Chapter 43
The next morning, things seemed unusually noisy. It turned out Joshua and Benjamin had arrived at Rosent Castle. The moment they spotted me in the corridor, they both waved enthusiastically.
“Sophia, do you have a moment?”
“What is it?”
“Stella said she wanted to come see you. Should we let her in? Are you okay with that?”
Stella?
It took me about five seconds to recall who she was—ah, that poodle-like girl.
“…Do as you like.”
With a tone suggesting indifference, Sophia brushed past them and walked away.
Stella Roash…
A girl destined to become the head of House Roash—sharp, cold, and brutal. In the future, she would be the one to push her own brother, Eren Gurt Roash, off a cliff, handing Joshua the justification he needed to kill her.
Truthfully, Stella was someone Sophia found difficult to meet often.
But how Stella became that way wasn’t entirely her choice. She was made to kill Eren. It was the family that discovered the connection between Eren and Sophia and ordered Stella to act. She did what any future head of that household would do.
Friend… companion…
As the memory of Stella’s sunny smile came back, Sophia felt her heart grow oddly light.
“Sophia!”
Stella cheerfully marched through the castle gates and into Rosent Castle, where Sophia stood waiting. Watching her, Sophia thought,
She really does smile like the sun.
Seeing her so overjoyed made Sophia glad she hadn’t refused. That awkward tension she’d felt earlier had all but vanished.
With wide eyes the color of fresh spring leaves, Stella rushed forward, arms open, and wrapped Sophia in a warm hug.
“I missed you so much!”
“…I see.”
Why was Stella so friendly and affectionate? They had only wandered the roads together for a few hours—not enough time to bond over life and death or form any deep connection.
Still, looking at her childlike excitement, Sophia didn’t want to turn that smile into a frown.
Maybe it was because she was still a child. Sophia didn’t feel like saying anything that would hurt her.
“I brought Mont Blanc as a gift! Let’s have it with some tea.”
“…Ah.”
“I got it just for you, you know? I bought it myself, waiting for this exact day.”
Stella lifted the box of Mont Blanc proudly. Her long braids bounced behind her like a puppy’s wagging tail.
She really remembered.
Sophia had said she liked Mont Blanc offhandedly, not expecting to ever see Stella again. It had been a throwaway remark, but Stella had remembered and prepared a gift for her. Seeing that made it difficult to send her away.
She even bought it herself.
“I’m staying over tonight! Let’s have the best time ever!”
Staying? That was news to Sophia.
She turned to Joshua and Benjamin, who likely had discussed this with Stella. Unsurprisingly, Joshua averted his eyes guiltily, while Benjamin gave her a sheepish smile.
“She seemed so happy yesterday…”
Stella’s eyes sparkled at the mention of “happy.” As if she was asking, Was it really fun being with me?
Sophia had intended to deny it, but the words wouldn’t come.
“…It was fun.”
Even if they’d only spent a few hours together, how could she be so warm and affectionate?
What a silly thought. This is my first friend my age… of course I’m happy.
“I had fun too!”
Overjoyed by Sophia’s response, Stella hugged her tightly again.
Just then, a familiar yawn interrupted the moment. Payton strolled in, inserting himself naturally into the scene.
“Oh, is that Mont Blanc?”
“…Excuse me, but who are you?”
“Bitria’s? Of course. Bitria makes the best Mont Blanc. You’ve got taste, young lady.”
“Right? Mont Blanc has to be from Bitria!”
“Bitria!”
Though clearly strangers, Stella and Payton shouted in perfect sync like old friends.
Sophia sent Payton a look that clearly asked, What are you doing? But his nonsense only escalated.
“Ah, youth is wonderful. Awake even at this hour of the night.”
“It’s noon, Grandpa.”
“Same difference.”
It is not the same. Benjamin corrected him, but Payton simply glanced out the window, then pulled a small glass bottle from his coat.
It held only a few rainbow-colored candies. Payton handed it to Sophia with a playful, harmless look.
“Sooophiaaa…”
She wanted to throw it at him.
That annoying, fake-cute voice always made her want to do something wicked.
Before he could say anything else unbearable, Sophia popped the cork and handed him one of the candies.
Payton took one, popped it in his mouth, and gave her a satisfied smile.
Ignoring him, Sophia turned back to Stella.
“What do you want to do?”
“Oh, let’s eat the Mont Blanc first. I brought the perfect tea leaves to go with it!”
With a bright smile, she shook a small package of tea leaves. One hand held the Mont Blanc, the other the tea. Joshua smoothly took both and handed them to a nearby servant.
“Etus, prepare the tea table in the garden. Use this Mont Blanc as the main item, and brew this tea. It’s Portia leaf—so avoid overly sweet desserts. Something a bit bitter would be nice.”
“Yes, sir.”
As Etus turned to leave, Stella pulled him aside and whispered something in his ear.
Once he was gone, Benjamin made a suggestion.
“Shall we take a stroll in the garden while they set up?”
“I’ve always wanted to see it! They say it’s full of flowers, no matter the season.”
“Yes, we plant special seeds. Imported from the West. Magical seeds.”
“Oh! The ones made by the Lord of the Western Domain!”
As they stepped onto the path, Sophia followed a few steps behind, watching the three ahead of her.
Stella, smiling brightly, naturally nestled between Joshua and Benjamin. The sight was so peaceful—like a perfect family—that Sophia found herself walking more slowly.
Then, both men turned around at once.
“Sophia?”
“Are you okay? Did you walk too much yesterday? Do your legs hurt?”
Joshua calling her name, and Benjamin’s concern for her health… She wasn’t used to this kind of kindness. She forgot to respond.
They smiled at her, inviting her to catch up.
And then Stella turned back and held out her hand.
“Sophia!”
Is this… a happiness I’m allowed to have?
Even if this joy vanished one day, could she endure it?
She already knew the answer.
No.
But instead of stepping back, Sophia quickened her pace and took Stella’s hand.
Then don’t let it disappear.
That meant reclaiming everything she had once given up on.
Living again. For her own happiness.
Just move forward. Don’t give up.
The peace she had found in Rune’s embrace had helped her more than she’d realized. Otherwise, this renewed will to live wouldn’t have bloomed inside her.
Good. Then just live.
As they strolled, Stella tugged lightly on Sophia’s sleeve, as if she had a question.
“Hey, Sophia—”
“Lady Sophia?”
The voice wasn’t Stella’s.
Turning left, Sophia spotted Rune, whom the others had only just noticed as well.
He hadn’t expected Sophia to be with others—she usually visited the garden alone.
“I apologize for interrupting.”
Perhaps sensing Rune’s discomfort, Stella looped her arm through Sophia’s and asked,
“Do you know him? Are you close?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll be close with him too! There’s a saying—‘A friend of a friend is my friend!’”
Is that really a saying? Sophia wondered, but before she could speak, Stella had already started chatting with Rune.
“What’s your name?”
“…I’m Rune. I work in the gardens here.”
“I’m Stella! Nice to meet you!”
Rune gave a small nod, his expression unusually stiff. He looked uncomfortable. Naturally so.
Sophia had grown up close to Rune despite their difference in status. But others weren’t like that.
Still, Stella didn’t seem to care about such things. With a bright smile, she offered,
“Rune, join us for tea!”
“…I don’t think this is a place for me.”
“It’s fine! You’re Sophia’s friend—that’s enough.”
Turning down a heartfelt offer would be rude, but staying might make him too uneasy.
Joshua and Benjamin didn’t object—they simply watched silently.
Rune glanced at Sophia, seeking permission.
His lips moved silently:
“Is it okay?”
Sophia nodded.
“Do as you like. Whatever you’re comfortable with.”
She wanted to respect his choice above all else.
Rune offered a faint smile in return.
“Then… just for a bit, if I may.”
“Of course!” Stella replied, beaming.
Her warmth lit the entire moment.
