One night, after spending the whole day with Kiara,
I rested in my room, thinking about all the fun things we did.
As soon as I closed the door...
A person grabbed me and covered my mouth with their hand.
"Don't make any noise. You don't want to die, do you?" the person asked with serious intent.
I froze and stopped resisting.
"Are you associated with Envy, Jean?" the man asked.
Before I could speak, he kicked me, knocking me to the floor.
"Answer again."
I glanced toward the man and saw...
Loras?
But that's impossible. I saw him earlier downstairs...
The man slowly approached me.
"Answer."
"Now."
I attempted to take a hopeless step back.
"I don't know! It's my first time hearing about it!"
"The information that enters my former village is limited!"
The figure paused for a bit.
Then, from the hallway, Kiara shouted,
"Jean! Let's go, I'll teach you how to read!"
I froze as I heard her voice.
It's dangerous here...
The man signaled for me to answer her.
"O-Okay! I'll be there!"
"Oh, okay! Make it quick, Jean!"
Kiara's footsteps grew silent as she left.
The man standing in front of me pointed his palm toward my face...
Then, I lost consciousness.
When I opened my eyes, I heard Kiara knocking on the door.
"Jean, what's taking you so long?"
I quickly glanced around, looking for the strange man.
"Uh... I'm coming!"
I walked toward the door and opened it.
"Come on, move faster! Don't be a slowpoke."
Kiara started to walk, and I followed behind her...
I couldn't help but wonder.
What's with earlier?
Was it just a daydream?
We arrived at the living room,
where Loras and the Chief were discussing something.
I glanced at Loras.
Then I looked away.
I tried to pay attention to Kiara, but I couldn't help staring back at him.
Kiara noticed, so she asked,
"Something wrong, Jean? Did Loras do something?"
"What! Nothing's w-wrong!"
I glanced away while I stuttered.
Kiara gave me a knowing look.
"Come on, tell me."
I glanced at her, then at Loras and the Chief, who were now staring at me.
I sighed and brushed the back of my neck.
"Someone... was in my room earlier."
"Loras was there. He asked me about Envy..."
Everyone's eyes widened.
Kiara glanced at Loras.
The Chief spoke.
"Loras was with me the whole time."
Kiara then added,
"Yup, he's even the one who helped me get these books."
"But... I really saw him."
I said hopelessly, still trying to convince them.
Then Loras spoke.
"Chief, Lady Kiara..."
"I think Sir Jean is onto something..."
Loras cleared his throat, then asked,
"You said the figure looked like me, and they asked about Envy?"
I slowly nodded.
Loras remained silent, while Kiara leaned toward me, patting my back.
"A spy might have infiltrated us."
"Quick, Loras, alert the whole village," the Chief said, trying to stay as calm as possible.
Loras tried to comfort the Chief.
"Chief, worry not... They're looking for Envy and not for our village."
The Chief added,
"Then, why would they look for Envy in our village?"
I remained by Kiara's side.
Then suddenly—
A man came flying through the window and landed on the floor.
The man groaned and remained lying on the ground.
"I think I can help you... for I, whose name is..."
"Gabriel."