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 - 16 - Where Kindness Goes
“Norman… lied…?”
“Probably, yeah.”
Neil said this as he took a sip from his second glass of champagne, which he had just received from a server. By the way, I’m not very good with alcohol, so I’ve been sipping mine slowly.
“I think Norman was around the same age as us.”
“What?”
“Even when we talked, he didn’t seem five years older at all. I didn’t say anything since there was no reason to push it.”
“Why would he lie like that…”
I murmured without thinking, and Neil’s eyebrows softened.
“Maybe it was to make you all feel safe.”
Hearing that, I was left speechless.
“He said he had a lot of younger siblings. I think he just wanted to reassure you and Eliza, even if it meant lying.”
“That’s…”
When I first got to that place, Norman comforted me and said I’d be fine because they were all there. He always told me I could rely on him because he was older.
If he was actually just a child under ten back then… I felt like crying. He was the first to arrive at that place. He must’ve been more scared, lonelier, and in more pain than any of us.
“Norman is just too kind…”
I really loved Norman. I think I leaned on him and relied on him more than anyone else.
My vision started to blur, and I quickly bit my lip. I couldn’t cry here—I’d just trouble Neil. He gently patted my back.
“Judging from the family structure, I think Norman Bowen, who’s supposedly a year older, is suspicious. I’m thinking of contacting him.”
“Okay, I understand.”
“I’ll be staying in the royal capital for a while anyway.”
We agreed to meet up with Gerald, the three of us, soon. We talked about how nice it would be if all five of us could meet again. Just as we said that, a clear, lovely voice suddenly called out to me.
“Hehe, there you are. And this is?”
It was Eliza. With a smile like a blooming flower, her eyes turned straight to Neil.
“I’m Neil Bassel. Nice to meet you.”
“You’re the marquis’s son, right? A pleasure to meet you, I’m Eliza Haynes.”
She gave such a graceful bow that I couldn’t help but admire it, then she gave me a tight hug. She smelled so sweet it made me feel dizzy.
“I’m jealous you know such a wonderful person.”
“Y-Yeah.”
“Let’s be good friends too, okay?”
“Of course.”
Then Eliza was called away again and said, “See you later,” before leaving. Even though she said that, I was already thinking of heading home.
Time had passed faster than I realized, and people were starting to quietly leave the hall.
“She’s Eliza too.”
“Yeah. Gerald said she’s suspicious.”
“I see.”
Neil kept staring at her as she stood a bit away, surrounded by many people.
“I think I’ll head home now. What about you, Neil?”
“I should probably greet a few more people, for the future. Too many people don’t even know my face.”
“Got it. Where should I contact you while you’re in the capital?”
“My place is…”
After parting ways with Neil, I thought maybe I should try greeting a few more people like he did. But the moment I approached anyone, they all quietly stepped away, so I gave up quickly.
I left the venue and started walking down a long hallway. Even though I had only attended briefly, I was glad I got to see Neil.
As I was walking, thinking that, I suddenly ran into Rufus at a corner in the hall.
“S-Sorry!”
“…Yeah.”
That was all he said before walking off briskly. I knew it couldn’t be helped, but I still felt a little lonely. If things hadn’t gone the way they did, would we still be on good terms?
As I walked again, thinking about that, a stranger suddenly spoke to me. He seemed to be one of the noble sons attending the ball.
“Is something wrong?”
“I’ve been watching you and thinking how beautiful you are.”
“Huh?”
“If it’s okay, could we talk for a bit?”
Wait, was I… being hit on? If he knew I was Sadie Arclight and still approached me, then he must have a lot of guts.
But I had no intention of talking with him. Just as Tim taught me, I politely declined, but then he suddenly grabbed my arm tightly. He whispered in my ear, “You’re actually just playing around, aren’t you?” I really wish people would stop this nonsense.
Even when I told him to let go, he didn’t. People nearby all acted like they didn’t see anything. Even though I knew I shouldn’t expect anything, it still made me sad.
As I was panicking over what to do, suddenly, the man’s arm was twisted painfully behind his back.
“Ow, ow! Let go! W-Who the hell are you…!”
The person holding his arm was wearing an old, suspicious-looking helmet. Everyone nearby stared in surprise at how shady he looked.
When they noticed that he was wearing a knight’s uniform, the man cursed and quickly ran off.
“Um, thank you for helping me.”
“…Yeah.”
With that black knight uniform, tall figure, the long black hair peeking out from the helmet, and his voice—there was no doubt it was Rufus. Why was he dressed like this?
Looking around, I noticed a suit of armor on display down the hall was missing its helmet. Looks like he borrowed it.
“I’ll walk you out.”
“Is that okay…?”
“Yeah.”
“Thank you.”
After what just happened, I didn’t want to take any risks. I gratefully accepted his offer. He really is kind.
We walked silently down the long corridor, keeping a steady distance between us.
I wasn’t sure if I should say something when he suddenly asked, “…Who was that guy?”
“Him?”
“You were with him all night… hugging and stuff.”
He was clearly talking about Neil.
Even if I explained the history between Neil and me, Rufus probably wouldn’t believe it. So I just said, “He’s an old and dear friend. We reunited today.” It wasn’t a lie.
“…You don’t have romantic feelings for him?”
“Huh? He’s just a friend.”
“Then don’t do things like that.”
“Y-Yeah, you’re right.”
“Even if you like him, you shouldn’t.”
He was absolutely right. I already have a reputation for fooling around with men. If I were him, I wouldn’t want to see my ex-fiancée acting like that either.
Even though I was genuinely happy to see Neil, I needed to be more careful. Rufus gave me advice out of concern—he really is a kind person.
“You’re kind, Rufus. Thank you.”
“I’m not kind at all.”
Silence fell again. But for some reason, it wasn’t uncomfortable. Before I knew it, we had reached the carriage safely. I stopped and turned to face him, standing a bit away.
“Thank you again.”
“Yeah.”
“Oh, right. When I visited the knights the other day, you looked really cool, Rufus.”
That day, I had watched both Tim and Rufus. Rufus was the strongest and most passionate of them all.
He’s definitely a hard worker. I realized I was watching him more than Tim.
“…I see.”
“Yeah. Keep doing your best at work, okay?”
There was a pause before he replied, and his voice was really quiet, but I managed to hear it. Then, seeing Tim, he turned around and walked back to the royal castle.
Watching his back as he left, I felt a warm feeling in my chest.
…And it goes without saying that Tim was very worried and said, “My lady, who was that super suspicious guy!?”