Chapter 341

"Squeak"

Amid the grating creak of rusted hinges, a small gate set into the corner of the wall slowly swung open, and a tall, graceful woman with pale skin and delicate features bent slightly to step through, entering the half-ruined garden.

Even in its state of partial decay, the vast garden still exuded an air of elegance: numerous plain stone slabs, intricately carved with peony patterns, formed several petal-shaped, secluded paths around the central marble fountain, now dry.

These paths, littered with broken stones and fallen leaves and clearly neglected, twisted and intersected outward, winding past collapsed stone pillars and abandoned statues, passing through greenhouses whose glass had long shattered, skirting courtyard walls with peeling paint, until they reached the garden's farthest corner—where a single small wooden cabin still received care.

"Elle."

After walking the path to the cabin's door, Emma, carrying a large bag, gently tapped the door with the back of her un-fossilized hand and called softly:

"I'm back. Are you home?"

"..."

No sooner had Emma spoken than the cabin door opened, and a little girl with two light chestnut braids, each tied with a ribbon, stepped lightly out and fluttered into Emma's arms like a butterfly.

"Sorry for worrying you again."

After gently stroking her daughter's head, Emma's eyes softened as she whispered:

"Don't worry—I'll never die. As long as you're waiting for me at home, even if I truly die one day, I'll walk back to you, bit by bit, and never let you be alone again."

"..."

The ribbon-tied girl remained silent, only nodding slightly, then as if suddenly remembering something, she loosened her arms from around Emma's waist and raised her tightly clenched right hand to Emma's eyes.

"Hm? What are you showing me?"

After placing the bag on the shelf by the door, Emma knelt down, smiling as she extended her hand; the doll-like little girl placed her right palm into Emma's with solemn focus, then slowly opened it...

"Did you catch this in the garden?"

Seeing the tiny pink-and-blue butterfly fluttering its wings in her palm, Emma smiled in delight, then her eyes filled with guilt as she asked:

"So beautiful... Elle, thank you for the gift. I love it. But you... are you alright? Does being alone at home feel lonely?"

"..."

Upon hearing Emma's words, the girl with twin braids first nodded slightly, then shook her head vigorously, beaming a wide smile at her.

Maybe a little lonely—but now that you're back, I'm not lonely anymore.

Understanding her nod-and-shake, Emma bit her lip slightly, about to speak—when the tiny butterfly suddenly took flight. The girl had released her gentle grip on it and instead seized Emma's bandaged right hand.

"?"

Seeing the faint green peeking through the bandage's seams, the girl's large, dark-and-light eyes blinked twice, then she raised her hand anxiously, pointing toward Emma's right fingers.

"It's fine. Just a small injury."

After kissing the girl's forehead affectionately, Emma smiled and explained:

"I did run into some trouble on my trip, but it's all settled now. In another week or so, these little wounds will heal completely. Don't worry!"

"..."

Hearing Emma's assurance, the girl's worry faded, replaced by renewed cheer.

She let go of Emma's hand, dashed back into the room marked with a pink wooden sign, and returned with a crumpled drawing of two colorful little figures, offering it proudly to Emma as she changed shoes.

Is this... the one from last year's birthday?

Unfolding the wrinkled paper, Emma recognized the two colorful figures seated around a table, clapping happily.

Seeing the round shape on the table—likely a cake—and the tiny crown atop the smaller figure, Emma hesitated slightly, then knelt down, holding the drawing with serious expression and asked:

"Elle... do you remember what I told you? That on the day after tomorrow, your birthday, a big... uncle will come?"

"?"

After hearing Emma's question, the girl blinked in surprise.

Uncle? Not big brother?

"There's quite an age gap between you two, and he's also my colleague, so... so you should call him uncle."

Seeing the confusion in her daughter's eyes, Emma blushed slightly and added, then quietly clenched her fist, her ears warming as she whispered:

"Elle... would you like it if we had one more... hmm... do you like it when things are lively?"

Feeling slightly embarrassed under her daughter's knowing gaze, Emma hastily changed the subject:

"I mean, on your birthday, besides Uncle Leon, his sister and two children your age will come too—we'll all celebrate together. Would you like that?"

"Frie... friends?"

"Yes, friends!"

Seeing the mixture of hope and faint fear in her daughter's eyes, Emma understood: she longed for someone to talk to, yet feared they wouldn't get along. She pulled the girl close and whispered gently:

"Don't worry—I've learned a bit about them. They're lively, but wonderful children. You'll have so much fun together."

Hearing Emma's promise, the girl exhaled deeply, her delicate face lighting up with excited anticipation.

"Th-then that's good..."

Though her voice was clear and bell-like, like wind chimes beneath the eaves, the girl rarely spoke to others, so her speech was slow and slightly muddled.

Yet, thrilled at the thought of friends her own age coming to celebrate her birthday, she blinked eagerly, struggling to speak:

"Do they... like flowers? I planted some in the little greenhouse... and butterflies... and birds..."

"..."

Recalling the flocks of crows that relentlessly dropped droppings on Leon's windowsill, Emma's lips twitched slightly.

Compared to cute birds, Leon's wildly energetic younger siblings would probably prefer climbing trees to steal eggs... Hmm, better be careful—don't let them raid Elle's favorite birds' nests.

"Do those two kids... like birds, do you think?"

She lied half-heartedly, then, now wearing slippers, took the girl's hand and stepped inside—just as she caught sight through the cabin window of a large, freshly leveled patch of ground behind the garden.

Someone came here these past two days?!