[Three weeks ago]

Where had they been living after what transpired at the academy twenty days ago?

Word had already spread across the world. The promising student who had achieved so much at such a young age was now rumored to be tied to the dark side.

Emma and William knew they couldn't stay in crowded places, not when authorities could come knocking again and again.

So they moved toward the northeastern edge of the continent, close to mountains and dense greenery, where they found a small village.

The village was called Pilnavir. It had barely forty houses, with fewer than three hundred people living there.

Most people across the continent didn't even know such a place existed, tucked away in a quiet valley. The villagers themselves had little connection to the outside world, making it the safest haven the two could find.

"Good morning, Miss Maylie," Emma said with a gentle smile, extending the shopping bag toward the woman.

"Ah, Caroline. Right on time, as always," the lady replied warmly, taking the large loaf of bread wrapped in paper and placing it carefully into her bag.

Naturally, Emma and William were using different names, just in case anyone came looking into them.

She chose a name she had once used before. In her previous life, she had gone by Caroline, so she took it up again. As for William…

"How is Leo? Haven't seen him around lately," the lady asked, wiping her hands.

"Oh, he's been a little sick. Still trying to adjust to the cold nights here," Emma replied with a soft smile.

She wasn't lying. William really had fallen a bit ill. The temperature dropped sharply at night in this region.

"Tell him to spend time with those useless fellows at night. It'll toughen him up," the woman advised.

Emma nodded. "I will. Thank you."

With that, she left the store and began walking along the cobblestone path that led back to their house.

All the houses here were built by the villagers. That's why, they don't have symmetrical structure but rather functional shapes so that the houses could withstand any climate.

Since the whole place was situated in a valley, all the three sides, she could see tall and green mountains.

It was a breathtaking sight, to be surrounded by the nature, soft breeze brushing past her, birds chirping, children playing around. It was pleasant and comforting.

Along the way, many greeted her.

Despite her usual reservations, Emma had managed to get along with the villagers. Their kindness and the close-knit, almost familial atmosphere made it easier.

"Oh, Caroline, you look lovely as ever," the village bard, Christopher, called out as he spotted her.

"Christopher… I see you're as lively as ever," she replied with a small nod.

The redhead grinned. "Well, my morning starts with such a beautiful sight. Of course I'd be lively."

Emma rolled her eyes. The man was a complete masochist. He didn't flirt out of genuine interest but simply to get beaten by William later.

On their second day in the village, Christopher had shown up at their doorstep with a bouquet, confessing his love for her, only to be knocked out cold by William.

That hadn't stopped him.

He kept coming back, getting thrashed each time, collapsing with a wide smile on his face.

A lunatic, through and through.

"Well, is your mother around? I need some herbs."

Christopher hummed. "Herbs? Planning to make stew today—"

"Christopher~ are you bothering the young lady again?"

A soft feminine voice echoed from behind, making Christopher stiffen.

"I… I forgot to clean my instruments. See you later." With that, he bolted, rushing up the stairs.

Shaking her head, Emma turned and said, "Hello, Miss Tina. Could I get these herbs?" She extended a small list.

Tina was a black-haired beauty in her early thirties, a blue ribbon tied neatly around her hair.

She was said to be the most beautiful woman in the village, someone who had received proposals from nearly every man there.

Emma could see why. Tina had a gentle charm, the kind of presence that could easily make her the face of a church if she wished.

"I can get these for you, but honestly, Caroline, you could pick them yourself. Why spend your coins here?" Tina said with a light smile.

Emma let out a quiet sigh. The people of this village were truly something else. They were too kind.

"It's fine, isn't it? You don't charge much anyway," she replied.

Tina shook her head, still smiling, before stepping inside. Moments later, she returned with a small bag filled with herbs.

"Here. I added some garlic too. Make a soup for Leo. It should help him feel better."

Emma nodded in thanks and left the shop.

She loved this.

Shopping like this, preparing meals, spending quiet moments with William, gazing at the stars… this was what she called life.

She had never longed to be the strongest or the brightest. She had never chased wealth or fame. She had seen enough struggle in her previous life, and more than enough in this one, to cherish a life others might call dull.

As she reached the familiar house at the northern edge of the village, she climbed the steps and placed her hand on the door… only to pause.

Her eyes sharpened.

There was a presence inside. One that didn't belong to William.

Silently, she slid her hand beneath her long skirt and drew the knife strapped to her thigh.

Carefully, she turned the knob and slowly pushed the door open—

Only for it to be pulled from the other side.

"Huh?"

The knife slipped from her grasp as a small figure suddenly wrapped its arms around her.

Emma froze.

Her gaze lifted, landing on two familiar faces inside the room.

One was unmistakably William.

The other…

"…Father?"

If he was here, then the one clinging to her—

"Nana?"

The little girl looked up, her bright eyes brimming with tears.

Emma's heart trembled. She bent down, holding the child's shoulders gently. "Nana… what happened? Are you hurt?"

"Of course she is," Vitori said, still seated, his back turned. "It's been nearly a month since the two of you came to see her."

Emma exchanged a glance with William before he spoke, his voice weighed with guilt. "We were planning to bring her here once things settled…"

Emma gently cupped Nana's cheeks. "Are you upset, Nana?" She didn't really need to ask. The tears trembling in those wide eyes had already answered for her.

William stood from his chair and walked over.

Kneeling beside Emma, he took Nana's small hand and said softly, "You can punish us however you want, but don't stay silent like this. It's making us worried."

She hadn't spoken a single word, even in her thoughts, deliberately keeping them out of his reach.

At last, Nana looked up at him. Tears slipped down her cheeks as she shared what she had been holding in,

[Then… as punishment… let Nana stay here with big brother and sister too. I don't want to spend another day without you two.]

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A/N:- Thanks for reading. Please drop a comment and review to motivate me.