<CHAPTER 7>

“You really… sometimes, I wonder if you could be this mean.”

…But that seems a bit too bluntly honest.

I raised one eyebrow, curious how far I could push it, as I stared at Joshua.

“But you know… I still like you, after all.”

“What?”

“But suddenly changing like this, I know you can’t possibly be this kind…”

I frowned at Joshua’s strange phrasing.

And I tried to interpret his trembling, rambling words.

“I don’t want you to die. Don’t die, Leila…”

“So, you like me, but seeing me become this kind, you’re saying it must mean I’m going to die, and you don’t want me to?”

“Yeah, uh-huh…”

I pressed my forehead in disbelief.

Why does everyone first think I’m going to die instead of being happy that I’ve become kind?

This is really not rewarding!

I felt even worse physically as the stress hit me.

“Cough, Joshua. Listen carefully.”

“Huh?”

Joshua lifted his glistening eyes to look at me.

It was the kind of concentration you’d have when hearing a last will.

“I’m not dying, I won’t hurt that much.”

At my firm words, Joshua tilted his head.

“Then why are you suddenly being nice to me?”

“That’s…”

I rolled my eyes a bit before answering.

“Because we’re… friends?”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Really.”

My conscience ached. I nodded, trying to ignore the guilt poking somewhere in my chest.

“I see…”

Joshua’s eyes sparkled in a new way as he spoke to me.

“Thank you, Leila. I’ll never lose you again. No, I’ll take responsibility and protect you for sure.”

“Uh? That’s a bit much…”

“I promise. As long as you’re alive, I’ll protect you.”

Wait a minute, “as long as I’m alive”?

I really won’t die!

Fine. I don’t even have the energy to argue anymore!

Feeling my fever rising again, I slid back onto the bed.

“You say you’ll protect me. How are you going to protect me while crying like that?”

…! I won’t cry from now on.

“The Duke family’s handkerchief budget might be reduced a bit.”

I chuckled at my teasing, and Joshua’s face turned red.

He still wasn’t crying despite the tears.

Still, it’s amazing!

To hear someone who might kill me in the future say they’ll protect me.

It’s a little twisted, but at least my plan not to accumulate bad karma is progressing.

Maybe the future has changed a little because of this?

Having become friends with a crybaby like him, it seemed like more troublesome things would happen, but

still, it doesn’t feel bad.

I smiled faintly.

It had been a week since I had lain sick with the flu.

I finally got up with great care from Phoebe and the adults around me.

The first thing I did with a clear mind was to ask if anyone had come to the mansion with the purple ribbon.

“Are you referring to the person who helped the young lady?”

But Phoebe shook her head.

“No one has come yet.”

‘Didn’t they say they’d come soon?’

For someone who said they’d come soon, there was no news at all.

Opportunities to receive favors from the Duke family weren’t that easy to come by.

“I see. Let me know if they come.”

“Yes, I will.”

For some reason, Phoebe smiled lightly as she answered.

“…Why are you smiling like that?”

“Because it seems the young lady has found a good friend. It’s the first time you’re looking for someone like this.”

“It’s not that. I just… did it because I was kind.”

Phoebe blinked, puzzled at my answer.

Yes, she was a very kind girl.

She risked her safety to save me the first time we met, guided me on the path, and even carried me…

So she would be a good example for me while I pretended to be kind.

‘Maybe asking them to come directly was a mistake?’

I should have considered that such a kind child might refuse a favor.

I sighed internally.

‘A rare kind child, but oh well!’

Phoebe handed me the invitation without knowing my thoughts.

“It’s fine. Friends can be met elsewhere! By the way, an invitation arrived for you.”

“For me?”

Was it Isabella?

Invitations to tea parties at the Dawson estate always came to me as well. But this time, there were two letters.

One was from the Dawson estate as expected, and the other was……….

‘This has the royal crest.’

I opened it to find an invitation to the 2nd Prince’s birthday celebration.

‘Interesting.

Normally the letter would be addressed to the household head.

‘Did they send a separate invitation to children of the same age?’

If that was the case, it made sense.

“First, tell them I will attend the tea party at Dawson.”

I resolved the simpler problem and placed the royal invitation on the desk.

A few days later, as promised, I headed to the Dawson estate.

I went with a maid since my father was busy with work.

“Welcome, Leila!”

I greeted the ladies enjoying the tea party first, then walked with Isabella toward the group of children.

During that, Isabella stuck to me and started chattering.

“Leila, did you hear the 2nd Prince’s birthday party is coming soon?”

“Yeah. You got it too?”

“Me too?”

Isabella looked slightly puzzled at my question, then continued.

“Anyway, it’s really unexpected. After that incident, I didn’t expect a big celebration…”

“What incident? What happened?”

“Ah! I meant to tell you before but couldn’t.”

Clapping her hands, Isabella leaned closer and whispered.

“There are rumors that the 2nd Prince lost his magic. He couldn’t use magic at the hunting contest recently.”

I stopped walking and asked again.

The 2nd Prince lost his magic? That can’t be. In my dream, he was perfectly fine!

Not only did he not lose it, his immense power made him surpass the 1st Prince in succession.

Isabella looked proudly at me, seeing my obvious shock.

“See, I told you it was important news.”

‘No need to be that proud…!’

After all, she’s your future fiancé, Isabella.

*…You don’t like the 2nd Prince?

“Me?”

Isabella scratched her cheek and spoke clearly.

“I only like beautiful people.”

“So you like him too.”

She winked at me without forgetting.

I was left speechless by the absurdity.

And inwardly, I comforted the unknown Prince.

‘You’re not a bad person, at least.’

Anyway, the news Isabella gave me seemed significant.

‘Did something change because I didn’t act like a pawn?’

But our paths never actually crossed, so it wasn’t that.

Apparently, I now had a reason to attend the birthday celebration.

If an opportunity arises, I need to find out what really happened.

While learning this, we reached the table where the children were gathered.

“Oh, you came! But…”

The girls of my age came running to greet Isabella, but froze when they saw me beside her.

“Isn’t that Miss Mayfield?”

“Her? I heard she’s mean…”

All wrong.