Chapter 52

"…………sigh"

Letting out a sigh I can't count how many times today, for some reason, Evan standing nearby took a deep breath.

He has been doing something like deep breathing repeatedly, and out of curiosity, I asked him casually, "What are you doing?"

"I'm trying to inhale the happiness that the young lady sighed and ran away with, hoping for something good to happen since I've been having bad luck lately."

"You're the most insane I've ever felt."

Being with Evan makes me feel silly about all my worries, but it's true that I find solace in him.

"So, what are you so worried about?"

"I'm not sure myself… hmm"

– What does Zain think of Charlotte? Have they been interacting since then?

‘Being by your side is the greatest happiness for me’

Every time I recall the content of the novel or imagine the two of them together, my chest aches and I feel suffocated.

Of course, it's natural and should be a happy thing for the main characters Zain and Charlotte to get closer.

Haniwa, as if worried about me, clung to my arm with her short arms.

"pupu, pepi, papapi?"

"Haniwa, you're the cutest in the world, I love you."

"pupi!"

When I pet her, she rubbed her cheek against me happily. I've been practicing magic with Evan, and it seems my abilities have improved, making her expressions more expressive than before.

Although I still don't understand what she's saying, I've noticed a few words she often uses.

The most common word is "pepi," followed by "pupu" and "pupi." It seems she understands our language well, and my dream is to understand Haniwa's language and eventually chat with her.

"Miss, you have another bouquet of flowers and letters."

"Thank you."

In Yana's hands are a large, colorful bouquet and two envelopes. Since I went to the Gardner Marquis' residence, I've been receiving frequent letters and gifts from Ranhardt.

When I opened the letter and read it, the sweet words made me want to scream.

I've received several letters from Zain as well, but I haven't been able to open them. If I read them, I know I'll be overwhelmed with guilt.

Since I haven't run away to break up, Zain hasn't taken any particular action. He's always busy, so it's natural.

"Are you dating Ranhardt now?"

"No, we're still just friends."

"But this doesn't seem like something you'd give to a friend, does it?"

The flower language in the bouquet is quite passionate, and I'm afraid to look it up.

– By the way, I turned down Ranhardt's offer.

I have no certainty that I can fall in love with him, and although I panicked, I thought it would be fine to observe for a while since we've only just met.

In the novel, the two of them gradually fell for each other, and since Zain isn't hurt yet, it's not strange for the story to take longer than usual.

Zain hasn't made any moves, and with the change of us meeting, I plan to observe the situation without taking any rash actions.

‘What, that's a shame. But I'm the type who wants what I can't have even more.’

However, it seems I've only fueled Ranhardt's mysterious enthusiasm, leading to this situation.

I feel like he finds my confusion amusing, but he did help me when I was in trouble from the beginning, and considering he said "Will you go out with me?" the next time we met, he might just like Grace's face.

"Also, you have a letter from Mariabel."

"Oh…"

In fact, I've been receiving cute letters from Mariabel regularly, and I can't ignore her.

I've been replying with content that avoids any mention of Zain, but I'm reaching my limit.

The pink stationery is filled with recent happy events, the dishes she's made, Zain's recent status, and her desire to meet me, making my heart feel crushed.

Zain seems to be having a very busy time, and I feel partly responsible, which makes me even more apologetic.

"…………painful"

I buried my face in my arms on the table. It's so painful to have to keep my distance from and be cold to the people I care about.

I don't know how many times I've cursed my fate for becoming Grace Sentsberry.

Still, there are people I wouldn't have met if I weren't Grace, and I know complaining won't change anything.

"……Alright!"

Thinking that I'd just keep dwelling on unnecessary things if I didn't do something, I slapped my cheeks and started planning my next steps.

◇◇◇

The next day, I arrived at Mireille. The preparations inside the store are almost complete, and it looks like a perfect restaurant.

I've been hiding the fact that it's my store, and I've successfully found employees to work there. I've been teaching them while in disguise, and if things go well, we should be able to open next month.

Thinking about this, my heart races as I prepare the ingredients for the dishes. Suddenly, Ranhardt peered from behind me.

"Wow, you really can cook."

Yes, today, as promised, Ranhardt is visiting Mireille with me. He's been looking around curiously, looking quite pleased.

It's probably rare for him to visit a place like this or see the kitchen and other back areas.

"I don't lie about things like that."

"But, it's hard to believe that a noble lady, let alone Grace Sentsberry, can cook, isn't it?"

"You might be right."

As we chatted, the moment Ranhardt put his arm around my waist, Haniwa flew over and hit his hand.

"pape! pape! pepipopo!"

"Ouch… This kid definitely doesn't like me."

"Hehe, thank you, Haniwa."

Although it's the first time they've met today, it seems Haniwa doesn't like Ranhardt, and she's been hitting his hand every time he touches me.

Since Haniwa doesn't react this way when Zain touches me, it seems she has some criteria in her mind.

Just then, the doorbell rang, signaling a customer.