‘Veretta is an exception, of course.’

Of course, it also depended on which noble was wronged.

Listening to the soldiers’ worldly talks and grumblings, Sharletti arrived at her old log cabin in a good mood.

“Well then, teacher. I’ll take my leave here.”

Like yesterday, Tristan stopped at a reasonable distance from the log cabin.

Sharletti, who had been swaying in the strong wind, managed to turn around and face Tristan and the soldiers, all of whom were leaving at dawn.

‘I hope they’ll be alright in such strong wind.’

Though it didn’t seem likely to rain, she was worried about the severe wind.

Sensing Sharletti’s concern, the soldiers laughed.

“As long as it doesn’t rain, we’re fine. It’ll be tough sleeping outdoors, though.”

Sharletti reassured them and bid them farewell.

“See you next time, teacher.”

Tristan’s farewell made Sharletti swallow dryly.

But she didn’t tremble in fear as before.

Waiting until the soldiers were out of sight, Sharletti hurried into the log cabin.

‘I wanted to come home early, but it’s already evening.’

Sharletti hesitated at the door, thinking of the positive news to share with Len.

‘What about the rumor of the deserter on the run?’

She revisited the worries she had set aside for half a day.

While pondering, her hand naturally opened the door, and her feet led her inside.

Thump.

The cabin was as quiet as yesterday.

‘We might have to keep hiding until the rumor dies down.’

Sharletti frowned, recalling Len’s hopeful face at the mention of going out.

It was premature to talk about going out.

“Why aren’t you coming in?”

Sharletti looked up abruptly at Len’s voice.

Len, who had been hiding in the utility room, approached with a puzzled look.

“Your footsteps are different,” Len briefly replied, frowning slightly as Sharletti showed no reaction.

“What’s wrong? Is it because of the soldiers?”

Len’s voice, unlike before, was full of concern.

Sharletti hesitated, then extended her hand to him.

Len promptly reached out his palm.

“I see.”

Sharletti glanced at him quietly.

Len’s expression didn’t change as he read the hand communication.

Sharletti felt even more sorry.

“Understood.”
Sharletti looked at Len with a surprised expression, not expecting his reaction.

“So why were you just standing at the door?”

Len seemed genuinely curious about something else, his expression serious.

Sharletti grew even more concerned.

‘Doesn’t he understand that we can’t predict when we can go out, and that we have to keep hiding like this?’

Thinking Len might not have understood due to his amnesia, Sharletti repeated the news about the impossibility of going out.

Len’s expression changed with the repeated explanation, looking a bit disheartened.

“Is the reason you were standing at the door all serious because you couldn’t keep your promise of going out with me?”

When Sharletti nodded, Len stroked his chin, seeming oddly pleased.

Len, slightly taken aback by her directness, cleared his throat and propped his chin.

“How about I cover my face for the outing?”

Sharletti was slow to react to Len’s unexpected suggestion.

As she blinked in response, Len began to contemplate more specifically.

“Like, maybe I could wear a robe backward. …No, that might make me look more suspicious. Then how about wrapping my face with bandages?”

Considering his size and physical condition, Len presented an on-the-spot compromise.

Sharletti, too sincere to feel any hesitation, moved her finger in response.

Sharletti had to come up with a reasonable excuse to cover her face when she settled in the mountain village with Veretta’s help, unlike him.

“Are there any poisonous plants that cause rashes on the face?”

Sharletti glared at Len and smacked his forearm.

“No problem. Just apply some medicine and wrap it with bandages.”

“That’s even less of a problem.”

“……?”

Confident, Len smiled with his chin propped up.

Sharletti was speechless, thinking of his nonsense.

‘He scolded me when I almost caused a cave-in!’

Len went even further.

“I have two doctors, after all.”

Sharletti gasped, unable to respond.

Annoyed by his smugness, she relaxed her eyes, realizing he couldn’t see her expression under the hood.

Her palm and eyes ached for nothing.

Sharletti asked sarcastically, pointing out the reality.

Len didn’t answer.

‘Did I sound too sarcastic?’

As his eyes dimmed, Sharletti withdrew her awkward hand.

“I have a question about amnesia.”

“……?”

“How does one get amnesia?”

It was a sudden change of topic, but it was natural for a patient to ask about their condition. In fact, Len was rather late in asking.

Sharletti wanted to explain his symptoms in detail but was not well-versed in neurology.

“Hmm… so the head received a shock?”

Len touched his head, prompting a startled Sharletti to stop him.

Len checked the area of his head injury, which he hadn’t noticed even in the mirror.

Watching Len lost in thought, Sharletti carefully considered her words.

‘Should I tell him my guess?’