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 - 30 - Reunion

“…Eliza…”

Seeing Eliza just as she was back then meant she still hadn’t returned to her original body. The fact that she was still working here like before was proof of that.

I wanted to run to her and hug her right away, but when I saw her tilting her head in confusion, I stopped and tried to calm myself.

This was our first time meeting while I was in this body. A noble lady suddenly showing up in a place like this would definitely be confusing. I took a small breath to calm myself, then spoke.

“It’s me, Eliza. It’s Sadie. I’ve returned to my original body. I came to get you, so let’s go home together.”

When I said that, her eyes opened wide in shock. She covered her mouth with both hands, looking like she couldn’t believe it.

“Really… are you really Sadie?”

“Yes. I’m the Sadie who loved the too-hard cookies you secretly made sometimes.”

“…And the sour juice from crushed berries too, right?”

Neither of them could really be called tasty. Actually, they weren’t good at all—but I loved them anyway. And I loved Eliza for secretly making them for me, whispering, “It’s a secret.”

She looked like she was about to cry, and we smiled at each other. I was probably making the same face too. Ah… there’s no doubt—this is the real Eliza.

“I missed you so much…!”

This time I didn’t hesitate. I ran to her and hugged her tightly, wrapping my arms around her thin body as hard as I could.

◇◇◇

“Norman is doing well too. He was always worried about you.”

After that, we left the cabin right away and headed to the meeting place with Lord Kevin. Rufus was able to remove Eliza’s collar with his magic, which was a huge relief.

As we walked quickly at Eliza’s pace, she told us that on that night, Gerald, Neil, and I all suddenly started acting strange.

“When I saw them shouting things like ‘Give me back my body!’ and going wild, I realized everyone had returned to normal.”

When she said she was glad that at least the three of us made it back, I felt tears coming again. Eliza was just too kind.

“I’ll make sure you can return to your body too, Eliza.”

“Thank you, Sadie. Even though you’ve gone back to your normal life… you came here to rescue me, risking everything…”

I told her it was thanks to Rufus, and when I mentioned him, Eliza looked over at him—then leaned in and whispered near my ear.

“Is he… your boyfriend?”

“Huh?”

“You two really suit each other.”

Hearing that, I glanced at Rufus. But as usual, his face still looked terribly pale.

Ever since I told him about living here, he’d been like this. He must still feel guilty. Once we get back to our country, I’ll make sure to tell him again not to worry.

We took the same path back and reached the meeting spot safely. Waiting there were Lord Kevin and one other tall man.

“…Sadie, is that you?”

“Norman…!”

As soon as he said my name, I ran to him without thinking and hugged his large body tightly.

“I’m so glad…”

“Kevin told me everything. I’m glad you’re safe. Gerald and Neil are okay too, right?”

“Yes, yes. Everyone was worried about both of you.”

I was truly, truly relieved. Ever since I heard Neil’s report, I had been so anxious.

After letting go of Norman, Rufus removed his collar, and we quickly prepared to escape.

“We plan to head back to the military outpost, but we only have two horses. It’s going to be difficult to move five people.”

“Um… there’s one horse here. Just one.”

“That’s perfect. Let’s go borrow it right away.”

Kevin and Norman left to get the packhorse, while the rest of us stayed behind.

Still, the guards here were surprisingly weak. They probably never expected anyone to find this place. Without Lord Lloyd, we might never have reached it. I owed him everything.

There were so many things I wanted to ask and talk about with Eliza. But first, I had to ask the one thing that had been on my mind the most.

“Oh, right—Eliza. What’s your full name?”

“My name? It’s Eliza Haynes.”

“…What?”

When she answered casually, my heart jumped. Rufus, beside me, widened his sharp eyes in shock too.

“So it really was that Eliza…”

Along with anger, a cold fear rose in my chest. The woman who had taken over Eliza’s body had acted so much like her—it terrified me. My fingers started trembling, and I gripped them tightly.

“More importantly—be careful. There’s still your—”

Just as Eliza started to speak, we heard the sound of someone stepping on sand behind us. We quickly turned around at the sudden presence.

But it wasn’t Kevin. Or Norman. Or any of the guards.

My heart—and time itself—felt like it stopped.

Why…? Why is she still here?

“…Sadie Arclight…?”

The body I had known and lived in for ten years…

…was standing there, staring straight at me.