

At the same time, the old memories flashed through my mind for only a brief moment.

But that moment was enough time for me to freeze.

“This ring…” I mumbled it again.

A clunky-looking ring that looks like it was made by a clumsy child.

The call opened Lian’s mouth, which had been shut up.

“…I’ll explain everything.”

His voice didn’t reach me properly.

I was overwhelmed just accepting the situation I was faced with, and I wasn’t ready to listen to him at all.

I no longer had the confidence to face the blue eyes any more.

It didn’t work.

“…Please forgive me for the rudeness I’ve ever done.”

That was all I could say…