CHAPTER 067
A grave enclosed by a fence stood before me, preventing any unauthorized entry. A large tombstone was erected in front of the fence.
"Let's get this over with quickly."
All I needed to do was leave evidence that I had been here. They said they would check tomorrow!
I pulled out a hairpin from my hair and dropped it in front of the fence.
"This should be enough, right?"
It was so quiet, perhaps because no one was around. The only sound was the chirping of insects.
"This is scary..."
I looked around quickly.
It was a calm and dark place, truly unpleasant to be alone in.
Since I had left my trace, it was time to leave.
Just as I was about to leave, I heard a rustling sound in the bushes.
"Gasp!"
Startled, I looked toward the source of the sound, but there was nothing there. It was as if the strange noise had never existed.
"What was that...?"
What was that sound just now?
I felt a sudden surge of anxiety.
I thought I was the only one here...
Never mind not wanting to be alone; I'd rather be alone now!
I needed to hurry back.
As I hugged my arms around myself and moved quickly, a voice spoke from behind me.
"Are you scared?"
"Yes..."
As I answered the voice, I realized something.
Wait, why is Lewis's voice here?
I turned around in shock, and there stood someone who shouldn't be here.
It really was Lewis!
"Marquis?"
"Yes."
"Was there really a ghost...?"
"What?"
It had to be a ghost.
Lewis couldn't be here. A ghost disguised as a familiar person?
Seeing him in the dark, past midnight, made it even more convincing.
Why would he appear as Lewis, of all people, making me feel weak?
Anyway, I had no intention of talking to Lewis, who had appeared suddenly at a grave at night.
Because it couldn't really be Lewis!
"Go away!"
I waved the lamp I was holding, trembling.
"What?"
Lewis looked bewildered.
What nerve did this ghost have to look so confused after suddenly appearing?
"If you're a ghost, disappear immediately!"
Then Lewis burst into laughter.
He tried to stifle his laughter with one hand over his mouth, but even when he removed his hand, his face was full of amusement.
"You look so pitiful."
"If you feel sorry, then disappear. Don't impersonate the Marquis!"
Lewis continued to laugh silently.
Damn... He really looked like the real Lewis.
As I looked at him with a confused face, he managed to control his laughter and spoke.
"I'm not a ghost. It's really me. I came to see you."
"But you can't come here."
Don't let your guard down, Selina.
I asked, still on high alert, and Lewis shrugged.
"How can you be so sure I can't come here?"
"What?"
"Even if it's forbidden to meet outsiders, they can't stop someone who sneaks in."
Uh...
That made sense. Especially for someone like Lewis, who could appear anywhere with magic.
Could it really be Lewis?
Seeing my hesitation, Lewis smiled leisurely.
"Have you been thinking about me a lot while you were here?"
"Oh...!"
It really was Lewis.
'Think about me a lot.'
He was repeating what he had said before I left!
I couldn't hide my surprise as I asked.
"How did you get here, Marquis? Even if you sneaked in, it's so late!"
"It's not too late."
Lewis tilted his head.
"It's not even close to bedtime. Isn't this the time to relax after dinner?"
Ah. That was true. It was so dark that I had forgotten.
With a light smile, Lewis extended his hand to me.
"If you're still unsure, touch me. You'll see I'm real."
I cautiously took his hand. The familiar warmth and texture confirmed that it was indeed Lewis.
"I was really scared, thinking you were a ghost."
I sighed with relief, my heart finally calming down.
It was really Lewis. The fact that I had been ready to use my lamp as a weapon suddenly felt embarrassing.
"You said you would endure just four nights. How did you get here?"
I had been surprised when he had suddenly agreed to let me come to Ayles. He had been reluctant to be apart for five days but then suddenly said he could endure it.
It seemed he had planned to visit me in the middle of my stay all along!
Lewis, who had guessed my thoughts, spoke calmly.
"I came because I missed you."
"Because you missed me?"
Hmm. I looked at Lewis deeply.
To say he missed me so casually.
He didn't seem to realize that this could be easily misunderstood.
'If we weren't just friends, I would have definitely misunderstood!'
We talked for a while at the grave.
"But how did you know I was here? Did you know I was in this exact spot?"
"I used a teleportation spell to get to the sanctuary, and I saw you leaving the building."
Ah, so he saw me when I was chosen for the courage test.
He must have followed me when I left the lounge!
"You should have told me you were here sooner instead of waiting until I got to the grave."
"It was amusing to see you so scared."
"I really thought you were a ghost."
"But I came when you were scared, didn't I?"
"That's true."
If he hadn't come, I might have been trembling all the way back to the lounge.
Having Lewis by my side made all the fear disappear, which was a relief.
However, I couldn't spend too much time with Lewis.
"Marquis, I can't stay here for long."
The other ladies would worry if I didn't return soon.
"Already? You just got here."
Lewis looked disappointed. I felt the same.
"I don't want to leave so soon, but the ladies are waiting for me. I didn't expect to take long at the grave."
I glanced at the path I had walked.
Seeing the dark path made me sigh.
"Ugh, I have to walk all the way back."
Lewis spoke up.
"I'll walk with you. At least to the end of the path."
"To the end of the path?"
"Why? Don't you want me to?"
"No, I'd love that!"
I was thrilled to hear that.
It would lessen the disappointment. Whether we said goodbye here or there, it was a short time anyway.
At least we could talk a bit more.
"Shall we go, then?"
As I gestured toward the path, Lewis chuckled.
So, we walked back together.
He had promised to stay with me until the dark path ended.
It made sense since walking all the way to the lounge building could risk being seen by others.
"The path is so quiet, isn't it? No one else is around."
"It really is."
Lewis shared his thoughts calmly and then asked suddenly.
"Are you not scared because I'm here?"
"Yes. I was so scared when I was alone."
"Aren't you glad I'm here?"
He sounded like he was seeking confirmation.
"Of course. I'm very glad!"
Lewis looked satisfied. This must have been the answer he wanted.
I wasn't just saying it; I was genuinely glad to see him.
"I think coming to see you was the right choice. I can wait for you calmly now."
The path gradually became brighter. The building I had left came into view.
Some windows were lit, one of which must be the lounge where I was headed.
Lewis stopped walking.
It was really time to say goodbye now.
"Don't do things like drawing lots anymore. Why do something scary if it frightens you?"
"I was just unlucky today..."
Unlucky indeed. Sigh.
"I don't think it was just today."
"That's a sad thing to say."
He looked at me with a relaxed smile. He gestured toward the building.
"Go ahead. I'll watch you go."
That was Lewis's way of being considerate.
How kind of him. I smiled slightly and took a step forward.
"I'll be going now."
"Okay."
"Really, I'm going."
"Okay. Hurry up."
I kept looking back at him as I walked toward the building.
Lewis watched me the whole time. His smiling face seemed to say,
Why do you keep looking back?
Before I knew it, I reached the entrance.
As I climbed the steps, I glanced out the window toward where Lewis had stood, but he was gone.
"He left."
Just moments ago, he had been with me. His sudden absence felt oddly empty.
What was this emptiness?
At least, thanks to Lewis, I wasn't scared at all.
The path I had walked in fear earlier felt completely different on the way back, almost enjoyable.
"Selina, what are you doing there?"
"Huh? Bella?"
"You stopped halfway. How long have you been there?"
"Oh, not long."
I quickly moved toward Bella, who was coming down the stairs.
"Lady Elsner, are you back?"
"Yes, I have returned safely, everyone!"
I went up to the lounge with Bella to meet the other ladies, feeling strange.
Being with Lewis just a moment ago felt like a dream. It was clearly real, but I felt dazed.
Meeting Lewis, even for a short time, made me want to see him even more.
* * *
The last day of the schedule involved testing what we had learned.
We took a written test on what we had studied and then had interviews in front of Madame Meyer and others.
Who would be the representative lady for Raphael's Day this year?
I knew the answer. In the original story, it was Charlotte, so it would be the same here!
Charlotte's reaction to the water tasting sweet was a clue.
She reacted differently from everyone else.
Since it was a test where Charlotte would be selected anyway,
I could face the interview with a light heart.
But what was this...?
"A letter from the sanctuary!"
On the fifth day after returning to the duchy,
I received a letter from the sanctuary.
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