Chapter 42: Things I Didn’t Say

“What were you talking about with Evan earlier?”

Looking into those blue eyes quietly watching me, I felt like I had to tell her everything.

Without realizing it, I swallowed hard and asked back.

“Earlier?”

“Yeah, on the stairs.”

“It wasn’t anything special.”

There really wasn’t anything worth going on and on about.

It wasn’t a secret, but I still didn’t want to say it!

“I’m curious. Can’t you tell me?”

With her cute, coaxing voice, it felt embarrassing to just flat out refuse.

It’s not like I like Evan, and we didn’t even talk about anything secret, so I could just tell her!

But… why can’t I say it?

It’s not like I want to distance myself from Cecilia to get closer to Evan, but I still didn’t want to chatter on about what happened with Evan.

Evan’s laughter seemed to tickle my ears.

I hesitated, then finally spoke.

“Just…”

“Just?”

Cecilia pushed aside her blanket and sat up.

Her legs, not quite grown yet, didn’t even reach the floor from the high bed.

She swung her legs cheerfully and tilted her head.

“We decided to go to the professor together.”

“Why? Because of Evan’s headache?”

Her worried expression was obvious.

Well. It was more because of me…

‘We’ll probably end up taking at least one class together anyway. No need to make a big promise about it.’

Evan’s words, whispered with a playful smile, lingered in my head.

Playful, my foot.

But have I really become able to control spirits now?

I don’t feel anything special, nothing seems different… except maybe that my body, which was a bit tired, feels more refreshed. No, maybe I’m just imagining things—I’ll have to wait and see.

I stared intently at my own hands that had breathed fire.

It felt so strange to think that white, small hands like these had produced such fierce flames.

Maybe I just dreamed it all… no way, right?

“Liana… do you really not want to tell me?”

“Huh? No, it’s not that.”

I’d gotten lost in my thoughts.

Of course, it’s not like I’m eager to talk about it, but…! For now, it’d be better to keep anything about spirits a secret.

Oh no! I should make sure Evan keeps quiet, too.

I bit my lip.

Even though he’s not the talkative type, he could slip up, and he’s close enough to Hawkins to consider him practically an extension of himself, so that made me nervous.

I’ll have to find him tomorrow and warn him!!

“It’s not that, Cecilia.”

First, I should calm the teary Cecilia down.

Wait, was she always this quick to cry? She’d get teary sometimes, but not over everything.

“Yeah, because of the headache.”

‘For now, I’ll hide the part about spirits. It’s not even certain yet…’

I opened and closed my hand.

It felt the same as always.

‘Even I can’t be sure yet.’

“Really? Then I want to go with you too!”

“Huh?”

“I’m worried about Evan’s headache too. Can I come? Are you meeting him tomorrow?”

“Oh. We’re not meeting up or anything…”

“Huh?”

“He just said we’ll probably run into each other since we’re bound to have a class or two together.”

“…Really? Wow! That sounds fun!”

Cecilia clapped her hands and smiled.

Is it really that fun? Well, if you think so, sure.

“Liana, what class should we take tomorrow? Oh, if you’re not feeling well, you can rest instead. You must have been really shocked today, right? I was so surprised too. When I got back from the infirmary, even the vase was broken.”

“It’s okay. I think I’ll be fine by tomorrow. Just a little tired, nothing else.”

Sleep crept up on me.

My eyes slowly closed.

I really did feel like I’d gotten some kind of unknown vitality.

Is it because of the spirit? Since it’s a fire spirit, maybe it restores my energy or something?

‘If that’s the case, that’d be amazing. Maybe I could even outrun Ollie and not get caught?’

I shuddered, thinking of the fearsome stamina Ollie had.

Ugh, that scary maid Ollie. Still, I already miss her.

‘Ollie will come in two years… No, let’s not think about that.’

“Are you sure? You don’t need to rest?”

Cecilia, not quite done worrying, even tried to persuade me to take tomorrow off.

No way.

I’m actually a pretty diligent student.

To be honest, I already have a rough grasp of how the classes go, so even if I skipped a few days… no, even a few months, it wouldn’t really be a problem for life at the Academy.

‘Should I just take this chance and rest for real?’

“No. I need to thank someone too…”

“Who?”

“The person who brought me to the infirmary.”

“……”

“I think… they said their name was Maon… hmm.”

Ah, I’ve reached my limit. I really am tired today.

Cecilia, I’m going to sleep now, okay?

“You could take a few days off though.”

“……”

“Liana? Are you asleep?”

“……”

“Liana.”

My mind went blank, like it was full of fog.

Cecilia’s voice echoed as if from far away.

Her calling my name sounded so faint.

Crack. Crunch.

I heard a sound like something being chewed, but before I could even think about what it was, I sank into a deep sleep as if falling into a pit.

*****

My body felt light.

Cecilia and I got up early and started getting ready for class.

Margaretta’s bed was empty as usual, but judging from the clothes tossed on her bed, she must have stopped by for a bit before we woke up.

Cecilia seemed even more cheerful than usual today.

“Liana—did you sleep well?”

Her long blue hair shimmered down to her waist.

“Liana, want me to do your hair?”

“Huh? It’s okay.”

“No! Come sit here.”

I was putting on a red tie set with sapphires in front of the long mirror when Cecilia pulled me over to sit at the wide vanity table.

“Cecilia, you don’t have to—”

“No! You collapsed yesterday. So today you need to show everyone how energetic you are!”

“…Is that so?”

“Yup! Just trust me!!”

“Well, alright…”

Why not.

As soon as I sat down, the drowsiness I’d just shaken off started to creep back.

Looking into the vanity mirror, I did look a bit pale.

I’m not as fair as Cecilia, but with my ivory skin, I usually look lively and elegant. Now I looked just as pale as she did.

She patted powder onto my face and applied a little color, too.

Once she’d added a bit of moist lip color, I definitely looked more lively than before.

‘It’s not too much, right?’

I turned my head, checking my reflection from different angles.

Yeah, it’s just right. Wow, Cecilia’s really good at this.

And standing behind me, Cecilia looked even paler.

“Are you feeling okay?”

I asked before I realized.

“Hm? Oh, I’m fine! You’re the one who’s sick, Liana.”

She began to brush my hair.

It didn’t hurt at all.

My hair’s so thick it always tangles, and even the most skilled maid usually pulls at least once or twice.

But—

“You’re really good at this, Cecilia.”

Surprised, I praised her, and Cecilia’s hands paused.

She bowed her head, so I couldn’t see her expression.

“Cecilia?”

“Yeah, I guess I am good with my hands.”

“That’s true.”

Listening to her calm, quiet voice, I dozed off for a moment.

“Wow… oh.”

When I opened my eyes, my hair…

looked just like Margaretta’s.

I mean, it was gorgeous…! Really gorgeous…!

“Isn’t this a bit too fancy?!”

It was so extravagant my jaw dropped.

Golden butterfly hairpins were placed as if ready to take flight between the intricately braided sections, and around them, little gemstones of various sizes blossomed like flowers.

“It’s too much, it’s really too much.”

“Don’t you like it?”

Cecilia looked disappointed as she gazed at my reflection.

“N-no…”

It really is pretty, though? Really pretty?

Surprisingly, it actually suited me very well.

The baby hairs curled around my face made me look cute and lively, and the hairstyle’s heaviness was offset by their lightness.

Tied back in a round twist, a big red ribbon shook impressively, matching my tie and bringing it all together. Honestly, it looked really good…

“Don’t I look just like Lady Margaretta?”

“Huh? Hahaha! Liana, you’re so silly! Sure, it’s as fancy as her hairstyle. But it suits you even better!”

Cecilia suddenly hugged me from behind.

No, that’s not what I meant!

“I mean…! Isn’t it a bit much for me? Especially with the uniform…”

“Liana, your uniform was custom made, right?”

Cecilia looked at me as if to say, ‘What’s the problem?’

Ack, too close!

Her blue eyes sparkled.

“It is custom made, yes.”

That’s normal for nobles. Cecilia’s was, too.

Why is she bringing that up? When I just blinked at her, Cecilia’s eyes crinkled into a smile.

“Liana, sometimes you’re really clueless.”

“Me? I’m clueless?”

I’m super sensitive to people’s moods! I’m not clueless!

Even as I made a shocked face, Cecilia just giggled.

‘I haven’t seen her laugh like this in a while.’

Last night she’d seemed so subdued, but now that she was laughing, I felt relieved too.

Ah, I’ve got a long way to go! So much for escaping my role as a side character!

Maybe as long as I don’t get left out like before, I won’t need to distance myself from Cecilia, who laughs so beautifully like this.

If I can just avoid being isolated all the time… Why would I want to keep my distance from such a lovely girl? How could I!!

Just as I started to get soft for Cecilia again, I pulled myself together.

Phew. For now, I just have to do my part.

“The uniform you’re wearing, Liana, is worth more than most formal dresses.”

“Huh?”

“So, a fancy hairstyle like this goes perfectly with it.”

“Well…”

She’s not wrong.

Cecilia nodded, as if to say, ‘Right?’

Surprisingly, this extravagant hairstyle really did suit the uniform. Maybe that’s why Margaretta insists on this style.

‘Hmm.’

I nodded along with Cecilia, but then tilted my head.

I wasn’t totally comfortable with it. It felt awkward, and for some reason… I kind of felt like I was copying Margaretta’s style!

“You don’t like it? It’s really pretty. Even more than hers…”

Cecilia… She must really be uncomfortable around Margaretta. To the point she doesn’t even want to say her name!

“No, no. I like it.”

Yeah, what’s the big deal if I do this once or twice?

I looked at myself in the mirror a few more times and nodded. Cecilia smiled brightly.

“Thank you.”

“Yeah!”

“Aren’t you going to do something? Want me to do your hair? I’m not as good as you, but…”

I’m not very handy, after all.

“…It’s fine. I don’t like having my hair tied up.”

‘Huh? Did her expression get a little darker for a moment? Or was that just my imagination?’

Cecilia lowered her gaze, but then looked up and smiled brightly.

“Let’s go downstairs.”