Chapter 20
He couldn’t understand it.
Why would someone mourn so deeply for people who weren’t even related by blood? Why would she be so consumed by grief that she was willing to die?
If I let her go now, she might run off and die where no one would ever find her.
Chaser’s eyes fell on Evelyn’s right wrist, wrapped in a bandage.
Whether she died or lived as an empty shell had nothing to do with him.
“Last night, you told me something,” Evelyn said quietly. “You said my family would want me to live.”
Even so, the only reason he stayed to listen was simple.
“Do you really think they wanted that? Don’t you think they resented me? Maybe they hated me.”
Her entire family, the people she cherished more than anything, were gone.
In this endless despair, Chaser was the only one who could reach her.
Yes, no one but him could save someone so fragile and broken.
She might be useful, so I’ll put up with the trouble until I know for sure.
Chaser caught himself smirking and quickly hid it behind his hand before replying.
“Yes.”
Evelyn had been on the edge, ready to give up on everything. Death didn’t scare her anymore. She had nearly let go of it all.
But in that moment, his short, certain answer held enough weight to pull her back.
She slowly lifted her head.
Her red, teary eyes reminded him of the girl who had cried in his arms the night before.
It would be a waste to let her fall apart completely.
People who had lost everything were the easiest to sway. He couldn’t let this moment pass him by.
Careful to keep his expression neutral, Chaser picked up a small box from the nightstand and placed it in her hands.
“What’s this…?”
The box still carried traces of a burned ribbon, reminding her immediately of that horrible day.
Evelyn couldn’t bring herself to look at it. She shut her eyes tight, her breath shaky.
“It’s alright,” Chaser said calmly. “You can open it.”
Unable to ignore his voice, she opened her eyes and looked at the box.
Why now? What is this?
Her hands trembled as she slowly lifted the lid.
Inside was a pale green gemstone.
Her eyes widened.
“It looks just like your real eye color, doesn’t it?” Chaser said. “I asked a gem specialist about it. He said it’s a stone that symbolizes health and good fortune.”
On the inside of the box lid, in small, neat handwriting, were the words:
“Happy Birthday, Evelyn.”
It was Lasagna’s handwriting.
“It was clutched in the hand of a large monster,” Chaser explained softly. “Even at the moment of death, she held onto it like it was something precious. That’s probably why it didn’t burn.”
Evelyn gently touched the raw surface of the stone, treating it like a priceless treasure. The rough edges stung her fingers, but she didn’t let go.
“I can’t say I know exactly what she was thinking,” Chaser added. “But maybe she chose this gift because she wanted you to live happily, just as you are.”
“She… she held onto it even as she died?”
A small laugh escaped Evelyn’s lips.
But the laughter quickly melted into sobs. Her voice trembled, and her tears came without end.
She hugged the box close to her chest like she was holding onto a piece of her lost family.
“This little thing… why did she go through all that…?”
“Maybe because even if she couldn’t be with you, she still wanted to celebrate your birthday.”
Chaser reached out gently, brushing her messy hair back behind her ear.
She was clearly trying not to cry, but her red, swollen eyes gave her away.
“Lasagna wanted you to live.”
Chaser placed both his hands over hers, which were still holding the gemstone.
His bare hands were warm—so much warmer than she expected.
“Evelyn, the people you loved… they never wanted you to die.”
“…Hng… sniff…”
His voice, warm and sincere, wrapped gently around her heart.
“They’d be more worried about you being left behind. Deep down, you know that too.”
Her heart, frozen in grief and barely holding together, began to soften.
He had caught her before she could fall again.
“This incident was a mistake, something no one could have stopped. It was a tragedy, not a fault. Your kindness and good intentions were not wrong. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
It almost felt strange.
Hearing something like that from someone like him was completely unexpected.
But even stranger was the comfort Evelyn found in his words.
“So stop thinking about dying. Just live. Live happily, and fulfill the one thing your family wanted the most for you.”
It wasn’t poetic or dramatic, but the warmth in his simple words held enough strength to keep her from letting go.
“If it’s too hard, then I’ll help you.”
That was all it took. Evelyn began to cry. Not just tears, but sobs, deep and full, like a dam breaking.
She no longer had the will to die.
No, it was more than that. She didn’t want to die.
If her family was gone, then she had to live for them. She had to cherish this life in their place.
And one day, if they were to meet again, she wanted to be able to tell them she had lived well, that she was sorry, and that she had been grateful.
“Live, Evelyn. You’re someone who deserves to live.”
Chaser’s voice stayed gentle, all the way until she drifted off to sleep.
Strangely gentle, for someone like him.
Evelyn had fallen into such a deep sleep that she didn’t even realize she was dreaming.
Then, faint footsteps caught her attention.
Jerry?
Sometimes, the children would sneak into her room and wake her up. Smiling slightly, Evelyn prepared to pretend to still be asleep.
But the smile quickly faded from her lips, and her eyes opened slowly.
Jerry isn’t here. Not anymore.
The bitter truth sank in.
She sat up carefully.
This wasn’t the monastery, and she remembered now—how she had cried in Chaser’s arms last night until sleep finally took her.
How long am I going to keep acting like this?
She sighed and finally took a good look around the room.
Where am I?
It was a luxurious room, unlike anything she had seen before.
Even the grand bedroom she had lived in as the daughter of House Bayardo didn’t compare. This place made that room look simple.
It was massive, like someone had combined several monastery rooms into one. The bed alone looked big enough to fit five people comfortably.
The blanket covering her was decorated with golden threads shaped like flowers. When she brushed her hand across it, she felt a softness she had never known before.
Everything in the room was elegant. Deep red accents, polished marble floors, and a large, soft-looking rug spread across the center.
So extravagant.
She let her fingers explore the fabric for a moment, lost in the feel of something so rare.
But suddenly, something felt wrong.
Evelyn clutched the blanket and looked around with a tense expression.
She was alone.
But I heard footsteps, didn’t I?
It might have been faint, but she was sure she had heard someone nearby.
Holding the blanket up to her chest, she turned her head quickly, scanning the room.
Then, as if to prove it hadn’t been her imagination, a voice came from her left.
“You’re awake, my lady?”
“…!”
The unexpected voice startled her so badly that she couldn’t even scream. Her shoulders flinched, and her breath caught.
“I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m sorry.”
Evelyn turned her head and saw a woman who looked to be a few years older than herself.
She had her dark green hair tied up neatly, and her calm black eyes gave off a composed, gentle impression. Without making a sound, she walked closer.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, my lady. My name is Maya Siago. I’ve been assigned to serve you starting today.”
“Serve me?” Evelyn asked, confused.
The words didn’t make sense at first, and she blinked in surprise.
Maya gave a small bow.
“The young lord gave strict instructions. He said to treat our guest with the utmost care. Please feel free to call me Maya.”
“Young lord? Oh…”
It was a bit late, but Evelyn finally understood where she was.
Of course. If any place looked like this, it could only be there.
“Welcome to the Luisa estate,” Maya said with a soft smile. “I will do my best to serve you well.”
The Luisa estate. In the heart of the capital.
Evelyn swallowed hard.
A chill ran through her.
This place, this was the main setting of the game she had once known and now, it was real.
He must have told them to treat me kindly. Said I was a guest.
Maybe he pitied her after everything she had gone through.
For some reason, Chaser’s behavior felt, gentle.
More gentle than she had ever expected.
Evelyn sat quietly, her expression laced with bittersweet thoughts.
Still, I can’t stay here forever.
Chaser had saved her life and offered her comfort, but this place was only a temporary refuge while she recovered. A small gesture of kindness, nothing more.
Even if Chaser allowed her to stay longer, she had no desire to remain here—especially not in the very heart of the game’s setting.
“Then, where is Lord Chaser?” she asked.
“The young lord has been away for some time,” Maya replied. “He has many responsibilities to tend to and asked me to tell you it may be difficult for him to visit for the time being.”
“I see…”
He was likely busy dealing with the escaped monster, which explained his long absence.
He must be exhausted…
Despite all that, he had taken time to stop her from ending her life, and stayed by her side while she was sick.
Just lying here and resting while he did everything made her feel ashamed.
When Evelyn’s expression darkened, Maya quickly spoke up.
“My lady, I heard you were out in the cold wind before you fell ill. The bath is nearly ready. Would you like to soak in warm water to help you recover?”
Evelyn had not bathed properly in days. She felt uncomfortable and thought it might help to clear her head. She gave a small nod.
“Lophy, is the bath ready?” Maya called out.
“Yes, Head Maid!” came a cheerful voice from the far end of the room.
“The water is ready. I added some herbal bath salts too. Ah—!”
A young girl, stepping out from what looked like the bath area, gasped when she spotted Evelyn.
So that’s where the bathroom is.
Evelyn now understood where Maya had come from earlier.
Before she could say anything, Maya’s sharp voice scolded the girl.
“That’s no way to behave in front of an honored guest.”
“I’m sorry, my lady!” the girl said quickly, bowing deeply. “My name is Lophy. I’ll be helping you from today!”
She looked around eleven or twelve years old, with light brown hair in two braided pigtails. Her large orange eyes sparkled, and freckles dotted her cheeks. She smiled brightly with the innocent energy of someone her age.
She doesn’t even look fourteen…
“I’m honored to serve you! Please take care of me!” Lophy said with enthusiasm.
Maya was about to correct the girl’s behavior again, but Evelyn spoke first.
“How old are you?”
“I’m eleven! I’ll be twelve soon! I may be young, but I promise I’ll work really hard!”
She really is just a child.
When Evelyn didn’t respond right away, Lophy seemed to think she had done something wrong. Her shoulders slumped a little.
Maya sighed quietly, but Evelyn didn’t want to act cold or distant. She was a guest here, and Lophy was only trying her best.
“That’s alright. I won’t be here long, but I’ll count on you while I am.”
What softened Evelyn’s heart most was Lophy’s innocent smile. It reminded her of the younger children from the monastery.
The thought that Lophy was probably around Allen’s age made something inside her ease just a little.
“Yes, my lady!” Lophy replied brightly.
She’s so cheerful. She reminds me of Lize and Susan.
Thinking of her younger siblings made Evelyn’s chest tighten again. The sadness she had pushed away returned, creeping back like a tide.
No. I can’t be like this.
She had promised to live happily.
She couldn’t let herself fall back into grief.
