Chapter 31

In just five more episodes, the first part will come to an end (probably).

---

Thinking that Zain-sama was jealous means he must have some affection for me as a woman, no matter how small.

The thought made the heat slowly gather in my face. Seeing this, Zain-sama raised the corners of his mouth in a beautiful smile.

"You still haven't realized it, have you?"

"Huh?"

"I've been thinking about you all the time."

While I was puzzled about when it started, I couldn't look away from Zain-sama's eyes.

"Seeing you with Ranhardt Gardner made me realize how important you are to me."

I had thought he had no affection for me just a moment ago, but now it felt like he liked me more than I could imagine.

"I heard you went to the theater together. You even sat next to Ranhardt, unlike when you were with me."

"That, that's..."

"Can't you be jealous? Is it fun to toy with me?"

Although he had never mentioned the seating issue before, perhaps he had been bothered by it.

Seeing his pouting face for the first time made my heart race again.

It was a complete mistake, but it seemed to have turned into a villainous move by accident.

"Grace."

As I tried to pull back from his approach, I ended up in a position where I was almost pinned down on the sofa.

I had already calmed down beyond panic and was thinking to myself, "Zain-sama is really beautiful from any angle" and "His eyelashes are even silver," while staring at his perfectly composed face. However,

"What were you doing in the casino's lounge?"

When asked another straightforward question, I averted my eyes.

"Well, I, I was... enjoying myself."

"What were you doing?"

"Playing, adult games..."

I wasn't lying. Poker is an adult game, something I had never played in my previous life.

"Hehe, indeed, it might be for you."

Instead of getting angry, Zain-sama said he was "relieved" and laughed as if he knew what I was doing, which made me wonder.

--- If he really was jealous, why didn't he blame me? From what I saw earlier, it didn't seem like he was just acting as a lover.

While I was confused, a knock sounded, and Mariabel's voice was heard. When Zain-sama answered, the door opened, and Mariabel came in.

Of course, I was still pinned down, and Mariabel quickly covered her face with both hands, exclaiming, "Oh!" It was really embarrassing.

"I'm sorry! I heard that you were here and rushed to meet you..."

From her usual demeanor, it seemed she hadn't heard about the infidelity, and I felt relieved.

As Zain-sama helped me up by putting his arm around my waist, we ended up pressed together again. Seeing us, Mariabel smiled happily and said, "Hehe, you two are so close!"

"Big sister, thank you for the wonderful recipe notebook the other day! Actually, I made pumpkin soup by myself yesterday and managed to eat a little...! The rest was all eaten by my brother."

"Really? That's great...! You did a great job, Mariabel."

"Thank you, it's all thanks to you, big sister!"

Seeing Mariabel's happy face, my heart warmed.

"Grace, thank you so much."

"You're welcome."

Even though it was just a short few months, I felt that my interactions with Zain-sama and Mariabel were not in vain, and a smile overflowed.

After that, we spent time together, and thanks to Mariabel, the atmosphere was warm and comforting.

---

"Grace, why won't you look at me?"

On the way back, I got into the carriage with Zain-sama, who insisted on seeing me off, and we were alone again.

Moreover, he sat next to me as if it were natural, and I was staring at him, feeling like I was at my limit. Every time the carriage jolted, I could smell Zain-sama's good scent, making me dizzy.

"It's very close and embarrassing, so I can't help it..."

"Even though you were so bold about your infidelity?"

"That's because I'm getting tired of Zain-sama."

"Interesting. That's a problem."

If this continued, I would be drawn into Zain-sama's pace instead of keeping my distance. I steeled my heart and told him so, but he didn't seem hurt.

Then Zain-sama continued, "If that's the case..."

"What can I do to make you like me again?"

"Huh?"

"Oh, you said you liked my gentle side. I'll be even gentler."

"..."

"From now on, I'll only be gentle to you."

This is so unfair. If there's a woman who doesn't get excited by this, I'd like to know.

Seeing my face, which was probably red, Zain-sama's expression turned serious, and he called my name.

"What do you want? What do you want from me?"

His question, as if he could see through everything, made my heart skip a beat. Even if he asked me such a thing, there was no way I could answer honestly.

"I, I..."

I almost said I wanted to stay like this but clamped my mouth shut.

What I want doesn't matter now. I am just a stage prop in this story, and I only need to fulfill my assigned role.

There's only about a week left until the ball, where Zain-sama and Charlotte will meet. If I don't stay focused, everything will be for nothing.

I sternly told myself this and raised my face.

"I'm tired of trying to fit in with Zain-sama. I think I'm more suited to someone like Ranhardt."

"..."

"Maybe Zain-sama should find a more suitable woman."

"That's not for you to decide."

The moment he said that, I could tell the atmosphere around Zain-sama had clearly turned cold. It's impossible not to be angry when someone you like says such a thing.

"So you're saying you want me to be with other women?"

"Yes."

When I answered, Zain-sama let out a sigh of exasperation.

"...Fine. I don't want to talk to you anymore right now."

"Okay."

I immediately realized he had given up on me. Although my original plan was a huge success, I didn't feel happy or relieved at all.

Instead, my chest felt unbearably tight and painful.

"See you at the ball next week."

With that, I got out of the carriage, which had stopped, and ran to my room.

---

...

"Ah, I must have completely lost him, right?"

"That's not true. Once you like someone, it's not easy to dislike them."

"But that's not good either..."

The next day, as I was in the carriage heading to Miliel, I kept sighing deeply. Yana had been listening to my story the whole time.

"Even though this is supposed to be the right thing, I feel really uneasy."

"That's natural, given how close you were."

From what I saw of Zain-sama yesterday, he was definitely exasperated with me. If I break up with him at the ball and say something to hurt him, everything should go according to plan.

He will meet Charlotte and be happy, and I can live as a wealthy countess. But I couldn't shake off the unease.

By the way, Evan is busy with other work today, so five substitute guards are with me.

Even though we are all dressed as commoners, walking in a group is conspicuous and unsettling, making me appreciate Evan even more.

"Recently, there have been more crimes targeting children. I think you'll be fine, but please be careful."

From what Evan said, it seemed that the work he did the other day at the casino was related to this. Targeting children is absolutely unforgivable.

I can only pray that the case will be solved soon and that Evan will return safely from his work.

"...Alright, let's get to work."

After that, I arrived at the shop and started working busily to clear my unease. The kitchen, made with magic tools, was very easy to use, and I felt relieved.

After making a few dishes, I went out the back door to throw away the trash.

"...Help! Someone!"

Suddenly, I heard a child's voice crying out, and I quickly looked up. I saw men running through the forest in front of me, carrying a child.

The ground ahead was glowing, and I realized it was a teleportation magic circle, which I had just learned about from a book. Remembering Evan's words, I immediately shouted.

Of course, the guards noticed the commotion and followed my command to "save the children." One stayed by my side, while the other four went after the men, taking down one after another with magic.

I wanted to help, but I would only get in the way, so I could only clench my fists and watch.

"Damn it, get out of my way! What the hell!"

In the midst of this, I heard a man spit out a curse, and the most elaborately dressed man disappeared from my sight.

"–I can't go back empty-handed."

Before I could react, I heard a voice by my ear, and a knight nearby fell. My body was enveloped in a floating sensation. I realized it was a rare teleportation magic in this country, but it was too late.

With a knife to my throat, I was captured, and the other knights stopped. Taking advantage of this, the man moved to the teleportation magic circle and forcibly pulled a few children closer.

"Grace-sama!"

The next moment, the scene in front of me had changed.