Collector’s Cage - Chapter 55

He surely didn’t mean for her to take the potion again. Hermie desperately prayed it wasn’t that.

Failing to find a proper solution, she spent the days in restless anxiety until…

Three days passed. The dawn of the third day arrived.

The sun, heralding the start of a new day, rose above the horizon, but for Hermie, it signified the end of her peaceful life.

Hermie mechanically got up, showered, and put on her outdoor clothes. She looked around the small, modest home she had lived in for so long as if it were unfamiliar, then brewed coffee.

The aroma of coffee filled the house. Sitting at the table, she savored her last moments of ease.

Hermie’s morning routine was as leisurely and unhurried as ever, but her heart churned with more anxiety than ever before.

It felt like being on a violently rocking wave. Even sitting still made her nauseous.
In this dizzying, suffocating situation, no escape route was visible.

It felt like being trapped, completely walled in on all sides. Yes, like being locked in a cage again.

“Hoo.”

After finishing her coffee, Hermie got up, washed the cup, and put it away in the cupboard.

Will I be able to come back? Please, let me be able to. Hermie squeezed her eyes shut, then opened them. There were no options left. Returning the 2,000 gold and begging. Froy’s forgiveness and mercy were her only hope.

Her fingertips prickled with numbness as she massaged them, then left the house.

“Good morning!”
“Hermie! You’re a bit late today?”

Familiar faces on her commute greeted her cheerfully. Hermie forced a smile and greeted them back.

The moment they passed, her expression hardened. A massive unease sat in her gut, making it impossible to laugh freely.

Still, she walked on resolutely. She straightened her posture so others wouldn’t notice, and organized her ledgers so she could return at any time.

At this juncture, nothing was decided—whether she would be forgiven, or whether she would have to bear the full brunt of his anger.

Hermie submitted a leave request just in case. The Guild Master frowned upon seeing it.

“You know how busy we are these days. Is this really the time for a vacation?”
“I haven’t taken a proper vacation in ten years. I really need to go this year.”
“You were gone for two whole months before…”
“That wasn’t a vacation. That was an accident.”

Right, that was an accident. Hermie silently chewed on the word ‘accident’ once more in her mouth.

The Guild Master seemed reluctant to approve, but nodded as if he had no choice.

“Did you handle the handover properly?”
“Yes, I organized everything thoroughly. It should go smoothly.”
“You have no idea how difficult it was when you suddenly disappeared last time. The ledger management was a complete mess. Even the inventory counts were off, so we had to do everything twice.”

While Hermie was unexpectedly absent for two months, the ledger management had fallen into such disarray it caused significant trouble.

Hermie smiled as if to say, don’t worry.

“Yes. That won’t happen again. I taught them very carefully.”
“Alright, get some proper rest. Eat lots of good food.”
“Thank you.”

He didn’t know how meticulously she had prepared the handover to prevent any major incidents in her absence.

So I can come back. So I can return and work. That was the only thought that kept her working through the night.

Hermie bowed her head deeply. She hadn’t told the Guild Master the truth about this situation.

She had only lied, saying a noble had come but left empty-handed as they didn’t have what he was looking for.

Ultimately, a problem involving Froy was something the entire Pumpkin Flower Guild couldn’t solve even if they banded together. Even the Magical Tower was frightened and had resorted to all sorts of tricks to cover up their wrongdoing. A small to medium-sized guild stood no chance against a Marquis’s household.

So, Hermie resolved to handle it with her own strength. Whether it was possible or not was another matter.

Just as she was finishing the final handover after submitting her leave, a carriage pulled into the front courtyard of the Pumpkin Flower Guild.

Ah. He’s here.