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 - 7 - The Gears Begin to Turn

“ Hehe, you’re not about to say something silly like ‘I’ve returned to my original body,’ are you? That would be such a boring joke.”

When Lady Eliza said that, I was so shocked I couldn’t say anything for a moment. But then I quickly took her hand.

“Yes, yes! Actually, last week, Gerald and I suddenly returned to our original bodies… I really don’t understand anything about it…”

As I desperately explained, the expression suddenly vanished from her face.

Because her face was so perfectly beautiful, she looked like a doll. Just for a second, I felt scared.

“…No way, right?”

“It’s true. It sounds like a lie, but it really happened.”

Lady Eliza covered her eyes with the hand I wasn’t holding, but after a while, she showed her usual beautiful smile again.

“I’m sorry. I was just so surprised.”

“It’s okay. Um, but how did you know about this, Lady Eliza?”

“Fufu, I just happened to hear something like that, so I was teasing a little when I said it.”

“Oh, I see. That’s what it was.”

I guess she heard the rumor when I blurted out that I’d returned to my original body at the engagement cancellation meeting.

After that, I explained again in simple terms what had happened until now. I was worried whether she would really believe me, but Lady Eliza listened to everything kindly until the end.

“You really went through something awful. It must have been hard.”

“You believe me…?”

“Yes, of course. In fact, just thinking that someone so terrible, who stole your body, is out there somewhere—it’s so scary.”

With a pained expression, she said that, and gently squeezed my hand, which she had been holding the whole time.

“From now on, please tell me anything. You can rely on me. I’ll be your support.”

“Th-thank you so much…!”

As I thought, Lady Eliza really is a kind person. Her angelic smile shines brightly. I’m really glad I spoke to her.

“If you do as I say, everything will be fine for sure.”

Hearing that, I nodded over and over. When she said it, I started to believe it really would be okay.

Then, I quickly decided to talk to her about the ball, which was my biggest worry right now.

“…Let’s see, you should definitely attend the ball. The count’s family already has a weak position, and if you also turn down an invitation from the royal family, it’ll only make things worse.”

“I thought so…”

I guess my parents understood that too, and that’s why they were worried and told me I didn’t have to go.

“But I don’t know anything about manners, and I can’t dance at all…”

“It’s okay, I’ll be with you. Besides, you don’t absolutely have to dance.”

“Huh? Really?”

If it’s just attending and quietly standing in a corner until it ends, I think I can manage that much.

Most of all, Lady Eliza is apparently the same age as me, and she said she would stay with me on that day. Feeling relieved, I decided to attend the ball.

…But as I got excited about having such a reliable ally, I didn’t notice that from beginning to end, she never once called me “Sadie.”

◇◇◇

After that, I told my parents that I would attend the ball. When I said Lady Eliza would be with me, they seemed relieved and encouraged me, saying, “Just don’t push yourself too hard.”

According to them, she has a very good reputation. Even though she’s the daughter of a baron, she’s known as a model noble lady.

There’s still about a month left until the ball. Wanting to become more like a proper noble lady, I asked Mother for help and began studying and taking etiquette lessons more seriously.

And then, a week later today, I was at the Royal Library.

Today I’m meeting Gerald here. He said he had something to do and might be a little early or late, so we chose this place.

While waiting for him, I decided to read a book about magic. I quickly found a book that looked easy to understand, one about the basics of magic. I picked it up and sat down at a nearby table. Then I slowly began to read.

“Let’s see… Magic depends on the connection between the soul and the body…”

That must be why I couldn’t use magic in that other body, I realized. I’d heard that I couldn’t use magic either. So, now that I’m in my real body, there’s a good chance I can use magic.

But I didn’t want to use it by accident and cause trouble, so I decided not to try it until I found someone to teach me. That said, I still hadn’t found a tutor, and my parents can’t use magic. I’m stuck.

If I remember correctly, I used to be a water magic user.

Next, I decided to look for a book about water magic. I stood up and headed toward the bookshelf.

“Ugh… just a bit more…”

I found a good-looking book, but it was on a high shelf. I almost reached it but just couldn’t quite grab it.

I could have just brought a step stool, but being so close made me want to try harder. I stretched my hand as far as I could.

Then, suddenly, a hand appeared from above and easily took the book and handed it to me. Maybe there are more kind people in the world than I thought. That made me happy, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“Um, thank you very much.”

Still smiling, I took the book and looked up at the person who was behind me.

And the moment I saw the face in front of me, I froze like a statue.

It seemed he did the same.

“…Sadie…?”

Rufus said my name and stood there in shock.