The moment the words left Nolan’s mouth, Eliza fell silent..
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She stared at Renee, a complicated look clouding her expression. No one had expected it–but this frail girl in front of her… was Seth’s sister.
But here she was. Alive. Just barely,
Eliza asked softly, “Have you been hiding this whole time?”
From the look on Renee’s face, it was clear she didn’t know that Seth had already returned.
Sure enough, Renee nodded. “You guessed right again.”
She offered a weak smile, but the pain on her thin, hollow face quickly broke through. Maybe it was because Eliza had just saved her, but in this moment, Renee let her guard down and started to speak–slowly at first, then pouring it all out.
“I was captured,” she whispered. “I refused to obey him, so he locked me up. No food. No water. I was starving–I had to eat dirt just to stay alive. My stomach’s been aching ever since.” She clenched her fists, swallowing hard against the memory. “Eventually, they let me out, and I ran. But when I got home… my parents were already dead.” Her voice cracked. “And those people… they kept looking for me. I couldn’t go back. I hid wherever I could. Now and then I’d hear things. About the plague. About how bad it was here in Caslig County. I didn’t dare come out.”
She blinked back tears.
“But then I heard Holy Lady was coming… that you would pray for us and drive the sickness away. I was scared I might already be infected, so I snuck out to see you. But before I could even reach you, someone showed up–bad people. So I ran again.”
Eliza instantly understood. The “bad people” Renee mentioned were likely the same local enforcers Kane had stationed to keep order. It was entirely possible that one of them had taken part in what happened to Renee’s family. She must have recognized someone.
Renee went on, her voice small and trembling. “I was hiding so long… I hadn’t eaten in days. My stomach hurt so much, I thought I’d die. I really thought I wouldn’t make it. But then I saw you…”
She looked down at the little bottle of medicine she clutched in her hands.
“Maybe it’s what you gave me, but the pain–it’s gone. My belly feels warm. I feel… better.”
Her eyes were wide with gratitude. She looked at Eliza as if she were a divine miracle.
“Don’t worry,” she said earnestly. “Seth’s been living in Plutonville–he’s strong. He’s always protected me. Once I find him, I’ll tell him what you did. We’ll find a way to repay you, I swear it.”
Eliza looked at the girl’s hopeful smile and didn’t know how to respond.
After a moment’s hesitation, she finally asked, “Rence… do you have any other family? Anyone besides Seth?”
Renee shook her head. “No. My mom once told me that we fled to Noganlul as refugees. Whatever relatives we used to have, they’re gone. It’s just been the four of us.”
But now, of course, she was the only one left.
Eliza’s chest tightened. She gently took Rence by the arm and led her back to the carriage. “Wait here for me, alright? I won’t be long.”
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Chapter 252
Then she walked off with Nolan, stopping a short distance away.
Even after they were well out of earshot, Eliza lowered her voice as if the weight of the words themselves demanded silence.
“She can’t stay here.”
Her tone was firm, but heavy with sorrow.
“She was kidnapped,” Eliza continued. “Even if nothing happened to her, her reputation is ruined. And with everything that happened here–her brother killing the county magistrate, the outbreak that followed… it doesn’t matter that it wasn’t her fault. People will still blame her.”
She glanced back toward the carriage. “Someone will say it was because of her that her parents died. That Seth died. That half the city died. They won’t care about the truth. They’ll need someone to hate.”
Nolan’s jaw tightened. “She can’t go to Plutonville either. Seth’s gone. And if she goes alone, who will take her in?”
There was a pause.
“Leave her to Kane,” Nolan said finally, his voice cold with purpose. “This is his territory. His men failed to protect her. This happened on his watch. He should be the one to make it right.”
Eliza turned, eyes lingering on Renee.
She knew Nolan was right. It was the best–and only–option they had. After a long breath, she nodded. “Alright. We’ll leave her to Kane.”