Chapter 113
But Rafaella deliberately widened her eyes and answered.
“Uh… I have some connections. Anyway, I heard it too.”
“Hmmm. Then why did you speak as if these were things you personally experienced?”
“Huh? I… did I do that?”
“Yes. Your expression looked as if you were vividly recalling the past.”
It was an incredibly sharp remark.
William’s gaze was always on Rafaella, no matter the situation. Because of that, he noticed even the slightest changes in her expression, the fleeting odd words, her movements—everything, even things she herself didn’t remember.
A cold sweat ran down Rafaella’s back, uncharacteristically.
Leo rolled his eyes back and forth between Rafaella and William, unsure which side to take. As William had pointed out, Rafaella possessed far too much knowledge and ability that no one could understand. For Leo, a researcher, it was enough to spark curiosity. That made him feel a strong urge to side with William and push Rafaella for answers.
But remembering how incredibly sharp Rafaella’s hands were, Leo quietly stopped William.
“Liam, it’s late. Why don’t we call it a day for now? You need to rest properly to recover your strength. Tomorrow’s an important day, after all.”
William looked slightly disappointed but lowered his gaze with a bitter expression.
“…If it’s difficult for Lady Rafaella to answer, then I’ll leave it be.”
“Yeah. It’s difficult.”
“…Understood.”
With Rafaella’s short reply, William responded a beat late and rose from his seat.
He blamed himself for feeling disappointed with her, who always kept secrets and never gave so much as a clue. Even though he had resolved to follow her without knowing anything, he couldn’t suppress the sudden desire to know more about her. He blamed it on his own lack of self-control.
Noticing his expression, Rafaella unconsciously grabbed the sleeve of William’s coat and spoke. She too was frustrated at not being able to explain everything.
“Next time. I’ll really tell you next time…”
William couldn’t understand why her voice was filled with regret. Nor could he grasp why someone hiding something would have such a sorrowful look in their eyes.
“Someday… when the chance comes, I’ll tell you everything.”
Even as she said that, Rafaella doubted such an opportunity would ever come. Once all the mirror fragments were gathered, she would return to the divine realm. The fate of this princess’s body, left behind without a soul, was predictable.
Still, seeing William’s eyes filled with disappointment, she inadvertently let out a hollow promise. She blamed it on the body, which was gradually resembling her original self, saying that her attachment had grown unnecessarily because of it.
She also reasoned that Leo’s talk of human emotions was the same: that it was merely a temporary effect because she was inhabiting a human body. All feelings that made her uncomfortable were like a passing illness—something that would flare up and then fade. Thinking this way made the tight, heavy feeling in her chest slightly more bearable.
“No. I’ve crossed the line again.”
Lately, Rafaella felt increasingly awkward and uneasy whenever she faced William. Especially when he had the face he did now, a tingling pain would ripple through her body, leaving her restless.
“I’ll take my leave now. Please rest.”
William bowed politely, maintaining a noticeable distance. Rafaella’s hand had already slipped weakly from his sleeve.
Thud—
After William left, Rafaella sat staring blankly at the door.
Leo quietly clicked his tongue as if pitying her. Just when it seemed the two were getting closer, they failed to understand each other again. And just when a deep conversation seemed possible, Rafaella would close her heart like she had just now.
‘They really are alike.’
Leo recalled Moren. The image of his sister at the end, all emotions discarded, fragile like dry leaves yet perilous, flashed before his eyes.
“Rafaella.”
“Huh? Yes?”
Startled by Leo calling her name, she turned her head. Even though he used her actual name instead of a nickname, Rafaella didn’t recognize the difference.
Leo smiled bitterly.
“You okay?”
“About what?”
“Is it really okay to let William leave like this?”
“What’s it to you?”
“Rafaella. Moments to be honest with someone come more often than you think.”
“What are you talking about?”
“If you miss them, it can be really hard to say anything later.”
“….”
Rafaella scratched her head nonchalantly and began rolling up the map on the table. She pouted in mild embarrassment.
“Ugh. You’re tired, so go to your room already.”
But Leo, ignoring her irritation, stepped closer and placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Remember. There are people waiting for your heart to open.”
“…What am I supposed to do about that? Who told you to wait? Who said they’d open it?”
“You did. You said you’d be my friend, and as for William… anyway. Maybe Rosalie is still standing in front of your closed door, secretly.”
“Why bring up someone I abandoned out of nowhere?”
“Hmm. You really don’t get it, do you?”
“What?”
“You think a connection between people is completely severed if one side abandons it? Have you thought about how Rosalie might be clinging to it all this time?”
“She’s a kid. What could she possibly know? She’s pure, so she’ll probably just get over it quickly.”
“The less experience, the more vivid the memories can be.”
Leo had said it for Rafaella’s sake, but suddenly realized it applied to himself as well. He quickly changed the subject.
“Same goes for William. Has that stone-hearted noble ever really clung to anyone in his life?”
“Cling? William?”
“Yes. Just now, Liam was hanging on your closed door. Don’t pretend you didn’t notice this time. I saw it myself.”
“…He was probably just curious. William is so authoritative and moralistic, he was probably just watching me to make sure I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Ugh, you’re so frustrating. If William’s a stone bear, then you are an iron wall, a real iron wall!”
Unable to hold back, Leo lightly smacked Rafaella on the back. Startled by the motherly-like scolding, her eyes went wide.
“Rafaella. Stop avoiding it now.”
With that, Leo headed for the door. As he stepped out, he added one last thing before the door closed.
“Actually, you already know. From long ago.”
Click—
The door closed, leaving the room silent.
Rafaella picked up the towel William had used to wrap his wet hair. Remembering his concern that she might catch a cold, she also recalled the feelings she had been suppressing, thinking of them as a mere cold.
She sat for a long while, holding the towel, replaying the conversation with William and Leo. Perhaps Leo’s advice was right. But…
In the end, her thoughts did not flow the way Leo had hoped. Rafaella’s quiet self-talk echoed softly in the room.
“Stop getting close. Don’t expect anything more from me.”
Her focus was on gathering the mirror fragments, returning to the divine realm, and taking revenge on the gods.
“I… don’t have the luxury to think about anything else right now.”
Rafaella approached the candle as if making a decision. She drew a symbol beneath it and plucked a strand of her hair to burn.
The flame grew quickly, flickering strongly. Amid the large fire, the face of Giliphus appeared.
“You’re taking your sweet time? Don’t care about the human mess you’ve become?”
Rafaella spoke curtly, and Giliphus chuckled in the fire. Then, without answering, he suddenly emerged from the flame in his physical form.
Today, his bright red hair and the usual pure white outfit contrasted sharply, making him appear even more intense. Smiling, Giliphus stepped forward and asked:
“Why so grumpy again?”
“Hey, you! You said you’d check on the situation! But since you left, there’s been nothing. That’s too much.”
“Sorry, sorry. I’ve been so busy I barely had time. You know how much the high god keeps me running.”
“Tch. Still, that’s too much.”
“Haha. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you pout like this. Kinda cute.”
“Stop talking nonsense. Don’t waste words—give me the information.”
“Alright. What should I tell you first?”
“Start with the news about the two missing gods.”
She clenched her teeth as she replied.
