Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl

"No, just untie them. I'll take them home," Finnegan said, then glanced at the woman on the far side who had passed out. He frowned, changing his mind, "Actually, forget that. Help me send that woman home first."

Reina responded with a bright smile, "Okay, I'll do what you say."

Then, like a scene from a dream, someone untied Esther and the woman next to her, setting them free.

"Thank you," Esther muttered.

The woman beside her, however, just stood up quietly without saying a word. She moved her wrists slightly, then stopped, her calm demeanor unwavering.

Esther took a moment to really look at her. She had short hair and an effortlessly charming presence. There was something familiar about her, but Esther couldn't quite place it.

"Alright, follow me," Finnegan said shortly, without showing any reaction to Esther's thanks.

He led the way, showing them his back as they followed him to his place in silence.

brighter than the others in the village, likely a perk of his role as the village secretary. Although Esther had never been in such a home before, it was clear that

rooms. Finnegan turned to them, his

rules, introduced herself first,

The

her added,

confidence nervousness.

with Esther's

any of these. You'll

touched by his unexpected kindness.

Esther puzzled and a bit sad. His response seemed filled with surprise, coldness and

in. Esther and Amelia were left in the house, along with the woman who was still unconscious. Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the ꜰindNʘvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and

gaze on Finnegan, Amelia teased, "Don't

shook his head. "No, I just want to remember