𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 – 𝐄𝐧𝐝 –
Rene, lying on top, is slightly trembling. The situation has changed so rapidly that it’s hard to keep up. However, it’s clear that if the owner of the voice finds us, we’ll be killed, put into a sack, and thrown into the ocean—or perhaps fed to wild animals.
Rene must have taken this position in case we’re found. I softly wrap my hand around Rene’s neck. If we’re discovered, we have to be seen in a compromising position outside rather than wait to get home.
My breathing becomes shallow, making it difficult to breathe. Still, what I must do now is breathe as quietly as possible to mask our presence.
ㅤ
Gently caressing Rene’s slightly moving back to make no sound.
If it comes to it, Rene will let me escape and fight himself. He’s that kind of person. However, that would get both of us killed. The best option is for Rene to sprint at full speed while I buy us a few seconds.
After all, I’m not a fast runner, and I don’t even know who to relay this situation to. If it comes to it, I’ll use my shoe’s heel to gouge out the enemy’s eyes.
ㅤ
“Keep going. Failure means death.”
ㅤ
The conversation fades away, and the sound of footsteps on the cobblestones slowly recedes. I whisper into Rene’s ear.
ㅤ
“Follow them. I’ll be fine.”
ㅤ
Rene hesitates briefly but eventually shakes his head. A considerable time after the footsteps have faded, Rene cautiously helps me up. As we tightly grasp each other’s hands, we infiltrate from another balcony. Forgoing any sense of ladylike decorum, we climb up the balcony.
Sitting on the floor of a vacant balcony concealed by curtains, we catch our breath.
ㅤ
“I feel bad leaving you like this, Alice, but I have to go. You should head back later. Don’t rush home.”
“Wait, please!”
“Sorry, time is of the essence.”
“You have a leaf stuck to your elbow. You’ll draw suspicion if you go like this.”
“Ah. . .”
ㅤ
The usually alert Rene hadn’t noticed. Realizing he’s not in his normal state of mind, I remove the leaf from his elbow.
ㅤ
“I’ll check behind us just in case, so wait a bit.”
“. . .Thank you.”
ㅤ
Rene reaches out and lightly brushes off my dress.
ㅤ
“You’ve got it worse, Alice. It’s your turn next.”
“I’m fine, just go.”
“. . .We haven’t been noticed at that spot.”
ㅤ
It was a voice filled with conviction, almost as if reassuring himself.
ㅤ
“That man is so cautious it’s almost pathological. The moment he realized he was being watched, he stopped moving. But today, he moved. To hand something over.”
ㅤ
I was barely able to breathe, but it seems Rene saw something.
ㅤ
“He likely had a very small number of people keeping watch over the rose garden. We weren’t noticed because we came down from the balcony. He must have instructed no one to come to that crucial location. And that man lacked any martial skills, so he didn’t notice us. It’s good that so many pieces of luck fell into place. If we had been noticed. . .”
ㅤ
After removing the leaves from my dress, Rene looks at me intently before softly embracing me.
There’s no romantic atmosphere. We’re searching for the warmth that confirms we’re alive, helping us regain our composure.
ㅤ
“Thanks to Alice, I was able to learn something important. Thank you.”
“I’m sorry for not being able to chase after the mysterious man because of me.”
“The most important thing is that I found out they’re connected. I’ll let him swim and gather more information. Alice, be careful. Don’t leave the house tomorrow.”
“I won’t go out even if you don’t tell me.”
ㅤ
Rene laughed softly in the back of his throat and waved as he left. It was as if he was about to go for training.
After seeing off Rene, I collapsed onto the sofa. I realized I had witnessed a difficult situation, and my body wouldn’t stop trembling.
ㅤ
“Pull yourself together, me. . .!”
ㅤ
That’s why I have to act normal. If they find out I was there, not only I but also my family might be killed.
After taking deep breaths and calming my visible shivers, I went out onto the balcony. When I entered the party venue with a poker face, I was relieved to sense people’s presence. I sipped on a non-alcoholic pomegranate cocktail and chose some light snacks.
Even though I came to the party, I haven’t eaten much. I have to eat to heal my worn-out spirit!
While enjoying visually and tastefully extravagant dishes, Thor approached.
ㅤ
“I knew Nee-sama would be here! You said you’d come back soon.”
“I got hungry. Sorry for keeping you waiting.”
“Well, it can’t be helped, Nee-sama. I found something you’d like, so let’s eat together.”
“There’s something I like over there too, so I’ll get it for Nee-sama.”
ㅤ
After satisfying our appetites together, it was time to leave. We decided to return home as a family at a reasonable time. I behaved as normally as possible, so hopefully, no one would think I was lying on the ground.
ㅤ
When I got home and changed, I noticed a slight stain on the dress. The shoes were also a bit dirty with dust.
ㅤ
“I received it from Roa-sama, and now it’s ruined. . .!”
ㅤ
The stain on the dress seemed removable, but the shoes had delicate lace decorations with dust stuck in them. I wasn’t sure if they could be cleaned properly.
ㅤ
“Seems like they’re up to no good, and they’ve threatened someone. They’ve dirtied my treasure. I’ll never forgive them! I want them to commit seppuku without assistance!”
ㅤ
I thought I might have trouble falling asleep that night, trembling with fear, but surprisingly, I fell asleep easily. And I was not scared; I was furious.
I wondered if this personality might be suitable for some kind of work, but I couldn’t think of anything. What a shame.
Leave a Reply