The Land of Phaleno: The Princess's Rebirth (Book I)

Chapter Nineteen: "The Unseen Sanctuary"

June North led the woman through narrow alleys and dark corridors on the outskirts of the city, his steps slow and deliberate. The night grew colder, the air piercing with each passing moment as they distanced themselves from the revelry they had just left.

Before them stood a small, unassuming house, as if concealing warmth within. June North opened the door. “Come in. You will be safe here,” he said softly.

The woman hesitated at the threshold, her tension evident on her face. “I can’t!” her voice trembled.

June North felt the biting cold of the night and without hesitation removed his scarf from his neck. He wrapped the scarf around the lame woman's neck, covering her face until only her beautiful eyes were visible. “It’s very cold tonight,” June North said, trying to dispel the fear that still lingered in the woman’s eyes. “I won’t force you, but if you stay outside, the bandits will find you and sell you into slavery.”

The woman looked up. “Why are you helping me?” she asked.

June North sighed deeply, his gaze fixed on the ground with a sorrowful expression. “I have a younger sister,” he said in almost a whisper. “She was murdered. Seeing you... it reminds me of her. That’s why I can’t just leave you like this.”

He lowered his head, his eyes welling up with tears, as if afraid to be engulfed by his own emotions. Silence enveloped them, intertwined with unexpressed pain. In the quiet of the cold night, June North struggled to control his emotions, while the woman, though hesitant, began to feel a glimmer of the kindness being offered.

The lame woman removed the scarf from her neck. “I am sorry for your loss,” she said empathetically, then returned the scarf to June North. “Although I don’t fully understand why you’re reminded of your sister when you see me, I believe what you say.” With that, the woman stepped inside the house.

June North paused for a moment, touching the scarf that had just been returned to his neck. There was warmth in the touch, as if he felt the woman’s presence through the fabric against his skin. After a few seconds, he sighed and followed the woman into the house, then locked the door.

Inside, June North’s small house was simple. A crackling fireplace cast a warm glow, enveloping the room in a cozy atmosphere. The simple wooden furniture and minimally decorated walls depicted a modest life. June North indicated a chair near the fireplace, offering the lame woman a place to rest. “Sit down. I’ll make you some tea,” he said as he removed his coat and hung it near the door.

The lame woman looked around the room. The wooden house had worn wooden planks and a rough cement floor, decorated with a thin carpet that was fading in places. A small window was covered with a cloth curtain, allowing only a little of the night light to enter.

In the center of the main room, a large wooden table was surrounded by simple chairs. An old fireplace in the corner of the room, which was frequently used, emitted a soft glow from the pile of firewood nearby. An oil lamp hung from the ceiling, illuminating the room with warmth. In another corner, a small door led to a bedroom, with a bed covered in thick blankets.

The lame woman finally sat on the sofa. “This house... it feels strange,” she exclaimed.

June North raised an eyebrow, placing an old porcelain teacup on the rough wooden table. He sat opposite the lame woman. “What feels strange?” he asked, trying to understand her reaction while observing the steaming teacup.

“You have a grand mansion and many loyal servants. Yet, your house here is so small and cramped,” she said, her voice filled with wonder.

June North smiled thinly, a meaningful expression hidden behind his eyes. “This was my parents’ house,” he replied, his gaze fixed on the worn wooden walls. “They died during the esoteric conflict. They sacrificed their lives to save me and my brother. It all happened before I achieved the success I have now.” He looked around with nostalgia. “It would be a shame to sell it. The remote location and small plot of land make it worthless if sold.”

June North sipped his hot tea and placed the cup back on the table. “Actually, no one knows about this place except you,” he added with a look that was difficult to interpret.

“Is this house your hiding place?” she asked, looking at June North.

June North chuckled softly, but his tone remained serious. “I wouldn’t call it a hiding place, but this house is where I feel safe. It’s where I can escape from the hustle and bustle of the outside world.”

The lame woman pondered for a moment before continuing, “Then, wouldn’t bringing me to a place that no one knows about make this situation even more suspicious?” She sipped her tea, trying to understand this unusual situation.

June North lowered his head, his eyes fixed on the still-warm teacup in his hand. “Perhaps. But I’m sure there’s no safer place for you right now. Here, the healer who’s looking for you won’t be able to find you.” He took a small gold chain pocket watch from his jacket pocket. “It’s already midnight. Get some rest. The bedroom is over there,” he said, standing up from the sofa and pointing towards the bedroom.

"Where will you retire for the night?" she asked.

"I shall repose upon the settee," he replied.

"I am grateful," she whispered.

As the lame woman stood up, she suddenly lost her balance, her body swayed and the sudden movement caused the teacup on the table to tremble. Reflexively, June North stepped forward, his strong hands catching the woman, preventing her from falling completely.

“Be careful!” June North exclaimed, his voice filled with concern.

The lame woman nodded, breathing heavily, tears welling up in her eyes. “I... I feel like such a useless burden,” she whispered, her gaze filled with sadness.

June North grasped the woman's hand tightly. “You’re not a burden,” he replied.

As June North's hand touched her arm, the woman felt a sudden warmth envelop her, making her heart race. She looked into June North's concerned eyes and saw a deep reflection of care.

In that moment, the world around them seemed to fade away. The cold of the night and the doubts that had plagued her mind felt distant. She felt as if a safety net had wrapped around her, not just physically but emotionally.

In their intertwined gazes, there was a deep understanding—a wordless communication of sorrow, loss, and hope. The woman felt the warmth of June North's hand as a bridge to a little peace amidst the storm of anxiety that was raging in her mind. Although fear still enveloped her, the woman realized that in the darkness of that night, she was not alone.

June North gently guided the lame woman to the bedroom. With each step, he took great care to ensure that she did not feel any further pain. The lame woman finally lay on the bed, her tired eyes fixed on June North. “You won’t leave me alone, will you?” she whispered.

June North looked at her, then nodded. “I won’t,” he said, and then slowly walked back to the living room, leaving the woman in the darkness.

In the living room, June North sat on the sofa, staring at the small fire still burning in the fireplace. The night wind whistled through the cracks in the walls, adding to the mysterious atmosphere around him. With one hand holding his gold pocket watch, he pondered, allowing his thoughts to sink into the depths of the night. The flickering flames of the fireplace danced gently, as if dancing in the darkness that enveloped the simple house.