Chapter 71

It has been two days since I woke up.

"Oh... Sadie... I'm so glad you're really, really okay...!"

"You were the only one who suffered..."

Seeing my parents, who looked much thinner than the last time I saw them, crying their hearts out, I felt as if my chest was being torn apart. I firmly resolved that from now on, I would never make them worry again.

After being examined by the doctor again, it seemed that there was no problem with my health, and I felt relieved.

"How are you feeling? Please have some nourishing tea."

"Here, I bought a lot of these health charms for you. They're supposed to be good for you!"

"I'm fine. Thank you so much, Harla and Tim."

Harla had taken care of me even when I was unconscious, and she had been crying non-stop since I woke up.

Tim had also been worried about me and was now taking care of me.

Thinking that I want to cherish the people around me even more from now on, I drank the tea Harla had made for me.

"Still, it feels strange that two and a half years have passed."

To me, it felt like I had just slept for a long time, and it was strange to see changes in everyone's appearance.

Looking in the mirror, I saw that I had grown from eighteen to twenty, and I looked much more mature than in my memories.

"You still have a long life ahead of you. You can easily make up for the two and a half years."

"That's true. I want to do a lot of fun things, like Tim always said."

"Leave it to me! But not to the point where Lord Rufus gets angry."

"Hehe."

From what my parents told me, the existence of magical artifacts and the past events had all come to light, and the way people looked at me and the treatment I received had changed.

Although it was unsettling to go from being a hated villain to a pitied victim, I was glad that the scandal of the Arkwright family had been cleared up.

I was also relieved to hear that the relationship with the Langridge family had been successfully repaired.

It seems I can't go out for a while yet, but with everyone working so hard for me, I don't feel the need to go out or feel restricted.

"Everyone will be here soon, so let's get ready."

"Okay, thank you."

Eliza, Norman, and Neil were coming over.

Hearing that Neil and everyone else were safe and sound, and that there was nothing to worry about, I felt relieved that my choice that day was not a mistake.

Although they had visited me many times while I was asleep, the thought of meeting them after two years made me a bit nervous.

After changing and having my hair fixed, I was informed of their arrival.

With a mix of nervousness and joy, I greeted them in the entrance hall, and Eliza burst into tears as soon as she saw my face.

"Sadie, you really woke up! I'm so glad..."

"......"

I flinched for a moment when she hugged me, and she chuckled, sensing my reaction.

"Hehe, it's okay. It's really me inside. The Eliza you know well."

"S-Sorry. I know, but I still feel a bit unsettled."

"Of course. Your body was taken by Mabel for so long."

She smiled, saying I would get used to it slowly, and my vision blurred a little.

"Hey, we're here too. Good morning, Sadie."

Behind Eliza stood Neil, who was a bit taller than in my memories, and Norman.

Seeing them, I could tell they had been living peacefully and without hardship, and my eyes welled up again.

"Ah. I've been waiting for you, Sadie. Thank you for saving me."

I told Norman to raise his head after he bowed deeply and hugged him tightly.

"No, it's only natural. I'm sorry for making you wait."

I hugged them both and savored the joy of everyone being back in their original bodies.

After that, we moved to my room and sat around a table, where I listened to everyone's updates.

It was heartwarming to hear that they were all living peaceful and happy lives with their loved ones.

"Every time I get surprised and moved, my parents worry about me..."

"Yeah, I understand. I felt the same way at first."

For us, things that are normal for others feel like miracles. I smiled at the thought that even after two years, I still hadn't gotten used to it.

Suddenly, Eliza and Norman looked at each other, and Norman took Eliza's hand.

Neil, sitting next to me, tilted his head and said, "Ah, I see."

"Actually, we're going to get married."

"What?"

I was so surprised by the news that I almost dropped my teacup.

Neil quickly caught it, but I could only stare at them in a daze.

"Well, I kind of had a feeling..."

"I'm sorry for keeping it a secret. We really wanted to tell you first."

"Ah..."

They smiled at each other, and my heart swelled with emotion.

"Congratulations! I'm so happy that Eliza and Norman are getting married..."

"Thank you. I'm glad you're happy for us."

"Sorry... I'm overwhelmed with surprise and happiness..."

Eliza handed me a handkerchief as my eyes welled up again.

—Over time, while supporting each other from that village, not only family and friendship but also romantic feelings had blossomed.

They must have waited for me to wake up. Even with two years, they could have made all the preparations for the wedding.

"Congratulations! I'll do my best to celebrate for you!"

"Thank you. I'll make sure Eliza is happy."

"Y-Yes, yes!"

Seeing Eliza smile happily at Norman's words, my tears overflowed even more.

They plan to start preparing for the wedding and have the ceremony next spring.

Looking forward to it, I felt elated, and the three of them looked at me with warm, gentle eyes.

"Ah, I want to get married too. It's not fair that I'm the only one with no plans."

Neil puffed out one cheek, and when I said I had no plans either, he looked at me in disbelief.

"Sadie, you'll get married to Lord Rufus, right?"

"Uh... Well..."

"Haven't you talked about it yet?"

I did feel that Rufus and I were in love, but we hadn't discussed such matters.

Since I woke up, so many things have happened, and I hadn't even had the chance to tell him I loved him since I confessed right before I returned to my original body.

But of course, I want to be with him. Thinking about what I would do if I married Rufus, my face grew hot.

"Sadie, you're as cute as ever."

"Lord Rufus also needs time and preparation. It's not our place to say much."

"You're right. I shouldn't have asked such a tactless question."

Feeling their warm gazes, my face grew hotter.

If I could be with Rufus forever, there would be nothing happier than that.

Neil seemed content with his current free and easy life and said he wanted to take his time with love.

Rejoicing that everyone was back in their original bodies and could laugh and talk about the future, I felt truly happy.

"Everyone, I'm so glad you're all happy—"

But I stopped mid-sentence. The future I had hoped for and imagined included one more person.

"...What happened to Gerald?"

The moment I asked, the room fell silent.