“A… I was just going for a walk.”
What a surprise.
It was Mrs. Ferolten, the dormitory head of Girls’ Dormitory Building A.
The elevator gave a soft noise, signaling me to get off. I hurriedly stepped out.
‘Look at me! Already soaking in nostalgia…’
She stared at me as if finding it odd that I’d come down at this hour. It was midday, and since most classes hadn’t started in earnest yet, most students were still in their dorm rooms, building friendships—so it was probably unexpected.
She was a plump woman in her forties, with a kindly impression, wearing oval-shaped glasses with transparent frames. I’d heard she was a baron’s wife, but her husband had died early, and since the title wasn’t hereditary, she was called “Baroness” out of courtesy, but in truth, she was now a commoner.
Dormitory heads were usually middle-class women who had worked as governesses for a long time. I’d also heard that Mrs. Ferolten was acquainted with the principal, but whether that was true or not, I didn’t know.
And by the way.
You shouldn’t be fooled by that kindly impression. She’s actually quite a nasty person. Her hobby was tormenting students! If you got on her bad side, you’d inevitably end up entangled in some annoying task, so you had to be careful.
‘I remember that even before the regression.’
Mrs. Ferolten stared at me, not responding to my answer.
She was probably waiting for my greeting! If I only gave a nod and passed by, my name would surely go into her little notebook!
“Nice to see you, Mrs. Ferolten. You’re the dormitory head, correct?”
“Hmm, yes. Nice to see you, Miss Crederé.”
A brief look of surprise flickered across her face, which quickly brightened. She seemed genuinely pleased, as if she’d never expected me to greet her and even call her by name.
“I was actually hoping to speak with you. Are you feeling well?”
There was a kindness in her voice that I’d never heard before the regression.
‘All I did was greet her! Was I just really lacking in social grace before?’
“I just felt a bit under the weather. Thank you for your concern.”
I was momentarily surprised. Even Cecilia hadn’t asked how I was.
I wonder if Cecilia thinks I was faking it last time because I submerged myself in the bath at the mansion?
“Where are you off to on your walk?”
Mrs. Ferolten started moving her hands busily beneath the desk, all the while keeping her eyes fixed on me. It felt like she wanted to ask me for a favor, or maybe she was just observing my reaction. Would she write my name down if I refused, even politely?
She does like being treated with respect.
I saw her pink notebook under her hand.
“I thought I’d go to the main athletic field.”
“Oh my! What a coincidence!”
“Why do you say that?”
Her acting was so forced!
Feigning ignorance, I asked again and tried to hold back my laughter.
“I happen to have something that needs to be taken to the control room. Do you know where that is? Hmm. This is troublesome, what to do… You know where the main building is, right?”
So it was true, she only asked for favors when you were alone. Since I’d never gone anywhere alone before, I’d never had to deal with Mrs. Ferolten until now.
‘This is kind of fun!’
For some reason, I felt a little excited. That’s right! I can handle little things like this on my own. My heart pumped energetically.
Mrs. Ferolten’s eyes watched me as if to test my response. If I refused, she’d surely change her expression as if nothing had happened and get angry, or make sure I was dragged into some “troublesome matter” later on.
“If you have something for me to deliver, please entrust it to me.”
When I answered obediently, her eyes widened.
“What?”
“I’m headed that way anyway, so I’ll help you, madam.”
“Well… hm. Normally, this would be something the assistant head should do…”
Her hand stopped as she spoke, as if making an excuse.
“That must be inconvenient for you. I suppose the assistant hasn’t arrived yet?”
I quickly cut in before she could finish, and she fell silent again.
After hesitating, Mrs. Ferolten placed a box filled with miscellaneous items on the desk. When I readily grabbed the rope handle, she hurriedly grabbed my wrist.
“Madam?”
“Let’s take a few things out. These aren’t urgent…”
“As you wish.”
‘She was so eager to pack them earlier. Seems she knows it looks bad.’
Enough with the pink notebook, madam!
At my gentle reply, she smiled back and pulled out a black magical device. It was an item used at the start of every term to check the authenticity of dormitory passes. As she took it out, the box suddenly felt very light. The rest was filled only with things like feathers and ink—typical office supplies.
Sweat beaded on her forehead as she held the magical device.
“See you this afternoon.”
“Do you know the way? If you cross the grand garden, you’ll find the path to the main building. Be careful on your way.”
She fussed over me, even opening the dormitory door herself.
As I stepped outside carrying the much lighter box, the bright sunlight greeted me. Even the thick trees couldn’t block out the light completely. Stepping out from the shade, the chilly air felt bearable. The cold was actually refreshing. The crisp air filling my lungs was so cold it felt like it could pierce my organs, but it was invigorating. My mind felt clearer.
“Hoo.”
I must have been feeling stifled inside the room. Not just a little—quite a lot.
I was still confused about what was happening. But at least now, I could feel in my skin that I was back.
The only thing I could be certain of… was the memory of my miserable death and my determination never to live as someone’s supporting character again.
I still didn’t know exactly what to do, but maybe it was enough to simply do what I wanted? That simple thought made me feel a bit lighter, though a corner of my mind was still uneasy.
I smiled down at the box.
This too, was just one more way to put Mrs. Ferolten in a bind.
Normally, I would have tried to act mature, or perhaps turned her down gently. But that’s no fun. I want to live enjoyably and freely. I won’t restrict myself too much anymore.
I glanced at the three dormitory buildings surrounding the grand garden before moving on. The soft grass cushioned my steps. Faint laughter from the girls drifted through the open dorm windows—welcoming.
My spirits lifted.
Passing by the rows of benches and the fountain, I reached the path to the main building. Walking straight ahead led to the main building, and if you climbed upward from here, you’d reach the woods behind the dorms. There was a riding arena in that forest.
Just thinking about horses made my heart race. Horseback riding was so impressive and elegant, but Cecilia was so talented that I’d given up on it from the start. This time around… -can I call it ‘this life’?- I won’t avoid riding! I want to experience firsthand the thrill of riding, feeling the horse’s mane whip through the air.
If you walked up the slope past the dorm entrance with Natura, it was quite a distance to the main building, but taking the route through the dorms was much shorter. It only took about fifteen minutes. Since this path overlapped with the boys’ dorm route, I’d often run into them on my way to the main building.
“Hey there!”
Like just now.
Someone suddenly popped out from a side path, brushing leaves out of their hair and greeting me.
When they’d greet Cecilia so cheerfully, my role was to reply in a gentle voice, ‘Good morning,’ as kindly as possible. I didn’t really hate that role. No, let’s be honest, Riana. In fact, I liked it. I simply liked it. Back when I didn’t know anything.
Is this a dream?
It was all so familiar, it made me even more flustered. No, it’s a new situation. Evan always greeted Cecilia. But those eyes—those dark green eyes, like the deep summer foliage—were all too familiar.
“Are you surprised?”
Evan waved a hand lightly in front of me.
“…Hello.”
I finally managed to speak, my lips trembling slightly.
Why am I running into him like this? Wasn’t our first meeting supposed to be at the first class? I thought I’d meet him when I was with Cecilia.
My heart pounded wildly.
“Where are you going? You’re a first-year, right? Is it okay if I speak casually?”
“Aren’t you already speaking casually?”
I answered with a light smile, and he laughed.
Well, he was casual with Cecilia, too. That should make things easier for me.
“That’s true. You’re headed to the main building, right?”
“Yes, oh—?”
He took the box from my hands.
“I’ll carry it.”
“Your arm might break.”
“…Hardly.”
He seemed to walk quickly at first, then matched his pace to mine. We walked in silence. From time to time, I thought I could feel his eyes on the side of my face.
The path to the main building felt like a little trail, but it was actually wide enough for a four-horse carriage to pass through easily. Between the neatly trimmed, short trees along the path, there were benches here and there. It was a quiet road.
‘If Cecilia dies, I will hold you responsible for that sin!’