Chapter 45 : Chapter 45
Volume 2, Chapter 14. An Incident on the Road
The reason why Leticia had to be the one leading the way—this, Ilo never explained.
Whenever asked, she would brush it off with all kinds of strange excuses, or things like, “Hey, look at this flower!”
Very suspicious.
But heaven knew how such a young child could so neatly and flawlessly manage her expressions, never letting anything slip.
Just a moment ago, she had been easy to read. Now she wasn’t. Or perhaps it was the opposite—that the easy-to-read, openly emotional Ilo had been the false one.
If only in her past life she’d had time to study psychology. But then, remembering that awkward, unsocial self who only ever wanted to dote on 2D paper wives, Leticia thought from the bottom of her heart—it was just as well she hadn’t...
Looking back now, her twenty years of life had indeed been rather wasted. Even what she had studied—ordinary literature—was completely useless here.
No, perhaps it could be useful. For example, if she wanted to die, she could simply write a few Chinese characters, hand them to the Church, and claim they were demon spells. She’d be executed in no time. (laughs)
Ah, the past, the past...
She has lived two lives now. The thought still felt unbelievable.
The road offered no remarkable scenery. From fertile fields, to empty wilderness, to cobblestoned town roads, the journey had no particular obstacles. But she did see something curious.
On the way, they met a middle-aged man apparently returning from town. He wore simple homespun clothes, a straw hat on his head, bare feet striding briskly.
When he saw Ilo and Leticia, surprise flashed across his face, and he stopped as he passed them.
“Why, if it isn’t Ilo. Rare to see you out here.”
Seemed to be an acquaintance. The man greeted Ilo casually.
“Uncle Oliver...”
Ilo’s tone carried a hint of “oh, it’s you again.” “Off doing something?”
“Hahaha, yeah. The wife sent me out to fetch some things we were short on at home.”
Oliver laughed heartily, raising the cloth bundle in his hand. “And my boy was pestering me for something fun, so I brought a little back for him too.”
“I see.”
Ilo smiled. “Well then, Uncle Oliver, you’d better hurry back. Your family’s waiting. We can’t hold you up, right? Stano, let’s go.”
“Oh.”
Leticia, indifferent to others’ relationships—after all, nothing was as important as her own life—replied casually and kept walking.
But she then heard Oliver’s teasing: “Still, it really is rare. Ilo, you little lass—few days gone, and now you’ve found yourself a little lad? Dirty-faced, eh, but looks like good farming stock...”
What was that supposed to mean...
Leticia sighed inwardly, quickly piecing together Oliver’s misunderstanding.
But why did his tone sound so strange?
Sarcasm?
Mockery?
She stole a glance at his eyes, and to her surprise, she thought she understood.
In her past life, one of her not-so-close friends, upon learning his favorite idol had found happiness with someone else, had stared at the man’s photo with that very same spark in his eyes—though far more intense than Oliver’s.
Jealousy?
Could it really be jealousy?
But why...
“Uncle Oliver, weren’t you on your way to deliver things to your family?”
Ilo’s expression had grown formulaic, her displeasure with his words quite clear.
“Ha, right, right.”
Oliver stroked his beard and laughed. “Just surprised that this is the type you like. No wonder you always brushed me off before. Hahaha! How about next time I send my son after you? He’s sturdier than this scrawny brat!”
“Uncle Oliver.”
The corners of Ilo’s mouth tilted upward, her tone making her rejection crystal clear. “You should be going.”
“...Tch.”
Oliver’s expression stiffened. He scratched his brown hair awkwardly. “Well, it is getting late. I’ll head back. You two carry on.”
Casting Leticia a look full of odd meaning, Oliver plucked a stalk of grass, stuck it in his mouth, and went off.
“...”
Leticia didn’t comment. She just watched the man leave, then turned to see Ilo’s slightly shadowed eyes.
“Stano, sorry...”
Ilo rubbed her cheek lightly. “For letting you see something unpleasant.”
“I don’t mind.”
Leticia shook her head. “But what about you?”
She couldn’t help but feel that the supposedly simple, warm-hearted village now had something... off.
Sincere children, pure of heart; villagers interacting naturally, helping one another—she had thought this was the ideal sort of place. But just now, it seemed... different.
Was it the man himself?
Or had she, for lack of broader perspective, too hastily imposed her own definition of the village?
Suddenly, she had much to think about.
“Of course I don’t mind.”
Ilo smiled softly. “After all, I’ve always received the villagers’ care. I’m younger, frail, unable to help. Even when I go to Uncle Nicola’s, I can only do trivial chores. Everyone’s kind, but they’re not saints from the Church’s teachings. A little grumbling now and then is only natural.”
“Oh, is that so.”
“What else?”
Ilo teased. “Uncle Oliver’s family grows wheat. Their home’s near mine, so he often brings us food. And yes, it seems he has thought of marrying me to his son. But I just have no interest.”
“Ha... hahaha...”
The explanation was reasonable.
So Leticia didn’t probe further, though she tucked away her doubts.
For now, the priority was to guide this little girl, then figure out her own problems, and deal with Stano’s “information” side task.
Yes, she was just an ordinary little girl. No need, and no ability, to meddle in others’ affairs.
Only...
“Hey, Bamboo Pole.”
Stano’s voice sounded in her mind.
“What is it?”
“No need to be so cold.”
Clicking his tongue irritably, Stano said, “Something’s bugging me. Look at that girl’s legs. Quick.”
That commanding tone was as grating as ever.
Shifting her gaze slightly, Leticia looked at Ilo’s legs as they walked. “Well?”
“Stop walking. Stand still.”
“...What are you trying to do?”
“Quit fussing. Just do it. I’ll explain.”
“Tch...”
Leticia suddenly halted, turning her gaze on Ilo.
“W-what is it?”
Startled by Leticia’s stare sweeping her up and down, Ilo took two uneasy steps back, arms folded across her chest. “What do you want?”
“Nothing, nothing.”
Leticia turned away at once. “Just realized—you’re actually pretty cute.”
A clumsy excuse.
Hearing footsteps behind, Leticia knew Ilo was still following, seemingly not suspicious.
So...
“What did you notice?”
Leticia asked.
“...”
After a pause, Stano hesitated, then said, “If what those noble brats I know said is true... that girl... she doesn’t seem to be a virgin anymore.”
...
Hah?