Chapter 10.10

When Cherlin and Lisael, having exchanged greetings with Ted, entered the reception room on the second floor, there were already a few people present. Lisael was startled beyond words.

“Madame Matilda? …Uncle Lloyd!”

It had been about eight years since she had seen them all together in Cherlin, and Lisael was left speechless.

“…Lisael.”

Especially upon seeing Lloyd, Lisael couldn’t stop her eyes from welling up. Unlike the emaciated figure she had met in Ruota, he now looked so healthy she could barely recognize him. With a choked voice, he called her name and approached.

Without hesitation, they embraced each other, silently sobbing. The last time they met, they had clung to the hope of a better future, a time that felt as fresh as yesterday. They never imagined or hoped that so much would change by the time they met again. 

Afraid that putting their feelings into words would unleash a flood of tears, Lisael and Lloyd simply shared their emotions through a hug.

“Why is it that you seem happier to see your friend’s daughter than your friend himself?”

Cherlin, feeling a bit awkward at the sudden warmth, coughed and gave a half-hearted reprimand.

“Haha, look at me. Cherlin, how have you been?”

“There were troubles before.”

Finally meeting Cherlin’s gaze, Lloyd shared another joyful embrace.

“Matilda, it’s been a long time.”

Next was Matilda. As Cherlin acknowledged her, Matilda, who had been leisurely sipping tea, smiled coyly.

“Indeed. I’m glad to see everyone looking well.”

“It’s truly fortunate to meet under such good circumstances.”

“It’s all thanks to the Lord.”

After exchanging greetings with Cherlin, Matilda turned her gaze to Lisael. Due to awkwardness from their last meeting, Lisael hesitated to greet her first.

“Lisael, your efforts must have been the greatest. It couldn’t have been Dante’s will alone to save the village and the territory.”

Matilda’s face, though smiling, was filled with an apology.

“Would you forgive my past pettiness? Looking back now… it was such childish behavior, not befitting an adult. My thinking was really short-sighted.”

“No. It was a misunderstanding for everyone. I understand it couldn’t be helped, and now I feel more understood than ever, so I’m okay.”

As if waiting for Lisael’s immediate acceptance of her apology, Matilda enveloped her in a warm, breath-taking hug. It was a powerful embrace, as strong as her regret.

“But… what brings everyone here? You must all be very busy.”

Lisael quickly changed the subject and managed to escape Matilda’s relentless hug.

“The three village chiefs are being officially reinstated, and it’s the first regular territory meeting. The meeting starts tomorrow, by the way.”

“When the Lord calls, we must drop everything and come running.”

Matilda and Lloyd explained the reason for their presence in turn. Indeed, after Miguel acquired the town office and began his second chapter as the Lord, his first task was the reinstatement of the former village chiefs. Since he hadn’t settled in yet and most of the staff had been disbanded, there was a genuine need for manpower.

The new Lord desperately needed the seasoned experience and wisdom of the former chiefs, and they accepted his request without hesitation. Reappointed as chiefs, they diligently bridged the village and the Lord, aligning with the newly initiated territory projects and policies.

Perhaps it was thanks to this that Lloyd regained his former physique in less than a year. What had made him thin and weak was likely not a physical ailment but a disease of the heart.

“Seeing only the three of us here, it seems Dolce has indeed been dismissed as rumored.”

“Hmph, that sly old fox won’t be returning. Crisen informed me that they are currently voting for a new village chief in Dolce.”

“More importantly, Matilda, you must be having a hard time dealing with the former Earl.”

The village chiefs, having briefly exchanged greetings, settled down for a full catch-up. Lisael, already familiar with the conversation, joined in without any discomfort.

“At first, I thought about protesting in front of the villa, telling him not to come in, but what can I do? Even if he’s not what he used to be, he’s still a noble, and what can a mere village chief like me do?”

When Lloyd acknowledged her, Matilda sighed deeply, shrugged, and added.

“Still, perhaps he’s mellowed out, as he’s surprisingly calm. The Countess and those guests rarely leave the villa.”

At her words, the other chiefs looked surprised. The former Earl, who had once dominated the business world and now reduced to a toothless tiger, seemed to have resigned himself to spending his remaining days quietly in Grand Town. Occasionally, when bored, he would visit Matilda, the village chief, to meddle in village affairs, but he always seemed curious about his son’s news, which came alongside official documents from Cherlin.

“If he’s that curious, he should come to Cherlin himself. I don’t know much either, and it’s exhausting to be constantly pestered.”

It was probably because Matilda, known for her strong spirit, could endure the former Earl’s temperament. As she shook her head, someone chimed in.

“Indeed. It’s not like he’s been exiled; he should come himself. Father’s pride is too much of a problem.”

Everyone was startled by Miguel’s sudden appearance, slightly late due to his heavy workload. As he moved to the head of the table, he gestured for everyone to sit.

“For now, the position of Dolce’s village chief is still vacant, so we’ll proceed with the first monthly meeting among ourselves.”

As Miguel opened the meeting, Ted distributed prepared agendas to the chiefs.

‘What about me? Am I supposed to be here?’

Lisael, looking around at the unexpected situation, asked Miguel with her eyes.

“Have you greeted Mr. Lloyd?”

Miguel’s question, meeting Lisael’s gaze, finally made her realize why he had brought her there.

“Haha, I specifically requested to meet you.”

Lloyd chimed in at the right moment, letting out a hearty laugh. 

Was this supposed to be a surprise gift?

As Lisael smiled lightly, Miguel spoke in a gentle, soft voice.

“The meeting is likely to end at an odd time, so it might be better to have a proper meeting later.”

Lisael readily accepted his suggestion. Promising to invite Lloyd and Matilda, who would be staying in Cherlin for a few days, to her home, Lisael left the reception room first.

Having spent a little time, she stepped outside to find the sun setting. Lisael shaded her eyes with her hand and gazed at the bright and deep sunset.

“……”

Suddenly, she thought of a place she wanted to visit after a long time. Since she was already out, she decided to watch the sunset there.

Fiddling with the pendant around her neck, Lisael made her way through the buildings to the edge of the village.

*   *   *

Hurrying her steps, Lisael gradually slowed down as she reached her destination. It wasn’t too late to see the sunset. For her, it seemed as if the sun was lingering longer than usual today.

The hill stood tall, with a wide open pasture below, and the round, wistful sunset falling unobstructed in view. Everything remained unchanged as if time had stopped. Even the large tree she always used as a landmark was just as it was.

Lisael was drawn to the tree as if by an indescribable force. It had been exactly eight years. She hadn’t set foot there since she had hurled harsh words and resentment at Miguel.

The hill, once a treasure chest of memories, had become a trash bin tying up a past she wanted to erase, covered entirely by those bad memories.

Only now could she bring herself to visit again.

Lisael carefully sat beside the tree, which had always been her spot. It had been so long since she sat freely on the grass….

Reflecting on it, this place was the beginning and end. The day they became precious childhood friends, just the two of them, and the day they hurt each other and turned away. Coincidentally, all their connections were made and broken on this hill, and just like now, when the sunset painted the sky.