Subliminal Wayfarer

As Julie was wrapping the bandage, she cautiously spoke up.

“Well, it’s, how should I put it? I have a feeling that there’s something being kept secret in this mansion. Should I say people are hiding something?”

Julie had a keen sense, especially when it came to observation.

She could tell if someone had trimmed their hair a little, and even those she had only seen in passing were remembered.

Because of this, Grace trusted Julie’s words.

“Hiding something?”

“Yes, well, I can’t pinpoint exactly what it is yet… Anyway, the atmosphere is pleasant, but I can’t shake the feeling that something is being concealed. I’ll look into it more and let you know, Milady.”

“Alright. Thank you, Julie.”

As Grace gazed at the bandage Julie had meticulously wrapped, she spoke again.

“But, Julie, if you ever feel like there’s something dangerous, don’t ask about it, don’t try to uncover it.”

“What?”

“Saying that nobles are hiding something is synonymous with saying it’s dangerous. Don’t rush to find out, just watch and wait. I don’t want you to put yourself in danger just to satisfy curiosity.”

“But…”

“No buts. Don’t jump into danger. Please.”

Grace, who had been speaking sternly, embraced Julie’s shoulders.

“Don’t get hurt, Julie. As much as you’ve cared for me, no, even more than that, you are precious and important to me.”

“Milady…”

Grace looked Julie in the eyes and said,

“We’re allies, aren’t we?”

At Grace’s mention of their camaraderie, Julie smiled with tears in her eyes and nodded firmly.

“Don’t forget about Alia either. You made a promise, Milady. We believe and follow only you.”

On the day Alia broke her leg, Grace secretly came to her with painkillers.

 

“I got this from my father’s study, Alia. I heard him say that it’s a very expensive pain medication. Take it quickly, but don’t get caught.”

 

The young lady, who had been considered frail, had somehow managed to sneak into and pilfer her father’s private study.

It was the kind of gutsiness that sent shivers down her spine now when thinking back on it.

Fortunately, the young lady seemed to have some trick up her sleeve, as all the blame was shifted to Norman.

 

“A salve used by the Royal Family? I-I didn’t take that, Father!”

“That? So you took something else then? What uncouth behavior!”

 

The ‘benevolent’ Marquis O’Ellin couldn’t bear anyone meddling with his possessions. It was in the marquis’s private study that Norman received his first beating.

Alia, Julie, and Grace, hidden away, overheard all the commotion.

With Alia’s slender ankle wrapped in bandages, while holding the head maid’s hand tightly, the little Grace said,

 

“We’re allies now. Julie, Alia, and I might as well have boarded the same ship. I’ll rescue you all from this wretched den. We will leave this place. I will make sure of it.”

 

As Alia and Julie had effectively entered this mansion on a lifetime contract that’s similar to a slave agreement, they wouldn’t be able to escape this place on their own.

But when the delicate and pitiful young lady led them, the dark despair that had festered in a corner of their hearts dissipated.

And what filled that void was affection for the little lady.

 

“Yes, Milady. Until that time, we will protect you.”

 

In this way, the three women became allies.

And that little young lady had grown up unnoticed, still keeping that promise.

 

* * *

 

Alone, Grace unfolded the note that Julie had handed her before leaving.

 

[ Norman found out. You have a private account?

How dare you secretly dip into your father’s pockets.

Repay immediately upon your return.

You are my daughter, and I have rightful ownership over everything that you have.

Is this how you repay the kindness of raising you like this?

Since it seems Norman’s medical expenses will be considerable, let’s deduct it from that account.

Whether you can walk or not, return to the mansion at once. ]

 

How could there not be a single line inquiring about Grace’s well-being?

And at the same time, he was even telling her to give him money.

She was expecting this.

She had already heard the story that her father had visited Thompson Bank.

He had demanded the opening of Grace O’Ellin’s account and had waited all day before returning home.

Truly, whenever it came to money, her father brought his all and was endlessly sincere.

“I knew this would happen, so I split the accounts.”

As soon as she received Alia’s note, Grace sent Julie to act as her representative. Julie had already been registered with the authority to do so.

A small amount of money in the already exposed account was left there, and the rest were transferred to another account.

It was annoying to lose even that small amount of money, but her father would keep being relentlessly persistent unless he’d eventually receive something.

She decided to think of it as paying for a lesson.

Important items must be hidden even more thoroughly.

That was the lesson she had learned this time.

Grace tore up the letter and sat by the window.

Although it was already evening, the night was not too dark as the moon and stars were shining brightly.

The meadow spread out against the backdrop of starlight had another charm.

‘It seems like he’ll send someone soon, given how upset he is.’

Then, her daily routine of peace at House Blacke’s townhouse would come to an end.

“…What should I do with this?”

She raised her arm, which had the pattern transferred from the riding crop.

The faintly sparkling pattern, reflecting the moonlight, was undoubtedly something that House Blacke considered very important.

Since that day, Lucas Blacke had concealed his intentions, promising to bring an answer.

Of course, she heard his voice almost every day, somehow.

‘…Come to think of it, we hardly spoke today.’

When she was hiding in the thicket to avoid Luki earlier, she did hear his voice.

Of course, she pretended not to hear and didn’t respond.

At this rate, she would have to return home soon.

Considering her father’s impatient nature, he might take her back within three days.

Because money was at stake.

‘If I go back like this, His Excellency will also be in a difficult situation… But it doesn’t seem like he’s found any solution yet.’

Her thoughts were all tangled up.

She wished she could have seen him in person again now that things had turned out this way. Then, her uncertain feelings might become clear.

‘…Should I call him?’

Grace, who was hesitating for a moment, raised her head.

No matter how anxious she was, it had become too dark now. It was a bit strange to start a conversation after not saying a word all day just because it had gotten dark.

‘…But maybe it’s still better to speak quickly.’

At that moment, she unintentionally murmured.

Hiiing!

The familiar neighing reached her ears.

“Huh?”

Startled, she looked down and saw Luki standing there.

 

* * *

 

How many years had it been since he had turned into a horse?

Lucas could only stop after running until he couldn’t breathe.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

His heart, swollen to the extreme, felt like it would burst.

It was a speed and strength that he couldn’t feel in a human body.

Muscles that had swelled up tightly and veins pulsating fiercely were visible.

This was the feeling he had been waiting for.

The boiling heat and the almost explosive excitement, when was the last time he had felt this?

After a whole day of restlessness, his mind had cleared up refreshingly.

Feeling the pleasant burning sensation, he leisurely rolled his feet and approached the vicinity of the mansion.

‘It’s not all bad being a horse.’

The feeling of being a beast was surprisingly refreshing and clean.

Not that turning into this state was a good thing in itself.

A curse.

This was a curse.

An ancient curse that had been passed down for a long time.

The secret of this kingdom was that the seven noble families, who served as pillars for this country’s foundation, continued to bear this curse for countless generations.

 

[ You who have defiled my land. Those strong and weak, shall henceforth be weak and strong. ]

 

Just one line from the founding document.

Not many knew that it was a witch’s curse.

It was a story known only to the seven knights who invaded the witch’s land and founded this country, and a few loyal retainers who protected them.

And this story had been kept secret for centuries until now.

The unfortunate part was that the ‘witches’ and ‘wizards’ who were quite common at the time had completely disappeared.

There was no being left in this world that could lift the curse.

Thus, the curse continued on for hundreds of years.

So, what attitude would the descendants who inherited this curse adopt?

Most of them conformed or adapted.

There were occasional cases of rebellion or refusal, but in the end, they had no choice but to accept it.

It was as natural as having blue or red eyes.

Lucas Blacke adapted quickly as well.

He had naturally accepted it since his father’s time, so adapting was incredibly easy.

But there was one thing that bothered him…

“…Still, wouldn’t it be better to just talk right away?”

As Lucas was lost in thought while walking, suddenly, he heard a voice.

‘Oh? Why did I come here?’

He looked up, and he soon saw Grace on the terrace.

She was leaning on the railing, looking at something in the distance.

Seeing her made him so happy that Lucas couldn’t help but let out a joyful sound.

Hiiing!

…A neigh.

Yes, he neighed.

“Huh?”

As Grace looked down for a moment, she recognized him and smiled brightly.

Seeing her face, Lucas’s mane fluttered cheerfully.

“…Hmm, I don’t know.”

His heart had been stubbornly silent, not uttering a single word all day. But now, his smile was the opposite of that silence.

Hiing!

He was so happy to see her.