Weren’t You the One Who Was Dying? Chapter 59

“Ah, n-no. There’s nothing over there?”

“What do you mean nothing. That place is full of detainees.”

“There are… there are innocent detainees too.”

Why did I say that? Everything I blurted out in my panic sounded strange.

“Innocent detainees always show up no matter how much you try to reduce them. I saw one too. Don’t know where he’s locked up, though.”

I swallowed again. Naya glanced behind me and asked,

“So, why is someone who should be preparing for her engagement here?”

“I, I came to see you, Madam Naya—”

“Don’t say something even more ridiculous.”

“I’ll tell you later.”

“You didn’t even say your name properly last time, and now you can’t explain right away either?”

“Yes.”

I nodded with a calm face on the outside.

But inside, I was practically crying in cold sweat.

‘Let’s go to Ehit.’

I have to go. That’s better.

Even if I borrow Cloyden’s help, I can’t tell Naya. No matter how I think about it, going straight to Ehit right now and asking him to get Enric out is better than telling her.

Before Naya finds out.

From Ehit’s point of view too, that would clearly be better than the other option.

“I’ll see you later.”

Naya turned away, her long robe fluttering as she walked off.

I froze for a moment until she passed, then quickly ran back into the detention wing.

“Enric, if you see a tall, intimidating middle-aged female investigator, stick flat against the wall.”

“Huh?”

“Okay?”

The guard called me out, saying I needed to submit another form to re-enter.

I gave Enric a few more warnings before leaving the detention wing, sincerely hoping nothing I feared would happen.

 

 

****

 

 

 

“Everything seems ready, so maybe a short walk—”

“Absolutely not, miss! You’re not even fully dressed yet!”

Meria and the other Cloyden servants grabbed the hem of my skirt.

This is not the time. I have to get to Ehit before Naya finds Enric!

But after being caught by the servants helping me dress, I’d already been stuck in the room for an hour.

“Dapflen, why are you in such a hurry? Is there something urgent?”

My mother joked happily as she watched the preparations in the dressing room. I didn’t have the mental space to respond, but she didn’t seem to mind.

“Our tiny little Dapflen having an engagement ceremony.”

“Yeah…….”

“Dapflen, we raised you so lovingly. Our sweet, precious Dapflen, raised without shame before anyone.”

“Thank you, always.”

I was about to hand her a handkerchief as her eyes grew moist, when she suddenly changed the subject.

“But Enric still hasn’t come.”

“…….”

“Honestly, that boy. Being late even to his sister’s engagement. At least it’s not the wedding.”

“Mother, actually—”

“My goodness! Betty asked me to look closely at the smiling lion statue and draw it if I ever visited the Cloyden capital estate!”

“Wait, I have something to tell you—”

“Dapflen, I’ll be right back.”

With that, my mother went off to tour the ducal estate.

Enric had always been a troublemaker, but until now, he’d been manageable. So she must’ve assumed this was the same.

She couldn’t imagine he really wouldn’t come at all.

“Miss, the dress suits you so well!”

Once my mother—who had been helping distract attention—left, all the servants’ eyes focused on me.

This really isn’t the time! I need to get to Ehit, now!

Growing desperate, I suddenly pointed out the window and shouted,

“Oh! Look over there!”

All the servants turned their heads toward the window. In that moment, I jumped up and ran out the door.

“Miss! Lady Dapflen!”

Lifting my long dress with my hands, I ran down the hallway. The voices calling after me faded into the distance.

‘Where is Ehit?’

Even as I searched for him, I wasn’t sure this was the right choice. What if I get past this crisis only for something worse to happen later?

‘I wish I could see every future for every choice.’

If it were Ehit’s foresight, he could probably do that.

Then there’d be no regrets, no mistakes, and I could handle this situation much more wisely.

But the price Ehit would pay for that—

‘His own life. Death.’

My steps slowed for a moment. I shook my head and urged myself on. This wasn’t the time to drift into thoughts.

“…….”

Just find Ehit.

But the ducal estate was enormous. There were five buildings that could all be called “the mansion,” so I had no idea where Ehit might be.

Standing by a window, I scanned the estate built around a green garden.

Do the servants even know where the masters are in a place this big?

There were many servants moving around. I stopped one of them and asked,

“Have you seen Ehit?”

A servant with cherry-colored curly hair and an apron, who seemed to be in a hurry, stopped.

“I haven’t.”

“Don’t servants have some kind of signals? To know where he went… something like that…?”

“No.”

She answered firmly and walked off.

I’d heard that servants in large estates share signals like that, but apparently not here. Then how am I supposed to find him?

“Miss, hello.”

Just then, a familiar voice came from ahead.

“I’m Randy, the young master’s attendant. The young master is looking for you.”

My face brightened at the welcome words. Before I could find him, he’d found me.

But why was Ehit looking for me?

At that moment, Randy glanced behind me as if he’d noticed something.

“Young master.”

Ehit was walking toward us, wearing a deep navy tailcoat, his hair neatly swept back. The perfectly fitted clothes on his tall frame and broad shoulders clearly belonged to someone of command.

With long strides, he quickly closed the distance.

“So this is where you were. Sightseeing the capital yesterday, sightseeing the estate today?”

“Ehit…….”

Seeing the desperate look in my eyes, Ehit tilted his head slightly and stared at me.

“Let’s go.”

“Where? More importantly, I need to talk to you.”

Now that I’d found him, I should hurry and ask him to get Enric out.

Even if Enric has to be locked up again after the ceremony, at least put out the fire for now.

Ehit may be cold, but he isn’t narrow-minded. If I explain properly, he might understand.

“After the ceremony. There’s no time right now.”

“What?”

“It’s about to start. Let’s go down together.”

I checked the clock.

The engagement ceremony was at 12.

The time now was 11:30.

It would take at least 20 minutes to get to the jail.

“…Ah.”

Only then did I realize it.

I was already too late to bring Enric back.

 

 

 

****

 

 

Inside the dining hall, a long table was set.

The engagement ceremony was to be held simply, with a meal shared by both families under the supervision of a church priest.

In front of a table filled with elegant tableware and beautiful food, one of the seats of honor was empty.

Across from it, Ehit and I sat side by side.

To our right sat my parents and brothers. To the left were the Cloyden duke and duchess, and Jaiman.

Three seats were empty.

The duke’s seat, Naya’s seat, and Enric’s seat.

The duke would join when the ceremony began.

“…….”

If only I could calmly admire the beautifully decorated hall and delicious food, waiting excitedly for the ceremony to begin.

But all I had left was……

‘Rough thoughts… and anxious eyes….’

Seeing Ehit like that, I hiccupped without meaning to.

Hic.

The people chatting nearby turned to look. I forced a smile and held my breath.

I saw my father laughing and talking, then quietly mouthing something toward the priest.

‘Please let him arrive before the in-laws do.’

He meant Enric.

He’d assumed Enric was just late—but now, still not appearing, the seriousness of the situation was finally sinking in.

‘Please.’

My father mouthed it again.

But Father, that man isn’t a god……

Just then, the door opened.

Naya entered the dining hall, wearing a blue-gray tailcoat and a light gray shawl over her shoulders.

I saw my father silently scream again.

‘No!’

Naya glanced once toward where Ehit and I were sitting, then toward the Aileta family.

“It seems even the workplace knows today is an auspicious day. Work piled up, so I couldn’t come early.”

“Not at all! What’s the problem with being a little late?”

“Exactly. Everyone has their circumstances!”

My mother and father jumped up to respond. Clearly thinking of Enric, who still hadn’t arrived.

“We will escort the duke in.”

At the head servant’s words near the entrance, my father mouthed toward the priest once more.

‘Oh God.’