* * *
Of course, it’s a slim possibility.
I tapped my thigh absentmindedly with my fingertips, then stopped.
While I briefly averted my gaze, the woman’s expression darkened as if she’d suddenly recalled something significant and was lost in thought.
She stayed silent for a long time, her eyes filled with an unreadable emotion.
Then, without warning, she fixed her gaze on me.
She began to study my face again—one she had already scanned once before—as though she were searching for something she’d missed the first time.
Her lips parted slightly, and I thought I heard a faint sigh escape.
Breaking the heavy silence, she spoke.
“Would you like me to bring you the pendant? You can see it for yourself.”
“Oh… yes, please. I’d appreciate that.”
“Just a moment.”
As soon as I gave a small nod, she smoothed her apron and rose from her seat.
Without another word, she disappeared upstairs.
I stared at the now-empty seat for a moment before turning away.
I’d imagined the pendant to be far too precious to be revealed so easily—especially after what Lily had said earlier.
I hadn’t even dared to expect I’d get a chance to see it.
A faint smile curled on my lips, my previously rigid expression softening as the corners of my mouth curved upward and my eyes relaxed.
It was then that Lily emerged from the kitchen, carrying a plate piled high with biscuits.
A sweet aroma wafted through the air, explaining the faint scent I’d noticed earlier.
“Here are some biscuits. They’re made with butter—they’re really tasty!”
“Thank you. I’ll enjoy them.”
Lily set the plate down and waved her hand enthusiastically, almost like she was trying to demonstrate just how delicious the biscuits were.
I chuckled softly, amused by her earnestness.
When I shifted my gaze from Lily to the biscuits, I saw they were neatly baked to a uniform size.
Though the shapes weren’t perfectly symmetrical, the care that had gone into making them was evident.
Just as I reached out to take one, Lily’s voice broke the silence.
“And… please don’t mind my mom staring at you like that.”
“I didn’t mind at all.”
“Still… some people get uncomfortable when she does that, so I just thought I’d let you know.”
“Ah… I see.”
Lily fidgeted with her fingers, casting cautious glances at me as though trying to gauge my reaction.
I found it odd that she was so concerned about my feelings over something as harmless as being stared at.
After all, the woman had barely looked at me for more than a few seconds.
I hadn’t found it unpleasant in the slightest.
I bit into the biscuit, the crisp texture giving way to a rich, buttery flavor.
My eyes drifted shut for a moment as I savored the taste.
It was soft and mellow, with a pleasant sweetness lingering on my tongue.
Even though the biscuits had probably cooled quite a while ago, their flavor was still remarkable.
As the last of the biscuit melted in my mouth, I picked up another and offered it to Lily, who was watching me with expectant eyes.
“Is there a reason your mom stares at people like that?”
“Well…”
Lily hesitated, her eyes dropping to the biscuit in her hand.
She bit her lower lip, which was as red and round as a cherry.
After a moment’s contemplation, she exhaled softly and lifted a hand to cover her left eye.
“It’s because my mom can’t see out of one eye.”
“…What?”
Her words hit me like a blow to the chest.
My heart sank, and regret followed swiftly.
I shouldn’t have asked.
What I’d assumed was a simple, lighthearted question had actually touched on something deeply personal.
I was just about to change the subject when Lily continued, her tone oddly casual.
“It happened a long time ago… before I was even born. A monster attacked her, and she lost her sight in that eye. She said she was lucky a passing priest helped save her right eye. But her left eye… it was beyond saving.”
She swung her legs lightly as she spoke, as though she were discussing the weather.
“On rainy days, her right eye still aches sometimes,” she added.
I didn’t know how to respond.
My mind raced back to the monsters I’d encountered—the grotesque goblins, the vicious mother-beast, the nightmarish Morhan.
I remembered the aftermath of their attacks, the destruction they left behind.
A sudden image of the mother-beast surfaced in my memory—its body brimming with venom potent enough to dissolve flesh.
If that creature had been the cause… losing an eye might have been the least of her injuries.
Realizing I’d gotten lost in thought, I gave myself a mental shake and gently patted Lily’s head.
I ruffled her hair with slow, deliberate motions.
“Thanks for telling me, Lily. That probably wasn’t easy to talk about. I’m sorry for bringing it up.”
“It’s okay. By the way… how did you know my name?”
“I heard it while I was talking to your mom. My name’s Isaac Winter.”
“Isaac?”
“Yeah. But you can call me Isa.”
She blinked up at me, processing the information before murmuring, “Isa… Isa… Isa…”
Her voice grew softer with each repetition, as though she were trying to commit it to memory.
“Isa… I knew it! You even have a pretty name!”
“I’m not really someone you’d call ‘pretty.’”
“Well, I think you’re more of a gentleman than that rich kid who comes here sometimes.”
“Thanks for the compliment. Oh—before I go later, I’ll buy the rest of your flowers. Can you make me a nice bouquet again?”
“Of course! I’ll even add a ribbon this time. What color do you like?”
“…Green.”
The answer slipped out before I could stop it, and I immediately regretted it.
I didn’t even like green that much.
White was more my style.
So why green?
The reason was embarrassingly obvious.
Idiot, I scolded myself.
You could’ve said navy.
Or red.
Something less specific.
As I wallowed in silent mortification, Lily tilted her head.
“Green? Hmm… I’m not sure if we have green ribbon. I’ll check and let you know!”
“Thanks. If you don’t have green, white is fine.”
“Got it!”
Honestly, I hoped she wouldn’t find any green ribbon at all.
I swallowed the words I wanted to say and lifted my chin resolutely.
As I watched Lily turn away, perhaps to find the ribbon, I sensed someone’s presence and looked up.
There, standing against the staircase, was a woman gazing down at us.
When our eyes met, she covered her mouth and let out a soft laugh.
“Oh dear, did I interrupt a good moment?”
“No, we were waiting for you.”
The pendant?
My gaze shifted slightly downward from her face, and there it was—the silver pendant in her hand.
Noticing my interest, she smiled knowingly and gave the pendant a small wave in front of me.
“I brought the pendant.”
“Isn’t it something you usually wear?”
Brought it?
I had assumed she always wore the pendant since it seemed like an everyday accessory.
I was initially surprised when she mentioned having to find it, but now, realizing it took so long, I couldn’t shake a strange feeling of unease.
* * *
