Chapter 63

She was surrounded by a large crowd of people, and even from a distance, she looked beautiful and adorable, just like the heroine of the novel I used to love.

As I was captivated by her brilliance, it seemed that Ranhart also noticed her presence.

"Hey, she's here too. I really see her a lot."

"Oh, her eyes are so big, yet her face is so small... Her eyelashes are long and fine, and her skin is so white..."

"I think you haven't changed either."

Ranhart was smiling wryly, but as a fan of the original work, I was excited by Charlotte's appearance, which had become even more beautiful and refined since the last time I saw her.

To me, it felt like seeing a celebrity.

"...She really is cute."

I could understand why anyone, even Lord Zain, would be drawn to her. My heart ached again, but I told myself not to mind, not to mind, and turned away.

Thanks to Ranhart, I was able to enjoy the ball without dancing, and before I knew it, the date had changed.

"Are you tired? Let's go out and get some fresh air."

"Yes, thank you."

The timing of his invitation to take a break was perfect, and I realized that a man who was so considerate couldn't help but be popular as I took his offered hand and moved from the terrace to the garden.

The pleasant night breeze stirred Ranhart's slightly long hair. His amethyst eyes were fixed on the moon, which was partially obscured by thin clouds in the night sky.

"I like the moon. Sometimes I stare at it for hours without realizing it."

"Surprising. You seem like a sun person."

"Hehe, I'm often told that."

I've heard that people who like the moon are gentle and sensitive. Ranhart always acts cheerful, but perhaps he has such a side.

As I was thinking about this, I was about to bring up the topic of the star I had just noticed.

"Hey, that star—"

"Shh."

Suddenly, a finger was placed on my lips, and I hastily closed my mouth.

I followed Ranhart's gaze to see Lord Zain and Charlotte standing close to each other by the fountain.

Their faces were pressed together, and even from a distance, it was obvious what they were doing.

"...What?"

At that moment, I felt as if cold water had been poured over my head, and my whole body turned cold.

—Why are they here? Lord Zain wasn't in the ballroom a moment ago. Did he come to meet Charlotte?

These questions flooded my mind without end.

Eventually, their faces separated, and Charlotte's expression, though shy, was filled with joy and happiness, like a girl in love.

I could feel that she loved Lord Zain. I couldn't look away from the beautiful scene I had seen many times in the novel's illustrations.

I used to love such a couple, but now it felt as if my heart was being tightly gripped, making it hard to breathe.

"..."

I never imagined that they would have such a relationship in just two months.

But they are the destined couple, the protagonist and the heroine. Perhaps it was inevitable that they would be drawn to each other.

If I, who was supposed to have already exited the story, were gone, it would be even more so. Ranhart, standing next to me, also seemed surprised, muttering, "Wow, this is unexpected."

"But, it's good, right? Now you can—"

He stopped mid-sentence, looking at me, and then fell silent.

He smiled awkwardly and said, "Come here," pulling my hand and walking in the opposite direction from where Lord Zain and Charlotte were.

We stopped in a dark, secluded spot under a tree, and I was embraced by Ranhart.

"...You really are a fool. You made this happen yourself, yet you're crying."

Only then did I realize I was crying. The tears running down my cheeks were soaking Ranhart's jacket.

"Why...?"

I didn't understand. I didn't know why I was crying. Lord Zain and Charlotte getting along well should have been something to be happy about.

I had been working hard for this ever since I was reborn as Grace Sentsberry.

—Yet, why did I feel so unbearably sad and painful?

"...Ugh..."

I found myself sobbing, and Ranhart patted my back gently, as if comforting a child.

His gentle touch and warmth only made me cry more.

"If you hate it so much, you shouldn't have tried to break up with him."

"But, it couldn't be helped..."

"Ah, for world peace, right?"

My intentions didn't matter. I thought that since I was reborn as a character in a novel, it was inevitable.

I should have been grateful just for getting a chance to be reborn as a wealthy marquise's daughter, but I became greedy.

I had the foolish dream of standing next to the protagonist, even though I was just a minor villain character.

"Besides, you can't work so hard for someone you don't care about."

"..."

Ranhart's words were undoubtedly true, and they sank deep into my heart.

—Of course, I was afraid of war and didn't want to die, but the main driving force was the wish for Lord Zain to be happy.

And it wasn't just because he was the hero of my favorite novel.

I was hopelessly drawn to Zain Winslett as a person.

"...I really am a fool."

What a hopeless, irredeemable love I had fallen into.

Still, somewhere in my heart, I thought it was inevitable.

Falling in love with Lord Zain, who was so wonderful, and being told that he loved me, and being treated specially—how could I not fall in love from the beginning?

"I'm not as kind as you, and I'm selfish. If I were in the same situation, I would prioritize my own feelings."

"I'm selfish enough too."

While saying that I wanted Lord Zain and Charlotte to get along well, I might have secretly hoped that Lord Zain still liked me.

'If I give up on you here, I'll definitely regret it for the rest of my life.'

I must have imagined an impossible future because of such words.

I was so frustrated with my own foolishness that I couldn't stop crying.

"I'm quite a scoundrel, you know."

"...What?"

In the midst of this, I was surprised by Ranhart's sudden confession, which seemed out of place in the current atmosphere.

He wiped my tears with his fingertips and smiled awkwardly.

"I don't really care when a woman cries after I propose a breakup. Sometimes I even think it's a hassle."

I was a little surprised by Ranhart's words, always so kind to women, but I thought that not showing his true feelings was also a form of kindness.

Ranhart continued, "But I really don't like seeing you cry."

Surprised, my tears stopped.

My heart leaped, and I couldn't look away from his amethyst eyes.

"I don't know why, but—"

Seeing me frozen in shock, Ranhart chuckled.

"You should come to me. I'll take good care of you."

At such a time, who wouldn't be moved by such words?

After a moment, the only words that came out of my mouth were, "That's... unfair," and Ranhart laughed, saying, "I'm often told that," and patted my head.

"Well, for tonight, just cry your heart out using me."

"...Thank you."

This was definitely the right thing to do. If Lord Zain and Charlotte were to be together, the story would proceed as in the novel, and I wouldn't have to worry anymore.

But for tonight, I wanted to cry my heart out.

I clung tightly to Ranhart's jacket and continued to cry for a while.