Chapter 6
“Do… do you remember me?”
“How could I ever forget you?”
His answer was loaded with meaning—but that wasn’t what mattered most right now.
Chaser had been the most outstanding of all the children who took the Luisa trial.
The enormous fire he summoned with a wave of his hand was so awe-inspiring that even the head of the family had been impressed. There was no way he could be easily forgotten.
But Evelyn, by contrast, had been… forgettable.
No… actually, I suppose I stood out in a different way.
She had been the only non-awakened child among gifted ability users.
Even when her life was on the line, she couldn’t summon a single spark. She had failed the trial because she couldn’t use a power that didn’t exist.
So that’s why he remembers? Then…
No matter how she tried to spin it in her head, only one conclusion remained.
“Did you come here… to kill me?”
Anyone who knew the secrets of Luisa and was not part of the family was to be eliminated.
Chaser must have discovered that Evelyn had survived. Even after all these years, he had come to finish the job.
Because Chaser was a perfect Luisa—a loyal and ruthless one.
“I’ve kept the Luisa secret, I swear! I’ve never told a soul—not even the Sister who took me in!”
The words poured from her lips before she could stop them.
“I don’t even remember how I escaped. Honestly, I can’t explain it. But I’ve been living quietly, and I will continue to live that way. I swear it—on my life!”
She rambled, desperate, trying to say something—anything—that might convince him.
“All I want… please…”
In the end, her voice trembled as she pleaded,
“Please, let me live.”
The heavy silence that followed pressed down on her like a weight. Her legs threatened to collapse beneath her.
“Why should I let you live?”
The words cut like a blade. Cold. Final.
Evelyn froze.
She needed to say something—anything—to beg if she had to—but her voice wouldn’t come out.
“Tell me, Evelyn. Do you have a reason I shouldn’t kill you right now?”
“I… I…”
Is this really the end?
She squeezed her eyes shut.
When had she become someone so afraid of dying?
She’d accepted death once before—but now, all she could think of was the family she’d leave behind.
Lasagna, who had taught her the joy of living, was still ill.
The five children, who gave her a sense of home and love, were still too young.
If she died now… they wouldn’t survive the winter.
The thought was terrifying. But it gave her strength.
“You can kill me. Just… just don’t hurt anyone at the monastery. They don’t know who I am. They’ve never asked about my past.”
“Oh?”
His expression shifted slightly. His eyes narrowed.
“Actually… if you’re going to kill me, could you at least wait until after this winter? If I’m gone, they won’t make it through the season.”
Chaser tilted his head, as if inviting her to continue.
“Please. Just until winter ends. I’ll keep living quietly, like I don’t exist. I won’t run.”
“Hah. I was wondering where this was going.”
But all he gave her in return was a cold scoff.
Had she failed?
Was this really the end?
She was the only one holding that fragile family together. If she died… they would, too.
No. She couldn’t die. Not yet.
“I’ll do anything for you.”
She had nothing—but she still refused to give up. Even if it meant clinging to him, begging like a fool.
“Just… please reconsider. One more time.”
“Those who know Luisa’s secrets aren’t supposed to live.”
Chaser smiled faintly—an edge of amusement flickering at the corners of his mouth—as he stepped back.
“So. What exactly can you offer me?”
“A-anything you want.”
“You seem to think pretty highly of your worth.”
His low chuckle felt like mockery.
Evelyn flushed red with shame. She knew just how worthless she was, and hearing it only made her humiliation worse.
Chaser stared at her for a long moment, then suddenly moved.
Startled, Evelyn’s voice jumped.
“W-what are you—!”
He pulled her into his arms, one hand wrapping tightly around her waist.
“What do you think you’re doing?!”
She shouted in shock, but Chaser didn’t even blink.
Instead, his voice was laced with irritation.
“You said you’d do anything, didn’t you?”
His gloved hand slid lower, the leather brushing against her clothes—sharp and alien.
Chaser’s thick arm, hidden under his cloak, pulled Evelyn in even closer.
The way his hand brushed along her waist made it clear—painfully clear—even to someone inexperienced like her, what his touch meant.
“What’s wrong? Didn’t you say you’d do anything?”
“……”
“Look at me.”
Evelyn flinched and shook her head, terrified.
Then came the sound of his teeth grinding together.
“I said—look at me.”
Left with no choice, Evelyn slowly lifted her head—and met Chaser’s eyes, the very ones she’d been trying to avoid.
He began leaning down toward her, slowly.
“Don’t close your eyes. I’m going to kiss you.”
Evelyn had never experienced something like this—blatant, degrading intimidation. She froze in place, too scared to move.
His face came so close she could feel his breath—but then stopped, just a breath away.
Time passed, but their lips never touched.
Instead, Chaser scoffed with a look of disdain.
“Hmph. Not even trying to fight back?”
She trembled like a leaf, unable to resist, unable even to shut her eyes.
“You said you’d keep your word, didn’t you?”
“A-Aren’t you scared of me?”
“I… I…”
The words wouldn’t come out, but of course she was terrified.
If she hadn’t seen that cold, cutting glint in his eyes, she might have already screamed for him to stop.
“What would you do if I forced myself on you right now? If I broke my promise?”
“Ah…”
Fear and humiliation threatened to overwhelm her. She was on the verge of tears. But something in his words shook her awake.
Why didn’t I think about that before?
She cursed herself for being so naïve.
Chaser stared at her quietly, watching the light fade from her green eyes as they darkened with self-blame.
Then, slowly, he let her go.
“Next time, don’t throw words around so carelessly. You’re too foolish to even tease properly.”
Still trembling, Evelyn looked down at the ground. Her dry lips finally parted.
“Does that mean… you’re sparing me?”
“For now.”
She didn’t know what to say.
To Chaser, this had all been a game. But to her, it was life or death.
“If you’d rather die now, I can arrange that.”
“N-no… Thank you for sparing me.”
It was all she could manage—an answer steeped in fear and helplessness.
Chaser let out a quiet chuckle. Then, brushing her waist once more, he muttered:
“Not sure you’ll believe me, but…”
Evelyn looked up cautiously as he continued:
“I didn’t come here to kill you.”
He stepped back and, almost gently, placed the pendant back around her neck.
As soon as it clicked into place, her bright golden hair returned to its usual soft brown.
Only then did Evelyn finally let out a shaky breath of relief.
Freed from his arms, she could breathe again—though that sense of freedom didn’t last long.
Chaser’s hand wrapped around her wrist.
“Ow—it hurts.”
The words slipped out before she could stop them.
His body stiffened, and he loosened his grip a little—but still didn’t let go.
This time, his touch was cautious, his eyes quietly scanning her.
The way he looked at her made her skin prickle. Beneath the fear, a strange flush of embarrassment crept up her neck.
Just when she thought she couldn’t take it anymore, he spoke.
“You’re too skinny. What, is the monastery starving you?”
That insult snapped Evelyn out of her fear. She raised her voice.
“Say whatever you want about me, but don’t speak that way about the monastery! It’s nothing like that.”
“Then what? Giving your food to others?”
“That’s not it!”
“Knew it. You’re still the same.”
He said it like he knew her better than she knew herself.
“What do you mean by that?” Evelyn asked, confused.
“You didn’t eat breakfast this morning.”
“That’s because I wasn’t feeling well—nothing more.”
“Sure, let’s say that.”
She didn’t understand him at all, but she could tell something had shifted.
That dangerous edge in his tone seemed to have dulled, just a little.
Her wrist still ached, but with the tension slightly eased, she gathered her courage.
“Um… could you let go of my hand now?”
To her surprise, Chaser released her without a word.
The distance between them grew, and for the first time in a while, she felt the cold winter air on her skin.
Evelyn hugged her arms around herself, then carefully asked:
“You said you didn’t come to kill me, right?”
“How many times do I have to repeat myself before it sinks in?”
“Then… why are you here?”
“It was a coincidence.”
A coincidence.
Such a convenient word—easy to say, impossible to believe.
