LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 22
‘This is why money is good.’
The comfort of the carriage, with almost no shaking, brought a smile to her face. The occasional faint vibrations felt soothing, especially when she was tired.
Her eyes naturally began to close. If only she could fall into a deep sleep like this…
“Miss Camilla, we’ve arrived.”
But soon, the coachman’s careful words broke the tranquil air.
Camilla quickly stepped out of the carriage, hiding her regret.
“……”
The sky had turned a soft red as the sun began to set. After stepping out, Camilla stood still for a moment, staring blankly at the sky.
‘Come to think of it, this is the first time.’
The first time she had leisurely looked at a sunset in this world.
It didn’t feel like a long time since she came here, but it seemed she had been living an incredibly busy life.
She had struggled so hard just to survive.
‘Of course, the situation I’m in is still awful.’
But at least the sky is beautiful.
“Camilla.”
Lost in thought as she gazed at the sky, Camilla turned her head when she heard someone calling her name.
“Father?”
Duke Sorpel was standing at the entrance.
As she watched him approach, Camilla tilted her head.
‘What is he doing here at this hour? Is someone coming? It’s rare for him to come all the way to the entrance to greet anyone.’
“You’re back now?”
It was a simple greeting, an ordinary question to a daughter returning home from school.
However—
“Camilla?”
“……”
“…! Camilla! What’s wrong?”
Seeing Camilla’s eyes suddenly welling up with tears, Duke Sorpel hurried toward her. She was just as startled, watching him panic.
‘I must be crazy.’
Why am I crying?
Even she didn’t know why. Why now, of all times…
Ah.
This is the first time.
She had never heard such words before in her life.
‘You’re back now?’
Yes, it’s the first time.
The dark, unlit house that always greeted her. Whether she lived with her parents or at the orphanage, it was always the cold darkness that welcomed her.
“……”
Camilla bit her lip. If she didn’t, she felt like she might start sobbing uncontrollably.
“What’s wrong, child?”
But at Duke Sorpel’s worried voice, as he gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders, the tears she had been holding back spilled over.
“Ugh…”
“Camilla?”
At the sight of his daughter crying so sorrowfully, like a child, Duke Sorpel’s face hardened.
What happened at the academy?
Watching her with concern, Duke Sorpel eventually pulled Camilla into his arms. He patted her back gently, trying to soothe her.
At his touch, Camilla’s sobs grew louder.
She hadn’t cried when her mother passed away. She hadn’t cried when people whispered behind her back. She hadn’t cried when her so-called father came demanding money. Not a single tear.
On the contrary, she had smiled even more brightly every time something hurt her. As if there wasn’t a single sad thing in the world.
But now…
‘You’re back now?’
That short, unremarkable phrase had shattered her composure.
“……”
How long did she cry like that?
When she finally looked up at Duke Sorpel, her eyes were red and swollen. Even so, she gave him a bashful smile.
Then, for the first time in her life, she spoke words she had never said before.
“I’m home.”
Duke Sorpel gazed at her silently for a moment, then gently stroked her head.
“Welcome back.”