The Collapsed Sandcastle
"Because I knew. Ahhh, how bad Laila's face is these days, she's all cool on the inside. Now that the rumors spread by Ji have turned out, how much will your stomach hurt?
Nora laughed and mirrored Layla's expression.
After that day, Layla stopped spreading rumors about Rose in secret and started cursing Keanes.
It's like a poor gentleman who seduced a young widow.
Kianes was likely holding a grudge against him for openly embarrassing him in front of him. Kianes, the protagonist of the bad rumors, had no idea, and Elizabeth was left with worries.
Excited, Nora still didn't stop, as if she was acknowledging this incident.
“What if you are poor? Our Rose has a home and an Eden. If the other person is young and pretty, it's done."
"Nora."
Elizabeth dissuaded Nora with an embarrassed face. But Nora didn't stop.
"That's right. Rose You're a widow, so if you were single, you would have received more marriage proposals than Jane. Honestly, if it wasn't for Eden… … .”
“Nora, I like it now. If it wasn't for Eden, I wouldn't have lived like this."
When Elizabeth interrupted her words and replied with a serious face, Nora smiled sheepishly and changed her position.
“Aiko, my mouth is straight. You're right. Is Eden pretty? Even if you put it on your eyes, it won't hurt.
"Yes. All I need is Eden.
"Ah, saying that would make Mr. Keanes sad."
Elizabeth bit her lower lip as Nora made a sly expression to lighten the mood. It was because he was still a bit shy to include it.
I had just made the decision to open up. In his empty world, only Eden was always everything. Unbeknownst to me, a man named Keanes Black had also entered and taken his seat.
If before that fact had been uncomfortable, now he was at peace. After admitting it, everything was natural and calm.
On the other hand, of course, there was anxiety. Because misfortune always followed his serenity.
[It is better not to leave Solen for now.]
Theo's letter bothered me. The Agafel family, who were said to be sabotaging his business and investigating the existence of 'Rose Maria'.
Knowing who might be behind it made it difficult for Elizabeth to fully enjoy this peace.
Kiern Agafel. His loving but cruel owner, whom he once loved so passionately that it nearly burned his entire body. Couple. friend. and enemies
Remembering the man to whom all sorts of adjectives were attached, Elizabeth felt uneasy.
I'm afraid Kiern will find out I'm alive and find him. I'm afraid he'll find Keanes and try to stomp on him like Theo did. So I'm afraid Keanes will get hurt.
'No. don't think it'll be okay.'
Elizabeth tried to calm the storm in her heart. Present peace and happiness were too precious to live with anxiety and worry about something that never happened.
"It's a secret from Mr. Keanes."
Nora laughed at the sheepish confession. Now, how should I punish this pretty woman whose cheeks are flushed?
Nora glanced at Rose, who was surprisingly comfortable not seeing her.
It seemed that spring had come into his life. To Rose, who seemed to exist only in winter during her time in Solen, a man like spring appeared.
Although Nora was delighted with the fact, something suddenly bothered her.
Keanes Black's origins are unclear. A man with many secrets was always a dangerous law.
What is the reason a man like that comes to such a poor town in the first place? It was not clear that he was following the woman he fell in love with at first sight.
Nora hesitated and lowered her voice.
“But is he really a knight-errant? Apparently, he seems to be in and out of the telegraph office often, but if he had already settled somewhere else to live… … .”
"I'm not that kind of person."
“But you said you went to the telegraph office today. It seems you go there quite often.”
“I heard you were helping a friend before you came here. With a small commission.
“Aha, but be wary. I heard that the clothes used in Demari were all of high quality. Sounds like you spent a lot of money.
Of course, the only place he spent his money was at Rose and Eden, but it was true that he was reluctant. It's easy for a man to suck his thumb when he's old enough to spend as much money as he has in his pocket.
Elizabeth smiled slightly, as if she knew what was worrying Nora. He then silently defended Keanes.
“I got the clothes from a friend who sold clothes. They say they have quite a big business here and there. In fact, I think I continue as a side job because I can't afford much for Mr. Keanes' tuition.”
“No, then, wouldn't it be better to go to the capital together? There is also the issue of the education of Eden. In fact, it's too wasteful for you and that teacher to rot in a place like this."
Elizabeth just laughed. The reason he was in this poor town was because he was somewhere else. Elizabeth subconsciously looked up at the sky and muttered.
“I like the field. Because the city is too noisy and busy. AND… … ."
Because I keep hearing about him.
Elizabeth swallowed her words and turned away.
Mr. Keanes likes this place too.
"That's because you're here, Rose."
Nora hit her chest like she was frustrated and asked in a low voice. It was because he was worried that Rose would get hurt anyway.
“Don't trust the man too much. After cleaning the room, check if there is anything suspicious. You know, because you've been through it once, that there are many men who are different on the outside and inside.
"Nora."
"I'm worried. I want you to live an easy life, Rose. My heart still aches when I think of you when I first came here."
Elizabeth laughed bitterly at Nora's concern. When she first arrived in Solen with her newborn baby, she had a melancholy that she couldn't erase.
The girl looked so much like Kierne that it made her happy and sad all the time. The more she loved her son, the more her shadow followed her.
There was no way Nora, a mother of three, hadn't noticed those eyes. Nora said seriously, remembering the time.
“You didn't say a word about the father of your child, so you kept quiet, but it seemed like you broke up quite a bit. Wouldn't it be better to get on the same train?
“There will be nothing to worry about. I won't be hit twice either."
“Eww, why such a pretty woman… … .”
Nora wiped her eyes with her apron and got up from her seat. It was because I thought I would show ugly insolence if I stayed longer.
“I'll take Eden with me today. Go on a date with the teacher.”
“Yes? Even if you don't… … .”
"Eden, where are you?"
Without listening to her, Nora raised her voice, and Eden, who was brandishing a wooden sword in the backyard, came running up.
