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 - 22 - Birthday Party – 1
“Um, this is… well…”
I didn’t expect to be asked about this ring, so my voice came out sounding nervous.
Since I had a good idea of who gave it to me, it felt hard to be honest with Gerald, who apparently liked me. But I didn’t want to lie either, so I carefully opened my mouth to speak.
“I got it the other day.”
“From who?”
“Uh, I don’t really know who exactly…”
Then Neil spoke up, sounding a bit accusing. “Wait, you’re wearing something you got from a stranger?”
“No, it’s not like that. I received it through someone I know in the knights, so I think it’s safe. Actually, it’s a protective magic item made by the best mage in the country. I heard it’s safer to wear it.”
“Wow, that’s amazing. I wonder how much it costs. If someone gave you something like that, they must really like you, Sadie.”
“I don’t think it’s like that.”
If the person I’m thinking of really is the one who gave it to me, I don’t think it was out of romantic feelings.
Even someone as clueless as me, who didn’t notice Gerald’s feelings, can clearly tell from the way he’s acted that it’s not romantic love.
He’s a very kind person. I’m sure he’s just worried about me because we grew up together and were once engaged.
“Anyway, I plan to keep wearing it all the time.”
“If what you say is true, then that’s probably best.”
Neil seemed satisfied, but Gerald still hadn’t looked away from me.
“…The engagement—it was really called off, right?”
“Huh? Yeah, we properly signed the papers and ended it.”
“I see.”
Why is he asking about that now? Maybe Gerald also thought of the same person I did.
Eventually, he said, “I think calmer things suit you more, Sadie,” and smiled with his well-shaped lips.
“Next time, I want to give you something that really suits you.”
“Oh… thank you.”
As I stood there confused, Neil smiled beside me and said, “Sadie’s really popular, huh?”
◇◇◇
“Eliza’s birthday party?”
“Yeah. I was wondering what I should do.”
A week later, on a sunny afternoon, Gerald and I were having tea in the garden at my house.
Even though I still felt anxious every day knowing Norman was still in that place, I was doing whatever I could for now.
Then, an invitation arrived from Eliza for her birthday party. It also said Gerald was welcome too. So I quickly wrote him a letter and asked what we should do.
“Yeah, let’s go together. I want to learn more about her too.”
“Okay, thank you.”
We looked into noble ladies named ‘Eliza’ who matched the conditions, but none of them seemed to have shown any strange behavior from the time of the switch until now.
That’s why Gerald said we should first investigate Eliza Haynes, the one I actually knew and had spent time with.
Gerald stared at the invitation for a while, then looked at me.
“…If that line hadn’t been written, would you still have invited me?”
For some reason, he asked this seriously.
“Yes, I think I would’ve invited you first, Gerald.”
When I answered without hesitation, he looked so happy that my heart skipped a beat.
Until Neil mentioned it, I hadn’t noticed anything. But once I started to think about it, there were many moments when it felt like Gerald might really like me.
I’ve lived thinking romance had nothing to do with me, so all this makes me nervous. At the same time, I remembered what Neil told me, and it made my feelings complicated.
“I’ll come pick you up that day. Don’t leave my side, okay?”
“Okay. Got it. Thank you.”
Now that we’d decided to go together, I felt determined to do my best.
Finally, the day of Eliza’s birthday party came.
The maids helped me get fully dressed up, and I looked like a proper noble lady. Gerald arrived exactly on time to pick me up, and he praised me so much it made me blush.
Of course, I was still wearing that ring.
When we arrived at the Haynes estate and stepped out of the carriage, Gerald and I once again caught people’s attention. There’s a saying that rumors only last a few days, but in our case, it felt like they would follow us forever.
I’d heard the Haynes family was wealthy, but the estate was huge, and the mansion was incredibly large and fancy.
“Eliza, happy birthday.”
“Sadie, and Lord Gerald. Thank you so much for coming today. Hehe, please enjoy yourselves.”
The party venue was also really big, but still full of guests. From the happy atmosphere, it was clear that Eliza was well liked by many people.
We went to greet Eliza first. She was beautifully dressed and so pretty I couldn’t help but stare at her.
Can someone who stole our bodies really play the part this perfectly? It made me doubt everything. As more guests came to greet her, we were gently pushed away from her side.
“So, what should we do now?”
“Maybe we can talk naturally with the Baron and his wife…”
No matter how good her acting is, she’s still someone else. There must’ve been some signs or changes around the time of the switch.
Thinking that, we decided to find the Baron and his wife. As we walked through the crowded venue—
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
I bumped into a tall man and apologized without thinking. Then suddenly, I heard a familiar voice say my name, sounding surprised.
I looked up—and met a deep, night-colored gaze.