Chapter 42 - An Unexpected Encounter
"Um, I'm... Anna Carroll!"
Baroness Anna Carroll. I could never forget her. In my previous life, she was the one who tried to forgive me with a merciful smile, even after I had tried to harm her time and time again.
Even though I hadn't done anything yet in this life, I couldn't simply erase the past from my mind. Standing before her made me feel exposed, as if my past ugliness was on full display. It was humiliating. Yet, I knew I couldn't turn away from the truth. I didn't want to become that person again.
Steeling my resolve, I looked straight at the girl who would become the Saint and offered a respectful smile.
"I am Rachel Marcel."
When I introduced myself, her large eyes widened in surprise. The expression vanished in an instant, replaced by a bright, joyful smile.
What was that? She looked shocked for a moment. Perhaps I imagined it.
"Er-kun... I mean, you're Ernest-san's cousin! I really want us to be friends. Please, call me Anna."
"...Then, please call me Rachel as well."
Miss Carroll—no, Anna—exclaimed, "Rachel-san, I look forward to getting to know you!" and suddenly grabbed both of my hands in hers.
What?
Even between women, it was unusual to grab the hands of someone you barely knew. Anna continued to smile brightly, seemingly oblivious to my wide-eyed shock.
His Highness skillfully extracted my hand from hers without actually touching Anna, his smile remaining perfectly in place. "Miss Carroll, such behavior is hardly considered commendable."
"Oh! I'm so sorry..."
"No, I was just a bit surprised. Please don't worry about it," I said, quickly trying to reassure her as her shoulders slumped in apology.
"I'm from a rural barony and lived in my territory until I enrolled, so... I'm a bit ignorant about noble customs. I don't really have any close female friends yet..."
"Anna has a wonderful personality and excellent grades," Ernest added, his gaze on her softening. "But she's only been in the capital for a year, so there's still a lot she's not used to."
"I see."
"Yeah. So, Rachel, I'd appreciate it if you could be friends with her."
The way Ernest looked at Anna was incredibly tender; it was clear he cherished her. Beside him, Anna lowered her brows and gazed at me with watery eyes.
She really is like a small animal. I couldn't possibly say no when she looked at me like that.
"If you'll have me."
"Yay! Thank you, Rachel-san!"
Anna let out a cry of joy, looking as though she might jump for joy right then and there. I couldn't help but let out a small chuckle. She was certainly charming, a type of girl rarely found among the high nobility. In a way, she reminded me of Mina back in the Marcel territory. Seeing her emotions so plainly on her face made it hard to be strict with her. She had only been in the capital for a year; she would surely learn the ways of noble society in time.
I wouldn't have thought this way before. In the past, I believed that even a Baron's daughter was a representative of her house and should behave accordingly. I wouldn't even speak to someone whose manners were lacking, even at the academy. But everyone comes from different backgrounds. It was important to see people as individuals. If I didn't understand that, I would waste every encounter I had.
...And yet.
A small sense of dissonance lingered. This girl didn't quite match my memories of the Saint. I remembered the Saint being surrounded by friends of both genders. Was she really this close to Ernest before? Perhaps it was just because I had only ever interacted with her through the lens of my own jealousy. I had never actually had a proper conversation with her back then. Maybe that was why I felt this doubt.
No, no. I shouldn't be suspicious of the Saint. It was likely just my imagination. I had been given a chance to befriend her, to make amends for the past and build a new relationship. I had to try.
Beside me, His Highness spoke up. "It's about time."
"It's Rachel's first day, and she isn't the most physically robust. We'll be taking our leave now."
"I'm so sorry! I..."
"Don't worry about it. Let's talk again soon."
"Yes!"
Without so much as a glance at the apologetic Anna, His Highness supported my waist and turned toward the exit. I tilted my head, watching his back as he walked away with a smile that felt unusually chilly for him.
"Your Highness, um, I'm perfectly fine..."
"That's enough for today."
"But we were just..."
I whispered to him, but he cut me off with a sharp, stern tone. He opened the door, ushered me through, and the door clicked shut behind us in the silence. He then turned to face me, placing his hands on my shoulders with a serious expression.
"I'd prefer it if you didn't associate with her too much."
"Why?"
"...I just have a bad feeling about this."
"Pardon?"
His voice was so low I couldn't catch the words. When I asked him to repeat himself, he lowered his brows and gave a troubled laugh, shaking his head. "Don't worry about it." His usual gentle smile returned.
"I just meant... I'd be happy if you spent your time with me instead."
"Wh—Your Highness!"
"Haha, it's the truth. Come, it's getting late. I'll escort you to your carriage."
He chuckled at my blushing face, his eyes crinkling with amusement. As we started walking, I felt a lingering curiosity and stole a glance back at the door. Through the glass, I could see Ernest and Anna talking, though their voices didn't carry through the shut door.
"Hey, Er-kun. Is Rachel-san really that weak?"
"Ah, she's recovering from an illness. She's fine now, but it seems His Highness has become quite overprotective."
"Hmm... Was there a setting like that? ...Anyway, I should probably get closer to the villainess and investigate."
"Did you say something?"
"Nope! Nothing at all!"
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