‘There won’t be.’

Because ‘Felicity’ is the villain of this world.

Even if everyone else is happy, a world where ‘Reibella Felicity’ is happy will never come.

She had already been branded by the Emperor as someone whose life could be taken at any time, and people throughout the world still gnashed their teeth at the mere mention of ‘Felicity.’

So, running away is the right thing to do. Leaving this mansion right now is the right choice.

She knew this.

Yet she couldn’t understand why her heart was still so troubled despite knowing this.

Reibella gazed at the scene beyond the window for a long time, and only when the moonlight was covered by clouds could she finally turn toward the desk where moonlight had pooled.

And when the moonlight illuminated the world again…

Only a letter remained in the place where she had been.

* * *

‘I’m doing the right thing.’

Walking quickly along the moonlit path, Reibella repeated to herself many times.

That it was the right thing to do.

That it was very fortunate to escape from this damn novel.

Being a supporting character for life? That’s truly the worst, isn’t it?

‘Yes, now I should live as the protagonist of my own life.’

They say people become the protagonists of their own life stories from the moment they’re born, but Reibella had been robbed of that life. Now it was time to reclaim her place as the protagonist of her stolen story.

She would find her happy ending in a world meant just for her.

‘Dad told me to be happy.’

So this was the natural choice.

If she went to the Kingdom of Baribe, she would no longer face the Emperor’s threats or the glares of the Empire’s citizens. There might be difficult days when she wanted to cry, but she would rarely suffer from unreasonable circumstances like now.

‘Leaving is the right choice, even for the sake of the retainers who risked their lives for me.’

Don’t regret it. Never regret it.

With that determination, Reibella strode into the merchant group’s quarters.

Unlike her previous visit, the merchant group was bustling with activity.

“What’s this, little one?”

At this early hour before dawn, a child as small as a chestnut who suddenly entered caught attention immediately. A man carrying goods approached and spoke to Reibella.

“How did you get here?”

“I came to see the Master.”

“……You?”

He made a dubious expression as he examined Reibella’s appearance. Judging her to be a noble’s child from her neat appearance wrapped in a high-quality robe, he continued.

“Ah. Are you from a family that invested in the merchant group……? Kid, it’s dangerous here.”

“No. I’m here to see the Master.”

“What?”

“We had an appointment. He’ll know who I am. Tell him about the note I sent a few days ago.”

When he showed signs of annoyance, Reibella discreetly handed him a gold coin. After a moment of surprise, he quietly slipped the coin into his pocket and finally headed toward the Master with a satisfied expression.

“Wait here for a moment.”

The man left with those words, but Reibella wasn’t one to just stay put.

She secretly followed behind him. And when he spoke to someone, she stepped forward as if she had been waiting for this moment.

“Hello, Master.”

“Who are you, little chestnut?”

The man who called Reibella ‘little chestnut’ was a sturdy man with gray hair. He looked extremely strong, carrying a large sword on his back, perhaps personally guarding the merchant group.

“Well, this child says she had an appointment with the Master……”

“With me?”

When the man spoke in a timid voice as if flustered, the corner of the Master’s mouth lifted slightly.

“You’re my guest?”

He looked Reibella up and down, measuring her height. She was more than three times smaller than him, with a round face and an innocent expression, clearly just a child.

He smirked as if finding it absurd.

And he was about to open his mouth to order her thrown out.

But then……

“Have you found mercenaries?”

The moment Reibella opened her mouth, his gaze changed.

“……You sent that letter?”

When he asked in a puzzled voice, Reibella smiled as if she had been waiting for this. The man who had been staring at her quietly made a chin gesture to the man who had brought Reibella.

After the intruder disappeared, the Master guided Reibella to his seat. Only when they were facing each other did he speak.

“Yes. I received a letter some time ago. About a month and a half ago. It was a letter delivered by a visitor to my merchant group. There was information about mercenaries…… was it really you?”

When Reibella grinned and nodded, he continued.

“As you said, I went to the place you told me about and found good mercenaries. How did you know I needed mercenaries?”

“I heard it in the capital. I heard that due to the recent war, looting has become severe, so more mercenaries are needed. So I took a chance.”

“Hmm. I see.”

He asked while stroking his chin.

“So, you want to come with us?”

“Yes. Take me to the Kingdom of Baribe. And help me find a house to live in there. I’ll pay for the costs.”

“You want to live alone? You?”

He snorted.

“How are you going to live alone with those tiny legs?”

“I can live. There’s nothing I can’t do. You’ll find me a house, Master.”

“Have you ever been scammed? What if I scam you?”

“You won’t be able to scam me. If you just help me, I can give you better information than what you’d get from scamming me.”

“Because you’re Felicity?”

“Yes, Felici……”

……How did he know?

I deliberately wore a robe.

When she looked at him with puzzled eyes, he said.

“No merchant group in Louvindisi would fail to recognize the Silver Wolf.”

“Ah.”

The day she first visited this place. Reibella was with Cleo and Tony. Reibella had hidden her pink hair, but they hadn’t particularly covered their faces.

So he must have inquired about the young girl who came with the ‘Silver Wolf,’ not ‘Reibella,’ and naturally connected her to ‘Reibella Felicity.’

When Reibella nodded in understanding, he continued.

“Well, you seem smarter than I thought. You got permission from Vicheravali, right?”

“That……”

She hadn’t received permission. She had only left a one-sided message.

Unable to answer, she just opened her mouth slightly, and he laughed heartily.

“Acting all smart but still a child. Can you really live alone?”

“I can. There’s no reason I can’t, is there?”

When she snapped back in a disgruntled voice, he burst into laughter again.

……Why is he laughing?

Somehow feeling like his laughter was mocking her, Reibella unconsciously made a pouty face.

Seeing this, the Master laughed even more before finally composing himself with a relaxed smile. Then he slapped his knees with both hands.

“Well, even a little chestnut must have her reasons. Fine. I received help unintentionally, so I’ll help you too.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Get in my carriage. I’ll make room for you.”

“No. A cargo carriage is fine too.”

“What cargo carriage for a child raised in luxury? Ride in my carriage and stay by my side. There are those in our merchant group who don’t look kindly upon Felicity.”

That’s right. There’s no way there wouldn’t be.

“……Then please guide me.”

Because that person might have ill intentions and abandon her halfway. As long as she was on Empire soil, she couldn’t let her guard down. For her own life, it was better to accept the Master’s offer.

As she quickly yielded, another smile appeared on the Master’s face.

“We’re leaving soon, so go in first. I need to appear before the distinguished guests, but I’ll follow shortly.”

When Reibella nodded, he immediately went outside and guided her to the carriage.

The carriage Reibella would board looked so similar to the others that it was difficult to distinguish. However, unlike the others, the interior was extremely luxurious. The reason for making the exterior similar seemed to be to prevent focused attacks from thieves.

“You don’t have any food preferences, right? I’ll bring some fruit when I come back.”

“Thank you.”

The Master responded to Reibella’s thanks with a slight nod, closed the carriage door, and left to find his duties.

Left alone, Reibella stared out the carriage window with a small sigh.

People coming and going, chatting happily, looked very lively.

‘This feels really strange.’

Whenever she saw people living vigorously, she always wanted to join them and laugh together. Laughing, chatting, and freely roaming the world. She thought that if such a day came, it would be very enjoyable, truly happy.

But now that the moment had arrived, somehow it wasn’t as happy as she had thought.

Is it because it’s not yet a perfect escape?

Or is it because she has lingering attachments to what she left behind?

‘……Are they looking for me?’