Chapter 63
“Yes, I wasn’t invited. But I really want to be with Your Ladyship—so isn’t there any way?”
It annoyed me to say this to Peily, but I had to meet Grania and Elome.
I needed to see what kind of expression they would make when they faced me!
Somehow, I could feel Ekla’s sharp gaze prickling at my back, but there was nothing I could do about it.
“Oh my, if I bring someone who wasn’t invited, wouldn’t that be rude as well?”
Peily answered rather irritably, giving Adrian a quick glance.
Ugh, I should have asked more carefully, depending on the person.
I had been too hasty. Too hasty.
“That’s right, I suppose. I wouldn’t want Your Ladyship to be put in an awkward position…”
“Will the gentleman here be coming with you as well?”
Peily suddenly cut off my words and looked at Adrian.
Adrian looked somewhat embarrassed, but then answered naturally:
“If I’m invited, I will go with Rive.”
“Ah.”
Peily seemed quite pleased with his answer. She nodded once and gave a gentle smile.
“Alright, it should be no problem if you come with me.”
“Thank you.”
At that point, I lightly clapped my hands together and said to Peily:
“Thank you, Lady Izly.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Well, enjoy your shopping. I’ll take my leave now.”
Then Adrian and I pushed the door open and stepped outside.
Once we had moved a fair distance from Vise, I let out a long sigh.
Even though nothing particularly happened, fatigue was suddenly washing over me. Ekla, a few steps behind, was also wiping his forehead, looking somewhat weary.
“I’m really sorry, Sir Watford.”
At my words, Adrian shrugged his shoulders.
“It’s alright?”
“Yes, of course.”
“But, Rive…”
Adrian looked down at me with eyes full of curiosity.
“You didn’t seem that close to the Lady you just met. Do you really have to go to that gathering?”
Yes. I really have to go.
“I have something to tell Lady Grania.”
“Can’t you go and speak to her separately?”
“No. It’s something I want to bring up naturally in a place with many people.”
I couldn’t explain it precisely, so I just gave a rough summary.
“Sorry, I’m keeping you busy for nothing. You could just go with me for a bit and then return.”
“I’m not busy at all. It’s fine.”
“Thank you.”
I bowed my head slightly.
By the way, Peily happened to run into me like this, but Leonie hasn’t crossed my path even once.
I looked at the dessert box Adrian was holding.
At first, Leonie’s overly innocent and kind nature felt frustrating.
But she liked me more than anyone else, and being with her made me feel like I, too, became a kinder, better person.
I can’t meet that gentle gaze that cleanses the dark thoughts in me anymore.
“Well, I’ll be off then. I hope you get a wonderful gift.”
I desperately hid my slightly gloomy feelings, but Adrian suddenly stopped me.
“Wait, Rive.”
He was staring at me with an anxious expression.
Just as I was about to ask what was wrong, Adrian suddenly extended the dessert box toward me.
Huh?
“On the way back from Clem’s bookstore last time…”
“Yes?”
“I was worried because your expression didn’t look well.”
Ah, that day.
It had been a day of heart-wrenching confusion.
An unexpected letter from Jerlock, the shocking realization of being in an entirely different dimension with no way to return, coupled with my helplessness and the darkness in my mind…
Thinking back, the ride home in the carriage with Adrian had only involved a few brief exchanges—mostly him asking questions and me answering with short replies.
“I’m sorry. I had a lot on my mind after going to the bookstore.”
“No, there’s nothing to apologize for.”
“….”
“I was just worried about you, Rive.”
I felt grateful for his concern and smiled lightly.
“I thought if you asked me to go out for something tasty, I probably wouldn’t have come.”
“Ah.”
“But if you asked for help to buy a gift for someone important, I thought you’d definitely step out with me.”
I didn’t know how to respond, so I just stared at the box he was holding.
“Rive, you’re kind and warm.”
“I’m not sure if I even deserve this.”
“You are an important person, Rive.”
Adrian’s gaze was so persistent that I instinctively turned my face away.
Oh, this atmosphere is a little too much.
I had to escape this languid air that made me restless.
I laughed exaggeratedly on purpose.
“Ha ha ha, thank you! I’ll enjoy what you got me!”
I laughed heartily, flaring my nostrils, and Adrian also laughed, covering his mouth with the back of his hand.
“You’re heading home now, right?”
“No, I have somewhere I need to go.”
“Then I’ll see you off.”
“It’s not far from here. I want to take a little walk with Ekla.”
“Alright, got it.”
I waved cheerfully and turned away.
Even though I was carrying a sweet box, for some reason, my heart wasn’t entirely happy.
Then Ekla quietly peeked over my shoulder and whispered:
“Our young lady is quite popular.”
“Popular? What are you talking about?”
When I snapped, Ekla smirked.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
To His Grace, the Duke,
I hesitated for a long time, not knowing how to begin.
I, too, find the current situation quite difficult and unbelievable.
Explaining something incomprehensible to someone is truly hard.
Could I have prepared if I had expected this to happen to me?
I don’t know how much of what I am about to say you will understand or accept.
I haven’t run away, nor have I disappeared.
If I had fled from you, I wouldn’t even leave this letter.
I thought that in trying to be honest with you, my words might have caused misunderstanding.
That I said we shouldn’t meet because we were not destined to be together—why that became our last conversation. I only wanted to be honest, yet it seems I ended up hurting you deeply, and I am sorry.
I am currently inside the book you are holding.
Yes, I know it’s impossible to understand, and I understand if you feel like throwing this letter away immediately.
If you had left me a letter like this, I probably would have done the same.
I left because I didn’t want to, yet you might think it’s an excuse.
How can I make you believe my situation? How can I prove that I exist outside the world you inhabit?
I cannot fathom it. So I simply pour my frustrated words onto this paper.
I know that only with these fragmented words you will not understand.
You, I, and everyone around us exist within a story whose ending is already decided.
In it, I was the villainess who died for you, and my friend Leonie was your lover.
I tried in every way to escape that ending, but the predetermined fate could not be changed.
After repeating it about nineteen times, I became resigned.
Do you remember the day we first met?
It was a morning of heavy rain. I encountered an old woman at the main gate.
She seemed to be waiting for me to speak to me, warning that if the puzzle was not solved correctly, misfortune would erase me and those around me. She told me to return to my place.
You might think it foolish that I worried over someone I didn’t know.
But right after that, my friend Leonie experienced one misfortune after another.
Not just ordinary misfortune, but accidents that threatened her life.
I had no choice but to believe that some unknown force surrounded me.
I only thought that I must avoid your fate, as it was not mine.
Yet I could neither flee nor escape.
It became difficult as I grew to like you more and more.
I didn’t know how to handle my feelings, and the day I would vanish approached.
Of course, I do not regret loving you.
I will find a way back and return to Your Grace’s side.
I think I have vaguely found a clue.
It seems there is someone who knows how to traverse dimensions through books. I cannot be certain yet, so I cannot explain further.
And I have a small favor: please send my regards to Leonie.
I worry that my delicate friend might feel guilty, thinking that I disappeared because of her.
Please let her know that this is absolutely not the case.
I am glad I can convey my feelings in this way.
I would be even happier if you believe everything I have written here.
And I always keep the bird you gave me. I am grateful it came along with the necklace.
It would have been nice to leave something you could remember me by, but I suppose I must be content with this.
Until I send word next, I wish you health.
-With longing,
Riberata Bernadette
