Chapter 18

"......R-really, it's Norman?"

My voice trembled more than I had expected. To me, he clearly replied, "Yeah, it's me."

Is it really the real Norman? The way he couldn't hide his joy made me involuntarily feel hopeful.

"I've been with you and Eliza all along."

"......"

"I'm really glad to see that Sadie is doing well."

I suppressed my racing heart and asked, "How did you know it was me, Sadie?"

"I saw you walking, and there were people nearby talking about how that was the notorious villainess Sadie Arkwright. I've been investigating a lot since I got back into this body, and I wanted to meet you soon, so I couldn't help but be happy and call out to you."

Neil said the same thing. Among the noble ladies of the same generation, there was no one else named Sadie but me.

"Do you have time to talk now? I'll treat you to something better than that tasteless soup and hard bread."

From the way he spoke, he must be the real Norman. When I nodded, Norman smiled happily.

"That's great. That café over there looks nice. Shall we go in?"

He pointed to a stylish café on the main street. After briefly explaining Norman to Harla and Tim, we were about to enter the café when—

Suddenly, Tim pulled my arm forcefully, and I found myself hidden behind him. In his hand, a sword appeared out of nowhere.

"Ah!"

"Quick, run! You'll be eaten!"

"Why are ice wolves here...!"

Screams and shouts erupted from all around.

Panicking, I looked around and saw several wolf-like beasts. I was speechless. Why were beasts here? Mr. Lamorna had just taught us that they don't come into the city. The situation seemed abnormal from the reactions of the townspeople.

Tim said, "Miss, please stay back!" and ran towards the two beasts coming our way.

Confused by the sudden turn of events, I couldn't move. The sight of the beasts, which I had never seen before, was terrifying.

"Sadie, watch out!"

An ice chunk spat by the ice wolf was heading towards us, and Norman immediately shielded me, hugging me. The ice chunk grazed his arm, and blood flowed, making me want to cry.

I felt guilty for doubting him even for a moment.

"Norman, I'm sorry, let me treat your wound right away."

"I'm fine, don't look so worried."

Despite the pain in his arm, Norman smiled. His expression made my heart ache.

"Let's get out of here first."

"But everyone—"

"They all want you to be safe."

Tim continued to fight several beasts. Behind the guards fighting other ice wolves, I saw Harla, who seemed to be unharmed, and I felt a bit relieved.

"Sadie, hurry."

I was pulled forcefully and started running. Praying that everyone would be safe, I left the scene.

◇◇◇

"Sadie, are you okay?"

"Y-yes..."

We ran without understanding what was happening and eventually reached a back alley. It was deserted and very dark.

He smiled, thinking we were safe here.

"Is everyone okay...?"

I had escaped alone, but I was worried about everyone else. I planned to find a carriage nearby, avoid the previous road, and return to the mansion.

"I'm sorry, Sadie."

Suddenly, Norman muttered. I wondered what he was apologizing for and looked up.

Then, several men appeared from behind him. I finally realized something was wrong.

"You being around is a problem for us."

"Norman...?"

"Haha, the Norman you're talking about is still there. This body belongs to Norman Bowen, though."

His words hit me like a punch. As I understood what he meant, I felt the blood drain from my face.

"It was hard to get you out since you always have a bunch of guards with you."

—This man is one of the culprits who stole our bodies. The one who took our lives, the one I can never forgive, is right in front of me.

And Norman is still in that place, in this man's body. Not everyone has returned to their original bodies. Eliza might still be there too.

Thinking about it made me want to cry, and a surge of indescribable anger welled up inside me. I raised my right hand, but it was immediately grabbed tightly.

"I won't forgive you...!"

"Of course not. But we don't want to give up the life we finally got."

"Are you going to take me back to that place...?"

"No, I'll have you and Tabitha killed."

Who is Tabitha? The man in front of me, who said "killed" without hesitation, was terrifying.

"Actually, you're my type. If that guy wasn't so annoying, I could have kept you alive and taken care of you."

He pulled my wrist and leaned in close. I didn't want to hear those words from Norman's body and voice.

"......I was going to kill you right away, but I guess a little play is allowed, right?"

His words sent a chill down my spine. I couldn't bear to be killed or harmed by such a person.

Desperately trying to think of a way to escape, even using water magic I couldn't control, I suddenly saw the men at the edge of my vision fall over.

A dull thud echoed, and the man who had taken Norman's body turned his head. He seemed surprised by the unexpected turn of events, his eyes widening.

"Hey, what's wrong with you guys? What happened?"

In the silence, someone's footsteps approached from the darkness. The man, panicking, wrapped his arm around my neck, perhaps to use me as a hostage.

The tense air was suddenly broken by a familiar voice, "Hey."

Despite my disbelief, when I saw the face of the person who appeared, I was speechless.

—Why is he here?

"What are you doing to Sadie?"

Gerald, expressionless, tilted his head and asked.