I was holed up in a warded room, agonizing over it.
I moaned and squatted on the bed when I fell and hit my side.
Maybe it was the stress that was bothering me too much, but I got a mysterious stomach ache.
When I got up and thought about it, I felt that I was somehow helpless, and I piled up Ortem and made a tower on impulse, and I almost died because It fell down on me.
Iāve been holed up for six hours now, but I canāt think of anything good to do.
I thought of something, but no matter how I scramble, I canāt help but feel sorry for Gizel.
Iām starting to think that I donāt care anymore even if I marry Gizel.
Thereās some resistance now, but maybe Iāll get used to it.
Itās just the way the world is. Iāll apologize to Shibi.
No, but ⦠really, is that all right?
Itās something Iāve been worried about all this time, but Gizel is almost dependent on me.
Thereās even a theory that Iām codependent because I just canāt see it myself.
Gizel had been following me almost since she was born.
I guess the reason sheās acting like a brocon now is because she didnāt have a decent relationship with anyone but me.
Itās my fault that I didnāt pay much attention to the bad habits of the Marrens.
The theory that my ancestors were severely Siscon started to grow inside me.
In short, Gizel just had a very narrow field of vision.
If only Gizel had looked around more, she could have found someone else to like.
In addition to the fact that itās not the same as my memory of my previous life, Gizelās 14 years of living with me is all that matters to her.
I donāt want to think too much about it, though.
Gizel was even more exclusive than me, a magic recluse.
For Gizel, both Shibi and Firo were just acquainted with her brother.
Originally, I should have made my move earlier, I couldnāt think of anything else besides āIām troubled because my little sister is cute.ā
It was stupid.
If I had thought about it more deeply, I would have had more opportunities to notice cultural differences and differences in consciousness.
I know itās not the right place for me to say this after all this time.
I know, but thatās why I donāt think itās a good idea to just let it drag on.
If I donāt do this, Gizel is going to have no real connection to anyone but me.
In the long run, Itās definitely not going to be a good thing.
I have to get out of this village.
Itās the only way.
My father is very eager to hold the ceremony, and since he believes so much in Marren culture, he wonāt listen to me no matter how much I tell him.
To top it off, Gizel is totally on board.
Iāve always wanted to see the world outside the village for a long time.
Itās sad, but maybe it was just the right opportunity.
Itās forbidden in the village, but Iām afraid Iāll have to break it.
I closed my eyes, cut the air, and prayed to the spirits of my ancestors.
This is enough to forgive a lot of the mischief in the Marren village.
Our ancestors were generous.
I used my thick Ortem as a desk and wrote on a piece of paper.
My father and mother, and then a note to Gizel.
I wrote about how I only have feelings for Gizel as a sister and how Iām sorry for that, as well as my anxiety about Gizel dependence on me.
And finally, I added, āIāll be out there getting married, or Iāll be back when I hear the news that Gizel is getting married.ā
ā¦ā¦ Iāll go out of the room temporarily to prepare for the long trip.
There was also a simple map of the area in the Chiefās mansion.
⦠Iāll just impolitely borrow it and head to the nearest city.
I can use the Ortem Trolley for transportation.
Quickly, I have to load up on preserves and things that could be converted to gold.
The sooner I get out, the better.
Time could shake my decision, and if my father found out, he could tie me to a board and hold me in place.
Besides, if Gizel cries on me, Iāll probably break.
Hiding the letter on my desk, I left the room.
āBrother, youāve finally come out! I mean, are you okay? After all, you donāt look so goodā¦ā
At the front of the room was Gizel.
It must have been more than six hours ago when I entered, but I wondered if she had been standing at the door the whole time.
In the past, it could have been adorable, but this is still not good. Thatās definitely not a good sign.
āI, Iāll just go to the Chiefās house for a whileā
āIn that case, Iām going too to escort you!ā
āā¦ā¦No, itās complicated. Let me go on my own.ā
āEhā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā
Gizelās expression froze.
Sheesh.
Up until now, I had never said anything bad for Gizel to hear, so thereās no need for her to leave even once.
It was only the other day that I tried to talk to my father about Gizel.
āActually, thereās something Iāve been thinking about my father lately. I want to talk to the Chief about it. With Gizel around, it might be hard for the Chief to do it.ā
āAbout fatherās?ā
āOh, yes. Itās about the incense leaf. Apparently, the Chief has been wielding the Karlco family at will, so heās afraid of having power concentrated in one house by assetsā¦ā¦ As a matter of fact, I happened to overhear a bad rumor about father the other day. Itās just a rumor⦠is what I think⦠but we need to make sure we have a firm report at the earliest opportunity so thereās nothing dark behind it.ā
āIs that soā¦ā¦ At this important periodā¦ā
Iām sure Gizel had an idea.
Gizel tightly grabbed the hem of her dress and bit her lip.
She seemed to be convinced for the time being.
The guilt is great, but I managed to dodge it nicely.
I have set my father up as a typical petty villain, but I canāt help it.
In hindsight, Gizel would soon find out it was a misunderstanding.
Maybe heās just happy with the fact that heās suddenly getting a lot of money and people around him are starting to praise him.
Thereās nothing to be concerned about.
āIām sorry.ā
I put my hand on Gizelās shoulder and walked past it.
āBrother.ā
A few steps away, he was called off.
āWhat is it?ā
I stopped in my tracks and turned around.
Relax. Gizel shouldnāt have any suspicions.
āThatās why brother⦠youāve been troubled lately, havenāt you?
āEh? Ah, Ahhhhhā¦ā¦ā
I bit my tongue unthinkingly in surprise at the way he spoke as if he was confirming it.
Itās okay. Donāt panic.
Itās a guilty conscience that makes me upset by a single word.
The identity of the ghost, the seeing and withering silver flower grass, is something I used to say even in my previous life.
When youāre scared, everything seems to make sense.
I cough lightly and take a gesture that says something is wrong with my throat.
It was an appeal that he was not at a loss for words because he had something dark behind him.
ā⦠A-Ah, Yeahā¦ā¦ Thatās rightā¦ā¦ā
āI hope father is innocentā¦ā¦ Iāll be waiting for you when you get back. Iām sure youāre not in great shape, so take care not to collapse on the way. Donāt force yourself, and turn around as soon as it gets tough, okay?ā
ā⦠R-right, right. Sorry to worry you.ā
I turned around and walked out of the house to go to the Chiefās mansion.
Good, I got through it.
It seems that there is no reason to be suspicious after all.
Nonetheless, Iām glad the lies and acting came through.
I thought I wouldnāt make it since I couldnāt make eye contact with her, but Gizel didnāt seem to mind.
Thatās about the only thing that bothers me.
This kind of skill at bargaining may be due to the difference in experience in a previous life.
If I got to the city, It wouldnāt be a bad idea to try to become a famous actor.
Iām curious how much knowledge this world has on this type of culture, though.
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