Chapter 6

After that, I thanked the strange man and was given a delicious cake and tea. I then went straight home.

While having dinner, I told my parents about the day's events, which I found very enjoyable, and they listened with great delight. It seems that I had always had my meals brought to my room and eaten alone. The thought of how lonely I must have been made my heart ache.

Father also promised to find a tutor for me soon.

"I'm sorry, but even though we're offering very good conditions..."

"Please don't apologize, Father. It's not your fault."

Indeed, despite the astonishingly good conditions, it seems no one can be found.

But realistically, it's strange for the notorious Sadie Arkwright to suddenly look for a tutor. It's too suspicious. I probably wouldn't accept it myself.

For a while, Mother decided to teach me various things a few times a week, so I wouldn't overexert myself.

"You really are good at sewing."

"Of course! I always did it in a hurry in the dark, so it's easy to do it slowly in the light."

"Miss..."

"Oh, it's fine! I'm sorry, don't worry about it."

Thus, I spent most of my free time sewing. Thinking that everyone would be happy, I happily continued making gifts for each of them.

I often talked to Harla.

"By the way, did I not have any friends?"

"Yes, you often provoked other young ladies and caused trouble... However, Lady Eliza visited a few times. She might have been your only friend."

"...Eliza?"

"Yes, the daughter of the Haines Baron. She was a very kind and wonderful person, even to us servants."

Coincidentally, the best friend I had in that place over the past ten years was also named Eliza. I thought it was unlikely, but it was a fairly common name for our generation.

I think I once heard her last name, but I couldn't remember it at all. In that place, we were just Sadie and Eliza.

We didn't talk much about our noble days, as it would only bring back painful memories. I hope she, like me and Gerald, has returned to her original body.

"Lady Eliza, huh."

She must be a wonderful person to get along with someone as terrible as me.

I wanted to meet her.

◇◇◇

A week has passed since I returned to my original body, and now I am writing a letter to Gerald. My handwriting is terrible, but I believe he will understand.

I wrote that I am living happily and want to meet and talk whenever it's convenient, and put it in a cute envelope.

I'm a bit worried that a letter from Sadie Arkwright might not be delivered, but I prayed that it would reach Gerald and handed it to a maid.

Thinking about having tea in the garden with Mother since the weather is nice, Harla called me, saying Father was looking for me. I went to the parlor.

My parents, sitting on the sofa, looked rather gloomy. Worried that something had happened, I sat across from them.

"Actually, this just arrived. I thought I should let you know."

Father placed a letter in front of me. It looked like an invitation.

I opened it cautiously and read the text slowly. It was formal and full of difficult words.

"Um... grapes, right?"

"Yes, that's right. A royal ball is being held next month, and this is your invitation."

A royal ball. And it's for me. I have a bad feeling about this.

"Sadie, actually, all noble young ladies who turn 18 are required to attend this ball."

"Really?"

"We attended when we were 18. It's a long-standing tradition."

I had no idea. The legal marriage age in this country is 18, and this is a traditional event to match.

"But, if you attend now, you'll only suffer. You don't have to go. I just wanted to let you know in case you hear about the ball from someone else."

"Is it really okay...?"

"Yes. There's no penalty for not attending."

They said that, but since it's mandatory, I doubt saying I don't want to go will work.

"...I understand."

For now, I replied and returned to my room.

I was worried if it was really okay not to attend, but I have no manners and can't dance. Attending might lead to even worse results.

Who should I consult in a situation like this? The servants would probably say the same thing as my parents.

After thinking for a while, I decided to write to Lady Eliza, my only friend.

◇◇◇

"Hehe, it's been a while. It's rare for a noble to call me."

A few days after sending the letter, Lady Eliza came to my house. I didn't want to confuse her by writing that I had been possessed and recently returned to my body, so I only mentioned that I had something to discuss and wanted to meet.

She was very beautiful, with silky golden hair and pink eyes. Her demeanor and words were gentle, and it was clear from the first impression that she was a wonderful woman.

I led her to my room, asked a maid to prepare tea, and requested to be left alone. After a while, Lady Eliza sipped her tea and smiled softly.

"By the way, you were finally broken off by Lord Rufus, right? Well, I think it was a natural outcome."

"...Did I do something wrong?"

"Oh, don't play dumb. I heard you used the name of the Langridge Marquess and got involved in something close to a crime."

"Really?"

I had never heard of this. I must have done something terrible. As she said, being broken off was only natural.

Rather, I should be grateful that it ended there. I don't understand the details, but the Langridge Marquess family must have been in a lot of trouble. I don't know if the entire family could have been punished.

However, my family hasn't been held responsible, and my parents haven't been blamed. I can only be grateful to the Langridge family and Lord Rufus.

"But, it's for the best. I'll take him."

"......?"

What does she mean by "take him"? I don't understand, but I was wondering where to start the conversation.

"Still, you seem different. Even you must have been shocked to be dumped by Lord Rufus?"

"Um, actually, I..."

"Hehe, you're not joking that you've returned to your original body, are you?"

She laughed softly, like the tinkling of a bell.