CH 35

Chapter 35: I Allow It

The identity of the neighbor who suddenly bought an old mansion that had been vacant for a very long time across from our house,

Was the stalker.

I must be crazy. I can’t believe this can be reality.

The surreal strange man sounded and looked like a tall and young gentleman. Long, red hair fluttered in the wind…… it must have been a wig.

Even though his face was completely covered and his hands were covered in black gloves, it was not difficult to guess that he would be quite young because of his upright posture.

Wide shoulders and a straight back that didn’t bend at all, even in a long coat that reached near his ankles.  His image was still vivid in my mind.

The stalker has now come to reveal himself and has gently specified where he is. He, who has always felt like smoke or ghost, is finally in shape.

Then, what actions can I take now? Reporting the owner of the house across the street to the police?

The only evidence for that is a few notes and a butcher’s eyewitness. It is questionable how seriously the corrupt Florin police will listen when the daughter of a lame family who cannot stimulate the taste buds* complains of stalking.

(* It means a person who isn’t seductive/attractive)

Considering the movements of the police here, it would be fortunate if they kick me out and shake away their hands. All the more so because I, Melissa Collins, wouldn’t have any money to bride them with.

Can I beat the stalker in the first place? I ignored the crazy fellow’s demands and so he bought a mansion to watch me closely in my house?

……Maybe it’s impossible to even reach a point of agreement?

Far from being rational, there is no way I can have a proper conversation with the person who is strange and twisted to the fullest, and in the first place, he is not a good person with whom I could try to have a conversation with an equal footing.  He’s not normal.

What I learned after meeting him in person was that Viola’s expectation that the stalker was the head of the beggars was far from the correct answer. As expected, he is a wealthy man.….

“There’s a high probability that he has a lot of power.….”

The moment I met him, I couldn’t help but notice.  The achromatic man in all black and wearing a white mask hid himself completely—but he couldn’t hide his sense of intimidation.

It was definitely not the kind of atmosphere one could easily have.

It is terrifying to think about it again and again that he, who seemed to have lost interest in me completely, reappeared. Furthermore, he revealed where he lived as if I were to visit.

I don’t think he’ll always be there—Mrs. Kearney said it didn’t look like a person was living in that mansion—but it was as if he expressed his intention to bring me into his place….… It was a chilling horror.

However, one strange fact is that when he came, I didn’t feel like he was trying to hurt me at all, even though there was no one other than me. Whatever his plan was, it was a perfect situation to fulfill it…….

I don’t know the intention, but in some sense, it is clear that he wanted me or somethi….ng I have. But why did he disappear as soon as he delivered the letter?

The stalker’s thoughts, intentions, and even a spot cannot be assumed. I belatedly realized how cozy the past few days were when I was worried about not being able to empathize with the emotions of the character Troy.

Maybe he enjoys scaring the weak…  …He might be some kind of pervert….

“I’m getting goosebumps…….”

……Whatever it may be, there is only one thing I can do in a strange and frightening situation.

Leaving the Sourne Kingdom.

Being a wealthy and powerful man means that he has a lot of things, which is responsibility. He will not be infinitely free from the things he has to take care of. He probably wouldn’t be able to leave everything behind and follow me to other countries.

I was forced to return to the theoretical conclusion.

“I have to write my novel.”

Let’s finish the first half and the middle within March and send it to the academy. Let’s write a masterpiece so that my novel will surely win. I have to write it so desperately and earnestly that I have to focus my everything while writing the novel.

Because that’s the only thing I have.

* * *

One evening, after I had finished praying, I spoke to my mother.

“Mom.”

Of course, I didn’t mean to say that I met a stalker. Because his target should be only Melissa Collins, not my family.

I don’t want to add a weight of anxiety on my mother’s scale full of worries. As long as I leave for the Principality safely, the shadow of the stalker on the roof will naturally disappear.

“I have something to tell you.”

My mother, who had slept a lot until evening, looked back at me with her slightly swollen eyes.

“What are you talking about?”

She looked a little surprised. Needless to say, I, who had been stuck in my room recently, rarely opened my mouth even during mealtime. Like someone who forgot what to say.

“I told you before,…… I’m still writing. In fact, I’m writing much more seriously than mom thinks.”

“…….”

Mother and Mrs. Kerney quietly exchanged glances.

“……The Academy is accepting novel manuscripts. It is part of the development of the cultural industry led by the royal family, and if a novel is selected, they will send the author to study abroad.”

“You now…”

“Mom, if my novel is selected, please allow me to go to Lunoa.”

She would have known that I was writing from Mrs. Kerney, who frequently visited my room, but my mother slowly began to contort her forehead……

“Of course, all expenses are covered by the royal family. The only thing that will put pressure on households—”

“Melissa, stop.”

Eventually, she cut off my words.

“Mom, I…!”

“As far as writing as a hobby, yes, I knew—but…”

My mother looked strangely angry.

“Studying abroad?”

“…….”

Tonight, I think I’m going to eat a little cold food. My mother’s voice being like this means that the story gets longer.

But I also couldn’t understand. All expenses would be covered. Why? Is it too much for me to dream? To the point where I have to face mom’s scary face?

“You… Were you hanging on to such a ridiculous illusion? These days, you’ve been…”

“Mom, it’s my dream. I’ve thought countless times, but there’s no other way for me. I’m not saying marriage is not important.… At least for me, it’s much more urgent than that.”

“Huh…”

“I’m not asking for your support! I’m just saying that I’ll do my best for my dream.….”

“It’s just a dream, right?”

My mother nervously closed her eyes as if she was getting a headache.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t afford to send you to the academy. But what should I do with this reality?”

“…….”

“And how great do you think your frail talent will be in front of academy majors or those who have lived their whole lives as nameless writers?”

“…….are you saying I don’t deserve to try, mom?”

I also ended up speaking with a sharp voice. You’re just trying to intimidate me and control me. Because I, the only daughter, want to live my way.

“Fine. Try.”

My mother smiled coldly.

“But can you give up cleanly after failing at this little hopeless task?”

“That’s…!”

“I’m sure you’ll waste all the most valuable time of your life following a vain dream, but what do you want me to allow?”

Tears welled up at those words. My throat was choked and no words came out.

My mother started eating with a dry face. All I could do was swallow my tears as I heard the silverware and plates collide.

“Ahem, Mrs. Collins.”

Then Mrs. Kerney opened her mouth.

“Melissa probably doesn’t understand the meaning behind the madam’s words.. She’s sincerely writing, I’ve seen her seriously writing the novel..”

“…….”

“Lady doesn’t even know that Melissa is a girl with a deep heart for her age.”

My mother’s hand, which was tearing the bread into small pieces, stopped. Mrs. Kerney continued,

“If your novel is not selected, you can use it as a hobby until you get married. Fine, Melissa?”

I know that my novel is extremely unlikely to be selected. And I didn’t even know that Mrs. Kearney’s words were the best now.

“……Yes, I will.”

“Did you hear that, ma’am? That’s what I’m saying! She’s the only daughter who came back alive from the threshold of the underworld, and please allow this much.”

“…….”

“There’s nothing to worry about, isn’t there a young man who follows her around because he likes her. Right?”

Mrs. Kerney added, dipping a piece of bread in my soup. I saw my mother wiping away tears who had burst into tears.

The moment her mother lifted her glass and drank her water was as long as time stretched.  When the cup was finally placed on the table,

“Okay, I got it.”

“Ah…”

“……I allow it because I know it won’t work.”

The mother reluctantly said out the words of permission in a clear tone.

“Did you think that if you told me there was no cost, I would absolutely allow you? Don’t be mistaken, Melissa.”

“…….”

“It’s easy to leave home and live alone in another country. Just because you become an adult doesn’t mean you suddenly become an adult. You have a weak body, yet unnecessarily stubborn…….”

“Mom…”

“……There are many times when I wonder if you’re the child I gave birth to—ah, my stomach hurts.”

She looks just like her dad. My mother muttered in a lonely tone for some reason. Even though I managed to get permission, it was hard for me to eat because of the tears that kept squeezing out.

After the heavy dinner, I got up with a dry greeting. Mrs. Kerney was trying to change the subject in a hurry, perhaps because the awkward atmosphere was bothering her.

“By the way, there is no such thing as a miracle, considering the time when Melissa died and came back to life.  Right, Mrs. Collins?”

“…….”

“How frightened I was when I heard you were passed out in a carriage that took you home?”

……After all, it’s my story. Feeling embarrassed, I quickly turned around while trying to help organize the table.

“It’s a miracle that Sir Alan discovered her before it was too late while passing by nearby in time…….”

As I moved up the stairs, Mrs Kerney’s voice echoed clearly in my ears.  Maybe it’s because madam’s voice is on the high pitch side, maybe it’s because it’s Alan’s name….

“Now that I think about it, Melissa is amazing, too. She fainted after telling him her home address. I’m so proud of her, ho, ho!”

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As I climbed the old wooden stairs, I suddenly stopped walking.

I’ve never told him where my house is.

I fainted when I saw someone approaching me, so I don’t even remember being rescued by Alan Leopold. There’s no way I, who passed out, could have spoken to him.

“…….”

How did he know my address?