Chapter 19

It seemed the situation inside TibolLars was far more complicated than she had thought.

Esdel pressed her lips together, thinking things over and over. It felt as if words were floating aimlessly in her head, without any connection.

“The heightened security at the Verion Gateway, the Awakened Registration Act—those were both from a few months ago. That must mean some kind of catalyst occurred around that time….”

‘What could it possibly be?’

What could have happened for the Greedion Republic to start suppressing the Awakened so aggressively?

She worried that poking around the Caldea Research Institute in this situation might be like needlessly prodding a beehive. Her orders were to dig up information, not to make an enemy of the Republic.

As Esdel’s expression darkened, Theodore gently pushed her back.

“For now, please wash up. I’ll have them bring some freshly heated water, so it would be best to relieve your travel fatigue and have a meal first.”

“But….”

Theodore calmed her down as she grew impatient.

“I’m sure you’re not thinking of going out to look around the city right away. How many people do you think would answer an outsider’s questions truthfully?”

“…You’re right.”

Esdel nodded. Relaxing the tension in her half-raised body, she deliberately suppressed her hasty thoughts.

“A wise decision.”

Theodore said he would go downstairs for a moment and left the room. Watching the man’s back, she squeezed her eyes shut and then opened them, forcing herself to stop thinking.

Snow was falling outside the window.

Amidst the quiet scenery, Esdel was engulfed by an anxiety that felt like it was choking her. Her heart was not at ease. Things she had no desire to know kept finding their way to her ears.

Esdel shot up from her seat and closed the window. The turmoil in her mind would not quiet down.

👑🏰

The snow that had begun in the evening did not stop, falling throughout the dawn. It started as sleet, but the air, grown colder overnight, turned it into a heavy snowfall.

Esdel opened her eyes to the sound of the innkeepers grunting downstairs as they tried to open the door. The air in the room, heated by the fire all night, had become bone-dry.

As she rubbed her hard-to-open eyes and sat up, she saw the empty space beside her, with only the neatly folded blanket left behind. It seemed Theodore had woken up first.

‘I thought I wouldn’t be able to sleep.’

Recalling the events of the previous night, Esdel fiddled with the edge of the blanket. At first, they had lain in the bed together, but Esdel flinched and recoiled at even the slightest movement he made, so in the end, Theodore had to get out of bed and give her space.

“It’s fine….”

“Unless you plan on staying up all night, please go to sleep first. I can go to bed after you’ve fallen into a deep sleep.”

“Aren’t you tired?”

“Not particularly.”

Theodore had left Esdel alone in the bed and sat at the table. At first, he watched her as she lay there, but when she seemed to be uncomfortable even with his gaze, he turned his eyes toward the fireplace.

The sound of firewood crackling in the fireplace, the rustling of the man’s clothes as he sat with his legs crossed, the sound of breathing in the room that was not her own.

Listening to those sounds, she must have fallen asleep at some point.

And her sleep had been exceptionally peaceful.

‘Did he really stay up all night because of me?’

There was no need for him to go that far. Maybe, apart from her feeling self-conscious, a part of her had wanted him to just sleep beside her.

Theodore gave up what he should have taken for himself far too easily for Esdel’s convenience. She was grateful, yet it also made her uncomfortable and sorry. It was certainly strange for him to go to such lengths.

‘Could this habit be related to his former lover?’

He had said he would tell her about it later, so she told herself not to dwell on it, but she couldn’t help but keep thinking about it.

Esdel sighed and inspected the empty space beside her. Still, seeing that the shape of the blanket placed there had been altered, it seemed Theodore had lain in bed after she fell asleep, which was a relief. A small mercy, at least.

After getting dressed by herself, she headed to the room next door. Feeling the cool air of the hallway, Esdel knocked on the door.

There was no answer from within. Esdel knocked once more, but again, there was nothing. Assuming the woman was still asleep, Esdel quietly opened the door.

And was met with a completely empty room.

The woman was gone. The clothes she had taken off, her shoes—they had all vanished without a trace.

Esdel quickly turned and went out into the hallway. She called out to a maid who was walking around with cleaning supplies.

“Excuse me, I have a question.”

The maid was startled by the sudden call but approached with quick steps and bowed her head. Esdel acknowledged her greeting with a nod and immediately asked about the woman’s whereabouts.

“Where is the woman I brought in yesterday?”

“…I’m not quite sure about that….”

Her heart began to race. The maid seemed to think nothing of it, guessing that the woman had just gone out for a short walk, but Esdel thought differently. That woman was in a state where she could hardly take a single step on her own. Her frostbite was severe, and though there was no permanent damage, her feet were covered in blisters.

Esdel let the perplexed maid go and went downstairs. If the maid didn’t know, she could just ask the innkeeper.

After going down a few steps, she saw the innkeeper sweeping the dining area. Esdel stopped the owner, who was about to bow in greeting, and asked.

“Do you know where the woman I brought in yesterday is right now?”

“Ah, if you mean her…. She left the inn at dawn.”

“Do you mean she left on her own?”

“Yes, I saw her when I woke up early to prepare breakfast. I told her she could work at the inn and tried to stop her from leaving… but she was adamant.”

The innkeeper hesitated, then replied that he was sorry for not being able to stop her. The answer itself was flawless, but for some reason, Esdel felt a sense of doubt.

She calmly observed him. The owner wore the same kind face he had the previous evening. Esdel’s gaze shifted slightly down from his face. Then she saw it—the hand gripping the broom was flushed, with veins showing.

‘Right, he could fake his voice and expression, but he couldn’t hide the sweat on his palms.’

“…I see. Alright. Then there’s nothing to be done.”

Esdel replied slowly and nodded. There was something suspicious, but it seemed unlikely she would get any more information for now, even if she pressed further.

“Then, where is Theodore?”

“Ah, if you’re referring to your husband… he’s over there.”

As she turned her head in the direction the innkeeper pointed, she saw a man entering through the front door. He held a newspaper in his hand.

Theodore stopped at the entrance to brush the snow from his hair. As the man wiped his hands, wet from the melted snow, with a handkerchief, he looked up as if he suddenly sensed something. His eyes, without wavering, landed precisely on Esdel, who was standing on the stairs. At the same time, a picturesque smile spread across his expressionless face.

With long strides, he approached.

Theodore extended a hand to lead her down the stairs and said.

“You’re up early. I thought you would wake up late since you were tossing and turning last night.”

“Early? The sun has been up for a while now.”

“Are you just coming down now? Let’s have a meal together.”

“Yes. Prince and Cess are….”

“It seems the two are looking around the area. I ran into them outside just a moment ago. They probably haven’t eaten yet either, so if we order in advance, the timing should be right.”

Esdel nodded and sat down across from him at the table.

While she unfolded her napkin, Theodore called the innkeeper over and ordered food. After he had ordered for the entire party, the owner brought over a glass of water. Theodore poured the water, and Esdel placed the cup back in its spot.

While waiting for the food, Esdel lowered her voice and asked.

“Theodore, did you hear the woman from the next room leave between last night and dawn? The innkeeper said she secretly left the inn at dawn, but she wasn’t in a state to move on her own.”

“I’m not sure about any sounds. However… I did check the woman’s room as soon as I woke up this morning and found this.”

Theodore took something out of his pocket and placed it on the table. What lay on the table was a hairpin. Though it was discolored here and there, the fact that its surface was smooth without any rusty spots showed that it had been cherished and well-cared for.

The hairpin, about the size of her index and middle fingers combined, was quite conspicuous.

“Where was this?”

“It had fallen at the foot of the bed.”

“Not under the pillow, or near the headboard.”

Esdel’s brow furrowed slightly. If the woman had miraculously recovered and left on her own two feet, she should have properly taken her cherished belongings with her. If she had fled in a hurry, the hairpin should have been concealed near where she would have kept it, that is, near her head.

‘But it was neither.’

As Esdel fell into thought, fiddling with the hairpin, Theodore gently asked.

“Would it be better to ask for some hot tea?”

“It’s fine. I doubt they have much variety of tea leaves here anyway.”

Esdel lifted her head, offering a slightly delayed response. When she did, she saw Theodore smiling warmly. He reached out, carefully took the hairpin from her hand, and said they should eat first for now.

“If she snuck out at dawn, it will be too late to go looking for her now. And if someone smuggled an unconscious woman out, we’ll have even less of a chance of finding her.”

“That’s true.”

Esdel, who had been tense after facing an unexpected situation upon waking, let out a deep breath. Theodore patted the back of her hand as if to say ‘well done’ and asked.

“What kind of tea do you usually enjoy?”

“Uh… I like black tea, but I’m not picky.”

As Theodore nodded, saying he would remember that, the innkeeper approached. He was carrying two bowls of freshly made stew. Soon, one was in front of Theodore. The two bowls sat side by side.

Esdel fidgeted with her spoon, then glanced up at the man sitting across from her.

‘I thought it would be awkward with just the two of us.’

When she had run into him at the Verion Gateway, it had been nothing but difficult and awkward. But now, she felt fortunate that he was accompanying her on this mission.

In truth, it had only been about a month since this man had stepped into her life, yet all of this felt incredibly familiar. It was a strange feeling, but not a bad one. The thought suddenly occurred to her that perhaps this was the kind of feeling everyone wanted to experience, which is why they dated.

As they were eating the stew the innkeeper had served first, the twins came in, just as Theodore had said. The two of them vigorously shook the snow off their cloaks and then approached the table where Esdel was sitting.

“Did you sleep well, Esdel? It snowed a lot outside.”

Behind a brightly greeting Prince, the calm face of Cess was visible. Cess gave Esdel a nod of acknowledgment and then they sat down together at the table.

A quiet meal began. The atmosphere was so static that the previous day, when they had shared potatoes while playing word chain games around a campfire, felt like a dream. When Esdel, who had been quickly gulping down her stew, choked and reached for water, Theodore immediately placed a cup in her hand.

“Thank you.”

Theodore nodded as if it were nothing and resumed his meal.

Esdel had been the first to pick up her spoon, but Cess was faster at emptying her bowl. Cess pushed her chair back, intending to be the first to leave.

“Cess, wait a moment.”

As soon as she heard the screech of the chair being dragged, Esdel stopped Cess. And before she could get angry, she spoke.

“Did you know that the woman we brought here yesterday left the inn?”

“…What?”

Cess’s brow furrowed instantly. Her expression showed she didn’t understand.

“Why would she leave? I thought she would have been reassured enough… no, even if she wasn’t, her body wasn’t in any condition to move, was it?”

“That’s why I’m asking. Did you happen to hear the woman leaving last night? She even left behind her cherished hairpin. The more I think about it, the stranger it is.”

“No, not at all. I didn’t hear a thing.”

Cess turned her gaze toward Prince. But Prince also shook his head, saying he hadn’t heard any suspicious noises.

The two twins were subdued, each lost in their own thoughts. Esdel looked back and forth between the two of them before gently beginning to speak. Yesterday, everyone had been on edge, so she hadn’t gotten an answer, but she felt that now, she might be able to hear one.

“Cess. What did you say to reassure that woman yesterday?”

Cess hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“…I told her I was from the Lifta region, too. I could tell at a glance she was from my hometown.”

The Lifta region? The desert region that stopped the Unknown Cataclysm from spreading across the entire continent?

Seeing Esdel’s puzzled expression, Prince added an explanation.

“People from the Lifta region have a strong sense of solidarity. Our circumstances are all quite similar. Fleeing our homeland after the fall of the Blake Empire, forced to live as outsiders our whole lives… and the fact that most of us are Awakened.”

Esdel nodded in understanding and turned her gaze back to Cess. Cess stood with her hand resting on the back of a chair, lost in thought.

“You remember how the guards yesterday were shouting about her being an unregistered Awakened?”

“Yes, though I didn’t know what it meant.”

“An unregistered Awakened is someone who hasn’t registered according to the Awakened Registration Act. It’s a law that the Greedion Republic enacted about three months ago. According to this clause, if you don’t register your residence and identity, you can be deported at any time.”

Cess’s brow furrowed instantly. Her expression showed she didn’t understand.

“Why register the Awakened? What benefit is there in doing something like that?”

“The heightened security at the Verion Gateway, the start of the crackdown on the Awakened within the Republic—it all happened around the same time. It could all be a coincidence, but…”

“It’s more likely not.”

Cess finished Esdel’s sentence and fell into thought for a moment. Soon, she spoke with sharp, honed eyes.

“Maybe that woman’s disappearance is related to this. I’ll leave dealing with the mayor of TibolLars to you. Prince and I will have to investigate this Registration Act. It’s too big of a deal to just let it slide without checking.”

Esdel nodded in agreement.

The ultimate goal was to uncover the secrets of the Caldea Research Institute, but before that, it was necessary to identify any risk factors. Overlooking something just because it wasn’t directly related to the mission could come back to bite them later, which would be troublesome.

👑🏰

While the twins went out to gather information related to the Awakened Registration Act, Esdel headed to the city hall. Since her official mission was to attend the Eve of the Winter Queen’s Night festival, she had to show her face just enough not to arouse suspicion.

Dressed in her knightly order’s official uniform, Esdel left the inn and hired a carriage. The faces of the people she encountered on the way to TibolLars City Hall were all bright. Looking at them, one might feel as though the entire city were a paradise covered in white snow. That’s why the occasional glimpse of a back alley felt all the more chilling.

“We’ve arrived, miss.”

“Thank you.”

After paying the fare and stepping down, the elegant city hall building immediately came into view.

She couldn’t tell the exact year, but it looked like it had been built at least several hundred years ago. Since the Republic was only established 15 years ago, this building must have been one of the royal palaces, given its location.

As she approached the main gate, a guard asked her business.

“What brings you here?”

“Please inform the mayor that Esdel Reinhardt of the Salvation Knightly Order wishes to see him.”

“Do you have a prior appointment?”

“No. But I’m sure he has time to briefly welcome a guest who has come all the way from Arpenta.”

“I will inform the mayor. Please wait here for a moment.”

The guard checked her face before going inside. While waiting for him to return, Esdel decided to examine the building a bit more.

The walls of the city hall were densely packed with sculptures. Was the TibolLars City Hall considered one of the ten great architectural works of the continent? She vaguely recalled someone saying that.

Racking her memory for a moment, Esdel pictured Lynn’s face.

“…Yes, that’s right.”

This was one of the places marked with a red pin on the map Lynn had hung up in her hideout. The so-called ‘Around the World Trip to Commemorate a Broken Engagement’ plan.

“We’ll go through TibolLars in the Greedion Republic, Lifta, then Peridon Forest and the Kartara Archipelago for a full circuit! What do you think? A perfect travel plan, right? Now all you have to do is fail at getting married, Esdel!”

“Sure, then from now on I’ll order them to arrest you first if my suitor dies.”

“It won’t work, do you think I’d kill him and leave behind evidence?”

“If there’s no evidence, I’ll just start with the suspicion that it was you. I’ll remember that, too.”

“…Hmph! Take this!”

Esdel unconsciously fiddled with her forehead. It couldn’t be, but she felt a dull ache in a corner of her head. Just like when she was hit by the cushion Lynn had thrown.

‘Killing my suitor, what nonsense.’

Getting engaged and all she does is watch from above.

Esdel sighed softly and looked up at the sky. The clouds that had scattered snow all dawn were still lingering. At this rate, she wouldn’t be able to see a thing even if she looked down from the sky.

She let out a short scoff and lowered her gaze. She wouldn’t think about a friend who had impatiently left first. She wouldn’t reminisce, either. If she got mad, she could just come find her and grab her by the collar herself.

The emotion brought on by the sudden memory was unwelcome. Esdel rubbed her eyelids with the back of her hand. No matter how much she wiped, her eyes kept stinging; it must be because the ground was sandy, kicking up an unusual amount of dust.

Just as she finally wiped her reddened eyes, the guard came into her view. He ran over, out of breath, bowed deeply to her, and then guided her inside the gate.

“The mayor is waiting for you. Please come in.”

“Alright.”

Esdel hid her emotions from her face and started walking.

Stepping inside, she raised an eyebrow. The city hall building itself was luxurious, but the interior was a step above.

The first thing that caught her eye were the decorations, which were incomparably more splendid than those outside. The delicate ceiling paintings, the marble sculptures, and the large mirrors and windows placed everywhere. It was filled with relics that seemed they wouldn’t be out of place even when compared to the royal palace in Arpenta.

Her Greedionese tutor had been a person with strong pride in the republic system. So much so that he couldn’t break his convictions and kept getting dismissed from other households until he ended up in the western countryside.

In the end, he was exiled from the Reinhardt territory for secretly opening a night school. She wondered what kind of expression he would make if he were to enter this place now.

While Esdel was briefly lost in past memories, the guard, who had been glancing at her, spoke up.

“Um… Your Ladyship, where are you from?”

“Arpenta.”

“Aha, of course! I didn’t mishear then. You know, when people from the East speak Greedionese, it has a softer feel. Hmm, should I say it sounds like singing? It’s completely different from those western bastards.”

‘Those western bastards.’

Since Esdel didn’t respond, the guard, taking it as a sign of agreement, continued excitedly.