Chapter 15
The warmth of Gideon’s hand settled in her palm.
He did not let go of Yeorae’s hand until the second hand of the clock had completed its third circle.
“I’ve seen enough. So that’s what happened.”
“That annoying jerk. How can someone have so little sense?”
“M-Miss Yeorae…”
“What? You’ve already read all my thoughts anyway.”
Yeorae wrapped her arms around herself and let out a sigh.
The sky was filled with red-burning clouds.
Another day was coming to an end.
Today was already the seventeenth day.
“Gideon, why do you think I can’t return to my world?”
“Well… I have lived for a very long time and witnessed all kinds of strange events, but this is a first even for me.”
He closed the library window.
Outside, a cuckoo bird began to cry, as if announcing the start of the night.
“Ten years ago, you said that Leandros stayed in your world for about a week, correct?”
“Yes.”
“During that time, he was considered missing in this world for fifteen days. After a search, he was found at the exact place where his carriage had overturned in the landslide.”
“He wasn’t injured at all.”
“Then that means time flows differently between this world and mine. Ten more years passed here, but I didn’t age at all…”
“That’s right.”
Since time did not pass at the same rate, there was no way to know how many days had passed in her own world.
Yeorae pressed a hand against her aching forehead.
The last few days had been difficult, and she had not been feeling well.
Gideon lit a candle and placed it beside her.
Yeorae gave him a small smile in thanks.
She had become somewhat used to living without electricity now.
“Miss Yeorae, why are you so certain that you will eventually return to your original world? This is only a possibility, but what if you can never return?”
“Leandros came back to this world after one week. I don’t think my situation is any different.”
“But the way you and Leandros crossed worlds was different. You said you fell from a high place before waking up here, right? This is only a theory, but what if you died—”
“No way.”
Yeorae immediately waved her hands and firmly denied it.
She stood up from the ladder and tapped a nearby bookshelf.
“The place I fell from wasn’t much higher than this bookshelf. It’s rare for someone to die from a fall like that.”
“Besides, I landed on my backpack first.”
Gideon nodded, accepting her explanation.
“Then I think the theory you mentioned before makes more sense. Your body in that world is unconscious, which is why you can’t return.”
“Then is there any way to find out when I wake up? I’m worried about my parents, and I still need to apply for graduation. Maybe your ability can somehow help—”
“That’s impossible. I can only read thoughts.”
Gideon firmly drew the line.
But only a few seconds later, he frowned and took back his words.
“Ah, wait. There may be a way after all.”
At once, Yeorae’s face brightened.
“Really?”
“Yes. Among beings like me, there is one who reads the stars.”
“He sees far more than ordinary humans.”
“I think he may be able to tell us about your situation. However, there is one problem.”
“…A problem?”
Gideon let out an awkward groan.
“To meet him, you’ll need money.”
Money?
Yeorae thought about the wealth she currently possessed.
Or rather, not her wealth.
Hazel’s wealth.
How much money did Hazel even have?
But Gideon shook his head as if it would not be nearly enough, even though he had not touched her hand.
“You’ll need much more than you’re imagining. Rulers and famous wealthy people line up to learn their fate from him.”
“I’ll send a letter first, but I don’t know whether he will agree.”
“Ah…”
I shouldn’t get my hopes up.
The shoulders that had lifted with hope drooped once more.
Instead of comforting her, Gideon quietly organized the pile of books beside her.
Still, people said that those who had no hope could not even despair.
Yeorae suddenly stood up and held out her hand toward Gideon.
Even if that prophet refused, there had to be another way.
There had to be.
* * *
Sometimes what cannot be seen is more important than what can.
Leandros left his office later than usual and went looking for the white-haired prophet.
But Gideon had already disappeared.
Clouds covered the midday sun.
A cool breeze blowing from the end of the corridor carried Yeorae’s scent.
However, as her body had changed, her scent had changed as well.
There was no way the current Leandros could recognize it.
Like a wanderer lost in a sandstorm, he could not see the answer standing right before him.
Not even the gods of this world knew when he would finally find that answer.
* * *
To our beloved daughter, Hazel.
Hazel, are you doing well?
How is your new workplace?
Is the work too difficult?
Are people treating you kindly?
You always sent a letter at least once every two weeks.
Nothing happened, did it?
Oh, and Mr. Hurrell’s family finally had a baby.
A healthy baby boy.
When you come home someday, please give him your blessing.
Take care of your health.
Please contact us.
From Cecil Harbor,
Mother.
Thud.
Yeorae roughly put down the letter.
After reading the words on the parchment over and over again, she was struck by a huge shock.
Goodness.
I completely forgot.
There are parents in this world too!
W-What should I do?
The worry of a mother was clearly visible in every carefully written line.
Yeorae quickly took out an ink bottle and a quill pen.
But the moment she dipped the pen into the ink, she felt an enormous wall in front of her and slowly lowered her hand.
They aren’t my real parents…
More than guilt, she felt worry.
If she wrote a reply, it would be obvious that a different person had written it.
In the end, Yeorae could not write a single word.
Instead, she hid the letter deep inside a drawer.
This belongs entirely to Hazel.
It isn’t a problem I can solve for her.
The next morning, as the sun rose in the east, Yeorae attended to Leandros.
While helping him, she thought about her real parents.
Time did not flow equally in the two worlds.
What if, when she returned, her parents had suddenly become much older?
Or what if they had become sick while she was gone?
Their health wasn’t good to begin with…
Her chest tightened with longing for her parents.
Being in a strange land only made it worse.
As for her older sister…
She deliberately avoided thinking about her.
Whether consciously or unconsciously, she always avoided thoughts of her sister.
She knew it would only hurt her.
Perhaps he had changed his cologne.
The scent surrounding Leandros was different from before.
Yeorae tried to memorize it as she skillfully fastened a brooch onto his chest.
“…”
Now she could no longer meet his eyes for a completely different reason.
If she looked into those beautiful eyes, she felt as though she would confess every truth, like a sinner seeking forgiveness.
So she deliberately lowered her long eyelashes and tied his necktie.
Then, while looking at his prominent Adam’s apple, a sudden thought pierced her mind.
Surely… I don’t have to die in this body to return home, do I?
