Chapter 30
“Actually, I wrote a letter to Margaret while writing to my parents. But I didn’t expect a reply. Oh, of course, I didn’t send it under my name! I sent it saying I was Regina’s friend.”
“…There’s an order to conveying information, you know. Alright, I understand now. So that’s the letter you received?”
“…Yes, I’m too nervous to open it. My heart is pounding so much I can’t do it. What if she criticizes me for impersonating Regina’s friend? Oh, I know! Could you possibly read it for me?”
“Why should I? I don’t have a habit of reading other people’s letters.”
Noah, relaxing his shoulders upon realizing Regina wasn’t showing symptoms of being a Black Fairy, waved his hand in refusal. However, Regina pressed the letter against his chest with both hands and pleaded.
“Please! I’m dying of curiosity!”
“Then just open it.”
“I want to, but I’m too scared to look!”
“…”
What was he supposed to do? He wanted to avoid this situation, but Noah was waiting for the messenger boy. Suddenly, he realized Regina would repeat the same conversation endlessly until the boy returned.
While Noah remained silent for a moment, Regina fidgeted, curious about the letter’s contents. Seeing her eager gaze imploring him to read it quickly, Noah finally gave in.
“Fine. You just want me to read it, right? But I won’t read it aloud.”
As Noah took the letter from her hands, Regina, who was about to ask him to read it aloud, puffed her cheeks and closed her mouth. But that didn’t last long. As soon as Noah unfolded the letter and began reading, tension filled Regina’s face.
“…W-what does it say? Does she call me a fraud? Is she angry?”
“…”
Regina, who had been fixated on Noah’s downcast eyes, impatiently asked, unable to bear the short wait. He finished reading the letter, then silently folded it and handed it back to her.
“Why aren’t you saying anything? What does it say?”
“You should read this yourself. She didn’t call you a fraud, nor was she angry. Damn, reading a teenage girl’s letter makes my whole body itch. Don’t make such strange requests.”
Noah shuddered as he placed the letter directly in Regina’s hand. Regina, who had received it reflexively, looked back and forth between Noah and the letter before unfolding it with trembling hands.
-To Regina’s dear friend.
The letter began thus.
* * *
To Regina’s dear friend,
After discarding several sheets of paper, not knowing how to start or what to say, I decided to simply write what comes to mind.
Autumn has already ended here, and winter has begun. Yesterday, frost formed on my room’s window. I was reminded of playing with Regina, drawing pictures with our fingers on these frosted windows.
Viscount and Viscountess Evelyn are still deeply saddened, but fortunately, their health hasn’t deteriorated significantly.
…Regina has been my friend since I started walking. Although we have memories of fighting, I first recall how she always came to apologize first. Even now, I feel breathless whenever memories of her flood in.
So, at those times, I decided to think as you told me. That Regina is now on a long journey. That she’s on an adventure across the wide world with you, who carries her memories.
Yes, as you may have already guessed, I remember you. A girl with purple eyes and black hair. I’m not sure if it’s because a few drops of the fairy water you gave me entered my mouth while I was applying it to my eyes, or if such a miracle happened to me by chance.
I just clearly remember how naturally you acted and spoke like Regina.
Then I suddenly thought. If you really are that Black Fairy I’ve only heard about in stories, and you have Regina’s memories, you must be very lonely. So I decided to call you, who carries her memories, Regina.
Another Regina, traveling with Regina’s memories.
I hope you stay healthy. Don’t get sick from the unfamiliar journey. Don’t think you’re alone. If you ever need my help, please let me know. And if you think of it, please write to me, even if only occasionally. I will always happily await news from you.
– From your eternal friend.
* P.S. 1: ‘Regina Evelyn’s really close friend’ is me. From her best friend, Margaret Jenkins.
* P.S. 2: Next time we meet, please call my name only once. If you call three times, I won’t answer.
* Really final P.S.: Stay healthy, Regina. I miss you so much.
* * *
Noah clicked his tongue in embarrassment as he stood before the 18-year-old girl who was sobbing loudly, hugging the letter tightly to her chest with her head tilted back. He could feel everyone in the train station glancing their way. Just as a security guard in the distance began to eye them suspiciously and take a step forward, fortunately, the boy who had gone on the errand returned to the station.
“Sir! I’ve brought information from the Constabulary. Shall I tell you right away?”
“Yes, tell me immediately.”
Noah welcomed the boy enthusiastically and approached him. Even Regina, who had been sobbing beside him, stopped her loud crying, apparently curious about the boy’s answer. Noah was inwardly truly relieved.
“Uh, yes. The man called John was found dead in the forest of Evelyn territory, and there was information that the woman called Rose was spotted in Hoern territory.”
“That can’t be! Hiccup We just came from Epola territory because there was information that both John and Rose were spotted there, but John is dead?!”
Regina, who had been wiping her reddened eyes, asked the boy in shock. The boy’s eyes widened, and he pulled his head back before looking up at Noah. Noah nodded at the unspoken question of whether they were traveling together.
“Ah, yes. From what I heard, it’s certain that the person called John is dead. They said even the body was handed over to the Constabulary.”
“That’s impossible! I can’t believe it!”
“Even if you say that to me…”
The boy answered Regina’s question only after receiving confirmation from Noah. When she shouted in disbelief, the boy stepped back, showing his palms as if to calm her down.
“Then it’s likely that the information we saw on the Constabulary bulletin board a few days ago was incorrect. That Rose woman might be related to John’s death. They probably deliberately revealed their identities in Epola territory to hide John’s death.”
“Um, sir. Can I go now?”
The boy, who hadn’t understood Noah’s words at all, was just waiting for the right moment to leave. Noah nodded and asked him one last question.
“Yes, just answer one more question. What’s the name of the forest where the man called John died?”
“The exact name of the forest wasn’t written on the paper posted on the bulletin board, but they said the locals call that forest ‘The Fairy King’s Tomb’.”
“…!”
Regina’s eyes widened. That was the forest where she had first opened her eyes, abandoned along with the carriage. So John had also died in the forest where she had gone missing. What on earth had happened there?
“…Now only that woman called Rose knows the truth about the incident.”
Noah said this and gestured to the boy that he could leave. The boy bowed deeply and then ran off to loiter around gentlemen in suits, looking for another errand.
“What could have happened?”
Regina asked, her face drained of tears from shock. Noah shrugged.
“Who knows, but Hoern is also a region on the train line heading north. Let’s move there first. If we catch this Rose woman, we’ll be able to know the whole story of all the incidents. That is, if it’s certain she killed you.”
“…”
Regina nodded at those words. Noah looked at her for a moment before turning around to go buy train tickets. Their next destination was Hoern territory.
* * *
Orben Street in the capital was quite luxurious, being an area where nobles’ town houses were concentrated.
The oldest mansion located at the very end had recently changed ownership. Those around were curious about who had bought this antique mansion, but unfortunately, they had never encountered the owner. Nevertheless, sometimes at night, as if the owner had returned, lights would turn on in the windows and shadows of people could be seen.
Just like today.
“Lady Sasha, we’ve lost contact with Owen. It seems he failed in the hunt you ordered.”
The reception room was large enough to easily accommodate ten people. Although it was somewhat dark overall, the chandelier hanging from the ceiling was so splendid that it dispersed that feeling. The large mirror above the fireplace, along with the chandelier, reflected the silhouettes of four people in the reception room.
On the long velvet sofa in the reception room sat a young boy and a pale-faced woman side by side, while Sasha stood in front of the fireplace, gazing at the firelight. And the one who had just given the report was Cedric, the white-haired old man standing next to Sasha as if on standby.
“Really? I heard it was still a young specimen, but it seems to be quite powerful. Lady Sasha, shall I go myself this time?”
The one who answered instead of Sasha to Cedric’s report was the young boy. He looked about five or six years old, with chubby cheeks and small hands and feet that were adorable, but the boy’s eyes were not those of a child. As he asked, swinging his legs on the sofa, Sasha shook her head.
“No, Asel. There’s no need for that. I’m planning to go myself. I just heard that he has returned to the capital.”
At those words, the butler, Cedric, stepped forward with a surprised expression.
“There’s no need for you to take action, Lady Sasha. If you don’t trust Asel, I’ll go.”
“As if I don’t deserve trust, me, Cedric! How could you say such a thing! …By the way, what does that mean?”
“It means not reliable, Asel.”
“Ah, thanks, Abby.”
Abigail, sitting next to him, first got angry and then answered Asel’s question about the meaning as she stroked his head. With silver hair and light blue eyes, she was very beautiful, but she looked so ill that she seemed about to collapse at any moment.
“Cedric! How dare you say I’m not reliable, who are you to say such a thing to me?!”
“I’m just stating the facts, Asel.”
“What?! You insolent thing! You’re younger than me!”
“In appearance, it’s the opposite.”
“…Asel, don’t get too excited.”
As Abigail gently patted Asel’s back with her slender fingers, Asel, who was about to shout at Cedric again, closed his mouth as if swallowing his anger. Then Sasha turned to everyone and spoke soothingly…
