WOFSTF 15

Chapter 15

‘If she came back to the past like me, why doesn’t she recognize me?’

The puzzling thing was that Hallara didn’t remember him.

“I can’t tell if she doesn’t remember or if she’s just pretending.”

He muttered to himself as he strode across the village.

She wasn’t at the house when he arrived.

Then it must be the market. Docheop immediately turned his steps toward the market.

His sharp gaze was thoroughly searching the market when it happened.

He spotted Hallara’s small head from behind in a narrow alley. Docheop stopped and observed her.

With her long hair tied back tightly, she was looking down and saying something.

‘What is she doing?’

Curious, Docheop approached her while holding his breath.

He hadn’t yet organized what he should say first.

Because Hallara didn’t know him. Whether she was pretending not to know or genuinely didn’t know was something he’d have to observe. As he slowly approached, her muttering reached his ears.

“What am I going to do now?”

She spoke with her head deeply bowed. The way she stroked her belly was extremely careful.

“I think I’m getting some strength because you’re here too.”

Docheop’s steps stopped right there.

Her stroking her belly while speaking words mixed with comfort.

It was definitely words meant for the child in her womb.

“Halara Seheb…”

Docheop let that name slip from his lips.

‘…Is she really pregnant?’

***

I definitely heard someone calling me.

When I turned around, no one was there.

‘Did another follower start tailing me?’

Ugh.

I quickly headed home. I didn’t want to go inside the house either, but Madam Michelle should be back by now.

Junel flew off saying she had some things to pick up at the market for a moment.

When I arrived in front of the house, I noticed a red letter envelope stuck in the door. It was utterly creepy, but I opened the envelope anyway.

“The preparations are complete on our end, so just pack light. It would be best not to have any foolish thoughts.”

That was all the content said.

At the end of the letter was drawn the emblem symbolizing the Bloodymerry Family.

“This is giving me PTSD.”

If it had been the real Hallara, she would have been so excited she’d throw a party, but I wasn’t her.

“Just bring yourself. Since Seunghyeok likes you, we’re letting you in, but the standards don’t match so this is really… Don’t even think about bringing those old appliances you’ve been using!”

The content seemed to overflow with consideration, but in reality it probably meant the same thing as my mother-in-law.

It meant that the things I brought were old and worn out, so don’t bring useless junk that would be bothersome.

In fact, my mother-in-law once returned the bedding I had brought as part of my trousseau while I was away, saying she didn’t like it.

“Ah, what am I really going to do about this.”

I’m not even certain whether Docheop and I actually spent the night together or not.

Sighs flowed out endlessly.

My mind was already uncomfortable because of Hallara’s stalker.

“Should I go find Docheop? He wouldn’t understand marrying me either.”

Come to think of it, that’s right.

In the original episode 1, didn’t Docheop completely deny the fact that Hallara was pregnant?

‘If the two of them really had spent a passionate night together, Docheop wouldn’t have been so furious either.’

Besides, Docheop is the male protagonist.

In the actual novel, there was a separate character who was revered as the heroine.

“Right, let’s go find Docheop! His words will carry more weight than mine!”

The moment I turned around like that, I bumped my forehead against the chest of someone who had been standing behind me.

The mercenary who had recently cleaned out all the potato pancakes.

That man had appeared.

“You startled me. What brings you here this evening?”

But this man just stared at me intently with eyes hidden behind his hair, giving no answer.

“Excuse me.”

I need to know why he came and what his business is.

He seemed like he had something to say but only hesitated, not opening his mouth easily.

“Excuse me?”

What’s with this person.

“What is it.”

I didn’t know what was going on, but I let the mercenary into the house for now. Still, being with this person was better than being alone. I didn’t know when that stalker who had been lurking around the house earlier might appear again.

I stared at him as we sat facing each other across the wooden table.

‘This man doesn’t feel dangerous at all.’

Was it because the face glimpsed between his hair was so handsome? Or because he seemed like he wouldn’t be interested in me? Being with him put my mind particularly at ease.

Perhaps that’s why.

“Excuse me, do you happen to have connections here?”

I thought he might be able to help me.

“Connections?”

He, who had kept his mouth shut the whole time, slowly opened it.

“I was wondering if you know some people who live in that castle over there.”

Bloodmere Castle, which gleamed dark red under the sunlight.

If he knew people there, it would make things easier to discuss.

And among the people I had gotten acquainted with here, this mercenary had the highest probability.

“What business do you have with those people?”

“I have a favor to ask. Do you know them or not?”

I had asked without much expectation.

“I do know them.”

But an unexpected answer came back.

“Really? You really know people from that family?”

“That’s right.”

He answered in a calm voice.

He says he knows the lord of this dominion, so what’s with those suspicious eyes?

“It’s not strange. More importantly, can you introduce me?”

“To whom?”

Will he do it!?

Will he finally repay me for all the meals I’ve cooked?

“Will you do it? To anyone?”

“Hmm, let me hear it.”

He stopped with his arms crossed.

I pulled him from the bustling center of the market toward the alley. He followed obediently.

“I’m serious right now. Can you really introduce me?”

“I can arrange an introduction.”

“Even today?”

“Depends on who it is.”

Jackpot!

What an unexpected windfall!

I’m so glad I scraped together every ingredient I had and fed him well.

“Who do you want to meet?”

“This might be difficult, but… please introduce me to Prince Docheop.”

I just went for it.

Actually, Docheop is someone even random passersby in the village avoid.

That’s how notorious he was as a scoundrel before his awakening.

“Would that be possible…?”

When I asked that, the mercenary’s face immediately hardened.

As expected, Docheop is too much to ask for. But that won’t work.

“I know it’s a difficult request. He probably isn’t even at the manor. He’s quite elusive, after all. But if it’s possible to meet him, please help me.”

Right now, persuading Docheop is the best method. Since Docheop would also want to stop this marriage, I could team up with him and refuse together.

The mercenary seemed to be deliberating. His eyes were hidden by his hair so I couldn’t see them well, but it felt like he was.

“You really don’t know anything.”

“Pardon?”

He licked his red lips and opened his mouth.

“There’s no need to ask anything more.”

“What do you mean?”

“Follow me. I’ll introduce you properly.”

Despite his words, his eyes somehow looked dangerous.

***

And so we went to the Bloodymerry Estate.

Unlike when viewed from afar, looking up at the castle from close by was overwhelming enough to feel intimidating.

[This body has returned! I’m late because I found some useful things at the market to bring.]

Junel, who had packed various items along the way, joined us.

Unlike me who was completely intimidated, Junel circled around me fluttering his wings.

[The Bloodmere family is the best after all. It would be even better if that family head returned!]

Being near strong aura users seemed to energize him.

Thanks to that, I wasn’t bored while following the silent mercenary who led the way. It was actually quite hectic.

When we arrived at the castle, the guard soldiers who were initially wary quickly opened the gates after seeing the mercenary’s face.

Just what is this man’s identity?

Come to think of it, I didn’t even ask his name.

I knew almost nothing about him. I should definitely exchange names with him when I return.

[Hehe. You and that guy seem pretty close. Don’t tell me you’re in that kind of relationship?]

Junel flew over and asked.

That kind of relationship?

Instead of answering, I shook my head.

[No? Hmph, too bad. If you were lovers with that guy, you and I could just settle down and live here.]

Settle down and live here?

‘What does that mean?’

Junel tilted his head when he saw me shrugging my shoulders.

[What? You don’t know who that guy is?]

This time I nodded slightly.

Just then, the grand gates of Bloodmere Estate opened.

I never thought I’d be entering so officially like this.

“Um, Mercenary sir…!”

I urgently called out to stop him. I wanted to have a secret meeting with the scoundrel prince first! If we enter so openly like this, it’ll look like I accepted Francesca’s proposal…!

Oh my goodness.

Of all times, Francesca emerged from those open doors wearing a black dress.

I hesitated and stepped back, but only briefly.

[That’s Docheop Bloodmere.]

“Docheop.”

Junel and Francesca spoke at the same time.