Chapter 11

After wandering into an unexpected place, I stumbled back to the assigned room and slumped down, utterly exhausted.

Indeed, the feelings Ralph has for me are far too heavy. He claims to be in love, but that’s definitely not love or affection. It’s something else.

But in return, he will undoubtedly protect me with all his might. To survive, I must steel my heart and be prepared to use him. As I thought this, I lay down on the bed again.

Suddenly, a knock echoed through the room, and I immediately called out, “Come in.”

“Lady Lisette…!”

The door burst open with a loud bang, and an incredibly beautiful girl rushed in, tears streaming down her face.

I wondered who she could be, but her familiar silver hair and perfectly chiseled features were unmistakable. She came straight to me, knelt down, and gently took my hand.

“Oh, it’s really Lady Lisette…! I’ve longed to meet you…!”

“…Um, are you Ralph’s sister?”

When I asked, she nodded repeatedly, tears spilling from her large, pearl-like eyes.

“Yes, my name is Nadia. I am the girl you saved that day.”

“I’m glad to see you looking so well.”

“Thank you…!”

She had grown up to be healthy and beautiful, far from the girl who was on the verge of death by the roadside that day.

When she invited me to talk, she immediately instructed the maid to prepare tea. The preparations were made so quickly that it felt like a tea party. We sat across from each other at the table.

Even now, she is a breathtakingly beautiful girl. No wonder, given that she shares the same blood as Ralph.

“Still, for my brother to keep his reunion with Lady Lisette a secret…! I can’t forgive him.”

It seems Ralph had hidden his reunion with me from her. He only found out I had been brought here just a little while ago.

“Um, Lady Nadia—”

“Please call me Nadia, Lady Lisette.”

Recognizing the familiar exchange, I accepted it. Nodding, she smiled like a flower.

“I heard you will be staying in this mansion.”

“Yes, I will be in your care.”

“Living with Lady Lisette is like a dream. I want to devote my life to serving you.”

“Um… yes…”

I could feel a similar intensity from her as I do from Ralph. I really wish they would wait. If I said that, she shook her head.

“That day, I thought I was going to die. It was painful, unbearable, and I felt so helpless and powerless.”

“…Nadia…”

“Suddenly, you appeared and saved us. You were like an angel. Warm, kind, beautiful, and radiant. I couldn’t even speak then, but I was so, so happy that you touched me, even in such a state.”

Her words, accompanied by continuous tears, made my eyes well up too.

—The depth of their feelings for me seems to be proportional to the pain and sorrow they felt back then. Thinking about it, my heart ached terribly.

“But from now on, we can be together, right?”

She said this with a voice like a tinkling bell and smiled, much like Ralph.

◇◇◇

That night, I had dinner with Ralph and Nadia. The marquess and his wife were currently in their territory and were planning to come to the capital soon.

They assured me that everything had been arranged, and I had nothing to worry about.

Still, I was continuously impressed by the marquess’s household. The dinner was incredibly luxurious, and it was so delicious that my cheeks almost fell off. Most of all, I was quite surprised by one of the fruits served for dessert.

“I love this fruit. It’s rare, isn’t it?”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“My brother has always loved it too.”

This bright red fruit, which I was eating for the first time in this life, is often found in some rural areas. It’s more sour than sweet, but I love it.

Nadia tried a bite, saying, “If Lady Lisette likes it…,” but it didn’t seem to suit her. On the other hand, Ralph continued to eat with a smile, clearly enjoying it.

“Lady Lisette, I’m usually in this mansion, so please call me if you need anything.”

“Okay, thank you.”

“It’s unfair. I want to spend more time with Lady Lisette, but I have to go back to school tomorrow…”

“School?”

“Yes. I’m currently a fourth-year student at the magic academy.”

She is a year younger than Ralph and attends the magic academy in the capital, where she is at the top of her class.

“You two are really amazing.”

“No, are you interested in magic, Lady Lisette?”

“I can’t use it, so I’m envious.”

Indeed, in this life, I can’t use magic.

In my first life, I could use healing magic. I had no one to teach me, so I used it casually, but I could heal most injuries.

In my second life, I could use a little of the same power. But in my third life and this one, I can’t use it at all, which I find very disappointing given how convenient it was.

As I thought this, I noticed Ralph staring at me intently.

“Would you like to go out with me tomorrow?”

“It’s fine, but where are we going?”

“It’s been a while since you’ve been in the capital, so I thought we could buy some things you need and take a look around.”

I immediately nodded at the offer. It had been so long since I last went shopping in the city.

“Thank you, I’m looking forward to it.”

“Thank you.”

He must be considering my feelings, having been in the countryside for so long. Indeed, Ralph is very kind. Nadia, however, pouted, thinking it was unfair.

—Unaware that I would learn an incredible truth the next day, I looked forward to my first outing in a long time with a light heart.