It was my fault. Even if I hadn’t gotten involved, there was no reason for Cheshire to be entangled in such matters.

Even so, I swallowed the words of an apology trying to come out of my throat and found a different question.

I was feeling emotions other than guilt more prominently now.

“Does Duke Pieren also know about that fact?”

“Of course, he does. He reported it first, well, not exactly. Of course, that doesn’t mean I’m on his side. I’m on your side.”

“But why did he go on a separate search?”

“I don’t know that well. Since he criticized the lack of results with his own mouth, it seems he went to see for himself with his own eyes. Of course, that doesn’t mean I lack skills, absolutely not.”
The names and genders of the characters have been translated accurately and consistently.

I didn’t particularly point it out, but Cheshire was the first to speak. His fast-paced storytelling about my numb feet wasn’t well-organized, and to be honest, there were more unnecessary stories.

However, I decided to just listen without intentionally stopping his words.

Although it took quite a while to travel by horse, there were not only unnecessary stories but also interesting ones.

“In fact, I believe in those rumors. The rumor that he has a special power.”

“A special power?”

Without realizing it, I raised an eyebrow. I had heard about that rumor, but I hadn’t paid much attention to it. Since he continuously achieved extraordinary feats, I expected everyone to add a word or two for no reason.

Something like a special power was a story that might come out in fairy tales that Meriel liked.

However, if there was one thing that caught my attention:

I glanced at the back of my hand. The scar from the broken glass bottle left a mark, but it wasn’t noticeable unless you looked closely, mixed with calluses.

“I know it’s an unbelievable story. Still, I hope that rumor turns out to be true.”

“…….”

“I know it sounds unrealistic, but even so, wouldn’t something change if such a thing existed? Literally, unrealistic and impossible things becoming possible.”

A single beam of sunlight, filtered through densely packed leaves, shone on Cheshire’s pale face. Even though he was past adolescence, there was still a youthful glow in his golden hair.

“Well, even if it does, nothing will change. Just because something impossible happens doesn’t mean it’s necessarily a good thing.”

But I was different. Without realizing it, I clenched my fist.

I had returned to the past and survived, but my daughter hadn’t. For me, that fact felt more like mockery than mercy.

Perhaps, I was receiving punishment for the past.

I grasped the necklace tightening around my neck.

The nightmares that had decreased as Meriel was born and grew up began to increase again.

Now I had nightmares every night.

A dreadful dream where my departed family and now my daughter screamed at me.

In reality and in dreams, I was always a sinner.

Hee-yi-ing!

In response to the wake-up call, I urgently grabbed the reins. The horse, lifting its front legs and almost falling backward, managed to avoid falling thanks to the reflexive grip on the reins.

“Miss!”

However, that was it.

Although I managed to avoid the danger of falling, the startled horse vigorously shook its body. I quickly lowered my body. I tried to calm the horse by stroking its neck with one hand and holding the reins with the other, but the startled horse didn’t move according to my intentions.

Instead, it just wanted to run forward recklessly.

And that was when it happened.

Swish!
The names and genders of the characters have been translated accurately and consistently.

When I recognized the sound of the wind parting, something quickly grazed my cheek.

But there was no time to confirm. The already startled horse became even more agitated by the unexpected attack.

On the horse charging like an enraged bull, I squinted my eyes. I couldn’t be sure since I didn’t have hands left, but I felt a strange sensation on my cheek. It wasn’t sweat. It was something else.

There was a cut on my cheek.

It took a while to complete that sentence.

“Don’t let go of your body!”

Again, the sound of the wind parting was heard, but this time, a sharp tearing sound was added. It was the sound of wings colliding against each other.

I raised my head and squinted my eyes, giving strength to my arms on the trembling body. I wanted to find out what had happened, but just trying not to fall off the horse was challenging enough.

But how long should I ride? It might be better to just let go.

I gritted my teeth at the rapidly changing scenery. I scanned the surroundings to check what had happened, but it was a rocky terrain. Falling in this state would undoubtedly result in injury.

However, staying away from Cheshire like this was more dangerous.

There was no time to think deeply. The horse was still running.

In the end, I loosened my grip on the reins, or rather, tried to.

“Don’t let go of the reins; hold them tight!”

As if reading my thoughts, a sharp command rang out. Before identifying the owner of that voice, I reflexively strengthened my grip on the reins.

A low, forceful voice inherently had a compelling charm. It was undoubtedly someone accustomed to giving orders. And, above all, it was a familiar voice.

Swish, thud!

Again. The sound of the wind parting was heard.

But this time, it was louder than before. The sound came from nearby. At the same time, with the cry of a pegasus-like horse, the speed increased.

I couldn’t raise my head and had to lower my body even more.

Now I couldn’t decide whether to fall off the horse or not. It was impossible to endure at this speed.

Just as I was thinking that, something strange happened.

Initially, the wind felt strong, but it gradually weakened to the point where it was almost imperceptible. I couldn’t hide my bewildered feeling and raised my head.

The horse that had been galloping was now walking. To be more precise, it staggered and swayed, unable to balance its body like a drunken beggar.

“How did this happen, huh?”

The left front leg of the horse, which had taken a few more steps, folded, and the balance of the standing horse collapsed. And, distracted by the slowed speed, I, who hadn’t regained balance, couldn’t hold on and fell to the side.

I was falling. Instinctively, I tightly closed my eyes.

“I’m sure I told you to hold onto your body.”

I laughed bitterly while looking at the man I had embraced.