Chapter 15: Awkward Honesty Between Us

Blink.

Blink. Blink.

“…….”

She only blinked silently.

Frozen in place, reclining comfortably on the sofa, she didn’t move a single fingertip.

If not for her flushed cheeks and blinking eyes, one might have mistaken her for a doll.

I had been calm when I spoke, but as the silence stretched, my heart pounded, the tension pulling taut.

‘This might be the first time I’ve ever said something unpleasant to someone.’

The tea, once steaming warm, had cooled to lukewarm. I set my cup down. Even though I put it down quietly, the clatter against the saucer sounded unnaturally loud in the silence.

It was so quiet, I felt I could even hear each other’s breathing.

Awkward.

But the awkwardness wasn’t just about the situation. The silent, breath-holding Margareta was also awkward.

Because the Margareta I remembered was always shouting.

‘Why! Why! Cecilia can do it, so why can’t I! Why are you doing this to me, really? What did I do wrong!’

Those cries, almost like screams.

And—

‘Who do you think you are. Who do you think you are!’

Remembering Margareta, who ended up slapping Cecilia’s cheek, it wouldn’t be surprising if she stood up right now and shoved my shoulder.

She had a fiery personality, unable to accept defeat.

It was surprising that she’d even asked if she made me uncomfortable.

Usually, Margareta’s attitude was, ‘So what if you’re uncomfortable?’ Her nature and family made that possible.

Yet now, Margareta neither shouted in anger nor tried to argue.

“Margareta.”

Still, I couldn’t wait forever for her to speak.

In this life, I hoped to befriend other people, but more importantly, I had decided not to endure my own discomfort anymore.

If Margareta made me uncomfortable, if anyone made me uncomfortable, I would leave.

I spoke to her, still as calm as a still-life painting.

“If you’re not going to say anything more, I’ll be leaving now.”

“Wait, please.”

As I was about to stand, her voice stopped me and I sat back up.

‘Ah….’

Margareta’s hand, hidden beneath the folds of her light dress, was clenched in a fist.

Even her pearl earrings were trembling.

In other words… Margareta was trembling.

Suddenly, I remembered I wasn’t an eighteen-year-old on the verge of adulthood, but a thirteen-year-old who had just entered the Academy. Margareta was only a year older—fourteen.

“……”

My face flushed with heat. I felt embarrassed.

Is it really okay to act this way over something that didn’t happen? The resentment from before my regression… Even if she’s the same person, is it right to take it out like this?

But I only said she made me uncomfortable! That’s not even harsh!

Margareta was the one who asked first. Even such blunt questions can make the other person uncomfortable!

“Mi….”

“Do you dislike me?”

Margareta didn’t shed a single tear. Her face didn’t even look like she was about to cry, but she was trembling. Her face was still red. At that level, she must have felt the heat in her cheeks, but Margareta pretended nothing was wrong.

Except for her slightly uneven breathing.

“Yes?”

I had been about to apologize.

But Margareta cut me off. What did she just ask?

“Do you dislike me? That’s not it, is it?”

Huh?

As I hesitated, Margareta scowled. Her competitive eyes blazed with persistence, making her look rather intimidating. Though she was still a young girl, her gaze was piercing.

“If you dislike me, I can’t accept that.”

“What?”

No, honestly, anyone would have to ask again at this point!

“No matter what happened between us… You can’t dislike me. Right?”

Margareta straightened her posture.

“Isn’t that right? It doesn’t make sense to dislike someone when nothing has happened. I admit you might be uncomfortable. That can happen.”

She downed the half-finished tea in one gulp. Her pearl earrings quivered.

“Aren’t you going to answer?”

“…Fine.”

I lost.

I really lost. The way she put it, I just couldn’t bring myself to say I disliked her. In fact, after she asked me to point out exactly what had made me uncomfortable, I found myself even feeling a little favorably toward her.

This is all because of memories from before the regression… I can’t pretend they never existed, but I shouldn’t treat them as everything, either.

I nodded.

“You’re saying you don’t dislike me, right?”

Margareta stared at me as if she needed a definite answer.

“Yes. I don’t dislike you, Margareta.”

Where was this conversation even going…….

“That’s all I needed.”

“Alright, then, I’ll—”

“What should I do?”

“What… do you mean?”

We looked at each other in silence.

No, what does she mean, what should she do…?

Margareta pounded the sofa in frustration.

“What should I do so you won’t feel uncomfortable!”

“……”

Am I… getting scolded right now?

“You’re still making me uncomfortable.”

“……”

‘What, what is this―!’

We’re not little kids trying to make friends! This is embarrassing. Margareta looked just as mortified. Now even her ears were red. It seemed to be a different kind of embarrassment than before.

Margareta, let’s just stop. I’ll go outside!

“Why?”

“What exactly is it that makes you uncomfortable! I don’t know unless you tell me! No one’s ever told me things like that!”

Margareta blurted everything out before I could answer, and her last outburst left me a bit stunned.

She was fuming, veins bulging in her neck as if she were struggling not to shout!

My goodness!

Is she… trying her best…?

Honestly, is she maybe… wanting to throw her teacup or something? Please no, I hate people who throw things.

She seemed to be forcing herself to wait for my answer. The excitement in Margareta’s breathing seemed to stir the very air.

“Ahem.”

Awkwardly clearing my throat, I refilled her cup—even though the tea was already cold.

Margareta, as if she’d been waiting for it, downed the refilled cup at once.

She must have been thirsty.

“The thing that just made me uncomfortable…”

I smiled gently.

Margareta, listen calmly this time—don’t get worked up, okay……

“It’s because you pounded the sofa and spoke to me like you were pressing me for answers.”

“Pressing you! I wasn’t pressing you! I was just frustrated, that’s all!”

Margareta’s voice echoed thunderously. She probably had no idea how loud her own voice was.

Her booming voice shot right through the dormitory window. Even the teacups seemed to rattle with a sharp clang.

“I’m just telling you how it sounded to me.”

“…Regardless of my intention?”

“Yes.”

“Really?”

“Really. And you’re also speaking informally to me right now.”

She clapped her hand over her mouth and inhaled sharply.

“But Grandfather said he liked how bold I am.”

Grandfather, all of a sudden?

“Margareta, your voice is bold and nice.”

“But you just said I sounded like I was pressing you!”

She definitely didn’t understand.

I didn’t bother to hide my sigh. Margareta’s pupils shook.

Ah, wait. Right now… I’m starting to feel a bit pathetic, doing this with Margareta. What is this! It’s not like we’re a comedy duo.

“I really don’t know how we ended up having this conversation… but, Margareta, your voice is louder and a little sharper than most. Even if you don’t mean to, it comes across a bit aggressively. Sorry, but that’s how it feels to me. It’s like you’re putting pressure on people, maybe?”

“As a knight, isn’t it right to overwhelm your opponent?”

Margareta lowered her voice, but it was still sharp and prickly. She looked confused.

Hmm.

I nodded at her words.

“That’s true, but Margareta, we’re not here to fight right now. If someone tries to overpower you in a conversation, can you really call it a conversation? If someone tried to overwhelm and pressure you, would you want to talk with them?”

“…….”

Margareta seemed shocked.

She gripped the sofa so tightly she might tear it apart. Her arms trembled. It was as if a blue flame was flickering in her eyes.

Gasp. She’s angry! She’s really angry!

“That damned old geezer…!”

Eek.

Margareta shook, then growled. Then, with a face forcibly twisted into a smile, as if barely restraining herself, she spoke. Her face was so red it looked about to burst!

“Thank you for telling me, Riana. I’ll never forget this favor.”

“Ah, no, you can forget it. It’s not a favor… um, Margareta?”

“I have to go out urgently!”

Margareta shot to her feet and stomped out of the room without hesitation.

“……”

And so I was left alone in the room. Still bewildered, I took a sip of the now-cold tea. The lingering bitterness was twined with a subtle sweetness on my tongue.

It felt like a storm had swept through.

Ugh, I’m exhausted…….

But really, where did Margareta go? When she said “that damned old geezer”… did she mean the former Duke Torrento?

No way, she’s not about to flip her household upside down…

No, surely not. She can’t be… right?

“Even saying she’ll never forget the favor is scary. It’s scary!”

It almost sounds like she’s plotting revenge!

Ah, I feel like crying.

I stretched out limply on the sofa. My eyes fell on the green handkerchief Margareta had half-embroidered and left behind. In golden thread, written in ancient cursive, was stitched the name ‘Evan’.