Chapter 10

The person I liked. I couldn't hide my surprise because I had always heard that he was always womanizing.

"It seems he was trying to hide it, but I wonder if others noticed as well."

"What kind of person was he...?"

"He was a civil servant at the royal castle, a gentle and kind person."

That I, who was called a notorious villainess, could like such a person. It seemed unbelievable.

"But it seems that Lord Lloyd didn't have those feelings. That's why he was womanizing, perhaps."

"...That's how it was, I guess."

Perhaps it wasn't that I was giving my body to other men for Rufus, but because I was thinking of Lord Lloyd. I was puzzled why I, who was considered a terrible person, was so serious about that one thing, but it made sense now.

At the same time, knowing this human side of me, who had taken everything from me, left me with an indescribable feeling. I didn't want to know.

And Rufus, who cared for me, must have noticed this. He must have been deeply hurt. Even though it wasn't my fault, my heart ached.

"Hey, why don't we stop using formal language? You're a noble, and besides, we're friends, right?"

"Friends..."

"Hehe, was I mistaken?"

"No, not at all!"

Then she smiled softly. "Then it's settled. You can call me 'Eliza' from now on."

After that, we talked happily again as a group of three, and then I saw the two of them off as it was getting late. But soon after, Gerald, who was supposed to have gone home, suddenly returned to the earl's house.

"Sorry, I wanted to talk to you alone."

"No, it's fine."

I led him back to my room and we sat facing each other.

"...Hey, Sae. I think she's suspicious."

When he said this, a surprised sound escaped my lips. Gerald, with a very serious expression, continued.

"She's too understanding, and I'm also concerned about the name. I'll do some investigating into her past."

"I, I understand..."

Before the switch, I was a notorious villainess, and Gerald was a womanizer.

That's why everyone had the impression that the switched people were all hopeless. I never doubted Lady Eliza, who was considered a model lady.

If Gerald was right, and she really was the person who had taken Eliza's body, the thought sent a shiver down my spine.

"It's best not to talk to her about unnecessary things in the future."

"Sorry, Gerald. I'll be more careful from now on."

"Don't apologize. There are hardly any people who are kind to us. I understand why you opened up to someone who was kind to you, Sae. Besides, there's a possibility that she's just a kind woman."

He said we should continue our relationship as usual, but just draw a line in my mind. It would be more convenient to observe her if we remained friendly.

"Since we don't know what might happen, it's best not to meet alone with anyone other than me in public. Make sure to have a guard with you."

I nodded deeply at his words.

◇◇◇

With only a little over a week left until the ball, I finished my lesson with Mother and returned to my room, but I had nothing to do and felt restless.

Incidentally, a few days ago, when I gave the completed gifts to everyone, they were so happy that I almost felt embarrassed.

My parents even cried with joy, and I ended up crying too. For some reason, Tim also cried. If they could be so happy, I thought I might make something again soon.

"...Ah, that's right."

In the end, I came to the library alone. As usual, Tim followed me.

I took out a detailed map of the country, a plant encyclopedia, and an insect encyclopedia from the bookshelf.

I wanted to know where the place we had been was. However, there were only fields and forests, and hardly any other clues. But Norman once told me that the plants and animals that live in a place vary depending on the location.

Since I spent a lot of time outdoors, I had become somewhat knowledgeable about such things. I thought that by comparing them, I could narrow down the possibilities.

Incidentally, it seems that the Duke and Duchess, Gerald's parents, are also investigating the current incident with him.

Embarrassingly, when my parents consulted a magician and a knight about the matter of my body being taken over, they laughed it off, thinking I was just saying something strange again. It was too sad.

While sitting in a chair and looking through the encyclopedia for something familiar, I suddenly felt a gaze and looked up to see Rufus standing there.

"......"

"......"

Our gazes were locked, but I didn't know if I should speak, and an awkward silence continued. We had just met here a few days ago, and reading might be his hobby.

I had heard that he had become the head of the knight order recently. It must be uncomfortable for him to have me here during his precious break from his busy schedule. I thought about going to a different library next time.

"Why are you reading something like that?"

His gaze was on the insect encyclopedia I was looking at. It must seem strange that I was reading such a thing.

"Well, I'm doing some research."

"Do you like insects?"

"No, not really..."

I didn't think he would believe me if I told him the truth, so I gave an ambiguous answer. Rufus then left without saying anything more.

After that, I continued to look for familiar plants and animals and take notes on their habitats.

About an hour later, a loud explosion-like sound suddenly rang out, and the building became noisy.

The smell of burning and smoke rushed in. It must be a fire or some other incident. Just as I was thinking this, I was suddenly pulled up by someone from behind.

I thought it was Tim, who had been standing behind me, but when I turned around, it was Rufus who had grabbed my arm.

"What are you standing around for? Let's go quickly."

"Y-Yes."

Rufus pulled me along, running outside. He was running slowly to match my pace. He could have escaped quickly on his own, but he was considerate.

Tim was following right behind me, looking moved.

We finally made it outside, where a woman was being held down by the people around her, crying and screaming. It seemed that her son's magic had gone out of control.

And a child was left behind in the burning building. The center of the fire was particularly intense, making it impossible to approach.

"I am a wind mage, so I am the worst match for fire... Lord Rufus is the same, right?"

"...Yes."

Even the two of them, who were skilled, seemed helpless against the raging flames, clenching their fists tightly.

Even if the child could withstand the fire he had created, the building would eventually collapse, and he wouldn't be able to survive. The mother's anguished cries tore at my heart.

"Call a water mage quickly!"

Hearing this, I was startled. The fire was spreading rapidly. I had heard that mages were rare and valuable, and there was no time to wait for help.

I had read about how to use magic in books. In this situation, if I caused a magic surge, it might turn out well.

"Rufus, thank you. Can you let go of my arm?"

I was suddenly released from his grip and untied the ribbon from the decoration on the chest of my dress. I pulled up the hem of my dress to make it easier to run and tied it tightly with the ribbon.

Rufus's eyes wavered in confusion.

"...Hey, what are you planning to do?"

As I tied my long hair, I answered his question.

"I'm going to save the child."