Chapter 26: I’ll walk you through
Felyn still sat motionless.
Her hand lay in Erik’s palm, her fingers every so often curling slightly as if wanting to confirm that the warmth was still there.
"But I’m blind."
"I know."
"I’m only Rank F now."
"Mm."
"There’s still a curse on me."
Erik thought for a moment.
"We’ll deal with that later."
Felyn lifted her head.
"I could cause you a great deal of trouble."
Erik laughed.
"Then we deal with the trouble."
Felyn again didn’t know how to answer.
The way Erik spoke was too ordinary, as if the things that had left her in despair for fifty years were merely a few problems to handle down the road.
He didn’t promise that he could definitely cure her eyes.
Nor did he say things like "everything will be fine."
Erik simply said that if there was trouble, then deal with it.
For some reason she couldn’t explain, that way of putting it made Felyn feel more at ease than any words of comfort ever had.
Erik looked down at her bare feet.
"Wait a moment."
Felyn heard the sound of him opening the space bracelet.
Then the sound of fabric along with something being set on the ground.
"What are you doing?"
"Getting you shoes."
Felyn immediately drew her feet back.
"I can do it myself."
"I know."
Erik squatted down in front of her.
"But it’ll be faster if I do it."
He took a clean cloth, dampened it with a little water, then gently wiped the layer of mud and dirt from Felyn’s feet.
Her body immediately went rigid.
"Erik..."
"Does it hurt?"
"No."
Felyn shook her head in a hurry.
She just wasn’t used to it.
It had been a very long time since anyone had touched her with such a natural attitude.
Erik showed no sign of disgust at the mud or the scars.
Nor did he look at her with pity.
His hand simply and carefully wiped away the dirt around the small wounds, then checked the soles of her feet to make sure no pebbles were stuck in them.
Felyn bit her lip lightly.
Her feet had almost lost feeling toward small cuts long ago, but right now, each time Erik’s fingers brushed across the skin, the sensation was strangely vivid.
It wasn’t pain.
It was a very unfamiliar feeling.
Being cared for.
Erik took out a pair of spare soft shoes.
Felyn’s feet were too thin, so the shoes were a bit loose. He thought for a moment, then took two pieces of soft fabric and tucked them inside before tying the laces.
"Try standing."
Felyn hesitated, then stood up.
She took a step.
Then another.
The soft sole pressed down on the small stones, but this time there was no sharp sensation traveling up through her feet.
Felyn stood still.
"It doesn’t hurt."
A hint of surprise in her voice.
Erik broke into a laugh.
"That’s what shoes are for."
"I know."
Felyn’s face flushed slightly.
"It’s just... I haven’t worn any in a long time."
Erik didn’t ask "how long."
He only held out his hand.
"Let’s go."
Felyn didn’t take it right away.
Her hand rose halfway and then stopped.
A part of her still felt she should hold the staff.
The staff wouldn’t get tired.
Wouldn’t feel bothered.
Wouldn’t leave her behind for walking too slowly.
But after a few seconds, Felyn’s fingers still slowly settled into Erik’s palm.
He held on.
Not too tight.
Just enough so she could always feel that he was there.
The two of them began walking along the route leading to the gate.
Erik could have finished these three kilometers very quickly.
But he deliberately slowed his pace.
What had been a floor-clearing sprint gradually turned into a leisurely stroll.
Erik walked about half a step ahead of Felyn.
Every time he came across a large stone lying in the path, he kicked it aside before she got close.
A tree root rose up out of the ground.
Erik stopped.
"Felyn."
"Mm?"
"There’s a tree root ahead. Lift your right foot a bit higher."
Felyn did as told.
"Like this?"
"A little more."
She raised it higher.
"Good, step forward."
Felyn placed her foot past the root.
When both feet were standing firm, the corner of her mouth curved up without her realizing.
It was only one step over a tree root.
Before, every time she encountered something like that, Felyn would have to probe with her staff for a very long time. Sometimes the staff would miss it, she would trip and fall, and then she would spend another stretch of time finding her bearings again.
But now Erik only had to say one sentence.
And she could step across.
A bit further on, a low branch blocked the path.
Erik reached out and held it to the side.
"Straight ahead."
Felyn walked following the sound of his voice.
The leaves gently brushed past the back of her hair but didn’t touch her face.
Only after Felyn had passed through did Erik let go of the branch.
Rustle.
She turned her head slightly.
"What was that just now?"
"A branch."
"You held it?"
"Mm."
Felyn was silent for a few seconds.
"Thank you."
"It’s nothing."
Erik kept walking.
His hand still holding hers.
Sunlight filtered through the canopy, occasionally falling on Felyn’s tangled blonde hair.
Even after many years without care, the original color was still very beautiful.
Erik found himself idly imagining what this hair would look like if it were washed clean, combed out, and set under the light.
Right at that moment, he spotted a cluster of flowers growing beside the base of a tree.
Small blossoms with white petals, their centers a faint blue.
Erik stopped.
Felyn immediately stopped too.
"Is there something in the way?"
"No."
He bent down and picked one.
Then Erik stepped closer to her.
"Hold still."
Felyn immediately tensed.
"Is there something on me?"
"No."
Erik gently brushed aside part of the hair by her ear.
The touch of his fingers against the strands made Felyn unconsciously hold her breath.
A second later, Erik tucked the flower into her blonde hair.
He adjusted the position a little before he was satisfied.
"Done."
Felyn raised her hand, but when her fingertips nearly touched the flower she quickly stopped.
"What did you just put in my hair?"
"A flower."
"Is it pretty?"
"Quite pretty."
Felyn was silent.
"I can’t see it."
Erik looked at her.
Sunlight passed through the leaves, falling on the dust-covered cheek along with the white flower nestled in the blonde hair.
He smiled.
"It’s enough that I can see it."
Both of Felyn’s cheeks immediately turned red.
She turned her face to the side, clearly knowing she couldn’t hide her expression from the person looking at her, yet still trying anyway.
...
Outside, the group chat was quiet for exactly three seconds.
Then it completely exploded.
[Madam Ravia: What did he just do?!]
[The Sleepless Madam: Tucked a flower in her hair.]
[Madam Ravia: I know! I’m asking how he can do something like that so naturally?!]
[Madam Ysera: "It’s enough that I can see it."]
[Madam Ysera: That line is breaking the rules.]
[Madam Lilith: I’m starting to be jealous of a woman who’s lived alone for fifty years.]
[The Sleepless Madam: Me too.]
[Madam Ravia: I want to go into the seventh floor.]
[Madam Ysera: What would you do in there?]
[Madam Ravia: Pretend to be blind.]
[Meira: Shameless.]
Ravia immediately replied.
[Madam Ravia: Are you saying you don’t want to?]
Meira looked at the message.
She was silent for a few seconds.
Then deleted the line she had just typed.
[I want to too.]
Meira decided to hold on to her last shred of dignity.
...
Erik and Felyn continued deeper into the forest.
The light gradually grew brighter.
The sound of water from up ahead also became clearer.
In the end, the tree trunks parted to both sides, revealing a small stream flowing through the forest.
The water was so clear that the pebbles at the bottom were visible.
Rays of sunlight fell onto the surface, creating patches of shimmering light that continuously shifted with the current.
A few small silver fish swam between the stones.
The stream was about five meters across.
Between the two banks was a row of large stones protruding above the water, just enough for one person to step across.
Erik could have led Felyn on a detour around it.
But he looked at the stones for a few seconds, then turned to her.
"Felyn."
"Mm?"
"Want to try something?"
She tilted her head slightly.
"What?"
"Crossing the stream."
Felyn immediately tensed.
"Is there a bridge?"
"No."
"Then how?"
"There’s a row of stones."
Felyn shook her head at once.
"No."
"I’ll fall."
Erik held her hand more firmly.
"You have me."
Felyn paused.
Three very simple words.
But the hand holding Erik’s gradually relaxed.
"Is it deep?"
"Up to the knee."
"..."
Felyn was silent for a few seconds.
"Are you trying to scare me on purpose?"
Erik broke into a laugh.
"I only said we’d cross the stream."
"You didn’t say the water was shallow."
"You didn’t ask either."
Felyn pressed her lips together.
But the corners of her mouth were already starting to curve up.
Erik stepped onto the first stone, then turned around.
He held out his other hand toward her.
"I’ll stand in front. You just listen to me."
Felyn slowly extended her other hand.
This time she held both of Erik’s hands.
"I really won’t fall?"
"Even if you fall, I’ll pull you back up."
"But my clothes will get wet."
"I have clean clothes."
Felyn was stunned.
In the end, she had no reason left to refuse.
Erik gave a gentle pull.
"Right foot forward, about half a step."
Felyn carefully raised her foot.
"A little farther."
She reached out her foot.
The toe of her shoe touched the surface of the stone.
Felyn immediately went rigid.
"I touched it."
"Mm. Shift your weight onto it."
She did as told.
When both feet were standing firm on the first stone, Felyn’s hand gripped Erik tight.
"I’m standing on a stone?"
"Yes."
"In the middle of the stream?"
"Not yet. Just right along the bank."
Felyn let out a very soft laugh.
"Then let’s keep going."
Erik smiled too.
The second stone was farther away.
He stepped over first, then guided her again.
"Left foot."
"Straight ahead."
"A little farther."
Felyn stepped across.
By the third stone, her movement was still stiff.
By the fourth, she had already begun lifting her foot before Erik said anything.
By the fifth, Felyn even asked:
"Where’s the next one?"
Her voice carrying a very clear anticipation.
Erik looked at her.
"About one step ahead."
Felyn stepped across.
When her foot settled firmly onto the stone, the smile on her face grew even wider.
"I did it."
"Mm."
"Am I in the middle of the stream now?"
"Almost."
Felyn turned her head slightly.
Even though her eyes were covered, she still looked as if she were trying to take in everything around her.
"Is there water on both sides?"
"Yes."
"Is it clear?"
"Very clear."
"Are there fish?"
Erik looked down.
"A few."
"What color are they?"
"Silver."
The wind blew across the surface of the stream.
Carrying a cool mist of water that touched Felyn’s face.
She drew in a deep breath.
Her smile slowly became even more radiant.
"I never thought I could still do something like this."
Erik looked at her.
"Like what?"
"Cross a stream on stepping stones."
Felyn laughed softly.
"Blind people don’t usually do foolish things like this."
"You’re doing quite well."
"Because of you."
The words had barely left her mouth when Felyn froze slightly.
Then both her cheeks flushed red again.
Erik pretended not to notice.
"Let’s keep going."
The two of them stepped across stone by stone.
When only the last one remained, Felyn didn’t wait for his guidance.
"Straight ahead, right?"
"Mm."
She stepped forward on her own.
Her foot touched the far bank.
Felyn stood still for a few seconds.
Then turned toward the stream behind her.
"Did I really just cross it?"
"Mm."
"Didn’t fall?"
"No."
"Didn’t miss a single stone?"
Erik broke into a laugh.
"Not a single one."
Felyn bit her lip lightly.
But the smile on her face still couldn’t be hidden at all.
Something so ordinary that no one would even pay attention to.
For her, it was as if she had just accomplished something miraculous.
For fifty years, Felyn had grown accustomed to not being able to do a great many things.
Couldn’t run.
Couldn’t walk into complicated places.
Couldn’t see the flowers bloom.
Couldn’t see the flowing water.
Couldn’t know what lay ahead unless the staff had already reached it.
But today, someone had held her hand and said:
Step to the right.
A little farther.
I’m right here.
And that was enough to make Felyn’s world, which had held nothing but darkness, seem to fill with a great deal more color.
...
In the group chat, the messages slowed down.
There weren’t as many quips anymore.
A number of women simply watched in silence as Felyn stood smiling beside Erik.
[Madam Ravia: Her life right now is truly good.]
[The Sleepless Madam: I’m genuinely jealous.]
[Madam Ysera: It was just holding hands and crossing a stream.]
[Madam Ravia: It’s precisely because it was just a stream that I’m jealous.]
An older madam who had almost never spoken finally sent one line.
[Madam Seraphine: Having money, power, and strength for so many years, in the end I’ve only now discovered that there are a few things that truly can’t be bought.]
The group chat went quiet.
Because all of them understood what she was saying.
A man willing to slow his pace for you.
Clear the stones from the path.
Hold a branch so it doesn’t brush your face.
Tuck a flower in your hair simply because he felt it was pretty.
Then hold your hand across a small stream as though it were the most important thing in the day.
For women who had nearly everything, those ordinary things had instead become something strangely extravagant.
...
Erik had absolutely no idea that he was making a group of powerful madams begin to question their entire lives up to this point.
He only held out his hand.
"Ready to keep going?"
Felyn immediately placed her hand in his palm.
This time without any hesitation.
"Yes."
Erik held on.
The two of them continued deeper into the forest.
There was still more than a kilometer ahead.
But Erik was in no hurry.
The gate to the eighth floor was still there.
And Felyn had already walked alone for far too long.
Beneath the thick, green canopy, two figures slowly passed through each patch of sunlight.
The small white flower in Felyn’s blonde hair swayed gently in the wind.
And for the first time in fifty years, her steps no longer followed the sound of a staff tapping against the ground.
But followed the hand of another person.