The Knight Who Broke Off Our Engagement and Told Me to Never Show My Face Again Still Clings to Me Today, Even Though I Was Possessed and Turned Into a Villainess for Ten Years - 10 - Enemy or Ally

The person I loved. I had always heard that they were involved with men a lot, so I couldn’t hide my surprise even more.

“It seems like she was trying to hide it, but I think there were others who noticed as well.”

“So, what kind of person was he…?”

“He was a civil servant working at the royal castle, gentle, kind, and a wonderful person.”

To think that I, who was called a notorious villainess, had loved someone like that. I couldn’t believe it.

“But, it seems that Lord Lloyd didn’t feel the same way. Maybe that’s why she was involved with other men.”

“…I see.”

Perhaps, it wasn’t that she gave herself to other men for Rufus’s sake, but maybe she did it because of her feelings for Lord Lloyd. I always thought I was a terrible person, so I found it strange that she was so serious in such matters, but if that was the reason, I could understand it.

At the same time, learning about this human side of her, the person who had taken everything from me, made me feel a complex mix of emotions. I didn’t want to know.

And Rufus, who had cared for me, must have noticed that. He must have been deeply hurt. Even though I knew it wasn’t my fault, my heart still ached.

“Hey, why don’t we stop using formal language? You’re higher in status, and more importantly, we’re friends, right?”

“Friends…?”

“Heh, was that a misunderstanding on my part?”

“No, that’s not it!”

“Then it’s decided,” she said with a gentle smile. And so, I began calling her “Eliza.”

After chatting happily together for a while, it was soon time for them to leave, and I saw them off. However, not long after, Gerald, who was supposed to have already left, suddenly returned to the Count’s residence.

“Sorry, I wanted to talk to you alone.”

“It’s fine.”

I led him to my room again, and we sat facing each other.

“…Hey, Sadie. I think she’s suspicious.”

At his words, I let out a dumbfounded sound. Gerald, with a serious expression, continued.

“She’s too understanding, and I’m also curious about her name. I’ll look into her past.”

“O-Okay…”

Before I changed, I was a notorious villainess, and Gerald was a womanizer.

Because of that, I had the image that anyone who had swapped bodies was a hopeless person, and I didn’t suspect Eliza, who was praised as the perfect lady, at all.

But if she was really someone who had taken Eliza’s body… the thought of that made me shiver.

“From now on, it’s better not to tell her too much.”

“Sorry, Gerald. I’ll be more careful.”

“Don’t apologize. We’ve never had anyone be kind to us like she has. I understand why you would open up to someone who’s been good to you. And, after all, there’s still a chance she’s just a kind woman.”

Gerald said that we could continue our relationship as usual, but I should just set some boundaries. It would be easier to watch her from a distance while staying on good terms with her.

“Since we don’t know what might happen, it’s best not to meet with her alone outside, and always have a bodyguard with you.”

I nodded deeply in response to his words.

A Week Before the Ball

Today, with a little over a week left until the ball, I finished my lessons with my mother and returned to my room, feeling restless since I had nothing else to do.

A few days ago, I had given out the completed presents, and everyone was so happy they blushed with embarrassment. My parents even cried with joy, and I ended up crying too. For some reason, Tim was also crying. Since they were so happy, I thought I would make something else for them soon.

“…Hmm, I found it.”

In the end, I found myself alone in the library. As usual, Tim was with me.

I took a detailed map of the country, a plant encyclopedia, and an insect encyclopedia from the bookshelf.

I had always wanted to know where the place we had been was. But, there were only fields and forests, with almost no other clues. However, Norman had once taught me that plants and creatures are different depending on where they live.

Since I spent a lot of time outside, I became somewhat knowledgeable about these things. I thought that by comparing them, I could narrow down the location.

By the way, I heard that Gerald’s parents, the Marquis and his wife, are also looking into this matter along with him.

Embarrassingly, when my parents consulted their friends, a magician and a knight, about my “body being taken over,” they just laughed it off, thinking I was saying strange things again. It was so sad.

Sitting alone in a chair, I was looking through the encyclopedias, trying to find something familiar, when I suddenly felt a gaze. I looked up, and to my surprise, there was Rufus.

“…”

“…”

Our gazes met perfectly, but neither of us knew if it was okay to speak, and awkward silence lingered. I had seen him here just the other day, and maybe reading was his hobby.

I had also heard recently that he became the commander of the knights. He must be busy, and having me around on his precious day off must be uncomfortable for him. I thought maybe I should go to a different library next time.

“Why are you reading that?”

His gaze was directed at the insect encyclopedia I was holding. It probably seemed strange to him that I was reading something like that.

“Well, I’m just looking into something.”

“Do you like insects?”

“No, not really…”

I didn’t think he would believe me if I honestly explained everything. So, I gave him a vague answer, and Rufus left without saying anything else.

I resumed my task, finding familiar plants and creatures, and taking notes about their habitats.

About an hour later, there was a loud explosion-like sound, and the building suddenly became chaotic.

A burnt smell and smoke filled the air. Was there a fire or some other incident? Just as I was thinking that, I felt my arm grabbed from behind and was pulled to my feet.

I thought it was Tim, but when I turned around, it was none other than Rufus grabbing my arm.

“What are you dawdling for? Let’s go!”

“U-Okay.”

He pulled me by the arm, and we ran outside. He seemed to be running slowly to match my pace. If he were alone, he could have escaped easily, but he was kind.

Tim was following right behind me, and he seemed to have a look of admiration on his face.

Once we got outside, a woman was being held down by people, screaming and crying. It seemed that her son had lost control of his magical powers.

They said a child was still trapped inside the fire. The center of the fire was too strong to approach.

“I’m a wind mage, so fire and I are not a good match… Rufus, you too, right?”

“…Yeah.”

Even these two couldn’t do anything about the raging flames, and they clenched their fists tightly.

Even if they could endure the fire they created, the building would eventually collapse, and they wouldn’t be able to survive. Hearing the anguished cry of the mother made my heart ache.

“Call a water mage quickly!”

I heard that voice and suddenly realized. The fire was spreading rapidly. I had heard that mages were rare and valuable, and there was no time to wait for help.

I had read about magic in books. In fact, if I caused a magical outburst now, it might actually help the situation.

“Rufus, thank you. Can you let go of my hand?”

He released my arm, and I quickly untied the ribbon on my dress. I then hiked up the hem to make it easier to run and tied it with the ribbon.

Rufus’s eyes wavered in confusion.

“…Hey, what are you planning to do?”

As I gathered my long hair, I answered his question.

“I’m going to help.”