Episode 14
Eleonore’s gaze moved past the freckled boy and landed on Peter.
Peter did not make a stomach-growling sound, but he looked just as hungry as the other children.
The sight of his thin cheeks especially caught Eleonore’s attention.
“That makes no sense. Aren’t you all traveling musicians together?”
Eleonore said in a cold, quiet voice.
“T-that’s true, but…”
The freckled boy stuttered.
He was confused by Eleonore’s sharp reaction. She looked like someone who would never care about wandering children like them.
At the same time, the attention focused on him and the others made him uncomfortable.
“Bring food for the children right now—”
Eleonore was about to turn and order the people around her.
“Forgive us for causing concern to such a noble lady.”
Peter, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly spoke in a clear voice.
“…!”
Eleonore stopped speaking and looked at him in surprise.
“But we’re fine. Really. We can wait patiently.”
Peter looked up at her with bright blue eyes that shone more than anyone else’s, even though his clothes were dirty.
Eleonore’s heart beat faster.
This is the first time I’ve heard Peter’s voice in this life.
Memories from her previous life quickly flashed through her mind.
— Aunt, please take care of me from now on. I’ll greet you every day.
— Aunt, there’s a rare flower called Solarien blooming in the sunny part of the garden. Would you like to see it together?
— Aunt… do you dislike me?
— I’m sorry. But I might bother you even more from now on!
In her previous life, Peter had been the only person who kept talking to Eleonore, even when she was completely alone.
After about three years, she had even started to care about him a little.
But after Walter brought the Saint to the castle, I became unstable again and pushed him away.
At that time, Eleonore’s condition had been so bad that even Peter’s warm words could not reach her.
But this time it will be different. I will make it different.
Eleonore steadied herself and looked at Peter.
“You say you can wait? But you’re hungry.”
Peter shook his head.
“I’m not hungry.”
He answered in a mature tone.
The two boys next to him nodded carefully as well.
That can’t be true! What’s going on? Wait… maybe…
While wondering about Peter’s reaction, Eleonore suddenly thought of something.
In my previous life, Peter used that kind of tone when he was in a difficult situation. Maybe he’s in an awkward position right now too.
Eleonore looked around again.
Then she noticed the adult musicians in the distance watching Peter, the children, and Eleonore with uncomfortable expressions.
If Eleonore had been more skilled at reading people’s feelings, she would have realized that she had just disturbed the unspoken hierarchy among the traveling musicians.
But Eleonore was not that delicate.
However—
I may not understand the full situation, but whenever Peter spoke like this, insisting on helping him usually didn’t end well for him.
Fortunately, Eleonore had already returned from death and gained enough wisdom to learn from her past experiences.
So this time, I’ll step back like Peter wants.
After making that decision, Eleonore turned to the children.
Seeing their frightened eyes looking up at her, she spoke.
“You’re right. I think I interfered unnecessarily. If you say you’re not hungry, then that must be true.”
The children quietly sighed in relief.
Peter, especially, looked very relieved.
Seeing Peter’s thin body move slightly as he relaxed made Eleonore feel uneasy.
I hope my decision is right. I hope Peter really gets food after I leave.
Just as she thought that—
Ding!
A familiar notification sound rang out, and a transparent message appeared in front of her.
[Congratulations!]
[Hidden Quest Completed!]
[For the first time, you understood another person’s feelings and improved the situation.]
I don’t know exactly why, but that’s a relief!
Hearing that the situation improved, Eleonore clenched both hands in excitement.
[As a reward, the “Restart” function has been activated.]
[Would you like to save this moment?]
[If saved, you will return to this point when using “Restart”.]
[→ Yes / No]
Another familiar message appeared.
Yes.
Eleonore chose to save without hesitation.
Just like when she thanked Becky earlier, she felt confident she could not have done any better.
[Save complete!]
[Save Point (2): Understand Peter’s heart!]
[Rehabilitation Rate: 4%]
A new window appeared showing the updated numbers.
This number really seems to be the goal I need to reach.
By now, Eleonore was starting to understand the system.
Helping Peter increased it by 3. But when I thanked Becky, it only increased by 1.
Maybe it was because Becky was an adult and Peter was a child.
It seemed the system valued good deeds toward children more.
But the word hidden quest made her feel like there was more to it than that.
Either way, she could not confirm it right now.
“Then I will be leaving.”
Eleonore said to the children and walked out of the inn.
“My lady! I was just wondering if I should come inside to escort you out!”
Becky, who had been waiting outside, ran over and wrapped Eleonore’s delicate body in a coat.
“Shall we return to the castle?”
Benjamin, who had been watching quietly, asked.
Eleonore nodded.
“Yes. Let’s go back now, Sir Benjamin.”
If she wanted to keep it a secret that she had met Walter outside, she needed to hurry.
Benjamin immediately escorted the two women back to the castle.
“I don’t think anyone noticed!”
Becky first checked inside the inner castle through a small door used by servants and candle workers.
Good. That’s a relief.
Eleonore stepped inside the inner castle.
Seeing that the backyard was empty, just as Becky had said, she felt relieved and started walking toward the separate building where she was staying.
Just then—
“You’re returning from quite a long outing, daughter-in-law.”
A voice came from the entrance of the building.
Eleonore turned her head.
There stood Katarina, her arms lightly crossed, staring sharply at her with the head maid beside her.
“I have been waiting here the entire time for you to return.”
Katarina said.
Seeing the head maid trembling in her thin clothes, it seemed that Katarina really had been waiting there for a long time.
“So you should at least tell me where you went.”
Eleonore was slightly surprised.
She had not expected Katarina to personally watch her movements so obsessively.
“I was curious about the outside since I’ve been staying inside the inner castle all this time. I also wanted to see how the people of Putitz live. So I asked Sir Benjamin and my maid to take me for a short walk in the village.”
But Eleonore had no intention of telling the full truth.
“The village.”
Katarina narrowed her eyes and studied Eleonore.
Eleonore met her gaze without backing down.
I’m not afraid anymore.
Benjamin was standing beside her, and if something went wrong she could always use Restart.
Besides, she had just saved an important point.
I never thought the mysterious ability I gained from dying would be this reassuring.
Eleonore smiled bitterly to herself.
“Yes, I suppose you would be curious about Putitz.”
While Eleonore was thinking, Katarina spoke again.
“But something seems strange. Haven’t you been staying in your room the whole time since arriving here?”
“I started to regret staying inside all the time. Fresh air is good for health, isn’t it?”
Eleonore replied with a faint smile.
Katarina’s brows slightly furrowed.
“If it was such an honest outing, why did you come in through the back gate used by commoners instead of the main gate?”
“Well, my residence is connected directly to the backyard. It’s much closer to use this door than to walk all the way to the main gate.”
Once again, Eleonore answered calmly.
Seeing Eleonore respond so confidently without being shaken by her sharp questions made Katarina’s expression darken.
“How dare you talk back—”
Just as Katarina was about to threaten Eleonore—
“Madam, that is enough.”
Benjamin, who had been quietly watching, finally spoke.
