Chapter 41: A Line Drawn

“Stop, Cecilia.”

It was a firm voice.

Cecilia froze, her outstretched hand halting midair. Her eyes widened. She looked as if she hadn’t expected Evan to say such a thing. For a moment, she seemed hurt.

He’ll soothe her, right? Cecilia’s sad face was something they usually couldn’t bear.

I blinked nervously.

But contrary to my expectations, Evan didn’t comfort Cecilia at all—instead, he frowned, looking slightly annoyed.

As Cecilia remained still, Hawkins stepped forward as if to protect her.

“There’s no need to be that cold, is there?”

It was an obvious rebuke. Evan let out a bewildered sigh.

“Then what should I do?”

Evan asked with a tilt.

“I said it’s fine….”

“I told you, it’s fine.”

“I only said it out of concern for you, Evan. Do you really have to be that cold?”

“You keep repeating yourself, Hawkins. It was just uncomfortable because you were getting too close. Is that a problem?”

He’s being tough…!

I was more shocked that Evan spoke to Cecilia in that tone. Cecilia shook her head.

“No, I’m sorry. I was just worried… I didn’t think it’d make you uncomfortable. Hawkins, please, that’s enough.”

With trembling hands, Cecilia gently grasped Hawkins’ sleeve.

Even so, her gaze was not on Hawkins, but on Evan. Her blue eyes glimmered mysteriously, as if drawing in all the light streaming into the infirmary. Before I realized it, I was captivated, staring into her eyes, when Evan shook his head and turned to me.

He turned so quickly that I could almost hear the rush of wind. I widened my eyes in surprise, and he let out a big sigh, as if exhaling a breath he’d been holding in.

“Evan?”

“If you can move, let’s go.”

“You’re sweating…”

There were beads of sweat on his forehead. What? Don’t tell me it’s because of me earlier?

“It’s not, so don’t make that face.”

“What… isn’t?”

What, can he see right through my thoughts?

Evan shrugged and reached out his hand.

“Let’s go. Staying here will only drain your energy.”

“…”

“Can’t you get up?”

“No!”

If I hesitated even a second, he looked ready to carry me out. When I held out my hand, he took it. His hand was lukewarm—neither hot nor cold. Just like our relationship right now. Not overwhelming, not uncomfortable, just… that kind of feeling.

As my feet touched the floor, a slight dizziness washed over me. Evan wasn’t surprised—he deftly wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

Cecilia and Hawkins watched us.

Cecilia, unusually, wore a dazed expression. Her face was nearly blank, as if wounded or deep in thought. Hawkins looked at her with sympathy.

Is it really something to pity that much…?

If Evan hadn’t interrupted Cecilia, maybe that roundabout conversation would have gone on forever. No, that’s just my experience talking. I’m sure it would’ve. In the end, they would have dragged Evan off to the professor to check on his condition.

If that had happened, where would I be? Alone in the infirmary? Or would I have followed them like a wallflower again?

“Why do you look so out of it? Do you really have a fever?”

Ah! I jerked back as a hand suddenly reached for me, startled. Evan chuckled, saying, “I’m not going to eat you, so relax a bit,” making a ridiculous joke as he placed his hand on my forehead. The lukewarm touch made my temperature rise.

“You’ve got a slight fever. I’ll send you medicine later. For now, let’s just go. Be careful of glass on the floor.”

Even as Evan and I started moving, the two standing nearby didn’t budge.

“Aren’t you coming?”

At Evan’s words, Cecilia finally nodded. As she turned away, her slender body wobbled as if she might fall.

“Lady Cecilia!”

“Hawkins, support her. It’ll be a problem if she collapses.”

Even before Evan finished speaking, Hawkins was already at her side, gripping her shoulders. His face had gone pale from worry and concern.

“Are you alright, Cecilia?”

“Mm…”

Her frail voice sounded as if it might disappear any moment.

*****

We cut through the back path and reached the dormitory quickly.

Since the demonstration class was still going on, the dorm was completely empty and eerily quiet.

Madam Perolten, who was sitting on the first floor, pushed up her glasses and rose, approaching with a curious look.

“What’s going on?”

Madam Perolten called out to us in a sharp voice, which didn’t quite match her kindly appearance.

Since both Cecilia and I were being supported—me by Evan, her by Hawkins—it was only natural that it looked odd.

“Good afternoon, Madam.”

I gave a small bow, and she nodded. It seemed she was ready to scold us for bringing boys into the dorm, but my greeting made her pause for a moment. She sighed and asked,

“I heard a student fainted during the riding class observation—was it you, Riana?”

“Yes.”

“…You know male students aren’t allowed in the dorm. Take them back down right away, then come back.”

Matron Perolten finished, sweeping her gaze over the four of us in the lobby. She gave Evan a brief nod, then turned away.

“She’s being strict for a change.”

Evan said with a knowing smile.

Cecilia and Hawkins exchanged a few quiet words.

As I watched their backs, moving on ahead, Evan’s pace slowed. Careful not to stumble, I was watching the stairs, when I realized he’d stopped halfway up.

“Is something wrong?”

“Are you feeling better?”

“What do you mean?”

Feeling better?

“No, never mind.”

“…Why do you always stop mid-sentence?”

I hated it when people did that.

I think it was the first time I’d ever pressed someone like that. Even a trivial question made my heart pound.

Evan looked surprised, then answered,

“You just looked down earlier, but now you seem a bit more at ease. That’s all.”

“…”

“No other reason.”

“Alright.”

“I mean it.”

“Okay.”

Meeting Evan’s earnest gaze, I answered firmly.

Standing halfway up the stairs, bantering about nothing with him like this made my cheeks grow hot. Evan laughed quietly.

Whenever the discomfort from the carriage accident threatened to suffocate me, facing this clearly different Evan made me wonder if maybe things really had changed.

I wanted to ask if it was alright to expect something different from him.

What had changed since then, that he could see me as simply ‘me’?

“Why are you staring? Is there something on my face?”

Evan rubbed his own face with the hand that wasn’t supporting me. I slowly shook my head.

As if I could ask that.

“No. Let’s go.”

When I tried to walk on, he gently tugged my arm.

What? I turned to look at him, now a step above on the stairs. With one more step, we were eye to eye. Meeting his gaze like this felt almost intimidating. Evan’s bright eyes shimmered as he looked at me.

“In a couple of days, let’s go see the professor together.”

“To the professor?”

“Why else? Your spirit, remember? The little bird.”

Evan leaned in and whispered softly.

“Oh.”

I’d forgotten.

“…Where should we meet?”

“If I’m right…”

“…Yes?”

“I think we’ll have a class together. We won’t even need to set a time.”

“What does that…”

“It’ll be fun.”

“Whatever. Let’s go.”

Evan chuckled as he started walking again.

What is he thinking?

I tried to read his expression from the side, but all I could see was his smile, as if he genuinely found this amusing.

*****

The door was wide open, and Cecilia was lying on the bed.

Hawkins was by her side, straightening her bedding and adjusting her pillow. He seemed to be moving even more attentively than before. I found it curious how quickly someone could grow so caring in such a short time.

“Can you lie down on your own?”

“Of course. Please, you can go. Thank you for your help.”

I stopped at the bedside and untangled his arm from me.

“Riana. You really do like telling people to leave, don’t you?”

“Huh…?”

“Hawkins! Let’s go. Riana, take care of yourself. Cecilia as well.”

Evan smiled and called out to Hawkins.

“Sir Evan, take care. Thank you again for today.”

“For what, exactly?”

“For catching me when I nearly fell…”

Cecilia blushed, lowering her head, her hair falling along her cheek. Evan nodded perfunctorily, gave me a wave, then turned to leave.

“Oh, Cecilia.”

Just before stepping out, Evan turned and strode over to Cecilia.

“It’d be best not to spread rumors, whether true or not. Be careful.”

‘What did he just say?’

Evan’s back blocked my view, so I couldn’t see Cecilia’s expression. His voice was so quiet, I couldn’t make out the conversation.

‘Well, it’s nothing new. They must have plenty of things only the two of them know.’

“Let’s go.”

Evan nudged the still-standing Hawkins and left the room first. Hawkins, giving a curt goodbye only to Cecilia, spun and left in a way that felt almost cold.

Hmm.

Hawkins, you could at least close the door when you leave.

Maybe it doesn’t matter…

“Phew.”

I plopped onto the bed, finally feeling like I could breathe.

“Riana.”

“What?”

“Something feels wrong.”

“What do you mean?”

“…Never mind.”

“Cecilia?”

Cecilia shook her head, then hid her face under the blanket.

“Sorry. I’m just so tired. Did I make a mistake with Sir Evan? He wouldn’t even look at me.”

“What are you saying? What mistake could you have made in that short moment? Are you okay?”

Why is she acting like this all of a sudden?

“His eyes were just so cold when he looked at me…”

“That can’t be?”

He wasn’t as warm as before, but he was still kind, wasn’t he? Well, compared to how others treat Cecilia, maybe he does seem cold.

“No, he was kind enough.”

I couldn’t help but think of Evan.

Yes, he was kind. He even came to visit… Wait, why did he come?

I didn’t get to ask. We’re not close enough for him to go out of his way to visit.

“Hey, Riana.”

“Hm?”

Cecilia peeked her face out from under the blanket.

“About me…”

“Yeah, what?”

“I…”

“Go on.”

I bent over to take off my shoes.

“I like Sir Evan…”

Was the sound of my shoes coming off too loud? I couldn’t quite catch the end of her sentence.

“Sorry, I didn’t hear you. What?”

“Um… Never mind! Hehe. I think I’ll tell you later.”

“Alright.”

Phew. I changed into comfortable indoor clothes and lay down on my bed.

‘Ugh, I can’t help but groan.’

I hadn’t noticed it earlier, but now that I was back in my room, my whole body ached. Even though Maon cushioned me, I’d rolled on the ground—of course I was sore.

Come to think of it, I should thank Maon.

It felt odd, since I had no memory of seeing him before my regression, but I didn’t remember every academy student anyway! I pictured Maon’s overly pale face in my mind.

“Riana.”

“…”

I shouldn’t be too shocked by unfamiliar faces from now on. Maybe I was too selective in making friends.

“Riana?”

“…Yeah?”

Ah. I’d been so lost in thought, I didn’t hear her!

“Hey.”

She turned on her side and looked at me. I turned as well to face Cecilia.

“Earlier…”

“Yeah?”

Cecilia’s lips parted slowly.

“What did you and Sir Evan talk about before?”

Her blue eyes gazed quietly at me.