Chapter 55
There was only one solution that came to Alice after hearing Nathan’s words.
“Professor. Are you planning to give the villagers the herbs and… kill them?”
“Haha! That would be too hard. They only eat a little of what they enjoyed in life. I’ll tell you after I’ve sorted it out, so get some rest now.”
“…Please make sure you tell me.”
“Now I get to see you worry. Don’t worry too much.”
He seemed about to head up to the lab, but then Nathan turned back and put his hand on Alice’s head. Alice was startled.
“Professor?”
“You trust me, don’t you?”
Nathan’s hand moved awkwardly. She only realized later that he was trying to pat her head. Maybe he wasn’t good at physical gestures, or maybe Alice was the problem, but the sensation of her hair being pushed against gravity was just uncomfortably irritating.
Nathan, unaware, or unable to imagine… her discomfort, smiled awkwardly and lowered his hand.
“See you tomorrow. There’s food in your room, so eat when you like.”
“…Yes. You too, professor. Rest well.”
His footsteps faded slowly into the distance. Only after the door closed did Alice rush to her cot in the clinic and dig out Fiore’s comb from her bag. A few teeth were broken, but she didn’t care. She combed her hair again and again, trying to erase the one-sided sensation from earlier.
When she finally set the comb down, a clump of her hair was tangled in it. The broken teeth seemed to have bitten and pulled at her hair.
If someone really bit her, it wouldn’t end like this. Especially if it was the one who gave her this comb.
Fiore…
But what came to mind wasn’t his threatening fangs, but the things that had saved her. The fingers that found her breath, the embrace that wouldn’t sink even in the deep sea, the endless jokes…
Don’t let pointless imagination trap you. Just check with your own eyes. Muttering that, Alice put the comb deep back in her bag.
She knew she should eat dinner. That was the only lesson left from her irregular college meals.
But the moment she thought she’d just close her eyes for a bit because they were dry, dinner was doomed.
Darkness pressed down on Alice like a tomb. In a world where even silence became ringing in her ears, the only harmless thing was the blanket wrapped around her.
But was it really a blanket?
Was this heavy, warm presence really a blanket?
…This feeling, she definitely felt it today.
A solid, hot embrace that seemed to swallow her whole. She remembered. A slow, deep breath like a whale’s had soothed her shallow, panting breaths and led her to his rhythm.
Now that she was out of the sea, she could recall it peacefully.
‘Are you… there?’
Her cautious fingertips touched a large, rough hand. She worried he might run away, but thankfully, he didn’t move away. He just waited for Alice to choose.
‘…My choice?’
Was there even a choice?
She wanted only one thing now.
To stay in his arms, to draw his hand into her embrace.
At first, his hand was indifferent as she clumsily pulled it closer, but soon it slid over her warmth…
“…”
Alice opened her eyes. She realized she, who always slept like the dead, was clutching her blanket like a snake in mating season. Almost at the same time, she remembered the dream she’d just had.
‘Aaaah!’
She threw off the blanket and ran to the bathroom. Luckily, it was still the dim dawn, so she could go alone and didn’t have to face her embarrassed reflection.
‘Why, why… This is ridiculous…’
She rinsed her mouth as if she might gag. She wanted to think it was just stress.
‘Maybe I’ve just been too stressed.’
Trying to shake off the night’s memory, she left the bathroom, but there was nowhere to go in the clinic. The first thing she saw was the crumpled bedsheet and tossed blanket. In the end, she wandered into the kitchen, a place she had no interest in. At least she could use the excuse that she hadn’t eaten dinner.
She spent time slowly slicing dry bread. The crunch of the bread was nothing like the sensations in her dream and helped her avoid useless associations.
Meanwhile, the sun slowly rose. Nathan, who must have slept on his desk, came down the stairs with a sleeve mark on his forehead and looked surprised to see Alice.
“What are you doing up so early?”
“I was hungry. I skipped dinner because I fell asleep.”
“Yeah, you must’ve been tired. If there’s cheese, give me some too.”
“You’re getting up? You didn’t sleep much, did you…”
Waking himself up with something salty was Nathan’s old habit when he was busy. He chewed a hard piece of cheese and sat in an empty chair.
“I’ve thought about it a lot, but I think it’ll be hard with just us. I’m going to try sending another letter outside.”
“What will you write?”
“Asking them to send more people and supplies. Two people weren’t enough last time… Oh, I was glad you came, of course. Anyway, I need to organize the details.”
She wanted to ask what excuse he’d use to get more people, but Nathan brought up the real problem first.
“The problem is, since I have to specify the supplies, I can’t be vague like last time. How do I send this…”
“You said you don’t trust the villagers to deliver it, right?”
She spoke indirectly, but it was obvious there was only one villager who could deliver a letter. Nathan looked at her as if she were the world’s dumbest college student.
“Fiore again? Even if he didn’t open the last letter, there’s no guarantee he’ll deliver the next one.”
“…”
“In the end, we have to use an outsider… Are we supposed to wait for another bored murderer to drag the police here?”
“What about asking when the food wagon comes? While someone keeps Madame Adelaide busy.”
“I’m not sure we have anything to bribe the deliveryman with. Tying it to a horse’s saddle is a gamble.”
Nathan drummed his fingers on the table dozens of times, but no good idea came up.
In the end, they decided to discuss how to deliver the letter after it was written, and Nathan went upstairs.
‘I want to wash again…’
Her clothes stuck to her back. She remembered she’d used up all the bathwater yesterday, and just then, a cheerful voice and a dull thud sounded outside the door.
“I’m leaving water for you… ”
It was Madame Adelaide. Alice answered reflexively.
“Thank you!”
“Oh my, you’re up early?”
“I woke up early today. Maybe because it’s hotter than usual.”
“If you feel unwell, come to the management office later. I just got some plums and I’ll chill them for you. There isn’t enough for the two men, so eat them all yourself before you go out!”
“Oh, did the grocer come by?”
“Yesterday. Was there something you wanted?”
“No! I mean, no, nothing.”
“Then next time I’ll only order my favorite seasonal fruit. I’m sure you’ll like it too! …You can keep it a secret from Nathan. I won’t tell.”
With a playful whisper, Madame Adelaide left. Alice only opened the front door much later. She didn’t have the courage to face her, but even just seeing her broad back walking away made Alice’s heart waver.
Was it fear? Or…
Trying not to imagine the taste of plums, Alice went back to the bathroom to find a pail.
The September sun was hot.
Her petticoat started to cling to her legs. No matter how many times she pulled it away, it would stick to her thighs again soon after.
If she’d had a purpose for going out, she would have finished quickly and gone back.
‘I shouldn’t have come out…’
Staying in the clinic reminded her of last night’s dream. Staying in the kitchen, Nathan would just ask her to slice bread or make tea. So she left without a plan.
Of course, she could make a purpose.
Just like when she first went around examining villagers to gather information.
But the moment she remembered Cherry opening the door, grumbling with half-closed eyes but still happy, her mind froze.
‘Can I really face her normally?’
Can she smile at Cherry after talking about “wiping out the villagers” just yesterday? Even if it wasn’t Alice’s will, and no matter what conclusion Nathan comes to…
‘…Maybe I should just go back and do the laundry.’
If she kept busy, she wouldn’t have to think so much.
Don’t think. Like in college, let Nathan steer the ship. He may have flaws, but he’s better at moving forward than anyone.
Just as Alice turned to go back…
“Ah, found you!”
A man with an unmissable build waved brightly in front of her.
“Fiore…?”
“Why so surprised? Is it strange for a villager to be out and about?”
She thought he’d be fixing the fence today. No, to be exact, she hoped he would be.
While she was thinking, Fiore came right up to her. Instead of looking up at him as usual, Alice tried to avoid his face. She just couldn’t face him. Not for the same reason as with Cherry, but still.
“Found me? Did you need something?”
“I wanted to give you a plum.”
A single red plum sparkled like candy in Fiore’s outstretched palm.
“Where did you get this? Are there plum trees in the village?”
“I heard the grocery wagon came yesterday, so I swiped it from Madame Adelaide’s storeroom.”
“Hey…”
“Knowing Madame, she probably gave some to the clinic anyway. It’s just a matter of who gets the credit.”
“…”
“Besides, I think I’m the villager who most wants to see you eat this, not Madame Adelaide.”
Dani00000
Thanks for continuing to translate! 💓