Chapter 51

Rabi had always worn a loose, ill-fitting uniform, partly to hide the marks of servitude from when she was under Nella’s control, but also because she was embarrassed by her overly thin frame and didn’t want anyone to see it. As a result, she dragged herself around in oversized, pitiful-looking clothes.

However, because she had been living a rather stress-free and comfortable life, the tight parts of her uniform had started to feel tighter, and the overly long parts had become more noticeable. The newly tailored uniform fit her surprisingly well, and she liked it very much. After that, she looked in the mirror.

“...Alright!”

“What’s so alright? I’m the one who’s cute here.”

With a practiced hand, Mari combed through her hair, and Rabi thanked her, saying, “Well, that’s true, thank you.” “I’m just doing my job,” the maid replied with a haughty attitude, but despite her aloofness, they seemed to have a surprisingly good chemistry.

***

The familiar route to the academy. A place where she had once risked her life to visit, but now it was nothing. As she passed through the main gate and walked down the tree-lined path, she occasionally felt gazes from around her. Being someone who easily became the subject of rumors, Rabi tried not to mind, but in reality, it was more than just that, and she didn’t know it.

Suddenly, a familiar figure caught her eye. They were quite noticeable, and there was no mistaking them.

“Sir Sai, Leon.”

It was an unusual pairing. They had noticed Rabi. “It’s been a while,” she heard as they approached. For some reason, Leon looked surprised, but quickly resumed his usual lackadaisical expression, waving casually. Sai also bowed politely.

“What are you two doing here?”

“Me? I was waiting for the young lady.”

“You mean me?”

“Yeah, you. Then he came along. Two guys together, you know.”

“...Because it was too suspicious.”

“No, I just said I was waiting for the young lady, and that’s what’s suspicious,” they argued, each on a different wavelength. It was clear that they were a poorly matched pair, one serious and the other not.

“Right, so, young lady, do you have a bit of time?”

“Eh, yes. There’s still some time before class.”

“That’s good. You haven’t been to the store lately.”

Leon rummaged through a leather pouch he was holding. Since the conflict with Nella had ended, there wasn’t much reason for her to visit the store, so she hadn’t seen him much. Rabi tilted her head, wondering if he had some business to discuss, and looked at Leon’s hand.

“This. I thought I’d give it to you as a gift.”

Out came a cute necklace and hairpin. Rabi gasped, slightly holding her breath. They were terribly, “familiar” items.

“Wasn’t this something important to you?”

These were the items Rabi had sold to Leon the first time she visited his store. Not for a pittance, but for a considerable price, she had handed them over to him. Slowly, Leon placed the two items in her small palm.

They were designed for a young child and didn’t really suit the current Rabi, but they were the first decorations her parents had given her. Even when she was under Nella’s control, she would occasionally take them out of the box and gaze at their star-like, adorable shine to soothe her heart.

The money she had obtained from Leon’s store to escape from Nella was still in her possession. She had used some of it, but most of it remained. She had considered buying back the jewels she had sold, but had given up, thinking it would be a petty request to ask for their return.

Rabi gazed at the familiar shine in her hand, entranced. But she quickly raised her head and shook it.

“This is something I gave to you, Sir Leon. I can’t accept it.”

There was no reason for her to take it from him.

To Rabi’s assertion, Leon shrugged. “No, no, I really want you to take it. It’s a gift from me. You’ve accomplished something big, haven’t you? It won’t bring you any bad luck to accept this.” He grinned, adding, “And maybe it’s a thank you for showing me something interesting.” “If that’s the case, at least let me pay for it!” Rabi couldn’t accept it for free.

“No, no, that’s not necessary. I can’t do the same for other jewels, but these were really important to you, right? I can tell just by touching them. It’s a kind of magic.”

When appraising the jewels, Leon had tapped them with his finger. He had the power of earth and was skilled at hearing the voice of the earth. Dealing with stones buried deep in the earth was his forte.

“I probably would have ended up on either your side or Nella’s. I’m a chameleon, after all. But I return honest feelings honestly, and if not, I oppose. But I’d rather things end on a good note, for my own sake too.”

In Leon’s route, he ultimately supported Nella as a merchant from the shadows.

Yet, it was he who had brought many people to the courtyard for the confrontation with Nella. It was probably because of Fox’s persuasion, but in reality, he had jumped in with a single phrase: “That sounds interesting! Leave it to me!”

“So, this is just a thank you. Besides, I don’t let potential good customers slip away. I want you and Sir Fehr to become regulars.”

“...Sir Fehr too?”

After saying this, Leon seemed to realize something and dramatically slapped his forehead. He had mentioned that the Heathfens were regular customers when Rabi first visited his store. At the time, she had assumed it was her parents, but it seemed to be different. “Could it be. You and Fehr...!!” It was a matter related to his hidden hobby, and she couldn’t shout it out in a public place. She had been curious about where Fehr, who enjoyed embroidery and handcrafts, obtained his fabric and thread.

Leon gave a knowing look to Rabi, who had realized it. Sai tilted his head, but it was a moment of mutual understanding between Rabi and Leon.

“Lady Rabi, come with Sir Fehr next time. I’ll give you a little extra service.”

With that, the chameleon-like man laughed heartily. It was surprising how unexpected connections could be made. Sai and Fox were also like that. Life, it seemed, was often like that.

***

“Thank you,” she bowed again. Reluctant to hand over the decorations directly, she promised to have them sent to the Heathfen mansion.

As she watched Rabi’s back disappear into the school building, “Still,” Leon finally let out a thought he had been holding back. “She’s really grown into a beautiful young lady. It’s almost like a fraud.” The environment changes a person, he added, turning to Sai, who had been silently listening to the conversation between Rabi and Leon.

Sai, with his arms crossed and a troubled look on his face, stared in the direction Rabi had gone. “Sir Knight, Sir Knight, are you listening?” “Huh? Oh, yeah?” He hadn’t been listening at all. “Well, it’s fine,” Leon sighed and repeated, “Lady Rabi. She’s become more beautiful than before.”

Every time Rabi passed by, even strangers would turn to look. It was a strange sight.

“—Where?”

Sai’s immediate response left Rabi speechless. “Where? Can’t you see? It’s completely different!” “Lady Rabi is Lady Rabi. I do think she’s become a bit healthier, though.” “A bit! You call that a bit!?” Is your head okay!?, he shouted rudely.

To Sai, no matter how much Rabi’s appearance had changed, she was still Rabi. He had noticed her changes, but he couldn’t agree with the word “beautiful.” “...By the way, did Lady Rabi visit your store directly...?” He wasn’t trying to pry, but he had felt curious after hearing their conversation. If he had called a merchant to the house, it would be one thing, but the opposite was unusual.

“Yes, well. I didn’t ask in much detail, but considering her situation at the time, I can imagine her purpose.”

“...I see. So she sold the jewels in her possession for that reason.”

To escape from Nella, no doubt. Sai sighed softly. Then he suddenly thought of something.

“Can I buy them back?”

Standing tall, he looked down at Leon and stared at him intently. Leon blinked several times. Then, “Of course, no problem, but it won’t be cheap. Do you have enough money on hand?” “...Not immediately, but...” Sai’s face contorted. He did have money at home, but it wasn’t his to use, and he hesitated. But seeing his face, Leon felt a strange sense of amusement.

“In that case, I’ll put them away in the back of the warehouse as sold. I’m looking forward to it, Sir Knight. Surprise Lady Rabi someday. The Hamillion Store doesn’t let good customers slip away.”

***

To be honest, Sai was anxious. He had hidden this anxiety deep in his heart, not wanting Rabi to know, but he was genuinely worried.

His role as her guardian had been lifted long ago, giving him more free time. But this only meant less interaction with Rabi, and before he knew it, he had lost even the opportunity to speak with her.

They would nod to each other when they passed, and exchange a few words, but that was all. When he graduated from the academy, even that would be gone. So it was inevitable that Sai would call Rabi to the back of the school.

The courtyard, where they used to be alone, had become a popular spot for students to rest and make wishes after the incident with Nella. It was said that if you clasped your hands and whispered a wish, it would come true. She had created a small legend, but now she was trembling and shrinking in front of Sai. Rabi, who had been suddenly called, couldn’t imagine what it was about. She looked up at the boy, trembling.

“I’m sorry for calling you so suddenly.”

“No, no! If it’s you, Sir Sai, I’m always available.”

This wasn’t the time to savor the small joy.

“I actually have something I want to tell you, Lady Rabi.”

Rabi tilted her head. She blinked cutely. Looking into her eyes, his heart felt hot, and he couldn’t even remember what he was supposed to say. “Lady Rabi,” “Yes?” “Well, no, that is, ...Fox” Why did that man’s name come up? Sai bit his lip, frustrated by his own weakness. “Fox?” Rabi blinked in surprise, but the words couldn’t be taken back.

“It’s been a while since I heard that name. He’s...doing well?”

“Yes, yes. He’s become quite lazy, so he’s been given a lot of training, and he’s complaining that the Heathfen family is better.” “No, no, I’ll have him returned.”

To Rabi, Fox had been a man who had taken care of many things for her, but their parting had been casual. ‘You were really scary, but it was kind of fun! See ya!’ He had saluted with two fingers and left. She was impressed that he had managed to keep his job until the end. He was over twenty, and she was honestly worried.

Still, despite her words, Rabi smiled as she thought about her memories with him. So much had happened.

Sai looked down at her, and his fingers trembled violently. The environment around her was changing at an alarming rate, and that was why he was so anxious. “S-Say...” He had pushed her against the wall, which he thought might have been a bit much. “Sir Sai...?”

With one hand on the wall, Sai looked down at her. The feeling of wanting to say something and the feeling of wanting to say it were mixed up in his head.

“I...”

—Lady Rabi. She’s become more beautiful than before.

Sai found Leon’s words deeply puzzling. The phrase “more than before” was what confused him.

“I admire you.”

To Sai, Rabi had always been an attractive young lady.

***

(I, what did he just say...?)

When she was told that he had something to tell her, she was called to the deserted back of the school. Normally, she would have been cautious and refused, but it was different with Sai. Despite the oddity, she came without any suspicion. Now, she was being pinned against the wall and looked down upon. How did this happen?

(No, the problem isn’t that.)

He had clearly said he admired her. Sai wasn’t the type to make strange jokes, and she couldn’t think of any other words. But more than that, (I’m being pinned against the wall...!?) She had to think about it twice, she was so surprised.

This was just like Sai’s route in the game. Rabi had thought that being pinned against the wall by this body would only bring fear, but the reality was different. His shadow loomed so close that she couldn’t even look straight ahead. Her heart ached.

“S-Sir Sai, don’t you have to go guard Lord Baldo...!!?”

She didn’t mean to say that, but the words came out. To such a Rabi, Sai replied calmly.

“Lord Baldo is gradually distancing himself from the Narsol family. I want to help him, but he refused.”

The Narsol family was the shadow of the royal family, sworn to the next king, the prince. For Baldo, who wanted Fehr to be the next king, it was an unavoidable path. That’s why he wasn’t with Baldo the other day, she thought, but that didn’t really matter.

Blushing, confused, and unsure, Rabi shrank away and avoided Sai’s gaze. To her, he seemed completely at ease, but Sai was also struggling to suppress his wild emotions. He was a calm boy, but he was only two years older than Rabi.

“I, I admire you.”

Thinking it might be a misunderstanding or a mistake, she repeated it. “Yes,” he whispered softly in her ear, making her let out a small scream. He was so close. “B-But Nella!” The only thing she could do was ask questions. But, “Nella?” Sai frowned at the name.

“Yes, Nella! Didn’t you say you were very interested in her before?”

Now, she couldn’t imagine that Sai had ever liked Nella, but at the time, he had clearly said so. Hearing this, Rabi had been genuinely disappointed. To her words, Sai replied, “When I say ‘interested,’ I was suspicious of her from the first time I met her through Lord Baldo.”

From the first time he met Nella. Meaning, before he even met Rabi.

“What? But, then...”

—I will stay by your side. I will definitely.

In the game, he had said this to Nella. Meaning,

I will stay by your side (because you’re suspicious and I need to guard the prince) and (keep an eye on you). I will definitely (catch you in the act).

“W-Was that a misunderstanding!!?”

Rabi’s outburst was understandable. Incidentally, Sai also flinched.

—Sai’s story has the least volume and is concentrated in the latter part of the story. He’s handsome and has a good personality, but the only thing lacking is screen time, making him an underdog character.

To add, the game version of him had less emotional range and seemed like an icy man, but in reality, he was cheerful and kind.

(So, Sai wasn’t in love with Nella in the main story...?)

She felt a strange sense of relief. She was relieved, but also a bit disappointed. Tears even welled up in her eyes. But, the fact that Sai liked her was something Rabi couldn’t understand at all. He had always helped her. If she admired him, it would make sense, but for him to like her was a strange thought. Confusion outweighed her happiness.

“I, I’ve only shown you my pitiful side. So, that’s why...”

She expressed her confusion directly. Rabi smiled wryly. “I think I told you this before,” he said, recalling the time when Baldo and Nella visited the Heathfen family, and Sai had protected her. At that time, she had been so scared and confused.

“I told you that I couldn’t turn a blind eye to your efforts.”

Sai had given her a lot of courage and strength to move forward.

“It’s the same. At that time