<CHAPTER 05>

As I lifted my gaze from the arm that had been grabbed, I saw a man with a scruffy beard and an ordinary, warm-looking face.

“Shall this uncle help you?”

At that moment, I instinctively knew.

This person is a villain.

He was smiling kindly, but his intentions were anything but good.

Was it because I was someone destined to become a villain condemned by everyone in the future?

I could sense a strong aura of the same kind.

There’s no need to worry about karma even for bad people, right?

After finishing my calculations, I sharply pulled my arm away from his grip.

Then I crossed my arms and glared straight at him.

“Who said you could grab me?”

“Oh dear… I’m sorry. It looked like you were in trouble.”

As he said that, the man subtly tried to step closer to me.

I quickly stepped back to widen the distance and warned him.

“I don’t need help from someone like you, so mind your own business. And if you come any closer, I’ll scream and call the guards.”

“Is that so?”

At that, the fake kind smile disappeared from his face.

What remained was irritation and a condescending gaze toward me.

“And where are those great guards of yours right now? Do you even have anyone to call?”

It seemed he already knew I was lost.

Since when has he been following me?

I straightened my back without showing any agitation.

“Why wouldn’t I have someone to call?”

In truth, I didn’t.

But when I said I was going out, Phoebe had told me something.

If anything dangerous happened, instead of asking for help, I should shout like this first—

“Mom! Dad! Grandma! Grandpa!!”

Using the same stubborn lung power I once used to throw tantrums, I shouted at the top of my lungs, and the man flinched as he glanced around.

And like magic, an adult who would help me…

Surprisingly, did not appear!

What a rotten world….

Why?! Is this also my karma? Am I going to die earlier than in the dream because I did something unplanned?!

It felt unfair.

I hadn’t even done as many bad things as I did in the dream yet!

Getting a little annoyed at Joshua and making the servants prepare snacks several times wasn’t a crime deserving death—

“Th-that startled me…”

The man, who had been briefly startled, now looked angry.

“Come here while I’m still asking nicely!”

And just as he began walking toward me with angry steps—

“Lily!”

Someone ran into the alley.

Calling out a name I didn’t recognize.

“There you are! Let’s go. Mom is waiting.”

I blankly stared at the boy my age who grabbed my hand.

The boy smiled naturally.

As if he had truly found his lost younger sibling by chance.

“Who are you…?”

While the man hesitated to grasp the situation, the boy tightened his grip on my hand.

Then he began quietly counting, just loud enough for me to hear.

“One, two…”

Hmm.

Instinctively, I took a deep breath in sync with the count.

And then—

“Three! Run.”

At the same time, we pushed off the ground and started running.

After leaving the alley, the boy kept holding my hand tightly as he ran without stopping.

Behind us, I could hear the man shouting, but as we passed through the maze-like streets several times, his voice gradually faded.

After a while, as I ran desperately to survive, a different scenery slowly came into view.

Dark blue clouds dyed the sky, and ahead of me, the boy’s soft pink hair fluttered as he ran.

I think I’m going to die!

My chest burned intensely.

“W-wait, just a moment…!”

I urgently tapped the boy’s hand with my other hand.

“He’s not… cough, chasing us anymore!”

Realizing my SOS signal, the boy finally stopped.

I forgot all about dignity and collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath.

“Cough! Cough…!”

This was the first time in my life I had run with all my strength.

My head spun, and it felt like I might throw up everything I had eaten today at any moment.

Noticing that my condition was serious, the boy looked startled and patted my shoulder.

“Are you okay?”

“Cough, cough… no….”

Seeing me answer honestly while coughing, the boy looked bewildered.

Then, as if his own tension had eased, he plopped down beside me.

As my breathing gradually steadied, I became aware of my surroundings.

We had somehow left the bustling streets and climbed up a small hill.

The sky stretched endlessly above, now wider without the tall buildings.

Another unfamiliar view!

As I absentmindedly looked up at the sky while catching my breath, I saw streaks of light rising across the dark sky.

The long-awaited fireworks had begun.

Boom,

The fireworks soared high into the sky and burst into large circular shapes.

Colorful lights sparkled briefly before disappearing, and then more fireworks painted the sky brilliantly as if nothing had happened.

It felt like countless colorful meteors were falling.

“Wow…”

I forgot all the pain from earlier and gazed at the sky in awe.

This was the very sight I had dreamed of.

I held my breath and placed my hand over my chest.

My heart was pounding.

So this is what it feels like.

The feeling of being alive, something I had only read about in books.

I think I’ll remember this for a very long time.

How long had we silently watched the sky like that?

The fireworks ended quickly, leaving behind a vivid memory and lingering regret.

Sensing it was the last firework, I turned my head—

And met the boy’s eyes directly.

As if he had been looking at me the whole time instead of the sky.

Ah!

Looking at him calmly now, the boy was astonishingly beautiful.

Like a prince from a fairy tale—no, more like a deer.

Under his delicate eyes and long eyelashes, his golden eyes gave off a fragile yet mysterious aura.

Despite his neat features, the sharp curve of his jawline drew attention.

I had been unconsciously staring in admiration, but then I came to my senses and greeted him.

“Um, thank you for everything. Thanks to you, I got to see the fireworks. I thought I wouldn’t be able to.”

“Did you want to see them that badly? You couldn’t take your eyes off them.”

Was he staring at me because I seemed strange…?

“There were circumstances… It’s my first time coming out like this.”

“Circumstances?”

“That’s…”

As I was answering, a sharp pain surged in my chest.

Out of habit, I took out my handkerchief, covered my mouth, and coughed.

The boy, who had been watching me seriously, spoke carefully.

“You… really are sick, aren’t you?”

“Cough, it’s fine. I’m healthier than I look.”

I naturally hid the blood-stained handkerchief from him and slowly caught my breath.

I need Mr. Albert… Wait, come to think of it…

As the pain from my illness dragged me back to reality, I realized my situation.

Right. I’m lost, aren’t I?

This isn’t the time—I need to get back quickly!

Thinking of the mansion and my father, who must be in chaos, I felt a cold sweat run down my back.

I grabbed the boy’s arm tightly.

“I’m sorry for asking after all the help, but could you help me just one more time?”

The boy looked slightly surprised but soon nodded.

“You need to go back, right?”

Then, without hesitation, he turned his back to me and crouched down.

“Here, get on.”

“What?”

“It’s hard for you to walk. Don’t you need to get back quickly?”

That was true, but…

I hesitated between my dignity as a noble lady, my exhausted body, and the urgent situation.

And sooner than expected, I gave in to temptation.

Honestly, it sounds way too comfortable!

Isn’t it obviously better for someone else to walk for me than using my own feet?

“…I’ll definitely repay this kindness somehow.”

“You don’t think very long, do you?”

“Just think of it as me choosing the most efficient option.”

From the back I leaned my cheek against, I could feel him chuckle soft lol