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 - 26 - Someday, for sure

I got a reply from Lord Lloyd Brick right away. His handwriting was beautiful—like something from a textbook—but also had a masculine touch. He wrote about several dates when he was free and said he was looking forward to seeing me again.

I quickly picked up my pen and replied, choosing the earliest date. In the end, we arranged to meet three days later in one of the royal castle’s rooms where he works. Thinking about safety, the royal castle seemed like a good choice.

On the day of the meeting, I left home with Tim and the usual guards. It was my first time at the castle since the ball.

Inside the castle, I only brought Tim along. Since he had often come here for work before, he guided me straight to the meeting room without any trouble.

“It’s been a while, Lady Sadie. You look different. You seem calmer—and it suits you well.”

Lord Lloyd smiled gently, his eyes as clear as the sky. His expression and behavior were very soft, showing how kind he was.

He seemed completely different from the person people said I used to be. That’s why it was hard to believe I ever liked someone like him.

He poured tea for me himself and offered me cute little sweets. When I took a sip, the tea smelled wonderful and tasted surprisingly good.

“Thank you for meeting me on such short notice.”

“No problem at all. Did something happen?”

I gently placed the cup down and looked at him.

“…Actually, I had an accident recently, and since then, my memory has been fuzzy.”

“That sounds terrible… Are you feeling okay?”

“Yes, thankfully. So now I’ve been trying to talk to people who knew me before—to learn more about myself. That’s why I came to see you, Lord Lloyd.”

I knew I couldn’t tell anyone outside my family the truth about someone stealing my body. I’d already learned the hard way that no one would believe it. So instead, I told him this made-up story.

I worried it might sound too far-fetched, but he nodded and said, “So that’s why your way of speaking and your mood have changed.” I felt relieved that he accepted it so easily.

“Do you remember anything about me?”

“Not at all… I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. You’re the one going through a hard time. Let me introduce myself again, then.”

He bowed his head slightly and smiled kindly.

“My name is Lloyd Brick. I’m from the neighboring country, Oricia. I came here when I was fifteen.”

“You came from another country…”

“Yes. I was originally a commoner. I grew up in the countryside, covered in mud, working in the fields.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I’m now adopted into the Brick baron family.”

He said he was born into a poor family and studied as hard as he could, collecting worn-out books as a child. He came to this country because here, talent matters more than status.

He must have worked incredibly hard to earn his current job as a government official—something I can’t even imagine. Yet he remained humble and modest. Maybe that’s what I had liked about him.

“Lady Sadie, you used to praise me all the time.”

“Huh?”

“You always said it was amazing that I rose to this position through my own strength, without being limited by my background.”

“…Is that so?”

It was hard to believe I ever said such things. We continued talking for a while, but what he told me about the old me didn’t match what others had said. It was like hearing about a different person.

In the end, I didn’t find any real clues. But I still felt like I learned a little more about who I used to be. I didn’t feel like it was a wasted trip at all.

“If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to call on me again.”

I thanked Lord Lloyd politely and left the room.

◇◇◇

As I walked through the castle hallways, wondering what to do next, I saw a tall man walking toward me.

“That’s Lord Rufus.”

“Huh?”

I had thought he looked a lot like Rufus, but I didn’t expect it to be the real him. Since Tim has very sharp eyesight, he must be right.

As the distance closed, I could clearly see his face.

He also seemed to notice me. His expression looked surprised—and very tired. Maybe the Pope’s death really did affect his life and responsibilities. The thought made my chest ache.

I figured I shouldn’t say anything, but since no one else was around, he was the one who spoke first.

“That’s not it.”

“What?”

“What I said the other day—it’s not what I meant. It’s not that I didn’t want to talk to you. I just said it wrong.”

He spoke quickly, looking flustered, and I was confused at first.

But then I remembered the birthday party, when I said I wanted to talk now and then, and he replied, “I don’t want that.” He must’ve been referring to that.

“I see… I’m glad. Thank you, Rufus.”

“…Yeah.”

If that was the first thing he wanted to say, it must’ve been weighing on his mind. He really is a kind person.

“What brings you here?”

“I came to see Lord Lloyd.”

When I said that, Rufus looked visibly shocked. But then, for some reason, he slapped his own cheek really hard. I was a bit worried.

Then he looked at my face closely and frowned.

“Did something happen?”

“Huh?”

“You look… kind of down.”

I thought I had been smiling the whole time, but it seems he noticed anyway.

Of course, I couldn’t tell him something as crazy as ‘a friend might die.’ He already has so much going on, I didn’t want to make him worry. So I just said, “I stayed up late last night. I’m just a bit tired.”

Still, Rufus looked serious and kept his eyes on me.

“…If you’re ever truly in trouble, I want you to come to me.”

“Rufus…?”

“I’ll always help you. I promise.”

Hearing those words made me want to cry.

…Why is Rufus always so kind to me? I’ve done nothing but hurt him for years.

While I was lost in thought, Rufus simply said, “See you,” and began walking away. His back grew smaller and smaller in the distance, so I quickly called out, “Thank you!”

Soon, he was out of sight. My chest felt warm and happy… but also strangely lonely.

“…Am I not a burden to him?”

“He said all that, didn’t he? It’s fine,” Tim replied.

“Really?”

“Yes. And besides, every man has at least one thing he’s willing to protect—no matter what.”

When I asked Tim what his was, he answered, “Hmm… oh! Of course, it’s you, my lady!” He seemed suspiciously unsure at first.

“…Something you want to protect.”

Even though I know I shouldn’t cause any more trouble, I feel like someday… I’ll end up relying on him again.

That’s just the feeling I had.