Extra's Perfect Ending

Chapter 139: Nightmare

Another day spent in the library, reading her favorite book: Grim’s Children’s Tales. Her father used to read it to her when she couldn’t sleep, to soothe her mind. Now, she was using it to calm her nerves after Kuron’s strange reaction. But no matter how hard she tried to distract herself, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.

Kuron might be hiding something. The once warm and loyal knight suddenly felt distant, all because of a single odd look.

Maybe I’m just overthinking it?

Theia tried to ease her mind. Kuron had been in the house since she could remember, always by her father’s side, carrying out his every command. If there was something shady happening, why would Kuron be involved now?

It’s not possible, she told herself.

She didn’t want it to be possible.

Kuron was the only person she trusted. She needed him to be trustworthy. But unless she could prove it, the doubt would stay lodged in the back of her mind. She had to prove his loyalty.

Theia just didn’t know how.

"Kuron, when did you first meet Father?" she asked casually, as he brought her afternoon meal.

"About 17 years ago. I met my lord when I was little, being sold as a slave. He trained me to become a knight. Why do you ask?"

"I’m just curious," Theia replied, keeping her eyes on her book. She avoided eye contact, feeling a little shy as she often did during conversations. But his answer matched the story her father had told her long ago.

"What was Father like back then?" she continued, her tone light.

"He was the most clever person I’ve ever known," Kuron said with a fondness in his voice. "Back then, I was too scared to even talk to him. I only wish he hadn’t fallen ill."

Theia smiled softly. "Do you remember when my sister and I used to play with your hair?"

Kuron turned his head away, hiding a hint of embarrassment. "We don’t talk about that."

"Hehe."

She asked him a few more questions, but everything seemed normal. Kuron was the same as she remembered—quiet, but confident in his duties as a knight. As he answered each question, Theia’s suspicions faded, replaced by the comfort she had always felt around him.

She returned to her routine, spending most of her days tucked away in the library, calming herself with books. As she prepared to start another, she remembered that she still hadn’t replied to her sister’s letter. Picking up a quill and some paper, she began to write, reassuring Onia that she was holding on and doing fine.

But deep down, she wished her sister would come back. Onia could unite the household again, and lead it back to its glory days. Just to be sure, Theia also asked about Kuron, hoping Onia could confirm his story. Maybe there was something she had missed.

After finishing the letter, Theia made sure to hand it in at the postal service herself, in case Kuron might try to read it. With that done, she continued her usual routine: bread and soup three times a day and hours spent hiding in the library.

Three days passed in a flash, and at last, the letter arrived. The messenger dropped the mail into the box, and Theia rushed to open it.

Dear Theia,

I’m so glad to hear that you’re doing fine! I’ve made some new friends here. They aren’t the best of people, but I think they have great spirit. I believe they’ll be able to help us in the future. As special students, they’re bound to have high-ranking positions once we graduate in three years. Please hold on until then, and I’ll make sure to visit whenever I can.

As for Kuron, he’s just as you remember him. I’m glad he’s still managing, though it must be difficult to defend a household that’s falling apart, especially with such an uncertain future. We haven’t been able to pay him properly, but I swear, once I graduate, I’ll make sure to pay him quadruple his salary. He deserves nothing less.

I still remember the time we cut his hair into all those weird shapes. His face was as red as a tomato! I wish we could go back to those times. Speaking of that, I think Father kept the bundle of hair we cut off as a keepsake, saying it would bring him good luck. You might be able to find it in his drawer, in an iron container. I hope this helps!

See you soon!

Love you, sister!

Theia couldn’t help but smile as she finished reading the letter. Memories flooded back of the time she and Onia had cut Kuron’s hair as a prank. It was the only time she had ever seen Kuron so mad that he spanked both of them.

Their father hadn’t even tried to stop him, laughing as Kuron punished the girls for "messing up big time." He had never seen the knight that angry before, so he had kept the bundle of hair as a reminder of the moment.

With a light heart, Theia walked back to the mansion, relieved that all her doubts had been in her head. She went to her father’s room and, as always, sat by his side, recounting the story of that old prank. Her father lay as still and lifeless as ever, but she talked to him every day, hoping that one day he might respond.

"Oh, I almost forgot," she said with a smile. "Onia said your lucky charm might help you—Kuron’s hair!"

She walked toward her father’s office, the room where she had so often seen him working. Now, it was mostly empty, the papers on his desk long untouched. She couldn’t help but sigh at the sight of the unsigned contracts, deals worth thousands of stacs that would never be finalized because of his illness.

Theia approached the desk and opened one of the drawers. Inside were various keepsakes her father had saved over the years, including a drawing she had made as a child. She smiled, tracing her finger over the crayon lines, reliving a bit of her childhood through the simple picture.

Her eyes moved to the iron container at the side of the drawer, about the size of her two fingers pressed together. Carefully, she lifted it out and opened the lid. Inside, on a red cushion, lay a bundle of hair.

Her entire body froze.