Chapter 8

I certainly didn't expect to meet Rufus here. His slanted eyes were also wide open in surprise.

Unlike the last time I saw him, he stood right in front of me, much taller than I am, and had grown into a mature man. Still, there was a trace of the old days, and I felt a sense of nostalgia.

Without realizing it, I stared at his beautiful face, and he suddenly averted his gaze.

After all, I was told never to show my face again. Even now, he must have only given me the book without recognizing me, and he probably didn't want to see me at all. He must be holding back his anger, so I hurriedly opened my mouth.

"Um, really thank you."

"......Huh?"

"It's not something that can be resolved with just an apology, but I'm really sorry. I won't cause any more trouble for Rufus or the Marquess family."

I wanted to thank him for not blaming the Marquess family when I caused a terrible incident, and for always caring for me for so long.

And I wanted to make sure that I would never cause any more trouble for him or the Marquess family.

"......"

"......"

An awkward silence continued. He must have completely lost his patience with me for involving his precious family. It's only natural.

I wanted to talk to him, to have one more chance to explain the situation, but it might be better for him to have nothing more to do with me. Just as I was about to say thank you one more time and leave, he spoke.

"......Why are you trying to read such a book?"

"Huh? Well, I'm studying..."

To my surprise, he was the one who spoke first. His gaze was directed at the book in my hand.

Confused by the unexpected question, I answered, and he frowned.

"Why are you dressed like that?"

"Well, I like this color."

He must be referring to this simple, pale sky-blue dress. The day after borrowing my mother's dress, my father bought me many beautiful dresses.

By the way, I only applied a light layer of makeup and let my hair down. Indeed, I might look quite different from the me he knew.

"Does it look bad?"

"I didn't say that."

"Oh, good."

"......Is it good?"

"Yeah."

As I answered, he frowned even more.

"Rufus hasn't changed, has he?"

"What?"

"You always ask questions."

Thinking back, even as a child, he always asked me things like "What color do you like, Sadey?" "What kind of food do you like?" "Do you like me?" and I couldn't help but smile.

– Why did it end up like this? Neither I nor Rufus did anything wrong.

"......Why?"

As Rufus muttered, his hand slowly and hesitantly reached out toward me. At that moment,

"Sadey?"

I turned to see Gerald walking toward me, apparently having finished his business earlier than expected.

When I glanced back at Rufus, his eyes were cold, and the hand that had been reaching out was now hanging straight down.

"Is it him this time?"

"Huh?"

"Are you done with Lloyd?"

The sudden mention of an unfamiliar name made me say "Huh?" again. Who is Lloyd?

Before I could think of a response, Rufus turned and left.

◇◇◇

"You really are different today."

In a corner of a certain evening party, I said to Rufus.

"Despite not being on duty, you suddenly showed up in civilian clothes and destroyed a training room."

"......I'm sorry."

Of course, I knew the reason. The training room can be easily restored with magic, so it's not a problem.

"I met Sadey."

"Figures."

Whenever this man acts strangely, it's always because of her. Even though they just broke their engagement, I asked what was wrong today, and he covered his mouth with his left hand and muttered.

"She was cute."

"......Huh?"

"She was cute, I said."

According to him, today she had a soft aura, and her appearance was no longer harsh; she looked like a fairy, incredibly cute. After seeing Gerald Findlay, who came to pick her up, he was shocked and went to the training room to vent his feelings.

Normally, I would have thought he was seeing things, but I had a clue. A few days ago, when I went to a city café with my much younger sister, I met a woman who looked exactly like her.

She showed concern for my crying sister and quickly fixed a broken stuffed animal. She treated me as if we were meeting for the first time.

Even now, I can't think of anyone else who just looks like her. Her demeanor and actions were completely different.

"......Is she good at sewing?"

"Sewing? She can't even thread a needle."

"Right."

Clearly, it was just a resemblance. The skillful movements were undoubtedly those of someone who had been doing it for a long time.

But if that's the case, who was the woman Rufus saw today?

"She was holding a water magic book at the Royal Library."

"That's strange. She's not a mage, is she?"

"No, Sadey is a mage."

"Huh?"

I've never heard such a thing. Moreover, if she were a mage, she would have attended the magic academy, where her presence was never seen.

"Although I never told anyone, Sadey definitely used water magic when she was a child."

"......What?"

Magic power cannot be hidden. With the number of mages decreasing and becoming precious, all citizens are tested when they reach the age to attend the magic academy. It should be impossible to hide it.

Moreover, I've never heard of magic power disappearing once it exists. However, I didn't think Rufus would lie about something like this. As I was thinking, a blinding golden light entered my field of vision.

"Hehe, it's a shame for the admired captain and vice-captain to be in such a corner, isn't it?"

"......Eliza."

The one who appeared with a flower-like smile was Eliza Haines, the daughter of a baron. She is the complete opposite of that wicked Sadey Arkwright.

I've never heard a bad word about her; she is well-known in society and is the object of many men's admiration.

"What were you talking about?"

"Sadey."

When Rufus answered, she lowered her eyebrows and smiled in a troubled manner.

"......Actually, I went to the Arkwright Marquess family's house the other day."

"What?"

"I was called by Sadey for some consultation."

Indeed, that woman was the only one with whom the sociable Eliza ever conversed. She usually said things like "Ugly" and "What a gloomy face" to other young ladies, causing them to dislike her.

"I don't want to say bad things about people, but..."

After showing a hesitant and puzzled look, she seemed to make a decision.

"Please be careful with Sadey. She hasn't given up on the Langridge Marquess family yet."

Eliza took Rufus's hand, her voice trembling as if she was about to cry, and said those words.