Chapter 25……………………………………….
“……?”
Wh—what?
Does he know me?
I was still flustered by the name that had suddenly popped out when—
The man took a step toward us.
At the same time, Mathias pulled me behind him.
But instead of showing any hostility, the man simply—
“Is it really you?”
He spoke as if he knew me.
“Why are you here?”
“…….”
“And why now…?”
Unable to finish his sentence, the man stared at me blankly.
I subtly leaned out from behind Mathias and stole a sideways glance at him under the moonlight.
Just from his eyes alone, it was obvious—he knew me well.
The problem was—
Wh-who is he?
I had no idea who he was!
But it was awkward to suddenly ask if he knew me, and I had no intention of telling anyone that I’d possessed this body—or revealing that I was different from the original Aria.
“Mathi.”
“H-huh?”
Mathias barely managed to recognize his nickname.
Grabbing his hand tightly, I spoke with solemn determination.
“Hold on to your noona’s hand. Don’t let go.”
“?”
Mathias tilted his head, clearly not understanding.
That was fine.
I could explain later. The guy didn’t seem intent on attacking us, and there was no way I could pretend to recognize him either.
“Run!”
Well—whatever happens, happens!
* * *
“……?”
Dian, the heir to the Marquisate of Odilon, who had been in the middle of arresting an illegal counterfeit currency ring, stared dumbly at the now-empty spot.
If his eyes hadn’t deceived him, that had definitely been the person he knew.
And yet, despite clearly seeing his face, she had passed by as if she didn’t recognize him at all.
No—at this point…
“……Did someone just run away?”
His aide, having handed the criminals over to the subordinates, approached with a dazed expression.
Dian, who had been standing still for quite some time, furrowed his brow.
What’s wrong with him?
The job had ended perfectly. And yet his mood was clearly off—dangerously so.
Still, the aide had enough sense not to pry.
“Ahem…”
Clearing his throat to dispel the chilling atmosphere, he continued.
“We’ll begin interrogating the suspects immediately. Frambel’s recent movements have also been suspicious, so we’ll investigate whether there’s any connection.”
“…….”
“And there’s an auction scheduled to take place soon. Several central nobles are expected to attend through proxies.”
“…….”
“……May I continue the report?”
Could he?
With that unreadable expression, it was hard to know whether saying more was a good idea.
“Th-then I’ll take my leave.”
Deciding retreat was the safest option, the aide quietly backed away.
Even then, Dian remained rooted to the spot.
Who was the man with her?
Back when he’d last seen her, there hadn’t been anyone like that.
“Rad.”
“……Y-yes?”
Rad, the highly competent aide who had been trying to slip away, jumped in surprise.
Dian parted his lips.
“Look into the Renestie household. Their recent situation.”
“Pardon? Don’t you already know everything about them? You were the one who delayed the seizure when they missed their repayment deadline.”
That incident—carried out without the Marchioness’s knowledge—was a small secret known only to Dian and Rad.
Dian had never wanted anyone to know he was involved.
Even the person he was helping.
“…….”
Though he had been secretly aiding them, he never interfered beyond that.
Following Xavier had only been unavoidable due to his ties to the organization Dian was tracking.
He never crossed his own line.
But this time was different.
The man who had taken a stance as if he might attack at any moment—
He didn’t seem like a knight, nor like a guard or attendant who usually stayed by Aria’s side.
“Nothing else. Just check if there’s been anyone newly added to Renestie—or if there’s anything unusual.”
“Ah—yes.”
Rad nodded reflexively.
Though he couldn’t help thinking You said not to bother with this before, he couldn’t disobey his master.
He withdrew immediately.
Left alone, Dian still couldn’t take his eyes off the empty space.
Perhaps it was the sharp killing intent he’d felt just moments ago.
“…….”
His mood was awful.
* * *
Th-that seriously scared me.
Thankfully, the carriage we’d arrived in earlier was still tucked away near the alley.
Only after jumping inside and feeling the wheels begin to roll did I finally let out the breath I’d been holding.
That was way too close.
High-society figures didn’t faze me anymore.
But running into someone who knew me—out of nowhere, in a completely unexpected place—nearly gave me a heart attack.
He didn’t seem to be with those guys.
If anything… he seemed more like someone who had come to capture them.
Judging from the screams and the fight earlier, there was no way they were on the same side.
So he really came to arrest them?
If he’d been lying in wait and struck while everyone was distracted, that would explain things.
“Someone… you know?”
“Huh?”
I looked up to see Mathias, just as restless as I was.
Only then did I realize how shaken he was, and I hurried to apologize.
“Sorry. I scared you when I suddenly ran.”
“…….”
Mathias shook his head and held out his hand.
But when I took it, his grip was ice-cold.
Yeah, right. ‘I’m fine.’
He might look composed, but he was far more delicate than he let on.
Sighing, I tightened my hold on his large hand.
I don’t even know who that guy was.
Human connections are unpredictable. If he really was a knight or noble sent to capture those men, there was a good chance we’d cross paths again.
And if he recognized me then while I didn’t remember him, I’d be the weird one.
“He’s just someone I ran into briefly. I didn’t expect to meet him there either…”
This wasn’t the time to say too much.
I deliberately trailed off and lowered my gaze.
“But he’s not a bad person.”
…Probably.
He didn’t attack us, at least.
With no real basis, I decided to stop there.
That’s when Mathias suddenly bowed his head.
“……Your ankle.”
“My ankle?”
Repeating his words, I immediately realized why.
“Oh.”
I must’ve twisted it when I fell earlier. Now that I’d relaxed, it throbbed just enough to be annoying.
Still, since I’d managed to run all the way here, it didn’t seem serious.
Probably just a strained muscle.
But it was too early to relax.
The moment we arrived at the mansion, Mathias stepped down first—and suddenly held out his hand.
Confused by the unexpected escort, I took it—
“Eek?!”
My balance tipped, and Mathias easily swept me up into his arms.
“—Ah!”
Startled, I looked up at him. Calm as ever, he carried me straight toward the mansion.
From afar, Sophia clapped a hand over her mouth.
“…Mathias.”
“Yeah.”
“I can walk on my own, you know.”
It’s not like I’m a child.
This was way too overprotective.
