20 Distant Relative
(Ella's POV)
Kyle knew nothing of my thoughts.
Or rather, he wouldn't think in that direction at all.
He changed his appearance according to my description.
Light brown short hair, blue eyes, fair skin, that very faint mole below the right eye corner.
Aside from different facial contours, he already looked very much like Wayne.
And for me, this was enough.
At least when I see him, I won't forget why I took him in.
Because of that mark identical to Wayne's, I would keep him by my side.
I must find the truth about Wayne's disappearance.
—I constantly reminded myself this.
But Kyle clearly didn't understand my complex psychology.
He seemed to simply think I liked this appearance.
He even seriously maintained this look.
During the days I was sick, he almost took over the entire potion shop.
At first, when townspeople suddenly saw a strange man in the shop, they were startled.
Especially Mary.
She originally only came to deliver bread. When she pushed open the door, she froze.
Kyle happened to be standing behind the counter, wearing an old shirt I'd found for him, sleeves rolled to his elbows, revealing pale, solid forearms. His light brown short hair glowed softly in the morning light. His blue eyes slightly lowered, he was weighing dried sage.
"Who is this..." Mary's eyes lit up.
"Distant relative." I leaned against the stairway entrance, my voice still carrying post-illness hoarseness. "Here to help."
"Distant relative?" Mary stared at Kyle's face for a full half minute.
Then she put down the bread and quickly walked to my side, lowering her voice: "Ella, did you finally come around?"
"What?"
"Finding a man!"
I almost choked on my saliva.
"No! He's just—"
"A distant relative." Mary finished for me with an "I understand" expression. She even patted the back of my hand. "Mm-hmm, I get it. Distant relative. Looks so good. Lives at your place. Cooks porridge for you every day. I understand everything."
She didn't believe me at all.
And when she left, she deliberately looked back at Kyle with a meaningful smile.
I held my forehead, not knowing what to say.
Kyle didn't care. He continued weighing herbs with his head down.
"What did she say?" he asked.
"Nothing." I sighed. "She complimented how good-looking you are."
Kyle looked up at me. The corner of his mouth curved slightly.
Then he lowered his head again to continue working.
Later even Dali started looking at me with a strange gaze.
He came to pick up the hemostatic powder he'd ordered and happened to see Kyle helping me carry the medicine box.
A whole box of dried elderflower. I used to have to carry it in two trips. Kyle lifted it with one hand.
"Your relative is really great." Dali sighed, then deliberately leaned over and lowered his voice. "I was wondering why Colin hasn't been coming lately. Turns out he gave up..."
Kyle happened to pass by and looked up at Dali.
Those blue eyes had no particular expression, but Dali immediately shut up.
Mary kicked him: "What nonsense are you talking about!"
Then she turned to ask me: "Ella, why hasn't Knight Colin come in so long?"
I thought about it.
Indeed, I hadn't seen Colin in a while.
"He said he's been very busy lately." I said while organizing orders. "Something seems to have happened outside."
"Could something big have happened?" Dali rubbed his kicked leg and frowned. "Should we stock up on goods? I always feel things haven't been peaceful lately. Magical beast riots are becoming more and more frequent..."
"Who knows." I shrugged. "At least there's no problem now. The festival is still being prepared as usual, right?"
"True." Mary patted Dali's shoulder. "Don't overthink. Focus on preparing for Thorn Blessing Festival! Don't be last place again like last year, hahaha!"
"You have the nerve to say that about me!" Dali immediately retorted. "Last year the pie you baked—the judge spat it out after one bite!"
"That's because they don't appreciate it!"
"The judge was your own aunt!"
The two began bickering back and forth.
I lowered my head and suppressed my laughter.
Kyle stood behind the counter. Hearing the lively sounds here, he looked over at me.
Sunlight slanted in through the window, falling on his light brown short hair. That mole below his right eye corner appeared and disappeared in the light and shadow.
He smiled faintly.
A very light smile, like a summer evening breeze, refreshing to the heart.
Influenced by him, I also curved my lips.
Then I quickly lowered my head, pretending to look at the ledger.
My heartbeat quickened a few beats.
Kyle's mood has been much more stable recently.
Although he still doesn't like strangers, at least he's not covered in thorns like when we first met.
Sometimes I even forget he's a dark elf wanted across the entire continent.
A week later, my body finally recovered almost completely.
The potion shop reopened for business.
The festival drew closer. Orders began to increase.
I was lowering my head counting inventory when a familiar voice suddenly came from the doorway.
"Miss Ella..."
I looked up.
Outside the door stood a goblin.
He was short, carrying a large medicine basket. His green skin was covered with mud. He looked much thinner than before, his cheekbones protruding high, eye sockets sunken deep.
"Grom?" I stood up in surprise. "Why did you come?"
Grom has always been one of my main suppliers.
Over the years, most of my basic herbs were purchased from him. Goblins are good at finding herbs and familiar with mountain terrain. It's just that their status is too low. They're often underpaid by human merchants. Grom is one of the few willing to supply stably long-term. Although his herbs' appearance is ordinary, his prices are fair. He never passes off inferior goods as quality.
He walked into the shop, footsteps heavy. The medicine basket almost crushed his back.
"I'm very sorry." He said, voice hoarse. "Recently I probably won't be able to continue gathering herbs for you."
I froze.
"What happened?"
Grom was silent for a few seconds.
His two rough hands clenched together, knuckles pale.
"...Milla disappeared."
My heart sank slightly.
Milla is his daughter, a very small, very thin little goblin girl. Previously when Grom was too busy, he'd often have her deliver goods in his place.
She was very timid. Every time she came, she was nervous, shoulders hunched, voice thin as a mosquito. Yet she'd always carefully arrange the herbs neatly, plant by plant aligned, roots facing one direction, leaves facing another.
Once I gave her a candy. She was happy for an entire day.
"When did it happen?" I asked softly.
"Three days ago."
Grom kept his head lowered.
"Lately there are more and more magical beasts in the mountains. I can only gather herbs when they leave, so I have the children help deliver goods... Milla disappeared on a delivery route."
His voice grew lower and lower.
"I can't find her."
I didn't know what to say.
Outside the window, the sunlight was very nice. On the street, people were hanging festival colored flags. Children ran around. Laughter drifted in.
This world is still running normally.
And a goblin girl has disappeared.
Magical beast riots really have been getting more severe lately. Near Veiled Gorge, traces of large magical beast activity have even begun appearing. The knight order's deployment frequency is getting higher and higher. Merchants are taking advantage to raise prices on medicinal materials and grain.
But until now, nothing major has really happened.
The people of Thorn Town are still preparing for the upcoming festival.
A goblin's disappearance won't have any impact.
A goblin. Just a goblin.
A humble existence.
Who would care?
Except for her father.
A father who is also a goblin.
Still no one would care.