Chapter 130

“This is unusual for you, sending me a letter saying you have a favor to ask.”

As soon as Reilly received Kirine’s letter while conducting magical research in the mage tower, she came straight to the mansion. Rather than being flustered or troubled by the sudden request, she seemed pleased that Kirine had contacted her first.

“Reilly.”

“Yes?”

Sensing the atmosphere becoming somehow serious, Reilly glanced at Ares sitting beside Kirine, but he merely shrugged his shoulders lightly.

“Why are you suddenly being so solemn? Did something happen?”

Feeling uneasy, Reilly carefully observed their expressions as she asked.

“That woman is alive.”

“That woman? Which woman?”

Just as Reilly was looking at them for an explanation, not understanding the sudden statement—

“The woman obsessed with Ares.”

“What? Ah, ah, hot…!”

Not expecting at all that they meant that woman, Reilly ended up spitting out the hot tea she was drinking.

“That woman is still alive?”

Unable to believe what she was hearing, Reilly’s eyes widened in shock. Seeing her gaze pleading for them to say it wasn’t true, Kirine let out a soft sigh.

“Yes, she’s alive.”

“But how did she survive?”

Though she didn’t know the details, Reilly, who had believed that woman was dead, sent them an urgent look, shocked by the news.

“How she survived isn’t what’s important right now.”

“Then what is?”

“She sent me a warning letter.”

“…?”

Already stunned by learning the woman they thought dead was alive, and now hearing about a warning letter on top of that, Reilly barely managed to calm herself before asking:

“What did it say?”

“She said she’d kill me if I keep staying by Ares’s side.”

“…”

While the person hearing this was too shocked to speak properly, the actual recipient of the warning seemed not just calm but almost carefree.

“Is that all it said?”

“Yes. The letter was filled with just that.”

“…”

“It would be harder to find blank space on it.”

Seeing Kirine’s overly casual attitude, Reilly stared at her blankly, unsure whether to be relieved or to advise her to be more careful.

“Nothing else happened after that?”

“We’re asking you for help because something might happen.”

Finally realizing they were getting to the main point, Reilly immediately asked:

“What kind of help?”

Just as she was carefully observing, sensing they were building up to a difficult request—

“Could you take care of Sasha for us?”

“…”

Finding the request much easier than expected, Reilly felt deflated.

“Of course I can look after Sasha. But why are you leaving her with me? What are you two planning to do?”

She could accept the request to look after Sasha anytime. It was natural since she was her niece.

But somehow, she felt she knew exactly why they were entrusting her to her.

“Please don’t tell me you’re asking because you’re planning to catch that woman?”

“…”

Though she asked hoping it wasn’t true, there was no response.

“You do know that woman is involved with black magic, right?”

She completely understood why Kirine and Ares wanted to catch that woman. But perhaps because of the recent carriage accident, she wasn’t keen on the idea.

“I understand why you want to catch her. But you don’t have to be the ones to do it. If something goes wrong and you’re put in danger, what about Sasha?”

Perhaps because of how they had simultaneously lost their memories in the carriage accident, she felt even more worried and concerned.

“My memories have returned.”

“What?”

“Not all of them, but they’ve returned to some extent.”

With those words, Kirine shifted slightly closer to Reilly’s side.

“There are people helping that woman. It would obviously take too long for one person to find her, so we’re trying to catch her together.”

As soon as she sat right next to her, Kirine grabbed Reilly’s hand tightly.

“We can’t let anything happen to Sasha while Ares and I are away.”

“Kirine.”

“That’s why I’m asking you, Reilly.”

“…”

When Kirine stared at her with eyes pleading “please,” Reilly sighed and turned her head, trying to pull her hand away. But Kirine, noticing immediately, held Reilly’s hand with both of hers.

“You’re the only one we can trust. You know that.”

Reilly felt her resolve weakening at Kirine’s gentle, coaxing tone. But thinking of Sasha, she shook her head.

“Hmm? Big sis…”

“…”

But she finally crumbled at the voice calling her “big sis.”

“Haa…”

Reilly had liked Kirine from the moment they first met. While others spoke ill of her behind her back for her humble origins, Reilly found that aspect even more impressive. She had become a court-recognized mage through her own abilities and efforts, not through anyone else’s power. Though her prickly appearance contrasted with her outgoing personality, that gap was charming, making Reilly want to become closer to her.

Later, when Kirine and Ares announced they were getting married, after fighting like mortal enemies, Reilly had struggled to keep from spreading the news to everyone. While she felt somewhat sorry for Kirine who would have to spend her life with her inadequate brother, her desire to become family was stronger, making her keep quiet.

But Kirine rarely called her “big sis.” She had only done so a handful of times.

She usually only used “big sis” in moments like this.

‘She got me, she really got me.’

Kirine clearly knew that calling her “big sis” would weaken her resolve and deliberately used it affectionately. What made her angry was how quickly she herself melted at those words.

“While I congratulate you on regaining your memories…”

Somehow it felt like she would be doing something wrong to Sasha, making it difficult to readily accept the request.

But knowing that if they didn’t catch that woman now, these situations would continue, she couldn’t firmly refuse either.

‘Haa…’

Though she sighed, she started leaning toward the thought that it might be better to temporarily separate Sasha from her parents and watch over her herself.

“Are you okay with this?”

Reilly’s gaze turned to Ares as she fingered the rim of her teacup thoughtfully.

Though she thought he might be fine with Kirine by his side, this was about that woman. She thought it wouldn’t be easy for him to face the woman who had kidnapped and imprisoned him, and who was still obsessed with him.

“I’m fine. Actually, I want to end this quickly more than anything.”

“…”

Reading his intention to finally end this nightmare, Reilly let out a long sigh.

She could no longer try to stop them or refuse their request.

“Alright.”

It was already a decided choice.

“But this time, catch her for sure. You can kill her if needed.”

After all, she too wanted this nightmare to end.