The Price of Love Was Only Despair and Hell

It was dark in the store. Sarubia followed the man inside, focusing solely on the figure ahead of her. The man who had entered the store began snooping around.

“There was a lamp here somewhere… Ah! I found it.”

The man found the lamp and lit it. The store instantly became bright, allowing Sarubia to finally take a closer look around. The store appeared to have been closed for a long time, as dust had piled up on the tables and cupboards. She turned to the girl in her arms and spoke gently.

“Baby, are you okay?”

The girl nodded slightly and slipped out of Sarubia’s arms. The man holding the lamp looked around the store and remarked, 

“This store was originally used as a gambling house. There’s a secret door inside, and you can go out of the alley through it…”

The man shrugged and began walking forward slowly. Sarubia was filled with doubt. 

‘Can I trust him?’ She hesitated, but she had no choice but to trust him for the moment.

“There was a door here somewhere…”

The man tilted his head near the cupboard and suddenly exclaimed, “Ah!”

Feeling along the wall, he found a hidden door, which opened with a rattling sound. The man turned around and looked at Sarubia.

“We’ll need to walk through the tunnel. If you’re scared, grab my collar.”

“Oh, yes…”

Sarubia held the girl’s hand tightly and clutched the man’s shirt with her other hand.

The three of them entered the door cautiously. Inside, a narrow pathway allowed passage for only one person at a time. The stale smell of dust brushed Sarubia’s nose, and the cold air chilled her fingertips.

“How do you know this place so well?” Sarubia asked cautiously as their footsteps echoed in the tunnel.

“I had a friend who worked here when I was a child. That’s how I know.”

“…I see.”

“We’re almost there. You’ll probably see a door that leads to the fountain in the square.”

Sarubia nodded. As the man predicted, they soon spotted the end of the tunnel and a small door beside it. The man approached the door and opened it, revealing another shop.

It was a passage connected to a different store.

Sarubia hadn’t expected the stores in the alley to be so interconnected. As they opened the door leading outside, the clear sky and the lively chatter of people greeted them. Sarubia sighed in relief, feeling her tense body gradually relax.

The man smiled at her. Just as she was about to snap at him for his amusement, his emerald eyes caught her attention, reminding her of Elaine, whom she had forgotten.

This was what had happened when she went to look for her.

Then came the thought of Jenaden. He was surely searching for her, who had suddenly disappeared.

She let out a sigh, her head throbbing at the thought of explaining the situation to him. As she mulled over what to say, the girl’s small voice interrupted her thoughts.

“Hey, thank you…”

Sarubia looked down at the girl. Now that she had a clearer look, the girl seemed around ten years old at best. Despite her dirty appearance, Sarubia sensed that the child had grown up in a precious environment.

As the tension eased, the girl began to cry.

“Thank you so much… Hoo…”

Tears streamed down the girl’s face. Sarubia gently patted her shoulder with one hand.

“What are you going to do now? I think it’s dangerous to stay here.”

“…I don’t know,” the girl shook her head.

It was dangerous to leave a child without a guardian here alone. Sarubia pondered what to do. The man, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, spoke up.

“I’m leaving here today, so I’ll take her somewhere safe.”

“A safe place?” Sarubia asked.

The man nodded. “Yes, there’s the Duke of Haydn estate a little further from here. I know a nursery there.”

“The Duke of Haydn?”

“Yes, it’s a small territory, but it’ll be much safer than here.”

The man shrugged. He was right. If the girl stayed in the Bronar estate, she would likely be captured again. Sarubia nodded, realizing it was best to let the two go together. She reached into her coat pocket, pulled out a packet of money, and handed it to the man.

The man, surprised by the gesture, stared at Sarubia with wide eyes.

“It’s not a lot, but it should be enough to get to the Duke of Haydn’s estate.”

“…Why are you giving this to me?”

Sarubia tilted her head. “What do you mean?”

“You’ve only just met her today… It seems like you’re giving me money too easily.”

“That’s true. It’s the first time I’ve seen her… But isn’t it better than sending a child away without anything?”

“But you don’t have to help commoners like us…”

The way the man spoke, drawing a line between them, made Sarubia frown.

“So you want me to just pass by?”

Her sharp tone made the man hesitate before murmuring, “I’m sorry.”

Nobles rarely cared for commoners. Though there were occasional exceptions, they were few and far between.

Sarubia couldn’t just walk away from the crying girl. The child reminded her of her own childhood—a time filled with material wealth but lacking peace of mind. With a stern expression, Sarubia warned the man.

“I’m giving you this money to make you feel responsible. If you abandon the child, I’ll find you and hold you accountable.”

The man’s shoulders flinched. After her stern warning, Sarubia looked at the girl with gentler eyes.

“What’s your name?”

“Grace Hop… No, it’s Grace.”

“Yes, Grace. If anything happens, please go to the palace and give this handkerchief to the gatekeeper. They’ll help you meet me.”

Sarubia took a handkerchief embroidered with gold thread bearing her name and placed it in the girl’s hand.

Grace’s eyes widened in surprise as she examined the handkerchief. Sarubia stroked her head gently and then turned to the man.

“And what’s your name?”

“…I’ll tell you when we meet again.”

“What?”

Sarubia looked at the man in disbelief. He met her gaze and mischievously winked.

“Maybe we’ll meet again,” he grinned, his emerald eyes sparkling.

Sarubia, remembering Elaine, felt speechless. His eyes were so similar.

“I’ll punish you if something bad happens,” she warned.

The man smiled confidently and nodded.

“Grace, take care and contact me later.”

Grace nodded earnestly.

Sarubia knew Jenaden was likely searching the city for her. She couldn’t waste more time. Bending slightly to meet Grace’s eyes, she offered some final words.

“Stay strong, even if you’re alone.”

“Thank you so much. I won’t forget this kindness.”

Tears filled Grace’s eyes. Sarubia silently prayed that Grace would be adopted into a good family.

“Thank you,” Grace said once more.

Sarubia rose with a smile and exchanged a final nod with the man. His help had saved both her and the girl.

The man watched Sarubia leave, his expression filled with intrigue.

As Sarubia disappeared from view, he turned to Grace.

“You’re the child of Hope’s authorities, right?”

Grace’s eyes filled with fear at his words.

“Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you. Come with me…”

The man extended his hand. After a moment of hesitation, Grace took it.

The girl followed him closely, her eyes fixed on his back. A gentle wind blew through his brown hair, briefly making it look like dark gold. Grace blinked and rubbed her eyes, thinking it was just a trick of the light.

No, it’s brown.

Convinced it was the lighting, Grace quickened her pace to walk beside the man.

***

Jenaden’s mood plummeted. Shortly after Sarubia had suddenly left the carriage, he ran after her.

However, she had vanished at some point.

Where did she go?

Jenaden immediately ordered the knights to search for her. The duke’s estate was vast, and it was difficult to locate Sarubia amidst the bustling market crowd.

“Where on earth did she go!”

Even though it was the Bronar family’s territory, only a few people recognized Sarubia properly. Jenaden’s worry grew, fearing that she might be caught up in something dangerous.

The thought chilled his fingertips.

Even though it was family territory, how could a woman wander alone?

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!”

Sitting impatiently in the carriage, Jenaden rose at the sound of the driver’s voice. Stepping out, he spotted Sarubia walking calmly behind a knight.

He let out a relieved sigh. Her calm expression baffled him.

What on earth did she do to make everyone suffer like this?

“Sarubia!” Jenaden called in a sharp voice.

Sarubia flinched at his tone and lowered her head apologetically.

“I’m sorry for the trouble I’ve caused, Your Majesty.”

“Where have you been?”

Jenaden’s gaze caught the torn hem of her dress, now covered in dust. His expression darkened.

“What happened to your dress?”

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I thought I saw someone I knew and left without thinking. I tripped on a rock, and it ripped.”

Tripped on a rock and ripped?

Jenaden eyed the dress skeptically. Something was clearly amiss, but Sarubia said no more.

“Ha, forget it. Let’s return to the mansion.”

Jenaden turned coldly and headed back toward the carriage. Sarubia quietly followed him. They remained silent until they returned to the villa.