novelraw Chapter 77
Chapter 77
The luxurious carriage rolled out from the estate grounds. Isolde leaned against the carriage wall, her small face turned to the window, her gaze quietly fixed on the passing scenery. Sunlight, filtered through the glass, cast a soft veil over her long, golden hair and illuminated her fair cheeks with a gentle luminescence.
The month had passed quickly. Although Thea made her drink all manner of strange concoctions every day, the potions, aside from their odd colors and tastes, had no ill side effects.
Recalling the past month with Thea, Isolde knew one thing for certain: Thea was a good person. This had been a happy month. Of course, it would have been even better without the bill, whose numbers were growing more and more ridiculous by the day.
The carriage turned onto a clean, wide avenue clear of any buildings. It was paved with bluestone slabs, and at its end stood the grand gates of the academy. It was a familiar sight to Isolde now.
Clatter…
The carriage swayed slightly and came to a stop.
As the carriage slowed, Thea gently placed the book she was holding on the seat and looked to her side. Isolde was still leaning against the carriage wall, her back motionless, her eyes staring out the window. What is she looking at so intently?
Thea moved closer, her arms wrapping around Isolde from behind. She rested her chin on Isolde's small shoulder and leaned in to her ear.
“What are you looking at? You seem captivated.”
The tips of Isolde's white ears turned a visible shade of red. She started to turn her head, then quickly snapped her gaze forward again. “N-nothing. It's nothing.”
She was hiding something. Thea's gaze followed hers out the window.
A man with messy chestnut hair, a plain and unremarkable face, and a dense stubble that looked as though it hadn't been shaved in weeks. He was wrapped in a thick, somewhat dirty overcoat. He looked destitute, but not like a common beggar.
Was she looking at him? Isolde had few connections; Thea was her only friend. Thea's eyes narrowed slightly. Judging by the man's age, he must be Isolde's uncle. He has come here looking for her.
Thea released her embrace, instead taking Isolde's small hand and lacing their fingers together. “Come, we should head into the academy. Ms. Solana is lecturing on new runes today. We can't be late.”
Isolde's head drooped. She didn't want to leave the carriage. She didn't want to go back with her uncle. Compared to her past life, her life now was much happier. And if she went back, she wouldn't have enough to eat. She didn't want to be hungry again.
Seeing the small, downturned head before her, Thea stepped in front of Isolde. She reached out with her left hand and gently lifted the girl's round chin. Her black eyes met Isolde's golden ones. In those darting, uncertain pupils, she saw a profound lack of confidence. Perhaps Isolde hadn't yet realized that even bare-handed, she could take on ten men as frail as the one outside.
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“Don't worry,” Thea said softly. “I'm here.”
It was a short phrase, a simple statement with no promises. And yet, upon hearing those words, Isolde's anxious heart immediately calmed. She lifted her head and looked into those black eyes. She gave a small, firm nod. “Mm.”
Seeing that Isolde had agreed, Thea smiled. “Then let's go.”
She squeezed their intertwined hands and turned toward the carriage door. Thea led the way, with Isolde following behind. The two figures exited the carriage one after another, where a footstool had already been placed. They stepped down and began to walk toward the academy gates.
They had only taken a few steps when Thea felt a pull from behind. Isolde had stopped. Without turning, Thea gently squeezed her hand. The next second, the pulling sensation was gone. They continued forward.
Squatting by the side of the main road, Sam scanned the apprentices walking toward the academy gates. They were all the children of wealthy merchants or nobles. He didn't dare stare, his eyes darting from one to the next, quickly determining they were not his target before moving on. The apprentices, for their part, completely ignored the man who had suddenly appeared by the road. Just another beggar, nothing to worry about. As fledgling mages, they had no reason to fear a commoner.
His eyes scanned past the students until they landed on two figures walking hand-in-hand. His searching stopped. She had changed a great deal, and the black dress she wore was clearly expensive, but there was no mistaking it. That was Isolde!
A wild joy erupted in his bloodshot eyes. Thank goodness, I've finally found the girl! If I can just bring her back, I can definitely get my position back! Definitely!
Sam stood up and walked directly toward them.
Seeing the approaching figure, Isolde shrunk back, trying to hide behind Thea. Soon, the two parties stood face-to-face. The disheveled man forced a strained, unpleasant smile onto his face.
“Isolde, my dear niece, I've been looking for you for so long. Are you well?” The moment he spoke, the undeniable stench of cheap alcohol wafted from him. Thea's delicate brow furrowed.
Seeing the displeasure on her lady's face, Linda took a single step forward. Her stern gaze fixed on the man as she reprimanded him.
“Commoner, I demand you step back immediately. You stand before the heir to House Valerius, the future Imperial Countess.”
The name Valerius was famous even in the royal capital. The prestige of a hereditary Imperial Countess was no less than that of some Marquises, and the Valerius lands were larger still. As a commoner from Valerius himself, Sam certainly understood the weight the name carried. His grimy face instantly broke into a fawning, obsequious smile.
“My deepest apologies, esteemed Lady Thea. You are Isolde's friend, yes? Thank you so much for taking care of Isolde during this time. As her uncle, I am eternally grateful for your kindness.”
Thea sized up the man before her. Disgusting. Utterly disgusting. The filth, the stench of alcohol, and that sickening smile. What a wretched creature.
“You are mistaken,” Thea said coolly. “She is not Isolde. Now, step aside.” Talking to such a man is a waste of my time.
Hearing her words, Sam's fawning smile froze. He looked at the figure hiding behind her.
“Isolde, lift your head and look at your uncle. It's me, your uncle Sam!” he said, pointing to himself, his eyes full of pleading hope.
The figure behind Thea only buried her face deeper. Seeing this, Sam's pupils constricted. He knew in his heart that he could not lose custody of this little girl. If he lost her, he would lose everything, having already lost his job.
“Isolde!” his voice suddenly boomed, his tone spiraling out of control.
Thea's frown deepened. The body pressed against her back trembled violently.
“Lift your head now!” Sam had clearly lost his senses. His frail hand shot out, reaching around Thea to grab at Isolde behind her.
A flash of white light cut through the air.
A hand fell to the ground.
Squelch.
Blood sprayed from the stump.
“Ah… Aaaah… AAAAAAH!”
The shrill, agonizing scream drew the attention of all the apprentices. They stopped and turned to see a man clutching his bleeding wrist, collapsed on the ground, wailing in agony.