Chapter 1 (Part 4)

He didn’t say more and ate the sandwich. Cardin seemed to be thinking as he looked at the table for a moment, then he looked at her.

“Where was I found?”

“It was near a swamp around here.”

“A swamp?”

When she nodded, he looked around.

“Was there ever a witch living around here?”

“I don’t know. When I came here, the house was here, but there were no people.”

“Do you know the exact address here?”

“I don’t know exactly either.”

She found this place like an oasis while walking deep into the mountains to avoid creditors. There was a large lake in front of the cabin, making it perfect for living, and it even had a small storage shed, making it the largest and best place she had lived. It was also safe because there were no people living nearby.

Cardin watched her for a moment before asking.

“Isn’t living in the city more convenient?”

She couldn’t say she came here because of creditors. Recalling her father, she spoke.

“The city is tiresome. Especially when I think about the days I lived with my father.”

“Your father?”

“My father wasn’t fond of me. He would throw away things I enjoyed or cherished without a second thought and scold me.”

Talking about her father made her words flow easily. It was because she had kept it in her heart for so long. She spoke sincerely.

“We originally lived in Devok, but I hated it because of my father. There were quite a few people who knew my father around, so I wanted to come to a place where no one knew me, to get away from him.”

“That’s similar to me.”

Her eyes widened.

“Do you remember?”

“No. Just parts of it.”

As she stared at him blankly, Cardin calmly opened his mouth.

“I hate my father too. Similar to you. He’s forceful and insists on having things his way.”

She didn’t know Cardin had such a family history. As she listened with interest, he continued.

“Everyone praises my father as a great hero who defeated the Grand Duke, but to me, he was the opposite.”

“……”

“If I showed even a hint of weakness, he couldn’t stand it and would hit me.”

She was speechless at the unexpected words. Cardin spoke as if it were a casual daily story.

“He was stingy with family and those around him, so I found him very detestable. That’s why when I attended the academy, I would share anything extra I had.”

Only then did she understand why Cardin gave her the ocarina. It was because he hated his father. He didn’t want to become like him. For the first time, she understood Cardin’s heart.

“When my father died, I felt free for the first time.”

The words came out unconsciously. It was as if a wall had crumbled because they seemed like similar people. After finishing his sandwich, Cardin looked at her. She continued speaking, still holding her sandwich.

“My father was only a hindrance in my life. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be living like this.”

Anger and resentment made her fingers tense. After taking a deep breath, she finished eating her sandwich. Talking about this in front of Cardin was unexpected. Though anxious, she didn’t regret it. The past where Cardin hated her all started with her father. She had wanted to say such things. But she couldn’t muster the courage to speak due to Cardin’s cold demeanor and gaze at the time.

She felt his persistent gaze. As she slowly lifted her head, he spoke.

“Me too.”

He raised the corners of his mouth. Feeling a sense of connection with Cardin, she blinked and looked at him.

“Sometimes I thought about it. That it might be nice to live in a place like this because I was tired of my father.”

Cardin looked around. She still stared at him blankly. It was unbelievable that Cardin had such thoughts. Everyone liked him, he adapted well to his surroundings, and he seemed very happy.

“Didn’t you adapt well at the academy?”

Cardin turned to her. Curious, she asked further.

“You had many friends too.”

He laughed.

“So you already knew me.”

Momentarily flustered, she lost her words. Cardin, seemingly unsurprised, continued with a smile.

“You attended Stern Academy, right?”

“How did you know?”

“You mentioned it earlier.”

“…….”

“That I had many friends.”

Her heart pounded uneasily. She wondered if he had caught her previous lie, and she was trying to think of an explanation.

“I know you too.”

“What?”

“Because we attended the same academy.”

“You know me?”

Cardin nodded with a smile. Meanwhile, her face turned pale as if something serious had happened.

“How?”

“I think I’ve seen you briefly.”

The phrase “I think I’ve seen you” strangely felt like speculation. As if he didn’t actually remember. Perhaps she should feel relieved. Yet, a faint sense of emptiness lingered on her face.

“My memory is faint, so I don’t remember well. Sorry.”

At the sudden apology, she hurriedly spoke.

“It’s okay. You don’t have to remember me. I’m sorry for not telling you from the start. And I wasn’t someone who stood out anyway.”

“So I stood out wherever I went?”

There was a certain gentleness in his tone as he asked anew. He didn’t even comment on her not mentioning they were from the same academy from the start. As if it wasn’t important. Feeling slightly uneasy, she asked.

“Are you okay with it?”

“With what?”

“That I didn’t tell you from the beginning that we were from the same academy.”

“If you’re living alone here, it seems you wouldn’t want to meet people you know. It’s fine.”

His unexpected understanding warmed her heart. As she stared blankly, he spoke with bright eyes.

“There’s something you haven’t answered yet. How was I at Stern Academy?”

Strangely, Cardin seemed most curious about that. Though flustered by the unexpected situation, her words came out calmly.

“You were just always there wherever I went. You were always at the center of the academy.”

“There were many times I was tired back then. Times I wanted to be alone.”

At the unexpected words, she looked at him, and his expression was quite serious. She thought Cardin was just someone who had everything and was happy. A brief silence ensued. Cardin, out of habit, looked at her. Strangely, his gaze seemed more intense than before. Feeling awkward, she unnecessarily wiped her nose and forehead.

Cardin looked at her intently and said.

“I usually don’t talk this much.”

At that moment, a moist breeze came through the window. It smelled of rainwater. Amidst the damp heat, his voice resonated.

“I even talked about that with you.”

“About what?”

“About my father. I’ve never talked about that with friends. Everyone just praises my father when they see me.”

It felt like she had become close to Cardin. Like sharing a secret only the two of them knew. She tried not to show her emotions and spoke.

“Anyway, you’ll leave once your wounds heal. Of course, I won’t talk carelessly about you either. We might never see each other again….”

“Are you going to leave here too?”

Surprised by the sudden topic change, she asked.

“Why?”

“Because I might think of this place sometimes.”

Cardin slowly met her eyes. In his green eyes, there was a subtle persistence.

“This is the first time for a place like this.”

“…….”

“There are no people around, and it’s quiet.”

Cardin watched her for a moment before slightly turning his head to look out the window. Her eyes were drawn to his side profile. His well-defined nose, sharp jawline. Even with time, Cardin remained the same. Her first love, as she always thought. Then Cardin turned to her.

“I like the lake here too.”

“…….”

“Have you ever swum in it?”

She lowered her head and answered.

“No.”

“Want me to teach you?”

When she didn’t respond readily, he smiled and said.

“I’ll teach you before my wounds heal.”

She wanted to say it was okay, but her mouth wouldn’t move. His smile was more familiar than before. Her heartbeat wouldn’t calm down. Strangely, it felt like his guard had also come down.