Chapter 16

The next day. Cecilia was in the forest behind the cottage. Surrounded by lush greenery, she walked briskly. She had no specific destination in mind.

(Finally, I managed to shake him off...)

Cecilia sighed, glancing back. The reason she was in such a place was to get rid of Oscar, who would follow her wherever she went.

(He follows me even when I try to read a book in the library, sits next to me when I rest in the shade, and is always around when I want to talk to Lean or Gil!!)

Whenever Cecilia moved even a step, he would ask, "Are you okay?" and follow her wherever she went. It was probably out of concern for her frail health, but for Cecilia, who couldn't let him see her face, it was nothing but a nuisance.

(If it were Cecil, it would be fine...)

Even though she knew Oscar had no ill intentions, she still sighed. She had said she was going to the bathroom and fled to this place, so Oscar might be searching around the cottage by now. She felt genuinely sorry about that.

Cecilia continued through the forest. The trees weren't dense enough to call it a forest, but the cottage was no longer visible behind her.

(By the way, what did we talk about yesterday...?)

What came to mind was the sight of Lean and Gilbert leaving the room. She had asked Lean what had happened when she returned to the room, but Lean had simply said, "It's none of your business."

(Gil seemed to be in a bad mood this morning too...)

It wasn't as if he was angry, but his expression was poor. When she tried to talk to him, he seemed to have something stuck in his teeth and wasn't clear.

(What did Gil and Lean talk about...?)

Cecilia tilted her head. After thinking for a while, she suddenly raised her head in realization.

"Could it be! Did he confess to Lean and get rejected!?"

Cecilia screamed and clutched her head. It was a blind spot. A complete blind spot. It was a known fact that Lean and Huey had become a couple, and Gilbert had always seemed fine, so she hadn't thought about it, but he was supposed to have a crush on Lean. After all, it was a case of love at first sight and his first love.

(Gil doesn't show his feelings, though. But, if that's the case, their reactions make sense...)

Oscar's reaction had been rather indifferent, considering he had just been rejected. Perhaps, in this world, it was embarrassing for men to show their heartbreak.

(But, what should I do? How can I comfort him? Or should I just leave him alone?)

She wanted to comfort him somehow, but being comforted by her sister-in-law might not make him feel better. As they say, "a new love heals a broken heart," but she had no one to introduce him to.

"I really do rely on others a lot..."

She felt useless at crucial moments and was truly sorry. Cecilia's shoulders drooped slightly.

"Still, Gil has grown up so much. When we first met, he was so small."

Cecilia reached down to her knees. She kept in mind that she had been about the same height back then.

"It's a bit sad, isn't it?"

Watching a child grow must always feel like this. If so, it's a bit heart-wrenching.

(Huh?)

At that moment, Cecilia stopped. She looked around and furrowed her brow.

(Oh no. Did I go too far from the cottage?)

She might be outside the security perimeter. Cold sweat trickled down her cheek.

The cottage's security was set up in concentric circles to prevent outsiders from entering. However, only the innermost security was strict. There were gaps in the outer security. Still, it would take a lot of luck to exploit all the gaps. Normally, one would be caught like Mordred.

(It seems I have quite a bit of luck...)

She hadn't run into any security personnel on her way here. The innermost security personnel had called out to her, but she had simply smiled and said, "I just want to pick some flowers over there," and they let her through. Of course, their job was to keep outsiders out, not to prevent insiders from leaving. Few of the hired staff would question them.

(If I'm outside the security perimeter, it's a bit dangerous. I should go back...)

Just as Cecilia turned to leave, she was stopped by a sharp voice. "Hey!" She cautiously turned around to see two young men, both with leaves on their heads and shoulders.

One had dull brown hair and black eyes. He was slightly taller than Cecilia, with a thin chest and a lanky build. He didn't look bad, but he had an air of authority.

The other had a bowl cut and glasses. He was short and small. Compared to the other, he seemed nervous.

They both looked like the children of nobles or wealthy families, judging by their clothes.

(They look like the 'boss of the kids' and the 'goldfish's poop'...)

It was a rude first impression, but they certainly looked the part.

(But, I feel like I've seen these two somewhere...)

"Are you a local around here?"

"Um..."

This area belonged to the Sylvie family, but it wasn't rented out. It was a nature reserve set aside for her father, who loved birdwatching.

"Well, yes..."

She didn't feel like telling the truth, so she nodded ambiguously. The boss of the kids brushed the leaves off his shoulder and approached her.

"I heard there's a Sylvie family cottage around here, but I got lost. Do you know where it is?"

"Well..."

She nodded ambiguously again. The cottage's existence wasn't a secret, but it wasn't public knowledge. Only a select few knew about it. In other words, he was either one of those 'select few' or someone who could act on behalf of one of them.

(That means I can't just brush him off with a lie...)

He might be a child of her parents' acquaintances or relatives. Either way, she couldn't help but wonder why now...

The boss of the kids pointed behind Cecilia with his chin, acting superior.

"If you know, show me the way."

"Huh?"

"Didn't you hear me? I said, 'Show me the way, you slowpoke.'"

"..."

Was that how one asked for help? Even if Cecilia looked like a commoner and he was a noble, his attitude was far too rude. One couldn't help but worry about what his parents and tutors were teaching him.

Cecilia swallowed the complaints that had risen to her throat and forced a smile. Getting angry here wouldn't be wise.

"Excuse me, but who are you?"

"I'm Ticky Colson."

"Colson?"

"Yes. The Duke of Colson, that Colson."

"Bernard Broussais..."

Behind Ticky, the bowl-cut glasses introduced himself in a weak voice. At that moment, Cecilia was struck with shock.

(Ticky and Bernard...!?)

Both were characters from "The Divine Princesses of Vrouhel Academy 3." Moreover, Ticky Colson was the second son of the Colson Duke, Gilbert's biological brother.

I apologize for the inconvenience the other day.

Today, I'm updating twice as an apology.

The next update will be at 5 PM.

I'm also conducting a reader survey on my activity report. If you have a moment, please take it.

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