The Gap Between You and Me - Chapter 75
Chapter 75
Knock, knock.
There was a polite knock on the door. Herietta, who was arranging all the things spread out on the floor one by one, raised her head. Through the gap in the half-open door, she could see a man standing still in front of the door.
“You’re here, Sir Knight?”
The corners of Herietta’s eyes, looking at the man’s face, were curved. Love it or hate it, they were quite familiar with each other now.
“Come on in. I was wondering how I would be able to contact you, but it turned out well.”
Herietta welcomed Bernard naturally. She then put down the things she was arranging down on the table.
“Actually, my body has improved a lot now, and it seems that I can walk and run without much problem, so I was thinking about leaving this place soon.”
“…….”
“Before I left, I wanted to meet Sir Knight one last time and formally thank you for your help. But when I thought of seeing you, I didn’t know anything about SIr Knight. I don’t even know Sir Knight’s name…….”
“…….”
“Sir Knight?”
Herietta, who had been talking, tilted her head. Bernard was still standing at the door, not saying a word.
It was strange. As usual, he would have stroded into her room before she even gave permission. Then he would have said what he wanted to say, regardless of what she said.
But what is it? Today, he was not willing to step into her room, even though she had told him to come in.
Cold gaze. Tightly closed mouth that cannot be seen as a smile. It was quite different from his usual playful and relaxed appearance.
Or, did anything happen?
“Why do you look like that? Did something bad happen to you?”
“…….”
“Sir Knight?”
“Herietta.”
Bernard, who was standing motionless like a statue, opened his mouth.
“I have some news to tell you.”
He said slowly. It was a blunt, formal-like voice.
“The messenger sent to Philioche has returned.”
“!”
Herietta took a short breath. Her eyes widened in surprise, and her mouth went wide open.
‘Messenger? The messenger sent to Philioche?’
Herietta let out a scream inside. The messenger’s return was much later than expected, so she was about to give up. Her heart began to beat fast as the sudden news that she had been waiting for so long had returned.
“What, what? How, how is everyone all doing?”
Herietta, who ran to Bernard, grabbed his clothes and asked urgently.
“Is everyone okay? Are they doing well?”
“…….”
“Maybe, a letter. Is there something they want to tell me from there? A letter, a word. Anything?”
Her heart, overflowing with anticipation and joy, collided with a heart that was sinking with fear and worry. What to say first? What to ask first? Her mind was all messed up, and the words couldn’t come out.
“Sir Knight. Don’t keep quiet and say something.”
“Herietta.”
Bernard grabbed Herietta’s shoulders with both hands.
“Calm down and listen to me.”
He looked straight into her eyes. Although it was a short and simple word, there was an irresistible power in his voice. She had been rambling at him, but gradually began to regain her composure.
Her breathing was still one beat faster, and her eyes moved to and fro in anxiety, but she quietly waited for his next words.
“First, I’ll give this to you.”
Bernard took something out of his pocket and handed it to Herietta. Herietta took it casually and looked at it slowly.
It was an ivory envelope. From the outside, there’s nothing special about it, it was an unusually ordinary envelope. But she was very familiar with the handwriting on it.
“This…… ?”
Herietta, who was staring down at the writing on the envelope, raised her head and looked at Bernard. There was a very confused look on her face.
“Why is this…… In the hands of Sir Knight?”
It was a letter she herself wrote. By now, this should have reached her family in Philioche through the messenger’s hand. But it came back. There was no sign that it had been opened as well.
“The messenger eventually failed to deliver your letter.”
Bernard said.
“They went to the place you pointed out, but unfortunately there was no recipient there who could receive your letter.”
“That is…… What do you mean? There was no recipient?”
Herietta’s voice trembled greatly. She wasn’t sure if she had heard Bernard right.
“May, maybe the messenger went to the wrong place?”
Herietta asked, hugging her desperation.
“It is the largest mansion in Philioche. It’s not fancy, but it’s a building that can be recognized at a glance from a distance. If you cross the river flowing to the southwest and go to a place where a large zelkova tree is planted, it will definitely be there.”
“The mansion you mentioned has been found. Once, the nobles with the surname Mackenzie lived there.”
“Right! That mansion! That mansion is my…… !”
Herietta, who was relieved and rejoicing at Bernard’s answer, lost her words. There were thorn-like things sprouting in his words.
Once. Lived. The words that came out of his mouth were a little strange.
“’once’…… What do you mean?”
Herietta asked.
“Why ‘lived’?”
“…….”
“You said it wrong, right?”
His words were ominous, speaking as if something had happened in the past, not the present. What’s more, the letter in her hand has returned without ever reaching her family.
Herietta’s complexion, which was bright for a moment, darkened again. The corners of her lips that went up also came down. A great uncontrollable anxiety overtaken her like waves.
“Sir Knight. Please, please, say something.”
“Herietta. The mansion was empty.”
After hesitating for a while, Bernard opened his mouth. His eyes looking at her were very complicated.
“There was no one living there.”
Drop. The letter in Herietta’s hand fell helplessly to the floor.
* * *
It felt like the ground that supported her, collapsed beneath her feet. The beating heart stopped in an instant.
“The Mackenzie’s eldest son was killed in battle.”
Herietta stared blankly at Bernard.
“The eldest daughter suddenly disappeared.”
Like a gentle flowing stream, his words were uninterrupted and his tone was very soft.
“Late Viscount Mackenzie died of a mysterious death on the way to the capital to find his daughter.”
Just as Herietta looked at him, he also looked at her. Her face was as white as a blank sheet, her body trembling like a tree standing precariously.
“After that, the late Viscountess, left alone, could not bear the sorrow, and took her own life…….”
Herietta let out the breath she had been holding back. Her mind was clouded like a mist. She couldn’t think any more. With a ping, the thin cord she was barely holding on to broke. A strange buzzing noise was heard in her ears. Bernard’s voice was no longer heard.
‘Herietta.’
‘Sister.’
The images of those who looked at her and smiled warmly and kindly flashed in front of her eyes.
Herietta collapsed.
