Chapter 44: 23.2

Chapter 23 Part 2: Scarlett Family 

“You Brat! You have no right to touch the lady’s things!”

 

“You are so ungrateful! How can you do such a thing, when it was the Lady of the Scarlett family who was to taking care of you?”

 

Young Dahlia was a mess, and her eyes were filled with resentment. Looking at her now, I can’t imagine that they were the same person. Her ragged clothes, face covered with soot, and limbs as thin as skewers from the lack of food. It was strange to think that Dahlia, who had the air of a well-educated young lady, had such a time in her life.

 

“Lady. What do you think we should do with this beggar child?”

 

“You should slit her wrists and make an example out of her.”

 

The nanny beside the young me whispered in a low voice. There was an urgent need for her young lady to establish her prestige. She is a ruler of this territory and that child ought to know that.

 

But young Ritch with a look of disinterest on her face, asked,

“Have you eaten?”

 

It was such a silly question. Dahlia didn’t even realize she was asking her at first. She stood there for a moment, then stammered when the security guard barked at her.

“Oh, n-not yet… Miss… ”

 

“Really?”

 

She then stared at her, then ordered her in a nonchalant manner.

 

“Wash and tidy up, and let’s go to dinner tonight.”

 

 

“What? Young Miss… What is that?”

 

“I’ll feed you and send you home with a full stomach, so you’ll know.”

 

Tok. Lit unfurled a colourful-patterned fan and waved it gently. Dahlia stared at it, in a dazed.

 

‘The lady is a strange one indeed.’

 

Dahlia sincerely thought so. To Dahlia, who barely made ends meet as a pickpocket, Ritch, who lived in a dreamlike mansion, was like someone from another world. It was unheard of for a high and mighty noble young lady to dine with a commoner like her.

 

“Do you think so?”

 

“Yes…? Shhh, I’m s-sorry if I’m rude… It’s j-ust that I haven’t learned anything…”

 

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Ritch immediately gave a small laugh after hearing her words.

 

“You may stay longer if you wish. There is room in this manor for a young girl like you.”

 

“Really? Thank you, Thank you! I want to, my lady!”

 

And just like that, Dahlia became a guest at the Scarlett’s Mansion. Nominally, she was Ritch Scarlett’s companion. There were many servants who looked down on Dahlia for being so lucky to have such a honey-like position, but it was worth it. Not having to sleep shivering in the cold wind was enough for Dahlia to dream of being under the same ceiling as the heavenly noble lady. It didn’t take long for the two, who were the same age, to bond.

 

Whenever they were alone, Dahlia would speak loudly and half-heartedly. Ritch didn’t criticize her for being ill-mannered. They were always together, unless Ritch was in class, and they shared many things.

 

But there was one thing, that even Dahlia didn’t know. It was a room in the far corner of the third floor. Not even regular servants were allowed in there, only those who had been thoroughly vetted could enter. Dahlia had asked Lit about that room, but even the usually friendly Ritch was unusually silent about it.

 

 

 

❖

 

It was a rainy night when the loud thunder was rumbling. Flashes of lightning lit up the darkened mansion. Every now and then, a picture frame or an expensive ornament in the hallway would glow.

 

The curtains fluttered in the gusting wind, and the sound of whirring echoed in my ears. It was a night of dampness and cold that made my shoulders shiver.

 

In the midst of it all, Dahlia went looking for Ritch. The night was too cold for her to be alone.

 

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“Ritch…”

 

Dahlia ran across the wide hallway. Squeezing her eyes shut, she was glad she couldn’t see the hideousness of the hallway. Her best friend was always reading, even this late at night, and tonight would be no different.

 

“Ah!”

 

Running with her eyes closed, Dahlia didn’t notice the threshold and tripped over it. Her pajamas were too thin to protect her flesh. Her delicate flesh slid across the carpet, revealing red marks. ‘It was a bitter cut that made tears well up in her eyes. Dahlia lifted her head.’

 

The library doors stood majestically in front of her. The ornately decorated door had always had the power to make her turn back, even if she’d come all the way to the door.

 

“Is the light… Off?

 

The library door was an opaque pane of glass between ornate decorations. She couldn’t see inside, but she could make out the lights. It was the first time she’d ever seen the library lights off.

 

‘That room.’

 

Instead, light was leaking through a crack in the door of the next room to the library. It was always locked with a padlock. A secret room, rumored to be full of secrets. A secret room full of rumors.

 

There was no lock. But if she turned the doorknob, she might be caught. The lights were off in the library but on in that room, so she could at least guess that Ritch might be here. Dahlia lifted the magpie and focused her eyes on the keyhole, the light glimmering beyond it.

 

Her vision wobbled as she struggled to keep her feet on the ground. Dahlia had to steady her wobbly feet again and again.

 

“What’s in… that… thing?

 

There was a shape standing vaguely. Dahlia put more pressure on her toes to make sure she could see it clearly. Dahlia let out a short, involuntary groan after a while. She was so shocked. She covered her mouth, to stop herself from crying out loud.

 

Dahlia was so pale and whispered, “This Room… This Mansion… This Family…”

 

 

❖

 

 

“Let’s run away from here.”

 

Ritch stared at her with calm eyes. Her fingertips brushed against Ritch’s hand.

 

“This place is crazy.”

 

Dahlia was sure of it. This place was crazy, she could see it now, why Ritch, in the midst of all this splendor and opulence, looked so cynical. Why she was so indifferent to everything, thinking everything around her was meaningless. Yes, it was inevitable. It was inevitable that all of it should stay out of reach for her!

 

“Just like you saved me, I’ll save you this time.”

 

Through a stream of tears. “Trust me and let’s go to the eastern end, I heard there’s a utopia there, an artificially created utopia, but anywhere is better than here.”

 

Dahlia vowed to herself. ‘I will save you from this hell, even if it means giving up everything I have.’

 

「You have reached the end of “Ritch’s Memories“」

「Story comprehension improves」

 

When I opened my eyes, I saw Dahlia. Who had grown older, and looked more like an adult. There were tears in her eyes, she told her that if she ever regrets her choice, it’s not too late to go back. Young Ritch probably nodded in affirmation and took Dahlia’s hand. Now that I’ve seen her memory, I finally know. Everything means nothing to her. Even holding Dahlia’s hand.

 

“Dahlia.”

 

Dahlia was silent.

 

“You don’t regret it?”

 

If she kept her mouth shut, Dahlia could have enjoyed that safe life for a longer time. Now I knew how happy she was with it. Maybe she’s the one who regretted it.

 

“… I never regretted it.”

 

But Dahlia was adamant. I didn’t know if she was talking to me or to herself.

 

“Not a single moment.”

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