How to Live as the Terminally Ill Younger Sister of the Villain - Chapter 135

But it was also true that the rose’s choices had led to that outcome, which weighed heavily on his heart.

After seeing the lingering thoughts, he felt as if his emotions had connected with the Grandonia from that place.

The complicated feelings and guilt that he had felt occasionally whirled in his chest.

“Would you like to hear more?”

The village chief asked.

“Why did you stop?”

At Aiden’s words that implied this was obvious, the village chief smiled.

“Well, since they couldn’t have heard the latter part either, I’m asking if you want to stand on the same ground as them.”

“They… you mean Blake and Angelina?”

Aiden frowned.

“You were already gone when they visited Kuns Village, weren’t you?”

“Ah… so they visited. I’m glad.”

“If you didn’t even know they visited, how do you know they couldn’t hear the latter part?”

“Because I destroyed the object containing the truth.”

“…What?”

The reason Angelina and Blake couldn’t hear the latter part was because the village chief had broken the music box.

Of course, Aiden didn’t know such details, but the village chief’s statement about destroying an object containing the truth was shocking enough.

“Why?”

“Because the witch began to move again, and I wanted to prevent it from falling into the witch’s hands.”

So that only he and the next village chief would know.

“I merely changed the method of ‘delivery’ back to oral tradition until the witch’s movements subsided.”

The music box wasn’t some ancient artifact; it was created out of concern that the story might be lost as it passed from mouth to mouth.

So when the village chief sensed that the witch’s power had appeared in the world again, he broke the music box.

To deceive the enemy, he had to deceive his allies first, so he didn’t tell the villagers except for the next chief.

“The witch…”

For a moment, his mother’s face flashed through Aiden’s mind.

“…No way.”

It couldn’t be. Surely not to that extent.

But he couldn’t shake off the uncomfortable feeling.

“Continue the song.”

“Then…”

The village chief cleared his throat and began singing again.

It was no exaggeration that all the people of Kuns Village were minstrels; despite his advanced age, the village chief’s voice was a pleasant tenor.

But do not worry.

Do not cry, my dear.

For the sun will shine again.

The song continued beyond the part that Blake and Angelina had heard.

Even if the lake turns black.

Even if tears bloom roses.

Even if thorns cover the grave.

Commemorating the changing world.

Artoas does not break his oath.

Zeplictus does not cease his reverence.

Grandonia protects the sun’s world.

Names were mentioned for the first time.

Because that is the knight’s mission.

Because that is the priest’s healing.

Because that is the rose’s atonement.

Containing the oath they made.

On the day the last forgiveness disappears.

At the place where pain turns to reconciliation.

Hoping it will shine brilliantly again.

Adding the promise the sun made.

They wait for the sun’s return.

They still wait for the sun.

The song of truth was left behind.

***

After taking care of necessary business overnight and coming to pick up Angelina the next day, Ante sensed a strange atmosphere.

“So your knights weren’t all specially recruited, but people you met during your expeditions?”

“That could be said, yes.”

Angelina and Blake.

The two of them were the issue.

“So many fascinating connections.”

Even though Ante had announced his arrival, Angelina only said “Did you sleep well?” without any special reaction.

Honestly, it was a perfectly normal response. But given the current atmosphere, even such trivial actions bothered him.

“It seems I meet many people by chance who end up influencing my life. Come to think of it, meeting Miss Flaubert for the first time was purely coincidental, wasn’t it?”

“That’s true, isn’t it?”

Their conversation was extremely ordinary. The kind of conversation any close acquaintances might have.

But their cheerful demeanor really irritated Ante’s eyes.

He had felt uneasy about leaving just Angelina and Blake at the gateway inn, so he had quickly finished his work and returned.

Moreover, he had positioned his people all around, so he thought nothing could happen.

He had come as soon as the morning sun rose after finishing his work, but the two were already having breakfast and chatting pleasantly.

But…

‘Lina’s eyes have changed.’

Flushed cheeks, a gaze that couldn’t leave the Duke, and occasionally lowering her head shyly when their eyes met.

Even Ante, who had watched Angelina all his life, had never seen her like this.

It can’t be, it can’t be.

He tried to deny it, but seeing the magicians around him unable to meet his eyes and hanging their heads like criminals made his denial seem futile.

What happened last night?

‘This insane bastard dared…?’

Right in front of the Magic Tower, under his watch, he touched his sister?

No, surely not.

Along with his desire to deny it, his anger rose, but he couldn’t show it in front of his sister who looked like that.

“If you’ve finished breakfast, shall we get going?”

The only measure he could take right now was to separate them.

“Ah…”

Angelina made a disappointed face.

“Is there really a need to rush?”

She asked, apparently unaware that her feelings had been completely exposed.

Ante found Angelina’s feigned innocence cute, but thinking about the reason behind it made his blood boil.

“Shouldn’t we go quickly? The Duke of Kadenhart shouldn’t be away from his duchy for too long.”

He used Blake as an excuse.

“I have no other urgent matters.”

But it didn’t work.

“Haley and Laura will be waiting.”

So he gave a reason that would definitely work on Angelina.

“Ah…”

As expected, Angelina’s expression became calm. And she nodded.

“That’s true. I left rather abruptly, so they must have been very surprised.”

No matter how urgent it was, she felt she had done something terrible to them and thought she should return quickly.

But it would be a lie to say there was no regret.

When she expressed that feeling to Blake with her eyes, he smiled.

“Mason and Sean must be dying of worry, too, so I should go explain the situation. Since our paths overlap, I’ll move with you.”

He told her that he was in the same situation and their destinations were the same, so she shouldn’t be too upset.

“We can continue our unfinished conversation at the theater next week, can’t we?”

He also added that they would meet again soon, so she shouldn’t feel too disappointed.

Angelina’s face brightened, as if she had completely forgotten about the theater.

“That sounds good.”

The two walked with cheerful steps.

Only Ante, who had coaxed them to go home, wore a sour expression behind them.

***

“Magic is… quite useful, isn’t it?”

Despite the complimentary content, Blake’s voice was very disgruntled as he said this.

It was because Ante had instantly transported the three of them to the capital using the portals of the Magic Tower and the Magician’s Guilds.

For ordinary people, this would cost an astronomical amount of money or require being a great magician, but Ante was both, so this was as easy as eating cold porridge for him.

“Then, see you next time.”

Having arrived first at the Flaubert mansion in the capital.

Perhaps conscious of the servants around, Ante spoke politely to Blake with a slight smile. He waved his hand lightly, which was so annoying that Blake let out a groan.

“Mason and Sean…”

“I hear your subordinates have safely returned to the Duke’s mansion on their own. You should hurry and go see them.”

At the warning not to even dream of coming inside, Blake exhaled a short sigh.

“Then…”

Just as he was about to say goodbye to Angelina.

“Miss~!”

Everyone’s heads turned at Haley’s voice, which was loud enough to make the mansion shake.

Seeing Haley jump out of the mansion window and fly toward them using magic, Angelina opened her eyes wide.

It was almost frightening because of her blazing eyes.

“Miss! Waaah!”

But the one who landed in front of her and nestled into her arms was unmistakably Haley.

“If you’re going to run away, take me with you, Miss! Waaah, I hate the mansion without you! Do you know how scared I was thinking you might be hurt? I couldn’t even follow you, waaah!”

As Angelina patted her back with a bewildered expression, a murderous aura was felt behind Haley.

It was Laura, who had somehow approached right up to them.