Chapter 5

But Evelyn had miraculously survived.

She couldn’t remember the details, but somehow, she’d escaped the mansion and wandered the mountain paths for who knew how long before collapsing from exhaustion.

If Sister Lasagna hadn’t happened to pass by that deserted path—if she hadn’t stopped to help—Evelyn surely would have died there.

“When you first came here, you were so frightened. I had a hard time finding you because you kept hiding,” Lasagna said with a warm smile.

Kind and gentle, Lasagna had healed not only Evelyn’s body but also her heart. In time, she had become Evelyn’s family.

Evelyn smiled awkwardly, embarrassed by the memories.

Back then, she’d hidden from everyone, run away when noticed, and screamed or cried when cornered.

Lasagna’s patience had slowly helped Evelyn reenter the world and become someone who could live like a person again.

“To think that frightened little girl has grown up so well… I’m proud of you.”

At those words, Evelyn’s voice came out choked with emotion.

“You were my salvation, Sister.”

“Oh, sweetheart… ‘salvation’ is such a heavy word. I just did what anyone should—help someone in need.”

Lasagna had always been that way. She felt uncomfortable when praised too much, but never missed a chance to teach kindness and compassion.

“It’s true, though. If you hadn’t saved me, I wouldn’t be here.”

Evelyn had wanted to live—but she had been too scared, too helpless to survive on her own.

It was Lasagna alone who reached out and encouraged her to keep going.

In her previous life, Evelyn had died after struggling alone, without the love or support of family. In this life, she’d been abandoned again—betrayed by the very people she called family.

But perhaps as a small reward for enduring such a cruel fate, she had found peace and warmth in the monastery after being rescued.

For the first time, she had real family. People she could protect, who gave her purpose.

And Lasagna had raised her with love, helping her grow into someone who could live with dignity.

That’s why she couldn’t tell her anything about the Luisa trials.

She couldn’t drag her family into something that dangerous.

Instead, Evelyn simply offered a soft, affectionate smile.

“So please stay with me… for a long, long time. Stay healthy.”

“Don’t worry, dear. I’ll live long enough to see you marry someone wonderful, have beautiful children, and live happily ever after.”

“Promise me.”

They both laughed, and Evelyn stood, brushing off her clothes.

“I’d better get going now. And don’t leave the window open too long. Also, please—do not go near the guest rooms, alright?”

“Yes, yes. I hear you.”

Evelyn only felt relieved after making Lasagna promise several times.

But the moment she stepped out of the room, she came face to face with Chaser.

He stood there like a statue—expressionless and cold. But the moment their eyes met, he curved his lips into a small smile.

It was unsettling. That smile seemed far too calculated.

“Is something wrong?” Evelyn asked warily.

“No… not really,” Chaser said, shaking his head casually.

“Just… something about this place reminded me of the past.”

“The past…?”

Even mentioning the subject seemed to sour his mood. The faint smile vanished from his lips.

“When I look at you, I keep thinking of my childhood. Strange, isn’t it?”

In a single step, Chaser closed the distance between them.

He looked down at her, his sharp eyes icy, that painted smile back on his face.

He brought up the same unsettling topic from the night before.

“Are you sure this is the first time we’ve met?”

As if daring her to confess.

“Y-yes! Of course!”

His presence was overwhelming, but Evelyn managed to steady herself and continue.

“Maybe… have you been to this region before?”

“Hmm. No, I don’t believe so.”

“Then you must be mistaken. I’ve lived here all my life. And someone as handsome as you? I’d definitely remember meeting you if I had!”

She raised her voice slightly and forced a cheerful laugh.

“Well then! Shall we head out before it gets too late?”

Without a word, Chaser nodded. It was as if the interrogation had never happened.

Evelyn gave Allen strict instructions not to leave the monastery grounds, then left with Chaser.

The rain from the night before had brought a chill to the morning air.

“The road’s slippery from the rain. We’ll have to walk carefully.”

“Yes, but…”

Just say, ‘I understand.’ Why is there always a ‘but’?

Her nerves were already frayed. Every unexpected response made her heart race.

“What is it?”

When she turned her head, Chaser gave her a pleasant smile—and delivered another tension-spiking question in an effortlessly casual tone.

“Would it be alright if we looked around a bit before heading into town?”

“…Look around?”

“I’m searching for something.”

His voice was calm. His words were natural.

But unease surged through her all the same.

“Is it something important?”

“Yes.”

She wanted to ask what he was looking for—but the way he avoided the subject made her hesitate.

Her lips were dry from the tension, and she quickly ran her tongue over them before forcing a smile.

“I’m not sure what you’re searching for… but would you like some help?”

She couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes.

Instead, she stepped past him and spoke with her back turned.

Of course, it wasn’t an offer she truly meant.

“It must be something important. He’ll definitely say no, right?”

But once again, Chaser’s response completely defied Evelyn’s expectations.

“Then… I’ll accept your help.”

“…Sure! Two sets of eyes are better than one, after all.”

She hesitated for a second too long, but quickly recovered and responded with a bright, natural smile.

Thankfully, Chaser didn’t seem to notice anything strange.

“What exactly are we looking for?”

“I lost something while crossing the Foren Mountains. It was still with me when I passed the suspension bridge, so it must have dropped somewhere around there.”

He still wasn’t saying what he’d lost. The fact that he was deliberately avoiding the subject only confirmed that it was something secretive.

I shouldn’t push. Better not to pry where I don’t belong.

“This area is the middle ridge of the Ast Mountains, so if you lost it nearby, we should find it quickly before we head to the village.”

“I appreciate the help.”

Chaser still made her uncomfortable, but this situation was entirely of Evelyn’s own making.

You speak the words, you take responsibility for them.

Clenching her fist with resolve, Evelyn turned toward the direction of the suspension bridge that connected to the Foren Mountains and began to lead the way.

“The trail isn’t too rough, but be careful of leaf piles. There might be pits hidden beneath them.”

“Pits?”

“The kids dug them as traps to catch wild animals. If you’re not careful, you could fall.”

“Understood. I’ll watch my step.”

His voice, which had softened slightly at the mention of the children, now seemed to sharpen again.

Maybe not a topic he likes…

“Are the children your real siblings?”

Hmm. That’s not quite it, is it?

It was surprising that he was the one asking questions today, so she pushed her own assumptions aside.

“No. They were taken in by Sister Lasagna, just like me. We all live together now.”

“Are you a nun too, Evelyn?”

“Do I seem like one?”

“If not, I apologize.”

She hadn’t planned to share so much, but…

“It sounded like a compliment to me. That I seem sincere. And it’s fine—I’m just one of the orphans Sister took in.”

She thought about lying or dodging the question, but it would only seem suspicious. If she slipped later, it would be worse. Better to stick to the truth—mostly.

“I see. You haven’t come of age yet, then? Usually, adults leave the monastery.”

“That’s right. I’ll be turning eighteen next year.”

It was a simple conversation—ordinary, even.

And yet, something about it unsettled her.

Why couldn’t she shake this discomfort?

Her hesitation caused a lull in the conversation.

She should have filled the silence with something light—but she’d missed her chance.

Don’t be scared. It’s just small talk.

Trying to calm her racing heart, Evelyn looked back over her shoulder with a forced smile.

“I plan to stay at the monastery even after I become an adult. This is my home…”

But she couldn’t finish the sentence.

Just like the night before, Chaser was suddenly standing right behind her—so close, she could feel his breath.

“I was wondering when you’d turn around.”

The air around him had changed. The respectful tone he’d kept until now was gone. His voice, now filled with arrogance, reached her ears like a sharp blade.

Evelyn blinked, stunned by the sudden shift, and then saw it—

That perfectly placed, unsettling smile on his lips.

“I almost fell for it.”

“…W-what are you talking about?”

She forced her voice out, hoping to deflect the situation.

“How long are you going to keep up the act, Evelyn Bayardo?”

It felt like her heart dropped straight to her feet.

How…? How does he know?

When did he figure it out? From the beginning?

Was he targeting me this whole time?

Fear surged through her. She instinctively backed away.

But she didn’t get far. Her back struck something hard—a thick tree trunk.

He had cornered her.

There was nowhere to run.

Chaser stepped in closer, until their faces were only inches apart.

Evelyn couldn’t even lift her head.

A cold hand reached out and tilted her chin upward.

Their eyes locked—and Evelyn’s breath caught in her throat.

His piercing gaze held her like a trap, sharp and unrelenting, as though daring her to even try to look away.

Then that gaze shifted downward, slow and deliberate.

“W-why are you doing this…?”

“Running from the truth doesn’t work, you know. I’m not particularly patient.”

His voice was smooth and calm, but it felt like a blade resting against her neck.

Just as she tried to twist away, she felt something cold press against the back of her neck—

And then: Snap.

Something had broken.

She flinched as her shoulders trembled—and watched as her ordinary brown hair turned, before her eyes, into a soft lemon-gold.

The illusion was gone.

“You do know who I am, don’t you?” he asked.

Evelyn stood frozen, like a prisoner awaiting her sentence. Her lips trembled uncontrollably.

“Say it. Who am I?”

The brief warning told her exactly how thin the thread of his patience had become.

“…Chaser Luisa.”

She barely managed to whisper the words.

And just like that, a faint smile curved his lips.

“There it is. You knew all along.”

The tension in his voice eased, just slightly.

Just a little.