TLVGAJ 37

~Chapter 37~

The compartment, now with only the three of us, was filled with silence.

Sophie had given me a worried look when I asked her to step out, but she obediently left.

After a while, Albert spoke first.

“Are you feeling alright?”

“…Yes, I’m fine.”

I nodded.

Thankfully, after fainting, I didn’t feel any lingering problems in my body.

I sat up, leaning against the headboard of the bed.

Taking a deep breath, I looked at the two men.

“Albert. I have something to say.”

“…Alright. Go ahead.”

Speaking in a serious tone, I saw Albert straighten his posture.

“First… thank you. It might be a bit late to say this.”

“What?”

“I heard from Sir Eric that you helped inform the people of Sinks about the truth of the incident.”

“….”

“Thanks to your report, Albert, our efforts weren’t in vain. Without you, the people of Sinks might have lived for years blaming the wrong people.”

Albert looked surprised, as if he didn’t expect me to thank him for something related to Sinks.

He replied, “No need to thank me. It was something I was supposed to do.”

“….”

“I didn’t do it because I wanted to help you — I did it because it was my duty.”

“Either way, I’m still thankful.”

I smiled faintly.

That took care of the thanks… but I wasn’t finished.

“And… I have to tell you this. Actually, I don’t like Eric.”

“…Pardon?”

Eric, who had been quietly listening, tilted his head.

“You liked me, my lady?”

“Well… sorry, Eric.”

Feeling awkward, I scratched my head.

“I kind of lied to Albert that I liked you. I just wanted to travel quietly, but when Albert confessed, it felt burdensome.”

Sorry, second male lead. I’m trash for using you…

The truth was, I did like Eric a little.

Even when reading the novel, he was my favorite character — and in person, he was far more charming than I imagined.

His large build, swordsmanship, chivalry, manners, his quirky personality that didn’t match his size, the strange charm that made people comfortable, and even his way of cherishing small things.

And of course… his broad chest.

…Anyway.

Despite all that, I needed to set things straight.

“Do you dislike me that much?”

Albert’s voice cut through my thoughts.

I turned to see him staring at me with eyes full of hurt.

“I held back from getting closer because I didn’t want to burden you. Even when I saw you and Eric getting along, I endured it and calmed myself. And now you’re telling me it was all a lie?”

“Huh…?”

Eric blinked at Albert’s words, clearly confused.

But Albert ignored him, keeping his eyes only on me.

“Irene, do you have such a strong reason to dislike me?”

“….”

I met Albert’s gaze seriously.

Why was I pushing him away?

Of course — because I wasn’t the heroine. There was another woman meant to be with him.

And unlike the original Irene, I didn’t want a bad ending where I lost my head.

So I had only intended to keep a good, safe relationship with the male leads. I never wanted to attract deep feelings from them.

I remembered why I started this journey.

I had possessed the body of someone with little time left, and I just wanted to do what I wished before dying.

One of those wishes was this train trip.

Then…

What if I just told the male leads my secret?

It was an impulsive thought, born from wanting to untangle myself from them.

“…Because I don’t have much time left to live.”

“…What?”

Albert frowned. Eric also looked at me in shock.

“Shortly before I boarded this train, I was told I was terminal. You know my magic is unstable. My doctor said I have at most a year to live.”

“….”

“….”

Having fainted twice now made the reality of my condition sink in even more.

I didn’t want to be caught up in messy relationships with the male leads anymore.

I barely had enough time to enjoy the trip I wanted.

So I made a sudden but firm decision — to tell them my truth, the real reason I avoided them.

“That’s why your feelings feel like a burden to me, Albert.”

I bit my lip and continued:

“I’m sorry, but I’m going to die soon, so I don’t want to be involved with anyone. This train trip is my last journey, and I want to enjoy this moment more than anything — more than anyone.”

So…

“So please don’t approach me anymore. Both of you.”

When I finished speaking, I gave a small smile.

Both men’s eyes wavered with unease.

* * *

— Fabian, urgent matter.

“What is it?”

A man with purple hair sat at a bar, drinking whiskey.

While he sat alone, a voice spoke in his ear.

— A massive magic wave was recently detected in the Sinks region.

“…Send me the record.”

— Yes, transmitting now.

A transparent map of the continent appeared before Fabian.

Sure enough, the forest near Sinks was marked red from the magic wave.

It was a huge area — the entire Sinks Forest seemed covered by the wave.

Studying it with a frown, Fabian said, “With this much magic, the residue should be moving. Have you checked?”

— Yes. It’s fading now, but the residue is still moving. However…

“However?”

The voice hesitated, then continued:

— Judging by the speed, it’s not moving by normal transportation. Most likely… the magic holder is on the Ramier Express.

“….”

— The movement matches the train’s route. Right now it seems to be heading toward the Roma region.

“…The Ramier Express, huh.” Fabian muttered, nodding.

— With this much magic, we should confirm it. Should I send the others?

“…No.”

Fabian shook his head.

He stood, taking a black cloak from the back of his chair.

“I’ll go myself.”

— Understood, Fabian.

The call ended with a short crackle.

Clink.

Fabian placed coins from his pocket on the bar for his drink.

Swinging the cloak over his shoulders, he disappeared.

Moments later, the bartender returned, scratching his head and looking around.

“Huh, where’d the customer go?”

At his seat… there was no one.

As if no one had been there from the start.