Chapter 139 – Kirika and the Others Left Behind

I was heading to my dad’s place to invite him out to the fields when I spotted several White Priests emerging from the door in the distance.

Did they come all the way from the city?

I couldn’t make out their expressions, but it sure didn’t look like good news.

Dad took some kind of documents from the White Priests and bowed his head to them over and over.

Eventually, the White Priests climbed into their carriage and left.

That day, Lily got captured.

I heard the commotion and shoved my way through the crowd to find her.

A man dressed head to toe in black had her by the arm.

I’ve heard about them before.

The Holy Knights’ covert unit—they dress all in black like that and keep watch from out of nowhere.

When Lily’s eyes met mine, I deliberately looked away.

I didn’t want to give her any false hope.

Her eyes from that moment are still seared into my brain.

Back in the village, they explained it away as Lily being under surveillance because of some illness.

“Kirika.”

Dad noticed me and motioned for me to go around back.

He was clutching those documents from earlier.

“What happened with Lily?”

I slipped around back and asked him in a hushed voice.

“Yeah. They’ve decided on Lily’s punishment. Apparently, she herself asked for the ultimate penalty.”

“Death sentence?”

The shock hit me so hard I forgot to breathe.

“No, that’s what she wanted, but it looks like she’ll be locked away for life instead.”

“For life… I see…”

She’s alive, at least.

I let out a breath of relief, but a lingering guilt tugged at me.

“The family can visit her, apparently. But Lily sent over these documents saying she’s cutting ties with us. Mom doesn’t know about them yet.”

“What does that mean?”

Dad’s face twisted in complicated emotions as he handed me the crumpled papers.

I smoothed them out with my hands and scanned them over.

It was a letter from Lily.

“Her handwriting’s gotten so neat… no typos either…”

“Yeah, looks like she grew up in her own way. And yet I flew off the handle without even hearing her out…”

With that, he clung to my arm with both hands and sank to the ground.

Dad never raised his voice outside the house, but he was always especially strict with Lily.

The dad I saw on the day she came back was one I’d never witnessed before.

He went a little overboard, sure—but I figured he was angry for my sake.

I read the letter first.

It was filled with lengthy apologies, ending with her saying she was cutting ties because she didn’t want to burden the family.

“Did Lily really write this? Stuff like ‘It must be tough having a criminal in the family’… I can’t imagine her saying something like that…”

“It’s her handwriting, alright. It’s neater now, but the quirks are still there.”

Sure enough, if you looked closely, traces of Lily’s old handwriting habits lingered here and there.

This time, there was something about me, too.

“For my happiness, the best thing is for me to disappear. I’m sorry—this is all I can do after causing you so much trouble with my selfishness.”

What happened to her? She was like a completely different person.

If I’d felt even a sliver of Lily’s love for me in those words, I probably would’ve waited years for her.

But the only one I can love now is Serina.

Only the kind Serina who stayed by my side, supporting my broken heart all that time.

“Lily’s really gone…”

I pulled myself together and read the next letter.

It was from Marie.

Short words of gratitude, concern for her well-being, and her own declaration of cutting ties “to support Lily.”

The rest of the papers were the two documents severing family ties… and Grandpa’s, too.

“Not just Lily—Marie and Grandpa, as well?”

I showed the papers to Dad in shock.

“Yeah. They only took the Saintess’s blessings and gave nothing back. No plans to play father to Marie now. Grandpa’s taking Marie and Lily in. But Mom, she…”

Dad rose slowly, snatched the documents from my hand, and crushed them in his fist.

“I should’ve sent Marie off with a smile. Shouldn’t have let pride get in the way and at least written her a letter.”

“Dad…”

“I got all high and mighty thinking I could be the Saintess’s father. When that got taken away, I lashed out at little Marie. I was ashamed of myself—couldn’t face her after that.”

Instead of supporting her as a father figure, he’d taken it out on Marie, the actual victim.

Marie had lost her blessing—she must’ve had it the worst.

And on top of that, some mix-up got her shipped off to the church with no letters from family…

She was only five years old back then… Must’ve been scared. So lonely.

Hearing Marie’s story for the first time, all I could do was clutch my head.

Marie was just too pitiful. Too late to say it now, though.

“I’ll take care of Mom. So let’s focus on what’s ahead.”

Dad just muttered “Yeah, yeah” while gripping the papers tight.

“I’ll talk to her. Leave this to me, alright?”

I pried the documents from his clenched fist, gave him a nudge on the back, and headed inside.

“Mom…”

After I explained everything, Mom covered her face with both hands and burst into tears.

“Mom. I’m here for you…”

Dad wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and she buried her face in his chest.

I couldn’t find the right words, so I fumbled through making some tea and set it out on the table.

“Mom, I’ll let work know you’re taking the day. Dad, I’ll handle the fields. Just rest up today.”

“Kirika…”

I flashed a grin and said, “Leave it to me.” Tears trailed down Dad’s cheek.

I stepped outside and quietly shut the door.

From here on out, I’ll be the one supporting Dad and Mom.

Just like they welcomed me with open arms when Lily tossed me aside.

With fresh resolve swelling in my chest, I headed to the fields—a vibrant sea of medicinal herbs—with a clear, unburdened heart.

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