Chapter 30

“Even needing permission just to meet… it’s ridiculous.”

I let out a dry laugh.

Was this some kind of hidden-camera prank I didn’t know about?

‘If it’s not that, then what’s going on?’

The fact that he received the estate from Father—what does that really mean?

Ultimately, it’s the same as saying he can visit Hilington any time for Rosé’s sake.

But Gabriel acted like he didn’t know that.

Only when he wanted to visit me, did he act that way.

Rosé said she ran into him like it was no big deal. So what is this if not some kind of mockery?

‘I’m a Hilington too.’

I didn’t know what was going on in his head, but whenever I thought about Gabriel—or the letters he sent—my back would stiffen strangely, and my heart would pound in an anxious rhythm, tighter than usual.

It all started that day he saved me from nearly getting trampled by that horse.

No… that’s not it.

I bit my lip. Deep down, I knew the truth. It wasn’t that moment—it had started sometime while we exchanged letters…

‘No! This is just a side effect of getting too attached to some imaginary version of him in my head!’

I stood up with a jolt.

“Right. I should go out. This is all because I’ve been cooped up indoors.”

I hadn’t done today’s exercise yet.

And since there was still quite a bit of time left before our scheduled meeting, I figured I might as well go for a walk to clear my stuffy thoughts.

After that.

I would think about Gabriel after that.

“…It was this tree.”

Standing before the tall tree, I looked up.

Perhaps because no one was around, the tension left my lips, and something like a smile slipped out.

This was the very spot where I had almost crushed Gabriel to death. Right here.

It wasn’t exactly a beautiful memory, but that boy had asked me then—whether I was okay, if I was hurt.

It was probably the first act of kindness I ever saw from Gabriel.

I gently reached out and stroked the tree with my hand.

“You’ve grown a lot, too.”

Maybe it was because I’d stopped by the garden whenever I had the chance, spreading my powers as part of my experiments—this tree had grown taller and denser than ever before.

“…Should I try climbing it again?”

A sudden impulse poked its head out of nowhere.

I wasn’t the same person I was back then. If I climbed it now, I wouldn’t fall like I did before.

In fact, I felt a bit stubborn about it.

‘I know it’s a ridiculous idea.’

But somehow, just climbing this tree felt like it would make everything alright.

“If I can just get to the top… I feel like everything will work out.”

I glanced around.

Fortunately, due to an outside event, most of the staff had stepped out, and neither Father nor Rosé were around.

‘Which is also why Gabriel’s visit request felt even stranger…’

Anyway, I clenched my fists tightly. Thankfully, I was wearing a simple indoor dress, easy enough to move around in. If I lifted the hem a little, I could manage.

“Let’s do this.”

Carefully slipping off my shoes, I began to climb the tree.

If I had known what would happen just moments later… I wouldn’t have done it.

“Wow, it’s still amazing.”

At the top of the tree, the air was incredibly refreshing. Climbing barefoot and taking in the view made me feel like some kind of great explorer.

And for a brief moment, a memory returned.

My past life. Back when I had just been diagnosed with a terminal illness— I had climbed somewhere high like this back then, too.

Back then… What was I thinking?

“Ugh!”

Suddenly, a sharp, piercing headache struck my temple, making me grit my teeth.

‘My, my head…’

What is this? As I frowned and tried to recall the vague memory—

A loud crack sounded from beneath my feet. To make matters worse, a strong gust of wind blew at that very moment, throwing off my balance. My body tilted sharply to one side.

“Ah!”

It all happened in an instant.

I was falling.

A dizzying sensation. As I watched the sky and tree blur and grow distant, a fleeting thought crossed my mind:

‘Again…?’

What happens if I fall this time? There’s no boy here to catch me like last time.

I shut my eyes tightly.

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It was embarrassing. He had strutted in proudly after even shaking off Dian.

‘I must’ve read the time wrong.’

It was only thanks to a puzzled maid of House Hillington—who asked, “Why have you arrived so early?”—that he realized his mistake. He had rushed so much that he showed up way too early.

Arriving far off from the agreed time wasn’t proper etiquette either.

Maybe that’s why the maid’s gaze was rather sharp.

 Disrespectful, even. Still, Gabriel felt ashamed of how sloppy he became whenever it involved Hildéa.

Not that it ever showed, of course.

“…I’ll come back later.”

“P-pardon, Your Grace?”

He decided he would leave for now and return at the right time.

Feeling sullen, Gabriel slipped through the garden path to avoid running into any more of Hildéa’s maids.

“Ah.”

That’s when he saw a large tree. He paused before it, lost in thought at the familiar sight.

‘It was this tree.’

Right here— Something had fallen from the sky and landed right on top of him. Even Gabriel had been startled then.

‘Kyaaah!’ ‘…My Lord!’

All he remembered was the searing pain and the way his consciousness had gone dark in an instant.

When he came to, that same girl had been staring down at him, frozen in place.

He’d assumed she was a quiet, gentle sort of child—but to think she knew how to climb trees. Though, of course… she had fallen.

‘So…’

Her face had always been cold and expressionless, but back then—he could clearly see it.

She hadn’t known what to do.

It looked like she wanted to say, “I’m sorry.”

Gabriel hadn’t even been angry. The moment he saw young Hildéa’s pale, frozen face, his heart had sunk.

He’d worried she might be hurt—that this fragile little girl might be injured.

So, without even thinking of his own pain, he had asked if she was okay. Told her he was fine. That she didn’t need to make that face.

“This tree from back then…”

Gabriel tilted his head slightly.

“The tree?”

Something seemed strange.

Sure, time had passed, but it looked too overgrown—unnaturally lush.

Was that even possible? It looked like it had been affected by some sort of plant-related ability…

But plant-based abilities were incredibly rare. And even if someone had them, they wouldn’t be working as a gardener.

Just as suspicion rose in his mind—

“Aaaaaah!”

A scream rang out from above.

And from the top of the tree he had been staring at—

An angel came falling.

Right into his arms.

It was familiar. Too familiar.

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‘I-I’m going to die of embarrassment.’

This was exactly like that time—when she had fallen from this very tree and nearly died.

Her heart felt like it would explode.

“Hh-huhhh….”

Eyes still tightly shut, she leaned against the warmth that had caught her, gasping to calm her breathing.

It was clearly the warmth of a person—a real person.

‘But… how can this kind of thing happen again?’

And yet, something was different from before.

This time, there was no sharp pain shooting through her body. She hadn’t crashed onto a little boy.

She was suspended in mid-air—or rather, she was being held.

In someone’s arms.

“……”

“……”

Hearing the wild pounding of my heart, I slowly opened my eyes.

And then I saw it—strong, stone-like arms wrapped securely around me.

Wh-who…?

As I lifted my gaze, my eyes met his.

A man, his brows slightly furrowed, eyes narrowed in surprise. His slightly tousled platinum hair shimmered beautifully in the light…

Gabriel.

Gabriel?

‘Gasp.’

Why… why him, of all people?

His lips parted slightly. He seemed to be saying my name.

“……”

“……”

I didn’t know how much time passed. Maybe just a few seconds. But it felt like we’d stayed like that for over an hour.

My heart was about to explode—this time for a completely different reason.

My back, pressed against his arm, felt like it was on fire. It was burning. Almost aching.

And the strength and warmth of those arms—oddly enough—made my nose sting.

Like I was about to cry.

‘I must be in shock.’

Yes. That was all this was.

‘What if he hears how loud my heart’s beating?’

Without realizing it, I gripped the front of his shirt tightly—then startled and let go as if I’d touched a flame.

Our eyes locked again.

I winced, as if to apologize for the wrinkled imprint I’d left on his clothing.

And somehow, I felt his gaze land on my lips—bitten and trembling from anxiety.

‘Why… why isn’t he putting me down?’

“Hil.”

That strange tension that had built up suddenly vanished the moment he spoke.

Just like a taut rubber band suddenly snapping—

“Hil-dea.”

His strained voice sounded like he was holding something back. For a moment, I wondered if I was simply that heavy.

I quickly tried to get down—but for some reason, his arms didn’t budge.

“Um, I should… get down—”

I was just about to say that when he suddenly cut in, speaking quickly as if he’d been suppressing the words.

“Even if it is an indoor dress, climbing a tree in a dress is extremely dangerous.”

“Oh, th-that’s…”

Somehow, it felt like I was hearing something meant for Rose, not me—and it left me feeling oddly flustered. I hadn’t climbed a tree in years!

“It’s not like I do this all the time—”

“Hil.”

But judging by his expression, this wasn’t something I could easily talk my way out of.

I shut my mouth. After all, this was the second time he’d seen me like this—asking him to trust me now would just sound like a lie.

“If I hadn’t been passing by…”

It really had been a close call.

“It could have been very bad.”

“I… guess so…”

“You would’ve been seriously hurt. And if you got hurt, I…”

His voice, low and cracking, sounded so shaken that I felt embarrassed without even knowing why.

I rubbed at my ear awkwardly, unsure if he was angry or just upset.

And like I always did when I was flustered, my face stiffened—my muscles refusing to move.

I was grateful. I was sorry. It was both.

“I’m not trying to scold you…”

“Huh?”

I bit my lip, not knowing how to respond—and his gaze flicked there again.

“It’s nothing.”

I was startled.

Gabriel’s voice was lower than before, and with the slight furrow in his brow, it sent a shiver down my spine.

W-what’s going on?

As I nervously glanced at him, he finally, with a small sigh, gently set me down.

The way he moved me down was like letting a feather go—soft, careful.

And yet…

‘Just now… was he… trembling?’