Chapter 43

Let's fight Nella.

Perhaps it was because she left me with magic that I could think so clearly. In the small chest of Rabi, it turned into the word "courage," filled with overflowing light.

(I didn't want to run. I wanted to fight.)

But I thought it was impossible for me. I had given up, prepared half-heartedly, and kept telling myself it was impossible. "If I've decided, I have to act." I rummaged through various things I had hidden from Mari and burst out of the room. I thought Sai's presence would be reassuring, but I acted quickly without his notice. I also needed to confirm with Matthew. After his class ended, I cornered him and asked several questions. It was a relief that we could now have a proper conversation.

Then came Leon's shop. It was incredibly busy, even more so than before. Rabi repeated the pond-pata more thoroughly than usual. She did it obsessively.

"…Lady Rabi"

Pata pata.

"Lady Rabi"

Pata pata pata pata.

"Lady Rabi!"

"Yes!!!"

It was the first time in a while that she felt Sai's pressure. It was different when he looked down at her. She had almost forgotten how imposing he could be, given his recent kindness. She wiped her wet hands with a towel and tried to act nonchalant. "Is something wrong?" Sai glared at her in silence… or so it seemed, but in reality, he was just squinting, and she already knew this was his imposing look. Recently, Rabi had become quite adept at maintaining a smile.

Smiling at him, Sai sighed after a moment. "Lately, you seem…" He must have sensed something. She tried to smile and brush it off, but his unexpected words caught her off guard. "You seem more worn out than before." "What?!!!" It was a rare outburst from the mad lady.

While screaming, Rabi held her head. "Worn out… worn out!?" Even the slightest change would be a concern for her, who had always chanted like a spell to stay healthy. (And now, I, I…!!!?) The busyness must have prevented her from replenishing herself through food. Overwhelmed by regret, Rabi collapsed.

Sighing again at her, Sai knelt down. "Lady Rabi, if you're doing something with great enthusiasm, and if you have any worries, please tell me first." While squeezing the algae that had stuck to her from the pond, Rabi looked at Sai. He was handsome.

No, really handsome. His tone and attitude were so appealing. Rabi calmly slapped her own forehead, realizing she was probably infatuated. Even his simplest words made her overthink. "N-no, I'm fine." She tried to respond calmly, but her voice trembled. This made Sai lean in closer, and she wanted to jump into the pond to cool her head.

"Really! I'm fine."

She didn't distrust him. But this was Rabi's problem, and she needed to prepare to fight alone.

Standing tall and firm, Rabi left Sai speechless, but he felt a sense of unease. She, who had always been fearful, was now walking on her own. He squinted.

They returned to the dormitory from the courtyard, maintaining the same distance. It was reassuring, but also a bit lonely. This distance would probably never change, and might even grow wider. (Lord Sai and I, we just don't match.) Her family was of higher status, and her engagement to Baldo was about to be broken, but that wasn't the issue.

She was just a nuisance, a woman with no place in his world, whether it was chicken bones or dried fish, it didn't matter. She vowed to keep her feelings for him tightly sealed. She might indulge in her own thoughts, but she hoped that would be forgiven. More importantly, it was Nella. Somehow, the heavy burden of "protecting this country" had fallen on Rabi's slender shoulders. She couldn't afford to break down or cry.

(I've gathered as much information as I can. Now, all I need to do is lay the groundwork...)

Honestly, that was the hardest part. As she pondered this, a familiar boy wandered into view. His green hair, tied with a red ribbon, and his suspicious movements caught her attention.

"Hey, Lady."

Before she could speak, the boy approached her. Sai had already stepped in front of Rabi protectively. His stern expression mirrored the boy's. "Lord Sai, it's fine. This is a merchant I know." Trying to sound friendly, Rabi called out to Leon.

He was a chameleon. The more she was on guard, the more he mirrored her. That's why she quickly intervened.

"Leon, this is Lord Sai Narsol. He usually guards the prince." "Ah, the son of the Holy Knight? Nice to meet you, I'm Leon Hamilion. As you might have heard, I'm from the Hamilion Trading Company." "…Sai Narsol."

It was a bit difficult to be cheerful, but the greeting was somehow completed. Still, she wondered why Leon was here. (Maybe...) She looked at his clothes. A bad feeling crept over her.

"…Leon, by any chance…"

"Ah, you noticed? Yeah, I'm transferring to this academy."

He showed off his new uniform and grinned. "…Why?" Rabi's tone had cooled, understandably. Because Leon wouldn't transfer to the academy unless his event progressed, and his transfer was supposed to be much later in the game. It was almost impossible for him to arrive so soon after the exchange tournament, in the middle of summer.

Unaware or indifferent to Rabi's coldness, Leon shook his head cheerfully. "Ha, why?" He slowly pointed at Rabi. "Because, there's someone so interesting here. It's crazy and fun. I was interested in the academy anyway, so I wanted to come."

—The story was completely off track.

Those words should have been directed at Nella. Rabi was stunned, her eyes wide. The story was rapidly unfolding, and her actions were creating ripples that spread far and wide.

Several nights later, the boy walked down a small path, relying only on the light of a lamp. He moved quickly, hiding from the occasional voices. He knew the way well and wouldn't make a mistake. Reaching the wall, he made a small sound. His gray hair peeked out from under his deep hood.

"It's been a while."

A voice came from the other side of the wall. They couldn't see each other, but this was their method of communication. "I've run into some trouble. Can I count on you?" Of course. Sai sighed at the familiar, carefree voice.

"Everything is already prepared, for my lord."

***

Rabi didn't fully understand Nella.

The time she spent preparing to fight Nella meant Nella had time to prepare as well. Nella rapidly solidified her position, claimed to be the Holy Maiden, and exposed Rabi's nonexistent crimes.

Thus, Rabi was confined to the mansion until the day of her condemnation, cut off from all outside contact. The day of her beheading was just a few days away.