Sincerely, Vanessa [EN]: Chapter 28

To Teacher, From Vanessa 28

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Vanessa walked along the main street, worrying about whether Gideon had returned safely. The road, lined with large trees on both sides, was unfortunately bare due to the winter season.

However, she wasn’t scared because many people were strolling along the road.

Milo Doty’s mansion was quite a famous tourist attraction in Phydom, so there were many people nearby.

“Vanessa! Why are you so late?”

Chebati, who had been pacing near the entrance of the mansion at the end of the road, ran up to her. Chebati looked worriedly at Vanessa from head to toe.

Chebati’s mother, Nelia, who was standing behind her, also approached gently. A kind smile graced Nelia’s lips.

“Cezar went back to the square because you were so late. Were you okay on your own?”

“Of course, this is the capital, Phydom… I’m sorry. I’m late without even letting you know.”

“That’s not what I meant. I’m just glad you’re alright! Where did you go?”

“I wandered around bookstores, cafes, and various places. Phydom seems like a really nice place.”

Chebati grabbed Vanessa’s arm.

“Let’s go somewhere warm and talk. Have you had dinner?”

“Yeah, I ate. Did you have a good time?”

“No! It wasn’t fun without Vanessa. I hate my cousins.”

Nelia shook her head, but Chebati just grumbled with a sulky expression.

The three sat in the warm reception room and drank warmed milk. The mansion’s servant, knowing that Vanessa liked sweets, deliberately added honey to it.

Just as Vanessa’s body, chilled by the wind, was beginning to thaw, Cezar returned. He smiled when he saw Vanessa.

“Vanessa, you’re back already. I couldn’t concentrate on work because I was worried about you. Did you buy Miller’s book?”

The reception room filled with friendly conversation. Vanessa also tried to forget the unsettling darkness and focused on their conversation.

Everyone kindly told Vanessa, who had been alone—though Vanessa had a very enjoyable day—about what they had experienced.

Chebati was very angry.

“I wasn’t even running. I just walked a little faster! But you have no idea how much my grandmother scolded me-”

“Chebati, you were running very fast.”

Nelia said elegantly, but Chebati continued to grumble without batting an eye.

“What’s wrong with running? ‘Act like a girl,’ who even says that these days?”

“Haha.”

Vanessa didn’t know what to say and just laughed awkwardly, but Chebati’s anger didn’t subside.

“And my stupid cousin drooled on my book. Drool, can you believe it? Drool! It’s disgusting!”

“She snatched that part and tore it off to throw it away.”

Nelia said to Vanessa in a kind voice. Vanessa realized that Chebati was being especially kind to her, and she was somehow touched.

“You had a happy day, my sister.”

Cezar responded with a very insincere remark, and when Chebati rushed in and started pinching him, he immediately surrendered.

“Okay, it must have been a slightly terrible day. But mine is worse. I’m stuck with overtime for the next two weeks.”

“What?”

When Vanessa made a shocked expression, Cezar smiled with tired eyes.

“It’s not common, but it happens sometimes. The department is short-staffed, and there’s too much work to do.”

“What exactly is going on?”

Vanessa, Chebati, and even Nelia cast curious glances at him, and Cezar sighed before explaining.

“We were researching how to simplify magic circles and apply them to machines. One of the officials who was about to publish a paper claiming successful results confessed that the results were all fabricated from the start.”

“What? Then what happens?”

Chebati asked in surprise, and Cezar just sighed deeply.

“Everyone up the chain of command will be held accountable. We have to produce legitimate results, at least. I think we need to work overtime to get results a little faster.”

“It’s not your fault.”

“Still, we all have to work together to fix it.”

Cezar went on to explain a few more depressing details. Vanessa listened blankly and then carefully spoke.

“Please, don’t be offended.”

“What is it?”

At Cezar’s puzzled expression, Vanessa said seriously.

“I don’t think applying to the royal cabinet department after graduation is necessarily a good choice.”

At those words, Cezar laughed loudly but didn’t exactly deny it.

As it got late, Chebati’s parents gently urged the children, telling them that it would be good to go to bed soon.

Vanessa first washed herself clean in the bathroom attached to the room. Soaking in the warm water melted away all worries and concerns.

The pajamas hanging inside the bathroom were said to have been chosen by Chebati herself because Vanessa was coming. Because Chebati had pajamas with the same pattern.

‘Like a matching set!’

Vanessa remembered Cezar laughing in disbelief. He criticized Chebati for not doing that for his own siblings, but Chebati didn’t even pretend to listen.

When Vanessa walked out, drying her wet hair with a dry cloth, Chebati was already waiting on the guest room bed.

The huge bed with an elegant embroidered canopy had enough room for two people to lie down.

Chebati asked carefully.

“Do you want to read a book together before we sleep?”

Vanessa smiled and nodded.

Chebati, who only had an older brother who was quite a bit older than her, was very excited to have Vanessa spend the vacation with her.

Chebati really liked Vanessa. Vanessa always listened to Chebati’s words, even when she was young.

She listened intently to the ideas that her cousins dismissed as just daydreams and suggested, ‘Wouldn’t it be better to develop it this way?’ so Chebati couldn’t help but like Vanessa.

“Vanessa, I hope you come to our house next vacation too.”

Vanessa smiled at Chebati’s shy voice.

“I like your house too. Everyone is so kind, I’m just grateful.”

“Then come again next time!”

“We’re going to Lina’s house next time.”

Chebati grumbled for a moment and then slowly began to read a book as big as her face.

Vanessa immediately asked if she didn’t understand something, and Chebati excitedly explained it in detail.

When dozens of pages had passed, Chebati began to nod off. It was already a dark night.

Vanessa carefully took the book away, put it on the bedside table, and covered her with a blanket neatly embroidered with silver thread. Chebati rubbed her sleepy eyes a few times and fell asleep right away.

Vanessa looked at her younger friend with a satisfied expression and prepared to sleep, arranging the pillow next to her.

At that moment, a faint light began to emanate from the low table near the sofa. Vanessa opened her eyes wide and carefully stepped off the bed.

Walking tiptoe on the thick carpet, she arrived at the Hornir [a magical communication device] on the table.

A letter had fallen at the entrance of the Hornir.

Vanessa reached out and picked up the thin letter.

「From Gideon.」

It was a short letter from Gideon.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

To Vanessa.

I heard you were worried about Jonah Hill.

Fortunately, the lurking monster was very weak, so there were no problems.

I was wondering if you got back safely.

I regret that you only went to secluded places. Next time, I’ll introduce you to a more vibrant place.

Have a good dream, Vanessa.

From Gideon.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

The mechanically precise letters decorated the paper without a single blemish. Vanessa carefully stroked the letter. Kind sentences on soft textured paper.

Vanessa folded the paper, put it in an envelope, and placed it on the table. She sat on the soft sofa, hugging her legs, sitting still as if waiting for something.

But something had to move to happen. So Vanessa picked up a pen.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

To the very, very strong Gideon.

What is the meaning of the name Gideon?

I like fun places more than vibrant places.

The bookstore and the restaurant were fun too.

Always be careful not to get hurt. Many people are very worried.

From Vanessa Rose.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

A soft light swirled inside the Hornir, and the letter disappeared. Vanessa sat with her chin on her knees, longing for the soft blanket in the cold weather. But somehow, she didn’t want to leave the front of the Hornir.

And not long after, a small letter fell again inside the Hornir.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

To Vanessa, who sleeps late.

Gideon is the name of a person from a long time ago who took up a sword and punished evil.

I heard that as soon as I was born, I only looked at sword-shaped toys, but I don’t know.

Who is worried about me? No one is worried except Vanessa.

Gideon.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

To Gideon, who also sleeps late.

Why aren’t you sleeping?

Who is worried? I heard everything at the cafe. I’ll write it down as it is.

‘He must have been hurt a lot.’

‘I want to comfort him.’

You were very popular. I was too scared to pretend to know you. I’m sorry. But it’s all because of the popular Gideon.

Vanessa Rose.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

To Vanessa.

I was so upset that I almost knocked on the glass window from the outside.

Next time, I’ll guide you to a quieter cafe.

Go to sleep, Vanessa. You have to sleep early to grow taller.

Gideon.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

I’m past the age to grow taller.

Vanessa muttered to herself, put down her pen, folded the small notes, and put them in her coat pocket. Somehow, the tips of her fingers felt itchy.

And then she was bewildered to find the letter to send to the teacher inside.

That’s right, I forgot to send the letter. I’ll have to check the contents one more time tomorrow and send it.

Vanessa carefully lay down next to the soundly sleeping Chebati. As she was buried in the soft blanket, Vanessa soon fell into a dream.

The next day, Vanessa woke up, sent Chebati away first, and carefully took out the notes.

The things she had treasured were perfect without a single wrinkle. The words and sentences on them too.

Strangely, her stomach churned.

“Vanessa, I’m here!”

Startled, Vanessa crumpled the letters and hurriedly put them in her pocket. It was Lina’s sudden visit.

“Lina!”

“I came too. How have you been?”

Evan also peeked out.

Vanessa smiled brightly and ran to them.

Overjoyed by the reunion after a long time, the emotions that had been sprouting like tender new shoots hid themselves without even knowing it.