Chapter 52
“Ah, I forgot to buy the book.”
“Hm? What book?”
“The one I like. That’s actually why I came out today, but I forgot.”
As she accepted the fresh sheet of paper from Stella, Sophia suddenly remembered the whole reason she had come out today—and realized she had completely forgotten about it.
Part of it was because Payton had been running around like a child, making it hard to focus. And part of it was because she’d been having a conversation on topics she could never share with anyone else, so she had been fully absorbed—and her thoughts about the book had vanished.
The sky was growing darker, which meant she’d have to head back soon.
But she didn’t want to come out again tomorrow. There were already so many people now—when the festival truly started, it would only get louder and more crowded.
She had once been swept away in a wave of bodies before—once was more than enough—and she wanted to avoid crowded places however possible.
Perhaps sensing her hesitation, Stella smiled brightly.
“Go now! I’ll keep an eye on Mr. Payton.”
“…Mm.”
“Don’t worry! We’ll be right here waiting for you, so hurry!”
“…Alright. I’ll leave it to you.”
It was better to do as Stella suggested rather than waste time here and then waste more going out again just to buy the book.
She had already seen where the bookstore was when she first came here, so finding it wouldn’t be difficult.
Sophia quickly made up her mind and pressed the paper she’d been holding into Stella’s hand.
“I’ll be back soon.”
“Okay. See you in a bit!”
Waving her off with a cheerful smile, Stella saw her out.
This time, Sophia was determined not to get lost. She had memorized the map and taken note of major landmarks, so finding her way was no trouble.
She easily located the bookstore, stepped inside, and began searching for the book she wanted.
“Star… star…”
She was looking for the second volume of The Star Is Not Alone. Running her finger along the spines as she moved down the shelf, she suddenly felt the title she was looking for under her fingertip.
“Found it.”
Her voice carried a hint of joy as she pulled the book free—only for a flustered voice to sound right next to her.
“Oh, oh! That’s my book!”
Huh?
At the unfamiliar voice, Sophia turned her head to see a woman standing there, slightly flushed, having just let out a small cry.
The woman, with pink hair tied into two pigtails, stared at Sophia with wide eyes.
“Are you… by any chance, my fan?!”
She was pointing at the book in Sophia’s hand in an almost overexcited way.
Glancing between the woman and the book, Sophia quickly came to a reasonable conclusion and spoke it aloud.
“Eura Romancy? The author… of this book?”
“That’s right!”
What were the odds?
“Wow… I didn’t think I had any fans. Can I shake your hand?”
Wasn’t it usually the other way around?
Though puzzled, Sophia extended her hand. Eura smiled cutely and clasped it tightly.
“…Oh.”
Sophia had expected her to bounce with excitement, but instead, Eura’s expression froze the moment she took her hand.
Letting out a faint sigh, Eura looked down at their joined hands—her pale pink eyes seemed to focus on something far away.
Her sudden change worried Sophia enough to ask,
“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
“O-oh, no! I just woke up really early to come here and walked around all day, so I’m a bit sleepy, that’s all!”
That sounded more like an excuse.
She suspected as much, but there was no need to pry further—they weren’t close enough for that.
While Sophia kept her misgivings to herself, Eura continued speaking with a constant smile.
“Ah, I just remembered—I forgot to buy ink!”
It was such an obvious excuse that Sophia could only watch as Eura let go of her hand.
Was it just her imagination, or were Eura’s eyes slightly red? Maybe it really was from lack of sleep.
“Well, I’ll be going now! Let’s meet again sometime, okay? And make sure you enjoy my book!”
Though there was no reason they’d meet again, Eura spoke as if promising a future encounter, then walked out of the bookstore.
Sophia tried to turn her gaze away—but through the not-yet-closed door, she caught sight of Eura stumbling.
Then she saw someone grab Eura by the collar and yank her upward—before the door shut.
“…Oh, great.”
Sophia quickly put the book down and hurried outside.
“If you’ve dirtied it, you should take responsibility!”
The commotion grew louder as she approached.
Standing leisurely with his nose in the air was a man wearing a long hat. Next to him, his servant—or so he seemed—was gripping Eura’s collar.
“How dare you dirty the young master’s clothes!”
Dirty? Sophia’s gaze flicked to the so-called young master’s clothes. There was nothing wrong with them—at most, the collar was a little rumpled.
Surely they weren’t making a fuss over that.
“Every festival, it’s always the same—riffraff making trouble…”
The man simply clicked his tongue and let his servant do as he pleased.
When he stepped closer to Eura, Sophia slipped between them.
If she was right, this was the eldest son of the Hesley family.
The platinum blond hair, the blue eyes that so closely resembled Lucy’s—and most of all, the scathing way Lorei had once spoken of him—all matched. Lazy, ill-tempered… yes, this had to be Zen Hesley.
“What’s this supposed to be?”
“I’d like you to step back.”
Even under Zen’s unpleasant stare, Sophia spoke firmly.
Unlike his master, the servant studied her for a moment, then his eyes widened.
He must have realized who she was—Sophia Beni.
Through Stella, the Loash family already knew she was alive, and word would have spread quietly from there.
“Well, if it isn’t a rude little cat.”
“….”
“Kids like you should just—”
Before Zen could finish, the servant leaned in to whisper in his ear. Sophia couldn’t hear what was said, but Zen’s expression shifted dramatically.
“What? She’s—?”
After hearing the rest, he took a step back, almost instinctively.
He couldn’t afford to treat someone from a lord’s household carelessly—especially if that person was dearly cherished by the lord himself.
“Do I have to state my name before you’ll leave?”
Seeing his reaction, Sophia pressed the advantage. Zen bit his lip before finally speaking.
“Let’s go, Ron.”
“Y-yes, sir.”
“And… my apologies for the discourtesy, young lady of the Roberti family.”
Forcing his lips into something like a smile, Zen offered a stiff bow before leaving.
“Are you alright?”
“Ah, yes…”
Eura had been staring off somewhere, but turned to answer.
Worried that she was still shaken from the earlier incident, Sophia watched her quietly—until Eura clasped her hand with sparkling eyes.
“Thank you so much! Since fate brought us together, how about we have tea?”
“I thought you needed to buy ink…”
“Huh? Did I say that? Anyway, come on!”
With that, Eura pulled her along. But before they could go far, someone blocked their path.
“Excuse me. If you’re not in a hurry, may I ask you a question?”
Black uniform, white cape.
The Central Fortress uniform?
The moment Sophia saw it, her gaze rose to the man’s face.
Short, chestnut-brown hair; a strong, unforgettable impression; yet, despite that, still a youthful face. Yes—she remembered him well.
Eren Gurt Loash. Stella’s older brother was standing right before her—a comrade with whom she had once faced life and death.
He looked very young, but still recognizable. If anything, Sophia knew he would look even sterner in the future.
An unexpected warmth welled up in her chest.
“Have you seen someone around here with black hair tied back, wearing the same uniform as me?”
If he meant a Central Fortress officer with black hair—yes, she had seen one earlier, when she’d been with Payton, near the large tree.
“They have quite a fierce look—you wouldn’t forget their face after seeing it once.”
You’re the same, she thought with a smile to herself.
She pointed toward the tree.
“I saw them over there, near the wishing tree.”
“Thank you.”
Relief softened his features as he nodded and headed off in the direction she’d indicated.
Whether young or grown, he was essentially the same—only his face gave away his age.
When the brief but welcome meeting was over, Eura was still holding her hand, striding ahead.
Except… it felt like they were heading into an alley.
“I don’t think there’s a tea shop here…”
“Of course there isn’t.”
“Then why—”
“Sorry. I’m going to mix your memories a little.”
…What?
Before Sophia could grasp the meaning of her words, a wave of nausea hit. Countless memories surged up all at once, then sank; time blurred, pain crashing in with it.
Sophia lost consciousness instantly. Eura caught her before she could fall, holding her close.
