episode_0178

I don’t remember my first meeting with Wade.

It was natural.

With Wade, we have been together from such an early age that it is no exaggeration to say that we have been together from the moment he was born.

From when the self began to be established.

From the time I was able to recognize things around me.

Wade was by her side.

When eating, studying, and playing.

Wade was always there.

Originally, it was not common for an employer, or even a nobleman’s child, to be so close to the employee’s child, but it was possible because her parents, Viscount Bluenoir and his wife, thought of Wade’s father, Lawrence, as more than just an employee. It was.

It was around the time Mary was able to read books that were quite difficult that she began to notice that Wade, who was always by her side, was somehow different from other children her age.

Wade was different from other kids his age.

That too quite a bit.

He was much more mature than other children his age, and was never swayed by emotions like children of that age usually were.

When we played together, rather than playing together, most of the time we took a step back and watched Mary play with other children, like adults.

Children are pure, whether good or bad, and being different from others among such children can be a cause for ostracism if done incorrectly.

From that perspective, Wade was a child in a quite dangerous position.

However, Wade was never bullied.

Rather, rather than rejecting Wade, the children followed him.

That was because of Wade’s personality.

Wade always took a step back and seemed uninterested in everything, but when someone had a problem, he would step in and help before anyone else.

Whenever the children were in trouble or faced with a problem that was difficult to solve on their own, Wade always stepped in to help and solve the problem.

Even after that, he didn’t show any special pride or condescension, and just acted as usual, as if nothing had happened, so it was natural that everyone would follow Wade.

As some time passed, Wade became like everyone’s older brother.

Most boys of the same sex looked at Wade with admiration.

The way the girls looked at Wade was a little different.

It contained longing, but it also contained other emotions.

Mary immediately noticed the emotion contained in those eyes.

And, I also understood that it wasn’t strange.

Although he pretended not to be like that, Wade was caring and mature, and his appearance was so beautiful that even at a young age, he was beautiful.

With that kind of appearance, it was strange that he wasn’t popular because he easily solved other people’s crises without any ulterior motives.

Although he didn’t realize it at all, Wade was very popular.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that many of the girls in Lakenwood who were similar in age to Wade at the time had a favorable opinion of him.

However, only one person, Mary, was an exception.

Mary did not harbor such rational favor towards Wade.

No, beyond that.

He didn’t even have any human kindness.

Even though we are always together.

Even though it sticks wherever you go.

Mary didn’t like Wade very much.

The cause was none other than the eyes.

Basically, Wade’s eyes were not like that of a child of that age.

He was always quiet and his emotions didn’t show well.

However, Mary knew.

Especially when he looks at himself, Wade’s eyes sink even more.

Wade himself seemed to be hiding the fact, but Mary, who was intelligent and sensitive to people’s emotions, recognized it.

The fact that Wade doesn’t want to get close to him.

That Wade was reluctant to do so.

When Mary first noticed that fact, she felt a deep sense of doubt.

Because he couldn’t understand why Wade was reluctant to join him.

Even though she couldn’t say it with her own mouth, Mary was a beloved child.

Not to mention her parents, the family’s employees, and the residents of Lakenwood, there was no one who disliked her.

On the contrary, just by seeing her, anyone anywhere would have a smile on their face and try to do something for her, and they would treat her with kindness.

Clearly, he is a loved child.

But why?

Why does Wade look at himself like that?

I thought about whether I had done something to hurt Wade’s feelings without knowing, but no matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t think about it.

There was nothing left to guess.

If so, why?

Questions continued to arise, but no matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t find an answer.

I was so frustrated that I thought about asking Wade openly, but I quickly stopped.

It was because I felt it intuitively.

If he asks Wade why, Wade might disappear before his eyes.

Even while eating normally and playing normally.

Wade always had distant eyes.

A fleeting and distant look, as if it would disappear on the spot if you take your eyes off it.

It seemed like he was holding back somehow now, but from Mary’s perspective, it was extremely dangerous.

It seemed as if Wade would leave here at any moment if something prompted him.

To be honest, it didn’t really matter if Wade left here.

On the contrary, he was even confident that he would be happy that the entity that was disturbing his mind was disappearing before his eyes.

But, nevertheless.

Mary didn’t ask Wade why.

Because I knew that Uncle Lawrence would be very heartbroken if Wade disappeared.

Uncle Lawrence was especially strict with Wade, but Mary knew that.

That Uncle Lawrence actually cares about Wade very much.

Mary had once heard a story about him from her parents.

Uncle Lawrence’s wife, that is, Wade’s mother, was a sick person from the beginning, and went on a trip to heaven not long after giving birth to Wade.

That’s why Uncle Lawrence cares about Wade more than anything.

Although she didn’t like Wade, Mary liked Uncle Lawrence very much.

That’s why I didn’t want to see him sad.

It wasn’t just Uncle Lawrence.

Her parents practically regarded Wade as their own child.

Of course, it was obvious that Wade would be very sad if he suddenly disappeared.

It didn’t end there, it was clear that the people in the mansion and Lakenwood’s friends would be sad when Wade left this place.

Knowing that, Mary decided not to ask Wade the reason for that look in his eyes.

Instead, pretend not to know anything.

Pretend not to notice Wade looking at you.

So, I continued my life as usual.

however.

No matter how much time passed, Wade’s eyes did not change, and Mary felt increasingly stressed by that fact.

In the end, Mary couldn’t bear it any longer and started getting grumpy at Wade to vent her stress.

You get angry because you find fault with something unnecessary.

Like making an impossible request and putting Wade in trouble.

It was truly childish behavior, but I couldn’t help it.

Because Mary was really a child at the time.

It was like that that day too.

Wade’s eyes offended Mary again, and Mary was grumpy at Wade as usual.

Wade silently accepted Mary’s grumpiness as usual, but the problem arose elsewhere.

That incident was eventually discovered by his mother.

The Viscountess, who understood the situation, became very angry and, unusually, scolded Mary severely.

Mary felt greatly wronged by that fact.

It’s all Wade’s fault, but he’s the one getting scolded.

It was so unfair that his mother didn’t even know that he was holding back for the sake of others and was only scolding himself and not Wade.

So, Mary ran out of the mansion that way.

On the way through downtown Lakenwood, many people saw her and looked at her, but Mary ignored all of their voices and continued running.

How long did it run like that?

When she came to, she was in the forest.

When you recognize that fact.

A quiet fear grew in her heart.

It wasn’t my first time visiting the forest.

I used to frequently visit and play with my family or friends.

However, this was my first time entering the forest alone like this.

The silence of the forest, which I usually found pleasant, now felt somehow scary.

Perhaps due to my mood, I felt as if the temperature around me had suddenly dropped.

I had a bad feeling.

So, Mary decided to leave the forest and return to Lakenwood.

However, no matter how much she walked after that, Mary could not get out of the forest.

The problem was that I ran without properly seeing the surroundings.

Since Mary had no idea where she came from or where Lakenwood was, she had no choice but to wander around in the forest alone.

How much time had passed in that state?

Fear grew in size along with heavy fatigue.

I grew anxious that I might never be able to return home like this.

It was then.

Crunch─

A crying sound was heard.

It was a low, unpleasant cry.

It was a roar too ominous to be called the howl of an animal.

The moment she heard that cry, Mary’s body stiffened.

And, the words I heard a while ago in Lakenwood replayed in my head.

─ “I heard that a group of monsters appeared nearby?”

─“They said so. Looking at the distance, it doesn’t seem to be that close… Still, I feel uneasy.”

─“Ah, no way. How far is it, would you come this way? It’s all for nothing.”

A bunch of monsters.

At first Mary was in denial.

I kept repeating that there was no way there was a monster here, that I had just heard it wrong.

However.

Crumbling─

When she heard crying again, Mary had no choice but to admit.

That cry belongs to a monster.

Mary’s once rigid body began to tremble incessantly.

I have never seen a monster in person.

However, I knew very well that they were extremely dangerous monsters.

Also, the fact that he is nothing more than prey to monsters.

When the thought reached that point, Mary whipped her trembling body with fear and began to force herself to move.

I had to find a place to hide.

I had to hide from the monster.

I thought it was impossible to escape.

Mary herself was just an ordinary girl, and she wasn’t particularly fast at running.

Moreover, now my body was shaking out of control and I couldn’t run as I wanted.

So the only thing Mary could do right now was to hide.

Fortunately, it didn’t take long for Mary to find a place to hide.

It was a small cave.

It was a small cave for a person to enter, but Mary, who was still young and petite, was able to fit herself in.

Mary went into the den and crouched down.

And it’s scary to do that.

Crumbling─

The crying sound was heard again.

Mary crouched down and held her breath.

afraid.

scary.

I wanted to shout right away.

Ask for help.

Please save me.

However, that wasn’t possible.

It was obvious that if I made that sound, monsters would immediately flock here.

“Ugh… … .”

Tears flowed.

I felt like I was about to burst into tears.

However, Mary held back her tears with all her might.

However, Mary’s efforts were in vain.

Crumbling─

The monster’s cries gradually began to get louder.

Even, the cries were not one.

At some point, the cries I heard became revenge.

And, the cries of revenge were getting closer as time went by.

The monster was getting closer.

Death was getting closer.

In response, Mary closed her eyes tightly and covered her ears.

Because I was afraid of the monster’s cries.

I’m afraid that the crying sound is getting closer.

Mary hoped.

I hope this is all a dream.

When I open my eyes again, I hope it will be on my bed in the mansion.

I desperately, earnestly hoped that this situation was just a bad nightmare.

In that state.

How much time passed with my eyes and ears closed?

Tuuk─

Something struck Mary’s body.

At that moment, Mary was startled and screamed.

Because I thought I had finally been caught by the monster.

I thought that soon terrible pain would pierce my entire body.

However, no matter how much time passed, I did not feel any pain.

Mary, who felt puzzled by that fact, slowly opened her closed eyes.

And then I saw it.

A familiar face looking at you.

It was Wade.

For some reason, Wade was standing there.

When Mary saw that face, before she could understand what was going on, she took a deep breath.

It was because I only saw Wade’s body.

My whole body was covered in blood.

Just looking at it filled me with hurt that made me want to look away.

It’s not strange if you die at any time… No, Wade was standing there, wounded and not strange even if he was already dead.

However, despite suffering such wounds.

Wade didn’t even show pain.

He didn’t even frown.

Rather, a gentle smile appeared on his face.

In that state, Wade spoke to Mary.

“Let’s go home, Mary.”

Wade said that with a soft smile and eyes that I had never seen before.

“… … .”

Mary quietly looked at Wade’s smile with trembling eyes.

“… Ugh… !”

Soon, I burst into tears.

It wasn’t because of the relief that I had survived.

It was because I noticed it.

Why is Wade here?

Why did it end up like that?

It was because I noticed it.

Wade was smiling to reassure himself.

Knowing that, Mary burst into tears.

It seems like the forest will leave for a long time.

And Mary’s head.

Wade stroked it affectionately.

Until she stopped crying.