Chapter 44
Why…?
I lowered my head to look at myself and finally understood what Bambi had meant.
My gown had opened slightly, revealing bare skin, and on my left breast, just slightly off from the center, there was a wound from a sword.
A red line drawn across my flesh.
It wasn’t a wound that existed before my regression at this time.
This was a scar I had received when I was stabbed by Leoni before I died.
I quickly closed the gown to hide the wound, but it was useless for Bambi, who had already seen it.
“You… where did you get stabbed…?”
“Don’t say things that’ll make me sound suspicious!”
For some reason, I always end up being found out by Bambi about things I don’t want him to see. Before the regression, and even after.
“Then what’s this! Was it <the Lion>?”
“It’s not like that.”
Here, <the Lion> referred to Leoni.
Come to think of it, it was technically Leoni’s doing—but probably not in the way Bambi was thinking.
Bambi’s expression was fierce. This was going to cause trouble. I quickly preempted him before he could make the wrong assumptions.
“I really don’t know. One day I just woke up, and it was there.”
It wasn’t a lie. I had discovered this scar on the very first day after I regressed.
Of course, it wasn’t exactly pleasant to look at. It wasn’t just a red line; the flesh around it was slightly raised, making it stand out more.
Moreover, for a young lady in a noble family, having a wound like this was absurd. Even the smallest scratch would normally send the servants into a frenzy, fussing over the girl as if the world were ending.
But I didn’t hate this wound. It was proof that I had survived.
Proof that what happened before regression—the things I had dreamed of—weren’t just fantasies.
Of course, Bambi didn’t believe me easily.
“That’s… ridiculous…”
“If this was really a stab wound, how would I even be alive right now?”
“…….”
“Or maybe it’s a sign that I was chosen by God.”
Bambi stared at me in confusion for a long moment, then finally ran his hand through his hair.
“……Weird.”
“Stop assuming you know everything about me. You need a little humility.”
Bambi tilted his head and chuckled. Clearly, he found it absurd.
“Making people dizzy in all sorts of ways… Humility?”
Ah, he’s a little pissed.
As expected, Bambi sat down and began lecturing.
“If I step away for a moment, I get slapped at home, scolded, trapped, and now you’re telling me you somehow had a son? That alone is absurd. Then, without warning, you run away, and the rumors say you were kidnapped and imprisoned.”
“No, that’s not…”
“You were supposed to be getting married, and when I went to check, you were stabbed! And you didn’t even behave properly while leaving. And what the—”
“What?” I was about to ask, but Bambi changed the subject.
“Anyway, I can’t say I’ll just stay still, Sophie.”
He seemed like he wanted to say more, but it wasn’t important right now.
“Anyway, Bambi—”
“What have you heard so far?! What do you mean ‘anyway’!”
Ignoring his angry growl, I took a few steps closer and asked the question I had originally wanted to know.
“Bambi, you came to answer the request I made, right? Where’s Elouise?”
At that moment, Bambi trembled slightly. This time, it wasn’t a mistake. I could feel it.
“Alright… go back a little.”
“Why?”
Bambi hesitated, unable to answer properly.
Why…?
Bambi rarely got flustered. This was a rare experience.
As I stared at him, the black-haired man raised his hand to cover his face and murmured,
“The scent… is a bit strange.”
The scent? Was he talking about the bath additives? I must have left the gown near them, so it absorbed the fragrance.
I sniffed near my shoulder. It was a bit strong, but I liked it.
Still, everyone has different tastes. And since Bambi’s job required secrecy, he didn’t normally wear perfume. That could make him extra sensitive.
I obediently stepped back. In reality, it didn’t matter how close I was. The bath scent had already spread through the bathroom anyway.
The sharp-featured young man, seemingly more relaxed, slowly closed his eyes, then opened them at the same pace, like he was trying to compose himself.
But when his eyes focused on me, I flinched slightly. They were sharp and red, almost like they were burning.
“Farindorlate.”
“What?”
I repeated it a beat late.
Bambi didn’t look away as he answered,
“It’s the name of a small coastal town in the Kingdom of Neiden. Your younger sibling is there right now.”
Ah, so he was answering my question.
Why did Elly go all the way to the Kingdom of Neiden? At this rate, I could make a whole continental map.
But that wasn’t all. Bambi pulled out a small note from his pocket.
“If you send a letter to this address, they should get it.”
“An address?”
“Yes. She’ll be there for a few days.”
Bambi unfolded the note for me. It contained a full, detailed address, including street and house number.
He even knows that?
And…
“How does he know how long Elly will be there?”
“She’ll get a stomach ache from bad food. You don’t need the details.”
Apparently, Bambi has his own trade secrets.
“…Impressive.”
I murmured without realizing.
Moreover, Bambi’s specialty isn’t investigation—it’s assassination. The fact that his side skills are this good is impressive.
“Not yet, Sophie.”
“Not yet what?”
Bambi looked diagonally at the floor and muttered.
“The other request. The one about that little brat… it’ll take some time.”
Ah, right, I had also asked him to check on Arne. Looks like he’s having a hard time with that.
But it doesn’t matter now. It’s actually good that he hasn’t found him yet.
“That’s fine for now.”
“What? What does that mean?”
I explained simply. Since it was confirmed that Elly sent Arne, I wouldn’t actively investigate him for now. There might be a reason behind it, so I’d wait until I hear from Elly.
“Got it, Sophie. Then the request is canceled.”
Oh? That was easier than I thought.
As I widened my eyes, Bambi added,
“Instead, I’ll check on that little brat myself. Independent of the request.”
“What?”
“And I’ll tell you if I think you should know.”
But… how is that different from the request?
Still, it was awkward to argue. If Bambi wanted to investigate alone, I couldn’t stop him. And he said he’d tell me when necessary, which seemed fair.
“…Fine.”
I finally answered.
Bambi shrugged as if he had expected that.
His attitude made me slightly uneasy, though there was no need. So I spoke again.
“Bambi,”
“What?”
“You only do what I approve. Nothing else.”
I reminded him of our contract.
Bambi chuckled lightly. Strangely, even while laughing, he seemed a little annoyed. Just a feeling.
“Think about it, Sophia.”
The black-haired assassin rested his face on a bent knee. The tilt made his jawline appear sharper.
His red eyes focused on me.
“Otherwise, why would the man who’s supposed to marry you still be alive?”
“! You, what do you—”
I tried to look stern but suddenly realized.
Before regression, Bambi really wouldn’t have done anything without my permission.
Until I died.
He had watched my foolishness to the very end, never touched the marquis because I wanted to be loved, and even with Arnold, whom I didn’t love but needed, he had respected my boundaries.
“That’s right…”
I muttered without realizing.
“You’re on my side. To the very end.”
If I were to jump into a fire, he wouldn’t stop me but would hold my hand and jump in with me.
So I wouldn’t be alone.
“Got it.”
Bambi summed up my long reflections on my past life in four simple words. But he seemed satisfied.
Ah, but we can’t leave it there.
“Still, Owen—”
“Duke Glentino.”
“Yes, that person mustn’t be killed.”
“Got it.”
The young man with red eyes nodded casually.
Bambi left through the window, just as he had arrived.
Before leaving, he sniffed his wrist and shoulder in various spots, then frowned and said,
“I can smell the bath additive on me too.”
Then be the fragrant assassin you are.
“See you again, Bambi.”
“Take moderate baths, my lady.”
“Don’t worry, just go quickly.”
Bambi lingered longer than usual, like someone who didn’t want to leave.
He even stepped onto the window frame, glanced back at me again, and I asked,
“Why?”
Bambi hesitated, then put on a serious expression.
“That little brat.”
“The little brat? You mean Arne?”
“Yes… not exactly sure yet,”
He looked slightly offended here. After all, this was the first time he said “it’ll take more time.”
Ah, so his pride was hurt. Kind of cute, actually.
But when he continued, I couldn’t help but frown.
“One thing I can tell you. That kid is dangerous. Don’t get too close.”
