The Goddess And Charm Value (2)

“…Hina, are you there? It’s me… Kana.”

The place she knocked on was the Tourmaline Room where Hina lived. Ever since the day of the healing gathering, she had apparently shut herself in and refused to come out. She should still be inside, yet even after waiting, there was no response.

After hesitating, Cordelia tried the doorknob — it opened easily.

“…I’m coming in.”

She slowly pushed the door open.

Despite being daytime, the curtains were tightly shut, leaving the room dim. The air was stale and dusty. A mound on the bed in the back likely hid Hina.

“It’s already this late, so I’ll open the curtains. Actually, we should ventilate the room. It’s unhealthy.”

No answer came, but Cordelia opened the windows one after another. A gentle breeze immediately carried the stale air away.

“I heard you haven’t eaten anything today? I brought fruit and soup, so let’s eat. You always said you can’t handle heavy food in the morning.”

Lily entered next, carrying sliced fruit and soup poured into a mug so Hina could drink easily.

“…Kana-chan.”

As if lured by the warm smell, the lump on the bed moved. Hina emerged with messy hair and heavy dark circles under her eyes.

Cordelia was startled. In her previous life, Hina had always maintained perfect cuteness no matter what.

“This is the first time I’ve seen you like this. The healing gathering must have shocked you that much?”

Cordelia sat beside the bed and asked.

“Shock… I just got sick of everything. Isaac, being a Holy Maiden… even you, Kana-chan.”

Hina turned away like a sulking child.

“Oh? You dislike me but still talk to me.”

“T-that’s because… you’re the only one here I can have a normal conversation with…!”

“What about Prince Isaac? And Count Lavoli seems perfectly capable of conversation.”

“That’s not it! Everyone here is weird! No matter what I ask, they just say no or impossible… don’t they have hearts?!”

Growing irritated, Hina threw a pillow to the floor.

“Hina…”

Cordelia looked troubled, then spoke firmly.

“Unfortunately, everyone else isn’t strange… you are.”

Hina glared sharply.

“What?! Did you come to lecture me?! You weren’t this awful before! Ever since Isaac chose you, you’ve become so arrogant!”

“I admit I’ve become bossy. Being a duke’s daughter makes giving orders second nature. I should be more humble as a lady… ah, I’ve gone off topic.”

Seeing Hina’s exasperated face, Cordelia corrected herself.

“Anyway, that’s separate. Regardless of me, the world that tolerated your behavior was the strange one.”

“What does that even mean?”

“It’s abnormal to get everything just by asking. You’re cute, yes — but it was beyond normal. …Hina, when you were reincarnated into this world, did the goddess tell you anything?”

“The goddess?”

Hina tilted her head.

“…You mean that pure white woman?”

“Probably. She told me: ‘I made a mistake in your settings.’ I didn’t have time to ask what settings…”

“Oh, that? She mentioned charm values or something. Said she accidentally put yours into me.”

“WHAT?! Really?! That’s the first I’ve heard of it!”

Cordelia had never heard this before — apparently Hina knew from the beginning.

Cordelia leaned forward abruptly.