Chapter 34.2

Leon, who had been watching from the sidelines, muttered under his breath, “You’re a great swindler, you know that?”

Kirine looked at the now-empty stall, shaking her head with a small laugh. “It’s not a scam.”

“What?”

“I made all of this myself.”

Leon blinked at her, clearly surprised. “I thought you bought the lotion.”

Kirine straightened, hands on her hips. “To be exact, I bought the bottles to put the lotion in.”

He stared at her for a moment, his surprise turning into admiration. “You’re more talented than I thought.”

Kirine raised an eyebrow. “Is that a compliment or an insult?”

“A compliment.”

Her grin softened, though she could tell he hadn’t meant it entirely that way. She let it slide, giving him a playful nudge. “Thanks.”

“Oh, the flower shop lady was looking for you.”

“Really?” Kirine asked, her interest piqued.

Leaving Leon to finish cleaning up, she set off toward the flower shop.

This is strange, she thought, her gaze darting around as she walked. The surroundings felt oddly familiar, and she quickly fell into her usual rhythm.

When she arrived at the shop, the flower lady greeted her warmly.

“You’re here, Kaen.”

“Yes, I heard you were looking for me. What’s going on?” Kirine asked, tilting her head slightly.

The woman’s face softened with a friendly smile. “I have a favor to ask. Do you know the white mansion on the hill?”

“Yes, I do.” Kirine nodded, already sensing what was coming.

“Could you deliver some flowers there? The Countess ordered them.”

Without waiting for a response, the woman thrust a bouquet of lilies into Kirine’s arms. “Just leave them at the door.”

“Got it,” Kirine replied, adjusting the flowers in her hands.

“Thanks, Kaen. Be careful.” The flower lady’s voice was warm, but there was a hint of something else—concern, maybe.

Kirine hugged the lilies tightly as she made her way up the hill.

It’s been so long since anyone called me Kaen, she thought, her fingers brushing the soft petals.

Living as a boy named “Kaen” had once been easier. But as her thoughts drifted, she reached up to touch her hair—short enough to barely graze the nape of her neck.

Why did I return to my childhood?

The question lingered in her mind as she walked, but no answers came.

Let’s deliver the flowers first, she decided, the errand somehow taking precedence.

Oddly, she felt a strange pull to complete it, as if it were more important than she’d first realized.

It’s farther than I thought.

The mansion finally came into view after what felt like an unusually long walk.

When Kirine arrived, she stopped dead in her tracks.

This house…

The mansion before her was gleaming white, its pristine exterior almost unnerving. Everything about it exuded an unsettling purity, as if the building itself had been untouched by time or the world around it.

But it wasn’t just the mansion that gave her pause. The roses surrounding it were also white, their soft petals glowing eerily in the daylight. It was as though someone had an obsession with the color.

Do they like white?

Kirine glanced down at the bouquet of white lilies in her arms and let out a dry, humorless laugh.

This is almost scary.

She turned to leave the flowers at the door quickly, eager to be done with this errand when—

Piano music?

The delicate notes drifted toward her, the same melody repeating over and over, caught in a loop.

What is that?

Her curiosity got the better of her. She found herself drawn to the sound, following it without thinking.

When she entered a room that resembled a music hall, she saw the source: a small girl seated at the piano.

The girl’s silver hair shimmered like moonlight, framing a delicate, fragile face. Her skin was nearly translucent, as if she were made of porcelain. Everything about her seemed ethereal, like she didn’t belong in this world.

Sensing Kirine’s presence, the girl turned. Her large, unblinking eyes widened in surprise, her gaze fixed on Kirine with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine.

And then—

***

“Kirine! Kirine!”

A faint voice pierced through the fog of her thoughts. Slowly, with great effort, Kirine opened her eyes. The first thing she saw were concerned blue eyes staring down at her, filled with worry and urgency.

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