IYWHM Chapter 178

Kisa read the letters that appeared on the newspaper heated by the matchstick flame with thoughtful eyes.

 

Compared to the previous one, this one was quite short.

 

‘At the returning midnight, on the bedroom terrace.’

 

She had thought that one of the two choices mentioned in the previous message would be written there…

 

She headed to the bedroom, holding the match whose wick had turned black.

 

“If it’s the bedroom terrace, it would be here, right?”

 

The hotel’s panoramic view from the high place was no different from usual.

 

Landscaping that showed money had been poured into it, well-dressed people, and a cloudy sky.

 

A few hours from now, what was Gale planning to do by calling Kisa to this place?

 

After looking outside for a while, Kisa destroyed the evidence by throwing the match far away and then turned around.

 

Since she couldn’t spill tea on the newspaper again today after yesterday, it would be better to handle the message in a different way.

 

After thinking for a moment, Kisa chose the method of simply cutting it out along with the article next to it.

 

She called a servant and asked them to bring scissors, and shortly after they arrived, she cut out the newspaper with them.

 

The servant who was watching this asked in a friendly manner.

 

“Is there an interesting article?”

 

Kisa briefly showed the paper she was cutting with scissors.

 

“I wanted to go to this restaurant mentioned here. I’m doing this so I won’t forget to go later.”

 

What she showed was an advertising article whose main content was a romantic description of a restaurant that was said to be the most popular in Matera recently.

 

“Come to think of it, I’ve heard about it too. They say the view of the city as seen from the bridge is excellent.”

 

The servant nodded as if understanding that feeling well.

 

“It’s still too much for now, but since you’ll likely get permission to go out soon, it would be good to go there with the Duke then. I’m sure the Duke would gladly accompany you.”

 

Perhaps because the period of being bedridden due to illness had been long, the servant didn’t find Kisa’s attitude of particularly looking forward to going out strange.

 

“I hope so. I should mention it to him the next time we meet.”

 

Kisa replied appropriately and tucked the cut-out article between the pages of a novel she was reading these days.

 

Of course, she separately cut out the message that was her real purpose and hid it in her pocket.

 

She intended to burn this one when she was alone.

 

“Camelia Bridge Restaurant. I wonder how wonderful it will be.”

 

Saying this, Kisa smiled brightly.

 

Going out to the terrace at the time written in the message wasn’t a difficult task.

 

Thanks to her condition improving greatly, Kisa had been able to sleep alone without a servant for the past few days.

 

On a quiet night where only the sound of insects chirping could be heard, she swallowed her breath.

 

Even though she had read the message and prepared herself to some extent, she still couldn’t help but be surprised when Gale appeared climbing over the railing.

 

“Come inside for now.”

 

Although she had many things she wanted to say, hiding their bodies so they wouldn’t be seen by others was the priority.

 

Wouldn’t it be wise to be careful even in the distant dark night with its few lights?

 

Only after bringing Gale into the bedroom and firmly closing the terrace door did Kisa speak.

 

“How did you come from below? Don’t tell me you climbed up from the first floor?”

 

Looking at her rabbit-like eyes, Gale shook his head.

 

“Of course not. No matter how much it’s nighttime, I’m not skilled enough to climb to the top floor while avoiding others’ eyes. The hotel’s security system can’t be taken lightly either.”

 

The solution he presented was unexpectedly simple.

 

“I rented a room on the floor directly below. Under a false name, of course.”

 

“Ah.”

 

“If I have the tools, I can climb one floor too.”

 

“So there was such a method. I never thought of it.”

 

“It’s not a method to use multiple times. Duke Hillan must be quite wary of me.”

 

“I think so too. Honestly, I’m surprised that Gale managed to enter this hotel without any trouble.”

 

“I did struggle a bit with the disguise. I also received Chloe’s help. But staying long doesn’t seem like a good decision.”

 

Kisa agreed with this.

 

She didn’t know when Seyard’s people might go to check on the new guest who had entered the lower floor.

 

From what she had felt these past few days, he was in a state of being extremely sensitive.

 

‘The conflict with me seems to be the biggest reason…’

 

In fact, although not as much as the other party, Kisa herself was also inwardly troubled by that man.

 

However, now was the time to focus on the escape plan with Gale, who was willing to do unpleasant work for her sake.

 

“If possible, tomorrow… no, since midnight has passed, it’s today. Anyway, it would be better to leave the hotel as soon as dawn breaks. It seems like there’s important information you need to tell me that required you to come in person, so if you tell me now, there’s no need to delay further.”

 

Gale seemed quite reluctant but agreed with Kisa’s words.

 

“I’ve already arranged for someone to stay in the room in my place. That person will be there for the remaining period. Like an ordinary guest.”

 

“Good. Then now it’s time for the main topic.”

 

Kisa asked about what she had been most curious about from the last message.

 

“What exactly do those two choices mean? Are you saying you’ve prepared two routes?”

 

“That’s not wrong. First, the first route is exactly as written in the message.”

 

He showed his index finger in front of Kisa and explained.

 

“It’s the optimal path I found considering various preliminary matters. It’s quite far from this place while not being too difficult for you to stay at, and the ship passage can be said to be both outside the influence of the Hillan ducal family and relatively safe.”

 

There was a faint pride visible in Gale’s tone as he added the next words.

 

“It’s operated by a sailor connected to our trading company. Oh, by the way, it’s not an official relationship, so the Duke won’t know about this either. Even if he finds out using the family’s information network, you would already be hiding deep inland by then.”

 

“I see. Then what about the other route?”

 

But to Kisa’s question, he showed a slightly hesitant expression.

 

“That… to be honest, it’s close to gambling. It requires taking greater risks than the first route.”

 

“But there must be a reason why you’re telling me this now despite that.”

 

Since seeing the previous message, it had been difficult to think that he had presented two choices simply for the sake of variety.

 

“That’s right,” Gale answered and quietly stared into space for a moment.

 

“Do you remember when we met at the concert hall, I said it was too obvious?”

 

“Yes, I remember. I had the same opinion.”

 

“Although I did my best to plan it, I still think the first route is somewhat obvious. Should I say that since it’s optimal from any perspective, the Duke could also easily reach the same conclusion?”

 

Then, Kisa, who had been quietly listening to his story, spoke.

 

“…It might be too paranoid an imagination, but I think Seyard might already be aware of the connection between the Manoa trading company and that ship passage. He’s a frighteningly thorough person.”

 

From the moment he learned that the Manoa trading company had cooperated in Kisa’s escape, he would thoroughly investigate everything about the company.

 

Even after getting Kisa back, rather than being complacent, he would remain vigilant against future dangers.

 

If it was the Seyard that Kisa knew, it was entirely possible, and Gale didn’t refute Kisa’s statement either.

 

Instead, he brought up the story about his second route.

 

“In that sense, what I conceived is a deception operation.”

 

“Deception? What’s that?”

 

He scratched his head with an embarrassed expression.

 

“Well, even I think it’s an inefficient and reckless plan…”

 

Afterwards, Kisa carefully listened to Gale’s explanation that continued for several minutes.

 

When the story ended, Gale looked at Kisa’s reaction with an uncertain face.

 

“What do you think? If you think it’s absurd, please tell me honestly.”

 

“Wait a moment. Let me think about it a little.”

 

To tell the truth, compared to the plan she had heard earlier, this one had flaws and even made her wonder if it was really necessary.

 

But somehow, the second choice lingered in her mind for a long time.

 

And the more she thought about it, the more she judged that such disadvantages could actually work positively.

 

‘Rather, because of that, the rational Seyard might unexpectedly be fooled.’

 

Since the given time wasn’t unlimited, Kisa couldn’t prolong her deliberation.

 

Finally, she looked at Gale and said decisively.

 

“Let’s go with the second one. I think that would be better. What’s your opinion?”

 

Gale seemed to have somewhat expected that Kisa would make such a decision.

 

“Good.”

 

He accepted her opinion without particular objection.

 

“Above all, you are the protagonist of this operation. I hope you won’t have any regrets.”

 

Kisa smiled brightly and nodded vigorously.

 

“Whatever the outcome, that’s my intention.”

 

It was Kisa herself who had chosen, and it was also Kisa who would believe in her choice and move forward.

 

“Well then, the next contact will be through newspaper messages again.”

 

Gale spoke in a somewhat meaningful voice.

 

“Chloe will surely do well.”

 

Looking out at the world locked in night through the window, Kisa spoke.

 

“I should also work hard so as not to lose.”

 

****

 

One morning, Seyard came to Kisa’s bedroom to check on her condition as usual, but had to face an unexpected situation.

 

“What did you say?”

 

To his question, Kisa, with a slightly shy face, answered.

 

“I asked if you could take a walk with me later. Today… the weather is so nice.”

 

It was an invitation from Kisa that he was hearing after a very long time.