Missing Cinderella

Chapter 39 

“I see.,” Siella replied modestly and took a step back. 

She started watching him as he lightly tossed the apple up and caught it again and again. She knew that watching others like this is rude, but she couldn’t stop herself. When her embarrassment and shyness disappeared, wariness took their place. 

This entire neighborhood belonged to Siella. It wasn’t only the house, but also the building and the warehouse where the previous owner used to ferment wine, the vineyard, and the large fields surrounding it belonged all to her. And beyond the thin fence that separated Siella and the man now stretched a long forest path. 

Only after walking through that long forest path for a long time would one reach the main street where people are gathered. In short, no one from the village below would stumble upon this place by a mere accident. Moreover, the man seemed to have some trouble with his legs. 

She was wondering how he ended up here and she became suspicious of him. What if he deliberately came all the way here…. 

‘What if this man is related to Kyle?’

Siella started to feel afraid. She took small breaths and slipped her hand inside the pocket she had sewn under her dress. She felt the cold, embossed surface of the dagger’s scabbard. It was a new self-defense dagger she bought as soon as they arrived at Jenard, at a shop they had stopped by on their way to find a house. 

Siella tightly gripped on the scabbard, vowing that if the man pulled any kind of stunts, she would never just stand. She warily looked at the man who slightly leaned to his left and told her, 

“There’s a lake over there. Have you ever been there?” 

“A… lake?” 

Siella looked puzzled. Why are we talking about a lake out of the blue? 

“Rumors say that a ghost was living there, and you would be possessed by it if you took a step near it. But it was all a lie.” 

“…”

“I can say that because I live in a tree house by that lake.” 

The man nonchalantly said whether he knew what Siella was thinking or not. 

“Although the scenery is amazing, there are no people around. It is a great place to pass the time while you’re collecting your thoughts. It’s also close here.” 

“…”

“I am sharing it specifically with you to repay the favor of returning this apple to me.” Pointing over Siella’s shoulder with his right hand, extending only his index finger, the man said, “If you go up that way and walk a short distance through the woods, you’ll find the lakeside.” 

“…”

“I live there.” 

Only then did Siella realize that the man was stating the fact that they are neighbors. It wasn’t that he noticed how she was being wary of him, but he was attempting to naturally make her relax. 

“… I thought there were no other houses around here.” 

“It’s normal to think that, since this place is surrounded by a dense forest around.” The man smiled and shrugged it off as if it wasn’t a big deal. “I didn’t know there was a new person moving here either.” 

As he said that, he pulled his soft gaze from Siella and slowly looked around. He then muttered to himself in a low voice. “It was a nice walk….” 

His tone was filled with regret, and Siella realized that the man had often walked around here. She had been preoccupied with organizing the house until now that she hadn’t had the time to come down and look around. 

A man with a crippled leg was walking around the neighborhood all by himself. Siella felt a little weak. She would feel guilty if she blocked him from entering the area just because he was on her property. Whether it was for rehabilitation purposes or not, it seemed to be his favorite spot to walk around with his bad legs. 

“… As long as you don’t climb over the fence and come inside, it’s fine.” 

Siella was well aware of the fact that those who were physically ill are likely to be also suffering from mentally illness. The man in front of her was a sturdy young man, not to mention that he was exceptionally good-looking, which made her even more resentful that his legs weren’t good. 

“The area you’re standing outside the fence right now is not my private property.” 

“…”

“And if you want to hang out there all day long, I don’t have the right to stop you.” 

The man looking up at the sky lowered his head and locked eyes with Siella at her words. He was silent for a moment, as if pondering about something, but he soon decided to smile. 

“I’m Oad Victor.”

“I’m… Ella.” 

He nodded his head and spoke in a cool voice, “Ella.” 

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

The lake side was gorgeous just as Oad said. The only problem was that they had no energy to leisurely enjoy the wonderful scenery. Another problem was that Siella didn’t come to see the lake in the first place. Well, especially not in this way. 

“I am ashamed to face you like this.” 

Siella smiled bitterly and shook her head, telling the muttering Oad that it was alright. 

“You wouldn’t have gotten hurt if I hadn’t put the nightstand there… so please don’t blame yourself too much.” 

“That’s kind of you.” 

Siella let out a small sigh at his softly spoken words. 

This whole situation of coming to his house was both embarrassing and uncomfortable, but she couldn’t bring herself to admit it. Siella thought back to what happened earlier. 

That moment when Siella had awkwardly bid him goodbye and turned away, he didn’t notice the nightstand she had set out to throw over the fence and tripped over it. The loud thud startled Siella and by the time she looked back, it was too late. His large body was on the floor in an instant, while his broken cane was lying next to him in two pieces. 

“… I’m fine. You should just leave.” 

He tried several times to lift his body by himself, but he was never successful. Siella looked at the man’s face, which was contorted in frustration and self-pity. He quickly turned away when he noticed her gaze, but Siella clearly saw it. And that look of despair on his face never left her mind. 

When she didn’t come inside for a long time, the worried Nina went outside out of concern and helped him to be brought here. As Nina carried him into his house, he talked and laughed as if nothing happened. 

Watching him act so casually the whole time, Siella remembered how his face contorted as if he would rather die. He was very good and accustomed to hiding his feelings with a smile. 

“Done. Be careful not to let water touch the wound and apply the medicine diligently.” 

Finished treating the man’s leg which had been stabbed by the sharp part of his broken cane, Nina quickly turned to Siella as soon as she was done.  

“Yes, I will do as you say. Thank you.” 

“Well….” 

Nina, who was about to lead Siella out of the door, stopped in her tracks at the grateful voice behind them. 

“He’s not shameless.” 

Siella was speechless as she heard Nina whisper in her ear. 

“By the way, his leg is not fine, but his eyes are just alright. Why didn’t he see that?” 

Not knowing what to reply to Nina’s whispers, Siella simply smiled awkwardly. 

“Anyway, Lena will be back soon, and she’ll freak out if she finds out we’re not home. Let’s go.”

“Okay.” 

Siella gave Oad a quick nod and started to walk away. But before Nina could open the door of the treehouse, the door opened by itself. With a bang, it burst open, and a giant man came rushing inside. 

He shouted with a pale face, “Are you alright, Your….!” 

“Your?” 

Nina asked, scratching her head, so the man paused and then took a deep breath and shouted again. 

“Your awesomeness, Young Master!”