Cecilia and Hawkins also looked at Evan in surprise.
He scanned the newspaper, placed it on the table, and slid it toward me.
Despite the way he snatched it up, his face remained calm. It was the same expression as before, but to me, it was obvious.
Evan was clearly very uncomfortable.
Why? I quickly skimmed the newspaper.
“Lady Naogen, in love with a commoner man.”
That was the headline. Cecilia read it aloud. Leaning on my shoulder, she sighed, “What should we do…” with a note of regret in her voice.
Evan’s expression seemed to harden for a moment, but a fleeting smile returned as he blinked. He spoke lightly, his face gentle.
“Let’s not read such sensational stories.”
“But everyone’s talking about it.”
Hawkins replied curtly. Still, it felt as if he was watching Evan’s reaction.
Those who bought the special edition were making quite a fuss. Even those at other tables who hadn’t bought one borrowed the newspaper to read, and the place grew noisier by the minute.
A scandal between a noble lady and a commoner man—there’s nothing more delicious to gossip about than a scandal.
An incident from around this time popped into my head. I didn’t need to read the newspaper. I already knew how this story went…
I turned the newspaper over so the headline wouldn’t show.
During this time when romances between noble ladies and commoners were sweeping through society like a trend, the deaths of ladies caught up in scandal were displayed in the newspapers as if it were nothing. Most likely, the outcome of that headline article wouldn’t be any different.
“Shall we get going?”
I set down my teaspoon. I hadn’t taken a single sip of my tea, but I didn’t feel like drinking any more anyway.
‘We should change locations.’
It’s not that I’m being cautious around Evan! It’s just—he looks so unwell that I can’t just ignore it.
“Yes. You said you needed to buy some supplies?”
Evan replied in a softened voice.
“Yes. I’m not sure which things I need to buy first.”
When Cecilia answered, Hawkins immediately said, “I also came to buy supplies. Since Evan-nim is our senior, he’ll help us pick well.”
“Senior? Don’t be ridiculous.”
Evan clicked his tongue, looking at Hawkins as if he were creepy.
After that, with Evan guiding us, we managed to buy most of the supplies we needed for the Academy. Hawkins stuck to Cecilia’s side like he was parched for her attention, and Evan seemed to enjoy the sight, teasing and observing, but then stepping in without hesitation to escort Cecilia.
As for me? What was I doing?
“This one.”
“Miss, you have a great eye!”
“Not that, give me two of these.”
“A young lady who knows how to tell the difference? Huh?”
“The one on the third row from the top.”
I bought high-quality supplies.
That’s right! Since I’ve regressed, I should reap some benefits!
Four years at the Academy were not for nothing! I might have failed everything related to botany practice, but otherwise, I was a model student. Unlike Cecilia, I was the hardworking type, but either way, I had a keen eye.
I’d actually used all these items myself, so I couldn’t help but know which ones were practical and which ones were just decorative.
Evan recommended a few things, but I brushed him off and chose for myself. As a result, everywhere I went, the clerks were beside themselves, praising my discerning taste.
“Liana, wow…”
“…That’s impressive.”
Even Hawkins, who had been focused solely on Cecilia, muttered in amazement.
On his usually sullen face, there was only admiration—reminding me of the quiet, gentle version of him before my regression. But now, I realized that was a side he only showed to Cecilia, so it didn’t really move me anymore.
The only things that had changed so far were from the entrance ceremony and their subsequent ripple effects. It had only been a few days, but maybe because my heart felt stifled, the praise made my shoulders straighten a bit.
“Who are you, really?”
“Eek…”
“What are you talking about? That’s quite a strange noise you make.”
Evan grinned slyly.
You startled me! I almost whacked his arm with the corner of the card I was holding, but barely restrained myself.
‘Is this a side effect of regression?! Am I becoming violent!?’
“So, who are you really?”
Evan asked seriously.
“Your ability to pick out only the finest things is no ordinary skill. Don’t you think so, Hawkins?”
“Yes.”
Hawkins nodded obediently. No doubt because he’d also benefited from my choices.
“Liana, you’re really amazing! Everything looked the same to me… I guess I’m no help at all.”
“Cecilia-nim, you don’t need to think that at all.”
“Right, everyone has their own strengths. Lady Liana is a noble lady, after all, so it’s only natural she’d have a discerning eye. Though I didn’t know it was this impressive. Shall we visit the palace together someday? If you picked out tribute items, His Majesty would be very pleased.”
“…That’s a joke, right?”
Why would I go there?
“Evan-nim, can I come too?”
Cecilia asked, eyes sparkling.
“If Cecilia’s taste is as good as yours, then—”
“Why invite friends separately? Come together.”
Evan’s gaze lingered at the base of my neck.
What? I touched my neck to follow his gaze—there was the necklace Cecilia had given me today.
Evan’s eyes seemed to say, ‘Why not? Best friends should stick together,’ as if teasing me.
No, I told you, I’m done! We’re supposed to drift apart now! It’s not like I can put up a notice about it! Why are you acting so close all of a sudden, anyway?
Why am I getting dragged into this again, hanging out with them…?
Pathetic, Liana.
Maybe this is what I’d hoped for, but at best, I’m only a little better than a wallflower. Was I so useless before that they didn’t even bother with me?
I stared at the crystal sphere in my hand.
If that’s the case, maybe it’s not the fault of those who didn’t save me—it’s my own fault for being useless.
“…ana!”
“…Liana!”
“Liana!”
“Huh?”
Gasp.
“What are you thinking about so deeply? Are you alright?”
“Ah…”
“Maybe it’s anemia.”
“Anemia?”
“…No. We should go back now. Let’s call a carriage.”
Evan looked at me, swallowed his words, and signaled to Hawkins. He went out to fetch a carriage, and Evan offered his arm.
“Don’t be stubborn. Why not accept some help this time?”
My heart beat irregularly. I didn’t even have the strength to refuse, but Evan’s eyes were so firm. When I took his arm, he supported me with his other hand.
“Liana. Why all of a sudden—”
“She’s just tired, so calm down. Otherwise, you’ll collapse first.”
“But she’s never been like this before…”
“Cecilia. Your friend will be fine, so don’t worry.”
Walking slowly outside, Evan continued to soothe Cecilia.
As if he’d forgotten he’d just called me “Liana,” he referred to me as her “friend” for Cecilia’s sake.
*****
Back in the dormitory, I collapsed straight onto my bed.
“Miss Liana?”
Margareta, who’d been stretched out on the sofa, lifted her head at the sound but I didn’t have the strength to respond.
“Liana is sick, so please don’t bother her.”
“…If she weren’t sick, she’d have gotten her hair torn out.”
Margareta snapped her magazine shut with a loud noise and left the room.
“Liana, are you okay?”
Still lying face down on the bed, I just nodded. My stomach churned, and I felt like I was going to be sick.
Useless. Useless. Useless!
If I’m not Cecilia’s friend, I’m nothing!
It felt like someone was whispering and laughing right into my ear.
And the most painful thing was—the giggling sounded like Cecilia’s voice.
“Ah…”
My face felt damp.
Did I fall asleep for a bit? Cecilia had turned over and was sleeping. Margareta’s bed was empty, as usual—maybe she was sleeping in another room. The moonlight, filtered once through the curtains, illuminated my vision.
I’d brought back the lighter things I’d bought today, just tossed next to the bed. I rummaged through my bag and pulled out the thing called a dreamcatcher.
‘Did they say it turns bad dreams into good ones?’
A young woman, who praised my good taste, had pressed it into my hand. I wondered if Cecilia or anyone else had gotten one, but apparently not. Embarrassed, I’d quietly tucked it away, but looking at it again, it felt strangely mystical.
I hope it’s real.
Bad dreams, into good ones.
I hung it beside my bed as I thought.
Maybe my life before regression was the bad dream, and now is the good dream.
Or… is this the bad dream? The kind where death is waiting when you wake up.
*****
‘Beeeep—beeep—’
Ugh. What’s that noise? Is that a bird…?
“Did you sleep well, Liana?”
“Mm…”
Whatever happened last night, morning arrived without filter, bright as ever. The dazzling sunlight made my eyelids sting. Even if no one woke me, my body woke up on its own. Still, kind Cecilia gently shook my shoulder to wake me.
“Mmm…”
‘Ugh. I want to sleep more. Just five minutes…’
“Get up, let’s go!”
Today, Cecilia seemed especially energetic as she beamed at me. Her smile was lively, like raindrops bursting and scattering.
I staggered up, my hair a tangled, puffy mess.
“I’m twice as tired as usual…”
“Now that we’ve bought all our supplies, let’s pay attention during the sample lessons! I’m excited~ Didn’t you say you wanted to take horseback riding?”
“Huh? Yeah.”
After I washed up and brushed out my fluffy hair, Cecilia hurried me along.
“You seem a bit out of it today?”
“Do I?”
My head felt strangely foggy.
Bang!
“Margareta?”
The door burst open—it was Margareta. Two other girls wearing the same necktie were behind her. I was getting used to seeing them with Margareta all the time.
“Miss Liana.”
“Yes?”
What is it? Coming here in the morning… Are they here to start a fight?
“Are you feeling alright?”
Huh? What about my health?
“…Ha. Never mind.”
Thud! The door closed even harder than it opened. The expensive door shook—so this is the power of the Torrent family…!
“Let’s go, Liana.”
Cecilia smiled softly and tied up my hair.