Chapter 57

“Did Vivi…… talk about me?”

At Costance’s question, Alonso shook his head.

“Wait a moment.”

Alonso suddenly disappeared from Costance’s sight and returned a few minutes later. Beads of sweat had formed on Alonso’s forehead, as though he had hurried somewhere.

“Follow me.”

Alonso gestured with his hand. Costance hesitated before reluctantly moving his feet.

Inside the church stood a statue of a goddess, one he had often seen before.

Costance looked at the statue, which bore no resemblance to Vivi, and yet her face came to mind. For just a brief moment, he had forgotten about Vivi, but now his head was filled with thoughts of Vivi Ferren, to the point it felt like it would burst.

“What’s your name?”

Alonso, walking ahead, suddenly asked.

“If you don’t want to tell me, that’s fine.”

“……Costance.”

“Costance? Not Constance?”

What a peculiar name.

Even Alonso’s short response made Costance unusually sensitive. 

Was my name really that strange? How would Alonso react if he knew his full name? 

Costance thought back to the time when Alonso was born.

One day, this unexpected young intruder broke into the mansion and shattered its quietness with a sharp cry.

Even Costance, who had been sitting at his desk all day, was startled enough to run to the entrance.

The newly arrived nanny awkwardly smiled as she tried to soothe the baby in her arms. But the baby showed no intention of stopping its crying.

When they tried feeding it, it cried. When they tried rocking it to sleep, it cried even louder.

Costance stared at the baby as if entranced. The golden eyes, so different from his own, kept drawing his attention. Hesitating, Costance gently poked the baby’s cheek.

Contrary to his worry that it would cry even more, the baby’s eyes widened. Its golden eyes blinked as they stared at Costance. Feeling the unfamiliar sensation, Costance’s fingertips tingled.

〈……What is this baby’s name?〉

At Costance’s question, the nanny lowered her head.

〈The Marquis has yet to decide.〉

〈I see.〉

Costance stared intently at the baby and opened his mouth.

〈Alonso.〉

〈…….〉

〈Alonso. That name seems fitting for this child.〉

The nanny smiled and replied, “I’ll suggest it to the Marquis.”

When the baby’s name was officially decided as Alonso a few days later, Costance’s eyes lit up. He felt as though he had truly brought this life into the world and raised it himself.

Alonso.

Alonso Orsi.

“We’re here.”

Alonso’s voice broke Costance’s reverie. The place where Alonso stopped was the confessional booth at the back of the church. At this time on a weekend morning, the booths were all empty.

“Vivi used to say this to me often.”

“…….”

“She said there’s someone who misses me.”

Alonso turned his head toward Costance.

Alonso looked at him as though he knew everything. Costance felt like he was standing on the edge of a cliff. He was nervous, yet curious about Alonso’s feelings.

If I told the truth, would Alonso resent me? 

Before that, he needed to apologize. He needed to explain that leaving him at the orphanage wasn’t his choice. But for some reason, Costance’s lips wouldn’t move.

“…….”

Costance was afraid.

Because Alonso had been apart from him for so long, Costance knew he loved him. Now, Costance didn’t want to part with Alonso.

But his affection and Alonso’s affection were very different. Costance thought of Vivi, who had disappeared so suddenly.

If I clung to Alonso, would he vanish too? If Alonso disappeared like Vivi…… then maybe it was better to just watch from a distance. 

That’s what Costance thought.

“For the record, Vivi never mentioned you directly.”

Alonso said.

“I just figured it out on my own.”

“What did you…….”

“Are you my family?”

***

Alonso was quick-witted. Growing up in the orphanage, he had learned and observed many things, but his sharp intuition was his most refined skill.

By just looking at the people who visited the church, he could tell their intentions. Most came to pray, but some came to adopt or sponsor children.

Among them were Vivi and the man standing before him, Costance.

It had been about a month since Vivi last visited the orphanage. No matter how busy she was, she always came by at least once every two weeks, so this was the first time she had disappeared like this.

‘Will I ever see Vivi again?’

Alonso’s mood darkened.

From the moment he saw Vivi with that man, Alonso had sensed something unusual.

Costance.

Today was the first time he learned the man’s name. But Alonso had known about him for a long time. Though the nuns and the other children were unaware, Alonso had noticed that Costance had been secretly watching over him all this time.

At first, he had been wary, thinking the man was suspicious. But as time passed, his thoughts changed.

Alonso began to wonder if Costance might be his real family. Otherwise, why would someone come to see him for such a long time?

〈Eugene, do you believe in the goddess?〉

One day, Vivi had asked him.

〈I do. I pray to her every morning.〉

〈That’s right. The goddess is always with us.〉

〈……Then do you think the Goddess hears my prayers?〉

〈If you wish for it. If you’re sincere.〉

After that conversation, Vivi often told Alonso many things.

Once, she had even said outright, “There’s definitely someone who misses you, someone who wants to see you.” That was when Alonso became certain.

That person was someone Vivi knew well.

Though she hadn’t said it, Alonso had seen Vivi with a man during the library’s Peace Love Contest. He was a man Alonso had never seen before, but something about him felt familiar. Alonso thought about it many times.

‘……That’s the man who’s been watching over me.’

Alonso quickly pieced together fragmented memories. The conclusion he reached was this:

Costance was his family (though it was more of a guess).

And Costance and Vivi shared a deep connection. When Vivi mentioned “someone who misses you,” her expression had said it all.

But Vivi had left.

Alonso, who had long sensed Vivi’s happiness mixed with unease, believed that Costance was the reason behind it.

“Vivi secretly came to the church and left this behind. It’s in the confessional.”

Alonso handed a letter to Costance.

“There were actually several letters. Some were for the nuns, and others were for her friends at the orphanage—including me, of course.”

Alonso believed that only Costance could bring Vivi back to them.

With that thought, he showed the letter Vivi had written to Costance. Unable to wait for Costance to slowly reach for it, Alonso placed the letter directly in his hand.

“Read it first. But don’t crumple it or get anything on it. Absolutely not.”

Though uneasy, Alonso eagerly hoped Costance would read the letter.

***

Costance still hadn’t fully grasped the situation. He glanced around before noticing the empty confessional booth.

Sitting on the left side, he sensed a presence on the other side.

“…….”

Rustling, Costance unfolded the letter.

Even now, he was afraid. It was because of the letter Vivi had left on the day she disappeared. That letter, which had once lit up Costance’s darkened world, had moved his heart and actions.

That day, Costance had immediately hired a detective to track down where Vivi had gone.

This letter…… might be the same. Despite his uneasy premonition, Costance didn’t hesitate to read it.

Hello, Eugene.

Her neat handwriting caught Costance’s eye.

Just reading the words made him feel as though Vivi was right beside him. His eyes, which had been dull, gradually grew brighter, though they trembled with unease.

I’m sorry for leaving without saying anything. Something came up, and I had to leave Canary Village. It seems it will take a very long time before I can return.

The traces of erased and rewritten words were evident on the letter. Costance imagined Vivi struggling to write each word.

His heart ached.

I’m not leaving for good. It’s just that I have to step away for a while due to unexpected circumstances.

I will always look forward to seeing Canary Village, the church, and you again.

So, will you pray for the day we meet again?

Costance read the sentences slowly and carefully. He didn’t miss a single word.

Eugene, there’s something else I want to tell you.

You know how I’ve been saying that there’s someone I want to introduce you to?

Costance tried his best not to let his tears stain the letter.

That person is very precious to me…… but they’re also very precious to you.

So, Eugene, this might sound cruel, but could you wait just a little longer?

That person will come to find you.

Whether you like them or not is up to you, Eugene.

But I hope you’ll listen to what they have to say. Just…… hear them out first.

I’m sorry for leaving without a word and saying this.

But I wanted to tell you. Eugene, there’s someone who loves you.

The nuns and I love you, of course.

But there are more people who love you than you think.

The person I mentioned is one of them.

They’re kind, gentle, and wonderful. The most perfect person I’ve ever met.

The person with the most beautiful smile in the world,

Someone so strong, yet so fragile.

They may not show it, but they’re sensitive inside.

Their tone is stiff, but their actions are sweet.

Eugene.

They’re very much like you.

I promise you, they’re as wonderful as you are.