Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Solitude and Secrets
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Meanwhile, Lara's room had fallen silent once more. Even though the sun had fully risen, there was hardly any sign of life outside.
'It's so quiet out there.'
Having regained a bit of her strength, Lara picked up all the scattered jewelry from the floor and placed it back in the box, then set it on the desk.
Now that she looked closely, mixed in with the jewelry and hairpins Theodor had gifted her were various other trinkets from the table, nightstand, and drawers. Things like a glass paperweight or shiny buttons.
Lara didn't know which items were valuable and which weren't. But even so, stealing buttons didn't seem particularly helpful. They were pretty, but not made of jewels.
'...I don't think she stole them.'
Lara believed in Rin's innocence once again.
'There were no other girls here like me.'
Lara had been bullied by Helen for a long time, but she knew not all girls were like Helen. Occasionally, there had been children at the orphanage who showed interest in Lara first, only to turn away because of Helen.
'...I wonder if she's okay.'
Theo seemed really angry. Lara was glad he'd granted her request, but she couldn't tell if he'd fully forgiven Rin.
Besides, the jewels weren't truly hers to begin with, so it made sense for Theodor to be upset.
'It's all my fault. I'm just too scared.'
If she hadn't panicked so much, things might have blown over quietly. Strangely, she'd never shed a tear when the director or Helen tormented her, yet here—in a place where they could no longer harm her—she still feared their shadows. She felt pathetic.
'If I keep living like this, I'll always be this pitiful.'
Whenever she was left alone, memories of Laden Orphanage inevitably surfaced. Her body was here, but her heart felt trapped back there. At this rate, she'd never escape them.
How could she break free?
Lara gazed down at her hands. They no longer cracked from the cold, nor did her fingers curl up anymore. The scars were fading, and no new wounds appeared.
Yet no matter how clean and fine her clothes were, or how she adorned herself with pretty jewelry and styled her hair, Lara still felt like a worthless, shabby little girl.
A girl who couldn't escape the shadows of her past, helpless on her own.
Everyone had found her ominous. They'd pointed at her eyes, branding her a symbol of misfortune.
Theodor was the first to look at her without that prejudice.
Lara knew she'd never forget that moment.
Could she one day become someone who could help others, too?
Just as Theodor protected and saved her.
Right now, she couldn't even save herself... but maybe someday it would change?
Someday.
Lara harbored that small wish in her heart.
"Lara."
At that moment, a voice called her name from beyond the door.
It was Theodor.
Lara snapped her head up, looking toward the door as she replied.
"Yes."
The door opened with her response. In his hand was a small tray.
"I've kept you waiting too long. You must be hungry—eat up. It's just a simple sandwich."
Lara's eyes widened round. Breina or Marsha occasionally brought snacks, but she'd never expected Theodor to bring it himself.
As she looked up at him with that question in her eyes, he answered readily.
"Right now, there's no one in this mansion but you and me. So forgive me if it doesn't taste great."
"Pardon...?"
Startled, Lara let out a rare foolish sound. Noticing the slight tremble in her voice, Theodor realized she'd misunderstood.
"I just gave them all some time off. Don't overthink it."
"Ah... Yes."
Lara breathed a quiet sigh of relief inside.
She'd worried the earlier incident had driven everyone away. Theodor stared openly at her visible relief before asking,
"Is being left alone here with just me so unpleasant? It stings a little."
"N-No!"
Lara shook her head in surprise.
"That's not it. I just don't know much, so I got scared..."
"If it's not unpleasant, does that mean you like it?"
"Y-Yes... P-Pardon?"
"I'm kidding. Come here. Let's eat."
Lara felt a tiny bit annoyed at Theodor's nonchalant dismissal of his joke. Mindful that her cheeks might be flushing, she sat across from him.
The sandwich he'd prepared was simple but looked delicious—ham, egg, and lettuce between a halved loaf of bread.
The warmly heated milk was sweet and nutty. Watching Theodor not eat, Lara ventured,
"Aren't you going to eat, Theo?"
"No, I'm fine."
"......"
Having only seen the enormous feasts the cook prepared at mealtimes, the sight of Theodor offering her a sandwich he hadn't touched made Lara suddenly anxious.
Had something happened to the mansion? There were so many staff before—why had they all taken leave at once? Even Marsha and Breina...
Sending all the workers away and serving just her a simple meal. Could it be...
'Has Theo run out of money...?'
Such things happened at the orphanage too. The teachers there changed frequently, and Lara had realized most issues stemmed from money.
When funds ran low, Lara starved first, followed by teachers who fell out of the director's favor packing their bags.
Of course, here it seemed Theodor was the one going hungry instead.
'I can go days without eating, but Theo must need so much more than me. Why only give it to me...? Even if I shared, he probably wouldn't eat, and it wouldn't fill him anyway. What should I do? Is there anything I can do?'
"......"
Theodor let out a hollow chuckle at Lara's serious expression as she set down the sandwich.
He could read her thoughts plain as day.
"You can ask if you're curious."
Watching her spin wild imaginings was amusing enough, but she might actually worry herself sick. Hesitating, Lara finally asked,
"...Theo, have you perhaps... spent all the money...?"
Her bluntness—more direct than he'd expected—made Theodor burst into laughter before she even finished. Lara stared at him in shock.
'I've never seen Theo laugh like that.'
But realizing how ridiculous her words must have sounded, her cheeks burned red.
"Why stop? Go on."
"......"
"Hm. Upset?"
As flustered Lara clamped her mouth shut and just stared, Theodor grinned and apologized.
"Sorry for laughing."
"......No."
"To answer: no. You won't have to worry about sharing meals with me from now on."
Lara wondered how he'd read her mind so perfectly but didn't dare ask. At least she didn't need to worry— that was a relief.
"Then why give everyone sudden leave?"
"That's..."
Theodor, who had invited her questions, paused.
He stood at a crossroads.
Should he tell Lara the truth, or hide it?
What would be best for her, at least.
"......"
Lara waited quietly for his answer. Her fine silver hair, translucent strand by strand, partially veiled one crimson eye like his own.
This child was strange. With eyes that knew nothing, she acted as if she understood everything.
'A human understanding a wolf?'
The sudden thought made Theo mock himself inwardly. Just as wolves couldn't comprehend humans, humans couldn't grasp wolves. Especially not half-breeds.
"Lara."
Theodor called her name. Her gaze held no fear, only pure focus on him.
She didn't seem scared to be alone with him in the mansion.
No—she probably didn't even realize how dangerous that could be.
"There's something you need to do."
Lara looked up at him with clear eyes.
"Tonight, and tomorrow night too... No matter what, don't come looking for me."
Theodor realized he felt utterly uncomposed before this innocent human child. It was absurd.
For a proud, arrogant Wolfkin and family head, such behavior was unbecoming.
But with her, he couldn't help it.
When those heterochromatic eyes fixed on him—one eye different from the other—he desperately wanted to hide the truth: that he was a half-breed Wolfkin, turning more beastly under the full moon, cursed to live in eternal pain.
Thus, Theodor Diarc could never be fully himself before Lara.
'Knowing Lara as the Bride of the Wolf could affect not just Wolfkin but other beastkin races too, I can't leave her with them.'
An unexpected incident had flipped his original plan on its head.
Lara was the 'Bride of the Wolf,' and he the strongest beastkin in this territory. If he left, no one would protect her. Better to send everyone away and stay together.
"......Yes."
Lara's lips moved in compliance with his odd command.
As always, without asking a thing.