Tangled By Fate

Veronica was in the stage where she would make mistakes and learn from them. She was a smart girl who adapted and learned quickly.

All she needed was proper guidance.

However, Ironin didn't say all that. He didn't bother to explain, leaving all his friends curious.

Darius looked at Veronica's back.

She was walking hastily. Arthur caught her arm and told her to walk slowly.

Darius asked Ironin, "Do you think believing in her will help her somehow?"

"Don't know," Ironin's reply was curt.

Darius let out a deep breath. "If you keep everything to yourself, how will that help? What if Arthur misunderstands you?"

"He won't." This time too, Ironin's reply was short.

"He won't? Why? You are making me curious." Darius lowered his voice, "If you suddenly support and pamper Veronica, Arthur might think you have a crush on his wife."

Ironin tirelessly corrected his friend, "I don't pamper anyone."

"Then what are you doing? Guiding her?"

"Hmm."

"Fine. Do whatever you want. Just don't let her fall in danger. Arthur won't spare you."

"You don't have to tell me. I know."

Ironin's cold eyes swept toward the snowy mountain.

He could imagine Veronica walking here alone and going to her cave since childhood.

This place was somewhere where Darius wouldn't agree to come for vacation in his late 40s.

And here, a child who knew nothing about the world was coming here without a care for the world.

Ironin was surprised when he recognized the emotion he felt for that child.

He respected her, a kid, who wanted to learn about the world.

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They reached Arthur's house by evening.

Veronica immediately laid back on the couch, unable to lift a finger.

"I'll bring dinner. You guys take your turn and freshen up." Arthur left after taking off his outer robe.

The town wasn't as cold as the mountain range. It was spring. The temperature was slightly high.

Therefore, everyone took off their warm clothes. 

"Ahh! Finally! Some warmth!"

Darius relaxed beside the fireplace.

"Winter is boring," Zinnia commented as she revealed her innermost clothes.

Veronica was flabbergasted when she saw that Zinnia took off her clothes one by one in front of two men without any hesitation. The last piece of clothes she was wearing was a set of brassiere and underpants.

Veronica blushed furiously. "Zinnia… are you… not cold?"

Zinnia sat beside Darius and let the heat of the fire warm her body.

"Cold? Not at all. This feels much better. I don't like wearing too many clothes, especially heavy clothes. It hinders my movement."

The firelight fell on her body. Her smooth skin looked as if it was glowing. With her red undergarments, she practically looked like a fire goddess.

Veronica wanted to ask her more but she was too exhausted. Moreover, she didn't want to have a conversation about female clothes in front of men.

One thing astounded her. That was, Darius, who couldn't keep his mind straight after seeing a pretty woman flirting with him, wasn't truly bothered by Zinnia's clothes.

He didn't give a second glance at her as though it was the most natural thing. He didn't seem to look at her as a woman. He saw her as a man.

'Is this the power of this woman? I want to learn it too. To be able to become invisible from people's prying eyes, it must feel good,' Veronica pondered.

----------

Meanwhile, Arthur went to the shopping district. That place was crowded as usual. 

This place was nothing glorious or magical like the capital city of Tybu. Even so, this place had its own charm. 

Here, people weren't the richest in terms of wealth but they were in peace. They would laugh and chat with everyone. 

They didn't look down on people. They could show kindness to unknown people. 

People here were easygoing, simpleminded, and devoted to Goddess Juvena. 

No one was alone here. As long as people lived in Utahill, they were somehow being taken care of by others. 

Rich or poor didn't matter. 

However, that didn't mean that people didn't suffer. 

That's precisely because they were so poor that they couldn't eat expensive food. Luxurious food of the aristocrats was nothing but a daydream.

People died when they went for huntings. They didn't have enough money to get a better weapon or armor. They could only rely on their skills and knowledge.

Sometimes, one or two healers would join the hunting group voluntarily if the hunters were lucky. 

At least people didn't die of sickness. The healers from the palace did their best to keep people healthy.

Arthur bought curry and bread from a famous shop. Only wealthy people such as royals and aristocrats could buy meals from there.

While carrying the food, Arthur walked down the street. 

He saw some musicians playing music and some couples were dancing. Everyone was enjoying themselves.

He recalled that once Veronica and him danced like those couples. They weren't even in love with each other then like they are now.

Thinking about that, the corner of his lips rose in amusement. 

'Is this fate?' he wondered, feeling light-hearted. 

While walking, he suddenly heard a commotion. He looked around and spotted a stage drama happening in the open place.

He halted on his track and stared at the stage. He saw several women with white hair.

He was stunned.

He knew silver hair was unique and rare. It was the first time he saw so many women having silver hair.

Those hair was nothing closer to Veronica's shiny, wavy silver hair but they were close enough. 

'What's going on?' 

Realizing that he needed to investigate further, he asked a passer-by, "What's going on up there?"

The passer-by glanced at him and said, "You haven't been here for a long time, are you? After people found out that the blessed child existed, they became devoted to her. Without knowing her, only with little knowledge, they started to portray her.

"People drew pictures of her and hung them in their houses. Many girls are now wearing false hair as it became a fashion icon. These false hair are called wigs. The city brightened up after she was known to the public."

Arthur's expression was strange. 

"....Didn't she die?"