Chapter 57 - Chapter 57
Things changed around me after the night of the ball. First, the instances of Ernest being with Anna-san decreased significantly. When there was no student council work, he seemed to head straight home after school to participate in the new recruits' training for the knights. As a result, he likely had no time to meet with Anna-san, who was in a different year. However, whenever we crossed paths at the academy, he still greeted me with his usual bright smile.
When I asked him what had happened recently, he gave a wry smile. "I was forced to confront my own naivety. I need to work hard for my future now. I'm sorry for causing you trouble, Rachel." He laughed somewhat lonely, his words vague and non-committal. I didn't know the details, and I didn't intend to pry, but I could see a change in his expression. Whatever had occurred, Ernest was grappling with something and trying to face it head-on. I felt that I shouldn't intrude upon his personal struggles. Perhaps something had happened with Anna-san, or perhaps with His Highness.
Anna-san herself also stopped approaching me or His Highness. Since her class was next to mine, we shared some lessons, but unlike before, she no longer called out to me with that bright smile the moment I entered her field of vision. It was almost unnaturally quiet. While I had been troubled by the distance between us, I felt a sense of relief.
I realized then that my previous actions toward her had left me with a lingering sense of guilt. Because of that, I had failed to caution her even when her behavior as a noble lady was lacking, and I had constantly thought of her as someone far superior to myself. But perhaps I was wrong. Just as His Highness had suggested, I needed to look at her for who she was, regardless of the past or present. The sense of wrongness I felt regarding her was only growing stronger. I wondered if she, like me, possessed memories of a past life. But if that were the case, the Anna-san of the past and the Anna-san of the present didn't connect at all. What was she thinking behind that constant smile? The question swirled endlessly in my mind.
Despite these lingering doubts, my life at the academy was peaceful and productive. The lessons were interesting, and I had good friends. I had found things here that I had never been able to obtain in my previous school life. One day after school, I visited the rooftop garden alone. As His Highness had said, few people came here. On days when I had no plans, I would read books or catch up on my studies. Occasionally, I would run into His Highness, and we would spend a brief moment together.
"Rachel-san."
I had been so absorbed in my book that I hadn't noticed someone approaching. The voice startled me. I turned slowly to find Anna-san smiling at me.
"Anna-san, is something the matter?"
"May I sit here?" she asked, pointing to the spot next to me on the bench.
"Yes, please."
"Thank you. It feels like it has been a while."
"It does. Have you been well?"
Anna-san gave a slightly awkward, wry smile and shrugged. "About the debutante ball... my father scolded me. I am truly sorry for the trouble I caused you, Rachel-san."
"No, it's fine."
"I think I was completely oblivious to my surroundings. It might sound strange to say this to you, but all I could think about was that I had to dance with His Highness."
"...I see. It was your debutante ball, after all."
Her bluntness left me unsure of how to respond. To be honest, those were words one should never say to a man's fiancée. Yet, she seemed to be apologizing sincerely. She had certainly failed in her duties as a lady that night, but if she was reflecting on it now, perhaps she would change. No matter what others said, nothing would change unless the person themselves wished it. I knew that better than anyone.
"And there is one more thing I must apologize for."
"Eh?"
Anna-san wasn't wearing her usual smile. Her eyes seemed to be looking at nothing in particular as she gazed into the distance. She seemed different. An inexplicable sense of unease washed over me, leaving me bewildered.
"I don't think this will make sense to you, but I realize now that I was far too fixated on the story. Since that path seems difficult, I suppose as long as I reach a happy ending, I can consider it a clear."
"Um, Anna-san?"
"I was confused because things weren't going as planned, but no matter how hard I try, neither you nor His Highness will move the way you're supposed to."
What? Move? My confused questions didn't seem to reach her.
"Personally, I think a route for you and His Highness would be fine. But if there's still a possibility for me, I have to bet on it, or I'll regret it."
Who was this? What was she saying?
"So, for your sake... I'm sorry."
With that, Anna-san gave another bright smile. "Now, if you'll excuse me." She bowed cutely and walked briskly past me, leaving me stunned. As she left, I caught a faint whisper. "...I guess there's no point in saying that to a character."
What was that? What did she mean? Route? Character? These were words I had never heard before. Was she truly the same Anna-san who was destined to be the Saint? Or was she someone else entirely? I remained on that bench, lost in thought, until the sun began to set.
ブックマーク、評価、感想、誤字脱字報告ありがとうございます。