Episode 25
As I smiled like a weirdo, suddenly I felt a hand on my head. When I looked up, Raymond was picking a cherry blossom petal out of my hair.
“Did a petal fall on me?”
“Maybe it thought your head was its home.”
A gentle breeze blew, and more petals floated down from the cherry blossom trees, like soft snow. I tucked the drawing under my arm and caught a few petals in my hands.
“Look, Raymond. The color of the cherry blossoms is so pretty.”
“That petal… it’s the same color as your hair.”
“You’re right. You probably wouldn’t even notice if one stuck in my hair.”
I grabbed a handful of my hair and compared it to the petals. Raymond smiled softly as he watched me.
Time passed quickly. Raymond and I began walking back the way we came. Since the way there was beautiful, the walk back was just as nice.
We walked quietly for a while. It felt like we were trying to become part of the peaceful scenery. I glanced sideways at Raymond, who looked like the perfect main character in this scene. His deep blue eyes were filled with the soft pink of the cherry blossoms.
Raymond Ruslo. I wanted to protect him.
He was still so young and shining—it was too soon for his petals to fall.
The wind played with his black hair, hiding and revealing his face. It was like when the moon comes out from behind a cloud and gently lights up the night. The sight was so charming.
My heart tickled, and I felt strange. You’d think I’d feel sad now that the fan meeting was ending, but instead, I felt satisfied. Maybe because I got my precious fan item today? That had to be it. Raymond’s portrait was like an oasis in the desert for my fangirl soul.
After walking for a while, we finally reached Lash, who had been waiting for us.
The mission I gave Raymond this time was one that would take a really long time.
First, we had to wait for the king of Shale to strengthen the peace agreement, which would make Neverrest lose its importance. Second, he needed to move all the assassins and their families from their hometown to the Luslo territory in the Prales Empire.
That meant it was time for me to wait patiently until Raymond contacted me first. He’d be busy welcoming new people, so I didn’t want to bother him.
So, I comforted my longing by looking at his portrait from time to time.
As I spent more time at the duke’s mansion, I started getting used to this new routine.
My personality was different from the original Eilene’s, so the servants sometimes looked confused. Thankfully, the difference wasn’t huge, so they just assumed I’d changed because of the kidnapping incident.
Things were peaceful and boring—until one day, I faced a huge, unexpected crisis. It was the biggest danger since I possessed Eilene’s body.
“Young Lady, Master Adrien is here to see you.”
“Adrien?”
I was reading a book when Claire knocked and came into my room with the news.
Lowering the book, I hid my surprise inside.
First, I was surprised someone came to see Eilene. Second, I was shocked because the name Adrien had never appeared in the original novel.
Still, I stayed calm on the outside.
“Why did he come all of a sudden?”
Nobles usually send a letter first before visiting. For someone to just show up like this, either they were very close… or he was a strange person.
“Well, that’s how Master Adrien is! Hoho. Ever since you were little, he always rushed over whenever something happened to you. He said he came today just to see you.”
From Claire’s explanation, it sounded like he and Eilene were very close.
A childhood friend who’s male, kind, and cares deeply about her. That was all I learned about Adrien from Claire.
So then, why wasn’t he ever mentioned in the original novel?
Did the original Eilene refuse to see him when he came?
That seemed like the most likely answer.
Anyway, I didn’t know how to act around him. Fooling parents and servants is one thing, but lying to a friend? That’s a whole different challenge.
Friends judge you more honestly. They’re more observant. So I decided to really focus and act my best.
“It’s been a while, Eilene.”
As I walked into the garden, Adrien turned to look at me.
He had green hair like spring leaves and jewel-like purple eyes. With his gentle smile, slim face, and dimples, he looked like someone everyone would call cute.
“It has. Good to see you, Adrien.”
“I heard something happened to you. Are you okay?”
“Yeah.”
He asked with concern, and I nodded quietly.
We sat at the garden table and shared some dessert.
At first, I was nervous—what do you even talk about with a friend? But thankfully, Adrien had a cheerful and talkative personality.
He smiled often and had a soft vibe that made others feel comfortable. That put me at ease. I guess someone like him could even get along with the original, stiff Eilene.
He talked so much that I even got some extra info.
He was the eldest son of the Marquis of Lurn—full name Adrien Lurn. He’d been living in the countryside to learn about managing the estate but came back to the capital just yesterday.
“I wanted to come sooner, but things got busy. And I only heard what happened to you recently. Sorry, Eilene.”
“What’s there to be sorry for? It wasn’t your fault!”
Actually, friend… I’m kind of glad. Phew…
I waved my hands, trying to stop him from apologizing.
Maybe I overdid it, because I saw his pupils tremble slightly.
Oops. I reacted too strongly.
Thinking back, the original Eilene would’ve said something like, “Don’t be. It’s not your fault,” with a weak voice. But my body moved on its own, and it was too late now.
Adrien stared at me, then said curiously,
“You seem a little different.”
“Huh? W-what do you mean?”
“I don’t know exactly. It’s just… your vibe feels a bit brighter.”
“R-Really?”
You noticed that quickly?
I tried to stay calm, but inside, I was panicking.
“Eilene… you don’t have to try so hard.”
Just when it seemed like he was about to dig deeper, Adrien gave me a sad smile. He must’ve thought I was pretending to be cheerful for others.
Thank goodness. If it weren’t for that kidnapping incident, I would’ve been totally exposed.
“Thanks, Adrien.”
I answered softly, pretending to be Eilene again.
Adrien stayed for about an hour before leaving.
“Take care. I’ll come by often.”
“Yeah. Be careful.”
No. Don’t come often. Please don’t…
I waved goodbye while saying something completely different in my head.
Adrien really meant it when he said he’d come often. He visited a lot.
Maybe he was trying to make up for the lost time while he’d been in the countryside. It felt like he was trying to earn perfect attendance at the mansion.
He must’ve been close with my parents too—they treated him like their own son.
And of course, the Emperor had stopped calling me for unknown reasons, and the Grand Duke was busy with Neverrest stuff. So I ended up spending a lot of time with Adrien.
I didn’t have a good excuse to refuse him, so I had to meet him each time.
“Eilene, am I bothering you by coming so often?”
“No, I’m happy you came.”
When Adrien shyly scratched his cheek, I quickly shook my head. You can’t just say, “You visit too much, it’s annoying!” to a worried friend.
“Wow. Eilene, I didn’t think you’d ever say something like that. Amazing.”
He looked pleased.
Should I have acted colder?
That’s not really my style, but it’s true—my act was falling apart the more we met.
Luckily, Adrien didn’t seem like the type to overanalyze things. He just accepted the changes in me naturally.
Well… it’s a good thing Eilene had such a nice friend.
I tried to calm my mind, thinking that.
Then one day, something happened that made me happy to see him.
“Eilene, you should go out with Adrien sometimes—to eat good food and have fun.”
“What?”
“It’d be nice to go out with a friend, wouldn’t it?”
What my mother said completely shocked me.
Ever since the kidnapping, I wasn’t allowed to leave the house. Even with guards, my parents were too worried. But now, they were okay with it—as long as I was with Adrien.
Whoa. Was it really that easy to get permission?
Turns out, Adrien was more respected than I thought. People said he was better at swordsmanship than most knights, probably because the Lurn family was famous for their sword skills.
Well, that’s good news.
Even though the mansion and garden were huge, it still felt like being locked up. I hadn’t even gone out to meet the Grand Duke lately, so I was really feeling trapped.
“Want to go out together?”
“Sure. Let’s go!”
When Adrien asked, I nodded excitedly.
