The Fate X Dungeon
Ch#14 - Thorn of life
Other than Grisha who was still asleep, only I was in the room. After Aqua left, the room became quiet.
On the side of the bed I stood, staring silently at the woman lying before me. His dark hair that was close to brown gently decomposed on the pillow, creating a contrast to his pale complexion. Different from the first time I lifted her to the bed, her face now looked calmer. Looking at the woman's condition, I realized that she looked so vulnerable, as if her world had stopped spinning.
As I was waiting for her to open my eyes, the voice of the woman I knew sounded in my head. Sella just passed on new information to me. Alone in the room, I responded to every piece of information with a nod.
Master and subordinate contracts allow us to communicate without being bound by distance or time. The information about the Grisha obtained from his daughter Filo, and the village chief-Dorran, was passed directly to me.
Mother of one child, 24 years old. Not the native of Arunn village.
He said Grisha came to this village about 5 years ago. He developed amnesia when it was first discovered by the village chief's son. Rosgard, the man who saved her happened to live outside the village, due to his profession as an adventurer. Other than not remembering his place of origin, he had also forgotten about his identity. One thing she remembers, is her name—Grisha.
Finding Grisha wounded, Rosgard takes her to a doctor's office. That's when doctors discovered her condition was pregnant. Out of pity, Rosgard insisted on taking care of the woman he had known not long ago. At least until later, his son was born.
Soon after, Philo was born safe. The woman who had to struggle to raise Filo as a single parent, finally planned to find a place to live and also a job. The reason was simple, because he did not want to be pitied by Rosgard anymore.
But living in the city as a single parent was very difficult, let alone she was a woman. Rosgard, who still could not bear, gave advice to go with him to the village of Arunn. As the village chief's son, he knew, the woman might be able to get a home loan from her father. Seeing her genuine desire, Grisha gave up and agreed to accept the man's proposal.
Long story short, Grisha began to live and mingle with the residents. Working as a waiter at the diner as well as the village inn, slowly making his life more stable. Rosgard, who had retired as an adventurer, also watched over the mother-daughter until they could live without worries.
Although initially adamant just to watch, but gradually the feeling of love began to fuse between the two. As a man who wants to protect his beloved woman, Rosgard decides to propose to Grisha.
After marriage, the two live together and support each other to raise Filo. From a new marriage, Grisha finally conceives a second child. From there, begins the bad luck that will befall him. The family's peaceful life, slowly began to be hit by various trials.
While pregnant, Grisha is still working to help her husband. The first temptation came from a wealthy merchant who became a customer at his workplace. The merchant was attracted to him, and many times came to disturb the working Grisha. The woman even miscarried because of an incident. The loss of her second child made her fall into depression. But thanks to the support of her son and husband, Grisha rose again, and struggled against her grief.
However, the trials keep coming to him. The rich merchant wanted a Grisha, and yet wanted to give up. Using a cunning tactic, he eschewed Rosgard and nearly raped her. Fortunately, Rosgard, suspicious of the job he was given, soon returns to find his wife.
According to Dorran's story, Rosgard heard a mysterious voice that led the man to his wife's place. Wracked with rage and murderous lust, the depraved Merchant is killed by Rosgard's sword when it finds his wife nearly desecrated.
A few years later, another ordeal returned with news of her husband's death. Rosgard, who had to escort a group of merchants to the capital, had to be killed by an invasion of monsters on his way.
One by one the trials that come in turn, make sadness nestle firmly in his heart. And that made Grisha's condition worse.
“Destiny fate..” involuntarily muttered me, after hearing the bitter-sweet life of Grisha. In the corner of my heart, I truly sympathize with her. As someone who had experienced a similar fate, a small desire to help her grew deep in my heart.
What kind of sins have you committed in the past?
A few minutes later, the little girl with brownish black hair who was lowered from her mother, entered the room hurriedly. Two people followed him from behind.
Filo I asked him to come see his mother. Through Sella, I told her that her mother's 'curse' had disappeared.
With a breath of sting, the sleeping face of the mother who became the only family of Philo. Her eyes were anxious as she tugged at the end of my robe.
“Uncle, why haven't you woken up!? Said brother veil, the curse mother already uncle took, right?” ask Filo worriedly.
I held the little hand of the girl waiting for my answer, and then I led her hand to hold her mother's hand.
“Don't worry, Filo. Uncle will not break a promise, even if the promise I made seemed impossible, then I will use all means to fulfill my promise. So.. accompany your mother, until she opens her eyes.” I said gently to her.
Not until five minutes, the hand held by Filo showed a little movement.
In this room, maybe only Filo and the village chief look tense. However, I also felt a bit of an unusual feeling, although I did not let anyone realize it.
Slowly Grisha began to open her eyes. His gaze seemed blurry, and slowly moved in search of something. His expression softened as his gaze stopped on the little girl who was grasping his hand.
“Filo... forgive mom.. It seems like mom has made you anxious.” That was the first sentence that the woman said, when she saw the tears of the princess just barely spill.
Filo just shook his head, hearing those words. Tears held for this long spilled out instantly. Emotions that are difficult to explain are depicted in his sobs.
“Luckily, uncle can help mom..” said the girl in a hoarse voice.
As soon as she heard it, Grisha's expression became a little strange. A rapid change occurred in the look on his face, as his eyes discovered my existence. Without caring about his still weak condition, he woke up and immediately pulled Filo into a hug. Not a warm hug, but a frightened embrace of danger.
It turns out that I was still considered an enemy by Grisha. His view of me is still the same as before. I just returned his gaze without saying a single sentence.
“You must want my daughter! I won't let you take it from me!!” grisha shouted to me. Words filled with hate.
After knowing a little about Grisha's past, instead of being angry by the words and attitudes given to me, I felt even greater sympathy for him.
What kind of trauma has been set in your heart, so as to hold such great hatred for me, that you have never even known before?
“...Mother, please stop.. don't antagonize uncle anymore.” Filo sobbed trying to quell his mother's anger. Seeing his daughter's attitude, Grisha went awry, when he found out that the princess was merely a puppet defending people who should be considered enemies by him.
“...I don't know if there is no uncle, I'm afraid of losing mother...”.
The words that Philo kept saying in tears, made Grisah's defense begin to collapse. She did not know what to do, and could only hug her daughter tighter.
Knowing there was a five-year-old little girl, crying to defend me. I can only be stunned.
From the beginning, I never expected their gratitude. In fact, I don't even remember why I was willing to help. Although the fact that I wasn't the one helping Grisha, but seeing someone standing by my side, made me remember a feeling I had forgotten for so long.
“I don't care your views towards me, as long as you don't get in my way, you can live quietly without worry.” The words came out of my mouth without an expression. For me, this role is the best fit for me.
I want the world to know me as the cruel, cold, and heartless king of darkness.
“...Uncle?”
Ignoring Filo's call, I turned to leave this place. Although many things have bothered me, I prefer to leave this place.
“My business in this place is done. I will come back when this village has recovered.”
After saying so to Dorran who did not know what to do, I left the room. Accompanied by Sella who still did not want to comment, I left the village.
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