Chapter 20 - Revenge

Rhema, instead of putting the old shoes on her now clean feet, put on the glass shoes that were in his hand. “I know you said you wanted to return these to me, but I don’t wish to get them back.”

“Uh, Rhema, that…”

“You’d better get used to receiving things from me from now on.” Fair and little feet went well with the glass shoes with jewel flowers. Rhema carefully put down those feet. “Azriel, since you gave me permission, I’m not going to leave you to live like this.”

Azriel looked at her feet on which the brand had disappeared so easily and the great and beautiful wizard who was kneeling and meeting her at her eye level in turn. It was an image that was likely to be found in a fairytale. It was exactly what she had dreamed of when she was a little younger. A very strong and tender person came to ‘rescue’ her. However, she could not just be glad for it. Fear seized her. Behind the wizard, below the night sky with a half-moon was a sandhill that was shining white. The Colte Castle, which had been standing tall just a while ago, had vanished without a trace, including its owners. She managed to move her mouth which was stiffened. “Is it because I asked for your help, that you killed them?”

Rhema responded after a little hesitation. “I have many ways to help you. Above all, I’m the one who chose this way, not you.”

“Why did you do this?”

“I was upset.”

“Upset… because of my back?”

“Yes.” It was a response that easily came out without hesitation. Azriel was dumbfounded. The fact that she had some wound could be a reason for this guy to turn a whole castle into dust and kill the whole family of Colte? Moreover, his face was perfectly silent and serene for someone who did all of that out of anger.

“Umm, Rhema… do you do this every time you get angry?”

“I rarely feel anger, Azriel.”

“You just said you were upset.”

“Because it’s about you.”

So, why on earth someone like you, a person whom I just met a few days ago, would do that? She did not understand. Suddenly, Azriel remembered the only thing that was left in the memory that was painted black. Her head started to hurt. Pushing her forehead with one hand, she asked in a trembling voice. “Rhema, are you the one who gave me a name?”

Rhema suddenly reached out his hand. It did not seem like he was aware of his action. He, who checked her face by touching it with his fingertips, slightly smiled, dropping the tails of his eyes. It was a very faint smile that could barely be placed in the category of smiles. “Yes, I named you, Azriel Esthera.”

Azriel had not told him her surname. She never mentioned the existence of her surname to anyone after she became a slave. Her surname, which was called in about six years, sounded strange yet familiar. She had tons of things she wanted to ask. However, her headache got worse as soon as her surname was called. Every time she blinked, strange scenes like paintings drawn inside her eyelids slid by. She shook her head. “Why don’t I remember you?”

“I’ve closed your memory, Azriel.”

“Why? Why would you… Did I do something wrong?”

“You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Then, why…” Things came to mind ceaselessly and filled the space. What she had forgotten gushed down as if she had opened a cupboard full of things. Because there were too many, it was hard to even distinguish one from another. She felt so dizzy that she felt like throwing up. When Azriel covered her mouth in the middle of talking, Rhema put his hand over her forehead. His cool temperature felt fresh. “It’d be better to take time to revive your memory. Your body is very weak now.”

As she was feeling his temperature, her nausea calmed down. The things that had been pouring out in her head also became dim. He tried to lift her in his arms, who blinked her eyes as if she was exhausted. She stopped his approaching arms, breathing heavily. “Wait, wait… Maylie first…”

Rhema gave a look at Maylie who was passed out next to the well. It was a dry look as if he was looking at an inanimate object. He spitted out an insincere incantation. “Reshith.” The wounds caused by whipping quickly healed. Followed by that, Rhema teleported her to another place. It was a gesture similar to that of removing trash. 

Startled, Azriel pulled his arm. “W, where did she go, I mean, Maylie?”

“I sent her to the inn that I rented.”

“Ah…”

“Let’s get you there too. You’d better wash up and rest.” After saying so, Rhema did not move immediately but looked down at the girl who was hanging on to his arm. Azriel staggered due to the lack of energy as she had no more strength left after holding his arm to stop him. It was even hard to keep her upper body straight. She, who was leaning her forehead on his arm and breathing evenly, lifted her head as there was a pause.

“…Rhema?”

He involuntarily brushed the girl’s hair. It was a very tender and familiar hand movement. Startled, Azriel tried to get away from his hand by turning her head. Rhema looked at his lost hand as if he was looking at something strange.

“…What’s wrong?” Azriel asked.