Chapter 2.3

“Why are you so slow? Can’t you move faster?” 

The first floor of the establishment where Laura worked had a large hall and a restaurant. The place was bustling with students who had poured out of the academy. 

The shop, famous for its strong liquor, was enough to ignite the competitive spirits of the academy students, who prided themselves on their boldness. Perhaps because of this, the restaurant was packed from early evening, leaving no room to step. 

There, Frances bent her back and tirelessly washed the endless stream of dishes. Even as her hands moved, her mind raced. 

Although her whereabouts became unclear due to Iris’s funeral and Hans’s intervention, he was certain to find Frances no matter what he did.

She glanced at the shop’s entrance and continuously scanned her surroundings. 

‘This time, it has to be different.’ 

Frances clenched her teeth. 

Francis gritted her teeth. Thinking of Otis and Valeria made her shiver involuntarily. It was about the time when their wedding unfolded like a mirage.

“Even you can’t resist the liquor from Horna, Duvel, huh?” 

Was it because of the particularly loud voice of one of the cadets? 

Frances, who had gone to the bar to place the washed cups, turned her head at the mention of Duvel’s name. 

“…No way.” 

It was him. 

Kailen Duvel, looking much younger and more boyish than she remembered, was surrounded by people, frowning deeply. 

“Ha-ha-ha!” 

Unlike the struggling Kailen, the others burst into cheerful laughter. 

“You’ve only had two drinks so far. You can’t call yourself a member of Kunst Academy unless you drink at least five!” 

The cadets spouted nonsense, egging Kailen on. Though he was surrounded by countless people, Kailen was the only one Frances could see clearly. 

“What are you doing standing there when we’re already so busy?” 

Laura, who had followed Frances to the bar after noticing she hadn’t returned, turned her head to follow Frances’s gaze. Soon, she alternated her glances between Frances and Kailen with a knowing look. 

“Even you, as a girl, seem to have your eyes set on one of the academy students, huh?” 

Laura gave Frances a sly smile, lightly tapping her shoulder. Having already discovered during the washing process that Frances was a girl, Laura teased her without hesitation. 

“…It’s not like that.” 

‘How could I even dare?’ 

Frances turned and headed back into the kitchen. Before long, she stood in front of the sink again, mechanically moving her hands. 

Seeing this, Laura quietly approached her side, wiping cups with a dry cloth as she muttered. 

“Your life really is pitiful. Of all people, you had to get caught by that scumbag Hans.” 

“Is he a bad person?” 

Frances turned her head to look at Laura. Though her heavy makeup concealed it, Laura didn’t seem that old. 

“Ha… He’s a total bastard. If it weren’t for him, I’d already be back in my hometown.” 

Frances nodded slightly, half-listening to Laura’s complaints about the man next door. The confirmation that Hans was a bad person oddly reassured her, and she diligently continued washing. 

Though Laura kept rambling on, none of her words reached Frances’s ears. Her mind was in chaos after seeing Kailen Duvel again. 

However, seeing Kailen’s youthful face forced Frances to acknowledge that she had indeed returned to the past. 

“Look at you. You seem to be thoroughly bewitched.”

Laura chuckled as she watched Frances absentmindedly scrubbing cups. 

“…He was the first person to tell me to prioritize my own happiness.” 

“What?” 

Frances, who had been washing cups, lifted her head to look at Laura. Startled by the sudden confession, Laura’s expression stiffened. 

“No one had ever said that to me before… He was the first to tell me to live for myself.” 

His death had begun with Frances. Even when faced with the undeniable truth, Kailen had never abandoned his chivalry until the very end. 

As someone who had fallen into utter corruption as a sword bearer, Frances found Kailen’s actions to be the complete opposite of her own. 

Her gaze fell to her hands, which were now unscarred and intact. 

That fool, Duvel, wishing happiness for the one who had pushed him to his death. 

Unconsciously biting her lip, Frances closed her eyes. Her heart ached from the memories that lingered like afterimages. 

Clatter! 

“Oh my! Look at you.”  

The broken cup in Frances’s hand cut into her palm. As she looked at Laura fussing over the wound, trying to stop the bleeding, Frances listened to the noise outside. Her heart raced at the thought that Kailen’s voice might be among the many. 

“Aren’t you hurt? You’re bleeding!” 

At Laura’s words, Frances absentmindedly looked down at her hand. 

“…I’m fine.” 

Frances swayed slightly, recalling the moment when her wrist had been severed. She gritted her teeth unconsciously. The sharp pain felt chillingly familiar. Unconsciously, she clenched her fingers, causing blood to spurt out. 

“You don’t seem fine at all!” 

Frances closed her eyes and opened them again at Laura’s fussing, then submerged her bleeding hand in cold water. Watching her, Laura sighed deeply and stepped back. 

The restaurant didn’t close until well past midnight. 

‘Could it be that Hans hasn’t sold the necklace yet?’ 

As Frances pondered deeply, a key was suddenly thrust in front of her. 

“Room 304, the last room on the third floor.” 

“What?” 

“Steal it if you have to. Don’t make that wistful face.” 

“What do you mean?” 

Looking at the key Laura offered, Frances wore a puzzled expression. 

“They say he drank six glasses of Horna’s distilled liquor. Even if you steal a night, he won’t even remember.”

The initial prickliness from their first meeting was nowhere to be found. Laura’s voice, offering the key as if she were looking at a pitiable younger sister, was infinitely calm. 

“…Stealing is wrong.” 

Frances had already stolen more than enough from him. She couldn’t bring herself to take anything more. 

“Oh, come on! You’re saying that even in this situation? Where do you think Hans plans to sell you? After tonight, you’ll live a life without even such opportunities.” 

Frances looked up at Laura’s words. Laura, meeting the regret in Frances’s deep green eyes, quickly turned her gaze away. 

“It’s just one night among many. He might forget, but you’ll gain the strength to live with that memory for the rest of your life. No one will know. As long as you and I keep our mouths shut.” 

“Isn’t it too much to suggest that to a seventeen-year-old?” 

Frances stifled a laugh. Even though she had returned, Frances was currently seventeen years old. 

“Seventeen? I thought you were about thirteen. You’re older than I thought.” 

Laura looked genuinely surprised as she examined Frances from head to toe. 

“What are you thinking, encouraging a thirteen-year-old to steal a man’s night?” 

At Frances’s sigh-filled words, Laura burst into laughter. 

“What does it matter if you’re thirteen or seventeen? For us, there is no tomorrow.” 

Frances let out a small laugh at Laura’s words. It was a smile more poignant than tears. 

“The important thing now is that you’re a ‘girl’ with a rather pretty face. One without a guardian. And there are plenty of perverts in the world who get excited over young girls.” 

As Frances hesitated, Laura tapped her shoulder. 

“Go see for yourself. Don’t leave any regrets. If Hans sells you off, you’ll end up serving an old man. You need a memory that will help you endure that.” 

At Laura’s words, Frances took the key. The weight of the brass key felt significant. 

“Go on up. Don’t run away. If you do, Hans will kill me.” 

Laura waved her hand, urging Frances up the narrow stairs. Since it was a place only employees used, she could reach Kailen’s room without being seen by others. 

“Where is your home?” 

“What?” 

“You said you wanted to return to your hometown.” 

Frances paused on the stairs and turned to ask Laura about her home. Seeing Frances’s concern, Laura chuckled softly. By now, Hans had likely decided where to sell Frances. 

Even if she told her, there was no need to share the location of a home she’d never reach, but there was no harm in sharing with someone she’d only know for a night. 

If by some chance she could return home, it would be a good thing. 

“Lorutana. It’s a very small village in the north of the empire, famous for Sharna flowers.” 

“I see. Do you owe Hans money?” 

At Frances’s question, Laura let out a deep sigh. 

“My father sold me to pay off his gambling debts. Do I owe money? Honestly, I don’t even know how much. Even as we chat here, the interest is piling up.”  

Laura shrugged her shoulders as if it were nothing. However, her eyes had already turned red. 

“If Hans dies, does that debt disappear?” 

“What are you trying to say right now?” 

Laura swallowed dryly and looked at Frances. Truthfully, even when Frances had said she was seventeen, Laura couldn’t believe her age. Like most children in the slums, Frances was as thin as a withered winter branch, but her condition was even worse. 

Moreover, the look in Frances’s eyes wasn’t that of a seventeen-year-old. 

“When I’m gone, pack your things and go back home.” 

“What?” 

Laura widened her eyes and looked up at Frances.  

“No, I mean, you’d better go to Hans’s house now. He won’t be coming back, so if there’s anything useful, you should take it.” 

Laura looked around, confused, as if she didn’t understand what Frances was saying. Hans was a thug who had some sway in this neighborhood. He had powerful connections, so most people didn’t dare mess with him. 

If someone were to hear these words and tell Hans, neither Laura nor Frances would be safe. 

“You’ve gone mad.” 

“This is my repayment for the key. So, take this chance, Laura.” 

Frances turned away coldly, as if she had no intention of listening further, and climbed the stairs.