Towards the Winter Cabin of Serenity and Madness, Cinderella Runs - Chapter 135
‘I thought I was going to travel far away again.’
As she wandered through unfamiliar lands, a part of her heart always held onto her hometown. Yet, she felt it was a place she could never return to, only longing for it.
A gentle breeze blew. Roel closed her eyes, savoring the scent of the wind. It felt as if the wind, the earth, the bushes, and the flower petals were embracing her, comforting her with a message of “Welcome back, you’ve endured so much.” She shivered slightly.
How could she have not recognized the way home? From the capital to the Count’s territory, and then to her hometown. After a long journey, she had finally returned.
Kyden, who had been quietly observing her, wrapped his arms around her shoulders.
“Now this is our home.”
Roel turned her head abruptly, looking at him with tear-filled eyes. Her voice trembled.
“Did you know? Did you know that my hometown was here?”
“…Yes.”
“How did you find out?”
Kyden, pondering where to begin, finally spoke up.
“I received help from Sir Ron.”
“You know my father?!”
Roel gasped and grabbed him. Of course, he knew. Thanks to Ron, he saved Kyden’s life.
In a way, they both saved each other—Ron saving Kyden’s life, and Kyden saving his daughter. It felt as though this was destiny. If he had accepted Ron’s request sooner, perhaps he could have met Roel without any difficulties.
It felt like fate had finally intertwined their paths after all the twists and turns.
“Um…”
“So, did I see you….when I was younger?”
“Yes. At first, I didn’t recognize you, but later I did.”
When they met again, Roel had changed so much that he barely recognized her. She had grown taller, but her body was frail, her face haggard, and her expression gloomy. The bright, lively girl he once knew seemed almost unrecognizable.
He had first recognized her when he received bread. That was when he had a clear view of her face and was able to faintly recall her old impression.
Though he didn’t express it outwardly, he was genuinely surprised. What could have happened to that girl back then?
“But why didn’t you tell me?”
Kyden shared the story of his connection with Ron with Roel. Although he felt it was a bit late to share, there were reasons he had hesitated to do so.
He felt guilty about Sir Ron, who was torn between wanting to kill and save him, and also about jokingly bringing Roel along. Although he hadn’t directly led the actions, his silence had been a complicity, which weighed on his conscience.
If he was to mention that time, would it not provoke anger from her? After all, he had been the one joking around with a fifteen-year-old girl. Now it felt like the truth had come out.
“It wouldn’t have been a great memory for you.”
“Still, if I had known you were acquainted with my father…”
Would that have eased her turmoil? Roel soon shook her head with a small smile. Although it would have been nice to know, that alone wouldn’t erase all her worries.
“It’s amazing. To think you knew my father.”
“Right? I consider it fate.”
“Fate? That’s a bit of an exaggeration.”
Roel chuckled, and her laughter allowed Kyden to relax and smile back. He was relieved that she wasn’t angry. It seemed like returning to her hometown had lifted her spirits, and his efforts felt worthwhile.
Kyden leaned against the window frame and watched Roel, who was brimming with excitement. It was heartwarming to see how much she cherished the familiar sights of her hometown.
She couldn’t take her eyes off the view, her feet tapping with joy, her whole body reflecting her eagerness.
He hoped that Roel would forget her past wounds and find happiness again, like she once had in her childhood.
But he couldn’t shake the thoughts of those who had tormented her. The one who cursed her in front of the burning house and the one who chased her up the mountain to capture her.
‘Maybe I shouldn’t have let them go so easily.’
He hadn’t felt inclined to let them go at her request, but he ultimately did, only twisting their ankles slightly to deter them. He didn’t have much time for that because he had to chase after Roel, and the more he thought about it, the more he felt he hadn’t truly avenged her.
To shake off this regret, he realized that Roel had to thrive, to live so well that those tormentors would fade from her memory.
“This isn’t the time to be happy.”
“Huh? Why not?”
“Renovating the mansion to your liking will be quite exhausting. The servants will help, but making decisions about everything is no small task.”
