“Well, congratulations on your marriage. People might be jealous of your closeness with the young master, but shouldn’t you see him before you leave?”

Tom grumbled.

“You’re basically being forced out because of Lord Khalid anyway. Don’t bother saying goodbye.”

But this was the last time. Alice felt regretful, but she had become free on the condition that she would never meet Khalid again, so she couldn’t break that promise.

“Well then, I’m going.”

Tom embraced Alice. As he hugged her tightly, her face buried against his broad chest.

“Tom…?”

“…I’ll definitely come visit you, so stay healthy.”

“…Okay.”

Mariam hugged both of them together. She was crying steadily.

“Ah! We’re not saying goodbye forever, so why are you like this! Don’t create such a mood. You’re making me tear up too! Noel, be good to your bride! Congratulations on being freed from slavery! This is something to celebrate!”

“…”

Standing at the front door embraced by the two, Alice felt awkward. Suddenly feeling a sharp gaze, she looked up and met Khalid’s eyes watching from the window. Alice waved her hand.

‘Take care, Lord Khalid.’

Khalid drew the curtains shut, seemingly unable to bear the sight. Alice was shocked and her expression hardened.

After Alice left the Count’s household due to her marriage, the rumors about her and Khalid quickly died down. People focused on their daily lives, almost forgetting Alice had ever been there.

“Three silver coins. Thank you.”

Alice handed the silver coins to the woman who had pretended to be her wife.

“It’s nothing. Call me again if you need something like this!”

The woman smiled brightly and disappeared.

‘…Where should I go now? I should head home, I suppose?’

Inside the carriage, Alice removed her servant clothes and put on the cute dress Mariam had given her.

After unwrapping the bandages that had compressed her chest, breathing felt so free that she felt truly alive. Yet her heart was painfully constricted.

After seeing him at the villa, she never faced Khalid again. He didn’t even appear at her wedding.

Alice looked at the ring finger of her left hand. A silver ring gleamed there.

‘The ring the Countess gave me….’

The Countess had willingly cooperated to deceive her son.

[Marriage… That’s a good method. Given Khalid’s personality, he won’t pursue someone who’s married.]

The Countess had looked satisfied when she heard Alice’s plan.

Now Alice couldn’t return to the Walsh family. The condition was that she would never appear before Khalid again.

Arriving in her hometown in a luxurious private carriage, Alice handed two silver coins to the coachman. He tilted his head curiously at the passenger who had changed from servant clothes to a dress, but that was all.

“Please use our services again!”

“Travel safely…”

Alice stepped onto the land where she had lived for fifteen years. Despite being a slave with no permission to go out, she had now returned to her hometown.

‘Now I’m free!’

Alice walked toward where her house had been in her memories.

This area with small, scattered houses was completely rural. Alice’s home had been a shabby hut, but it looked even more dilapidated after seven years. Creeak. When she opened the door, the inside was empty.

“…?”

The belongings were still there, but no people.

“Did they go out somewhere?”

Thinking it would be good to ask the neighbors, she headed next door. Neighbor Nila was still plump. Nila recognized Alice and was surprised.

“My goodness! Aren’t you Alice, the one who was sold into slavery?”

“Aunt Nila. …Do you happen to know where my parents and brother went? They’re not home…”

“Ah…”

Nila’s expression wasn’t good. Sensing something had happened, Alice pressed for an answer.

“What is it? What happened?”

“Well… I heard your father gambled again… and the whole family was sold into slavery.”

“…What? …Where to?”

“I don’t know that. …You should probably not go into that house either, in case those men come back.”

“…”

But Alice had nowhere else to go. With no place to stay, she went into the house.

‘Who could those men be? Where on earth did my parents and brother go… Should I try to find out through the guild? Do I have any money left…?’

She gathered firewood in the kitchen, lit a fire, and boiled water in a pot. She checked around the house for any remaining food, but most had rotted. 

She found some dried vegetables and put them in the pot. She skewered dried fish on wooden sticks and grilled them. She swallowed hard at the smell of the cooking food.

‘At least I’m free now.’

This was different from her life as a slave, always watching for others’ reactions. It felt good to have her own home and be able to cook her own food.

After eating the grilled fish and vegetable soup, she felt full.

There was no money left in her bag. The Countess had tried to give her more, but Alice had refused.

She felt guilty for deceiving the Countess and Khalid. She had promised the Countess never to meet Khalid again, but she couldn’t be certain of that.

She didn’t want to take money because she liked Khalid. In the end, her feelings for him remained unresolved.

But her parents being sold into slavery because of debt… This was no time to celebrate her own freedom.

‘I should have just accepted what was offered…’

In the end, Alice had no power at all.

One year later, Alice was actively working in the countryside.

She put away the frilly dress in her bag and bought inexpensive plain clothes. After wearing only pants for seven years, men’s clothing felt more comfortable. In the mornings, she helped with work at nearby farms for small wages.

At first, people in the area clicked their tongues at her short hair and pants-only attire. But pants were comfortable and efficient for work. Eventually, they became used to it and stopped commenting.

Since she didn’t cut her hair, it had grown to her shoulders. Perhaps she looked somewhat feminine, as men began approaching her.

“Alice! You’re really pretty. If you’d just marry me, everything would be perfect.”

Alice smiled wryly at Sean’s flirtatious words. She brushed her shoulder-length hair back slightly, wiping the sweat from her neck.

“What are you talking about? I told you I’m married.”

The ring was useful. When Alice showed him the silver ring, Sean’s face filled with disappointment.

“But your husband isn’t here, is he? Are you sure he really exists?”

“…Of course.”

“I haven’t seen him once in a year.”

“…He’s busy.”