It was a shocking thing to hear.
Sophia stood blankly, staring at Solid.
She said she had dreamed of falling off a cliff while engulfed in flames. That was the same as Sophia’s second dream. The flames of Hallas. And the man named Ezekiel. Sophia hesitated, unsure whether she should tell her about it.
“Solid…”
But then Solid hugged her, and Sophia’s words stopped.
“Ah, Sophia. You don’t know how worried I was. Anyway, as long as you take the medicine, you won’t act strange like this again, right?”
Sophia shut her mouth tightly.
Yes. No matter what that dream was, she would never have it again.
Sophia nodded.
“Yeah.”
“Then be sure to take your medicine. You’ve always been too suspicious—that’s the problem.”
“Me?”
“Yeah. Remember when Foldak proposed to me? You said his head looked like it would go bald soon.”
“That wasn’t wrong though. Even the papers were saying it looked that way.”
Solid burst into a clear laugh at how calmly Sophia said such things.
“Well, the baby has a full head of hair. Must take after the mother.”
“Solid, that’s just because it’s a baby. Who knows what the future holds?”
Then Solid playfully tapped her shoulder.
“You shouldn’t say that to a child.”
It was a gentle tone, just like a mother. Sophia nodded and looked at Solid’s neck again.
“Are you really okay? Should I call a doctor now?”
“I’m fine, just a bit shaken. I don’t want to cause a fuss.”
“I owe you a lot.”
Looking pained, Sophia said quietly. Solid kissed her cheek.
“Let’s stop talking about it now. I’ll forget it, so you forget it too. Take your medicine and sleep a bit more, okay?”
“Okay.”
Sophia felt a little bitter seeing Solid acting like an older sister now, but at the same time, she felt grateful. She hugged her around the neck and held her for a while.
“I’m really sorry.”
“It’s fine.”
Solid sighed and lowered Sophia’s arm.
“I was really worried. When I heard you collapsed after taking poison, my heart almost stopped. You have no idea.”
“Yeah…”
Sophia gave a bitter smile. Solid held Sophia’s hand tightly and asked,
“How did that even happen?”
“You probably guessed it, but I don’t remember that part. I’m just believing what the duke told me.”
Something in Sophia’s tone must have shown, because Solid asked cautiously,
“Do you not trust the duke?”
“At first. But like you said, I realized that doubt was a mistake. I acted like this because I didn’t take my medicine…”
“Don’t blame yourself, Sophia.”
Solid squeezed her hand. Her hand was so warm that the room felt colder in comparison. When Sophia shivered, Solid quickly helped her up and said,
“Oh no, Sophia. The room’s cold. Let’s get up and go to bed.”
Even though it was Solid who had trouble breathing, she still helped Sophia back to her room. Sophia felt so thankful for her forgiveness that she wanted to kneel. But her body felt heavy and drowsy. Her heart finally relaxed, and the exhaustion swept over her like a wave.
“I can’t believe you’re leaving tomorrow. Can’t you stay just one or two more days? I owe you so much. I wish I had a chance to repay you.”
Sophia pleaded. Solid smiled and kissed her cheek as she lay on the bed, then shook her head.
“I can’t. I’ve already stayed too long. Samuel’s waiting, and Mother’s really worried. I’ll invite you soon. You can come and pay me back then by squeezing my neck.”
“I’d have to buy you a castle just to repay this guilt.”
Sophia quoted from Heimlich’s novel, The Death of Basilio. Basilio, who planned to kill his cheating wife, takes her to a remote castle, but in the end, cannot bring himself to punish her. Instead, he hangs himself from the castle. The wife, not realizing any of his emotions, coldly says,
‘You should have sold your title and bought a castle to repay your sin.’
The wife thought he had gone broke and brought her to this remote place out of spite.
Though the story was dark, that final line became more famous than the novel itself. Since then, people joked, “You should at least buy a castle to make up for your sins.” Solid smiled and replied,
“If it’s a castle and not death, I’d gladly take it. So marry the duke and give me one, okay?”
“Of course.”
Sophia and Solid hooked their pinkies like little children and made a promise. The duke had no idea, but Sophia’s heart was set.
Still, she should have known.
Promises made under moonlight always end up broken.
Sophia took the medicine.
But that night, she dreamed again.
It was a dream where she was executed for having relations with a demon. She was tied to a tree and burned. As the flames swallowed her feet, she let out a short scream and woke up.
When she opened her eyes, the sunlight was blinding.
Realizing it was already midday, Sophia worried that Solid might have already left and yanked the cord hard. A while later, Erica came in.
“Why are you pulling the cord so much? You knew I’d come anyway.”
“And why did you let me sleep this late?”
“Miss Solid said to let you sleep.”
At that, Sophia flinched. She knew Solid wouldn’t have told anyone what happened last night, but she still felt nervous at the mention of her name.
“Why? What about Solid?”
“She said you two had a lot to catch up on and went to bed late.”
Erica quickly prepared a basin and brought out some clothes. Her tone seemed completely normal.
“Oh, right. Miss, the doctor you saw yesterday sent a letter overnight. Should I read it to you?”
“A letter?”
“Yes, from the doctor you asked about the medicine.”
“It’s here already?”
“Yes, here it is.”
Erica handed her a neatly folded letter sealed with red wax. Sophia took it but quickly handed it back.
“It’s fine. Just burn it.”
“What?”
Erica asked, shocked. But Sophia calmly took the letter back and threw it into the fireplace.
“Miss!”
Erica jumped in panic and tried to retrieve it with tongs, but that only made it burn faster. She stared at the ashes, confused, then looked at Sophia.
“Why did you do that, Miss?”
Just yesterday she had gone all the way to that unpleasant hospital to ask for the letter. Now she suddenly burned it without even reading it? That was too much, even for a moody noble lady.
But Sophia’s face didn’t change. She simply held out her hand, asking for a scented handkerchief and perfume. Erica sighed deeply and handed them to her.
In that hand—seeking truth yesterday and surrender today.
As soon as she finished dressing, Sophia went to find Solid. As she got ready, an uneasy feeling quietly grew in her.
‘What if Solid changes her mind now?’
Childish thoughts. But they all melted away the moment she saw Solid in the garden, her face lighting up as soon as she saw Sophia. Solid reached out, and Sophia took her hand.
They spent time together like they used to, like at the Georgia Centania ball five months ago. A moment in the garden, another in the drawing room, a little time in Solid’s room. They moved from place to place, and their conversation never stopped.
Since waking up five months ago, this might have been the happiest moment.
Sophia leaned on Solid’s shoulder, listening to her stories about fighting with Samuel, about how lonely she was while Sophia was asleep, and how happy she was when she learned she was pregnant.
Solid’s soft voice. Her warm touch. The gentle spring sunlight. Her pink dress brushing against Sophia’s light blue one—they looked like a painting.
But good times always pass too quickly.
By the time Sophia truly understood their friendship, it was already time to say goodbye.
“I’ve caused a lot of trouble.”
Solid spoke with sincerity as she stood in front of the count and countess, her luggage already packed into the carriage. It seemed to be because of Ronald’s incident. Before her mother could say something disapproving, Sophia quickly stepped forward.
“No trouble at all. You being here helped me so much.”
Solid smiled. The count and countess coughed awkwardly, embarrassed by their daughter’s boldness. But soon, they took Solid’s hand and wished her a safe trip.
“You came all this way even though you’re pregnant. We were touched by your kindness.”
“I know how hard things have been for you. I just did what any friend should do.”
“Thank you. Travel safely. If anything happens, let us know. You, Ronald, and Miss Anita are always welcome here.”
They all gave short thanks. After that, Solid, Ronald, and Anita bowed again to the duke who had come in person to see them off. Standing beside Sophia, the duke smiled politely and raised a hand.
“Sophia’s friends are my friends too. No need for formalities.”
But his tone stayed within polite boundaries. He smiled kindly, but didn’t offer his hand or a hug. He made it clear he came only because they were Sophia’s friends.
Seeing his detached attitude, Sophia pouted to herself.
‘Once we’re married, I’ll make sure he gives Solid a castle.’
With such a silly thought, she waited for her turn to say goodbye. After the duke and Felix said their farewells, it was finally her turn. Even though they’d been together all morning, Sophia walked up to hug Solid once more.
“Solid!”
Thinking about the goodbye made her so sad. It was only last night she had confirmed their friendship hadn’t changed.
But just then, as she reached out to hug Solid, a horrible stench hit her.
Sophia almost threw up while hugging her.
