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 - 61 - Precious Things 2
Now that I’m in this body, I feel like it would be even harder to keep things hidden. But if it were Mabel, I’m sure she could handle it somehow.
“Eliza always said, ‘You must keep truly important things as close to you as possible.’”
“As close as possible…”
I couldn’t trust anything Mabel said, but somehow, I didn’t think this was a lie.
If she had always carried the magic tool with her, then it was likely still in the Arclight family estate.
“…If only I could find a way to contact someone…”
I sighed, knowing I had no way to do that, when I was suddenly told that Gerald had come to visit.
“Good morning. You wore the dress—I’m so happy. It looks really good on you.”
“…Thank you.”
Gerald smiled, looking pleased to see me wearing the dress. But being told it suits me, even though this body isn’t mine, didn’t make me happy at all.
Still, I smiled back and offered him the sofa, but Gerald shook his head slightly.
“I’ll pour the tea. You sit down, Sadie.”
Then, after sending the maid away, he began preparing tea while humming a tune.
He was in a strangely good mood. I tried to observe him closely, wondering if I could get any useful information out of him.
“The wedding date is set. It’s the first weekend of next month.”
“—What?”
That’s only about a week from now. It’s happening much sooner than I expected, and my heart started pounding in fear.
“We’re rushing to get everything ready, so I probably won’t be able to visit you much starting tomorrow.”
“…I see.”
“Yeah. Here, your tea.”
Gerald placed the teacups in front of us and sat on the sofa.
“You’ll change clothes at the Haynes baron estate—…”
He started talking about the wedding plans, but I couldn’t focus at all.
I was filled with panic—if I missed that day, I felt I would never get out again.
“—Dy? Sadie? Are you listening?”
“Oh… yeah. Sorry.”
After that, all I could do was nod along. I didn’t remember a word Gerald said.
After Gerald left, I fell onto the bed and hugged my pillow tightly.
“…What should I do…”
I couldn’t use magic, and escaping during the wedding would be nearly impossible alone.
I needed someone on my side—but in this situation, there were only a few people I could even try to rely on.
I had wanted more time, but there was no choice now.
I stood up from the bed, determined to act on the plan I had been thinking about until now, and called out to Mathilda, who was tidying up the table.
“Hey, Mathilda. I have a favor to ask you—just one. Is that okay?”
“…What is it?”
When I spoke to her, she looked a little cautious. I knew it might still be too early, but there was no more time.
Pretending not to notice her suspicion, I kept smiling as I continued.
“The truth is… there’s a flower that holds a special memory for me and Gerald. I want to make a bouquet with those flowers and give it to him on the day of our wedding. But I can’t leave this room, so I was hoping you could help me.”
“Why don’t you ask Lord Gerald?”
“I want it to be a surprise. He’s always so kind to me, and I want to do something to thank him, even a little.”
To others, it would look like a sweet bride’s wish—to make a little bouquet for her beloved fiancé on their wedding day, even though she was locked away due to poor health.
Maybe that’s why she didn’t see it as dangerous and, after a pause, she nodded.
“Understood. Could you write down the names of the flowers for me later?”
I was so relieved to hear that, but I kept smiling.
“Yes, of course! Thank you so much.”
When I smiled happily, putting my hands together in front of my chest, pretending I was excited to make Gerald happy, Mathilda smiled too and said, “You’re welcome.”
I had thought that if I asked her gently, someone like Mathilda—who loved her own boyfriend—might say yes.
I felt bad for using her kindness like this, but I didn’t have the time or luxury to choose the perfect way.
“Fufu, I’ll write the list now before I forget.”
“Yes, please.”
I sat at the desk and started writing. I couldn’t afford to make any mistakes, so I took my time and remembered each flower carefully.
“Fegyui… and Oaelis…”
Mathilda tilted her head slightly as she watched me.
“I’ve never heard of these flowers. You must really know a lot about them, Lady Eliza.”
“Yes. I used to be a little obsessed with flowers. I guess things like that stay in your memory.”
Even though they were rare in this country, I was sure the biggest flower shop in the capital would have them all.
When I finished the note and handed it to her with a smile, saying, “Please,” Mathilda took it happily.
—Please, let everything go smoothly.
All I could do now was pray.
Holding back my fear and sadness, I kept acting like a bride excited for her wedding day.