Episode 4: Twilight (3)

As if they had prepared for my arrival, four cups of tea had already been laid out on the table.

The duke with a gnarly scar on his face, glared at me with probing eyes. Meanwhile the duchess, whom Her Grace Astraea took a seat beside, was blatantly studying me with shining eyes. There was a maid who kept the door open, Elysia Alchn. Briefly she gave me a nod, which seemed more like a death sentence.

I felt a deep sense of crisis. Knowing from past experience, a girl doesn’t bring a man to meet their father unless it’s for something related to their daughter’s engagement.

“Kairen Copper, I’ve heard much about you from our daughter. Please make yourself comfortable.” The duchess, with her cordial smile beckoned me to sit.

She inherited the beautiful features of her mother, and the domineering aura of her father. Seeing both her parents before me, I now understood where Astraea got her looks from.

Warily I took a seat on the empty side of the table. Trying to calm my mind by counting prime numbers, I was disturbed by Her Grace Astraea’s reluctant expression. It was the first time seeing her like this. I had expected her to lash out against her parents given her obvious dissatisfaction.

“I thank the duke and duchess of Winterfall for inviting me over.” I greeted, swallowing the saliva stuck at the back of my throat.

“Oh, the pleasure is ours. Please accept our deepest gratitudes for saving our daughter. To put your life on the line for this blunderous child of ours, words truly fall short. I can't imagine what might have happened if we had lost her.” The duchess bowed deeply.

“Kairen Copper, for your noble deeds, we owe you a great debt.” The duke too, lowered his head.

‘...This isn’t what I expected.’

Sure. I saved your daughter, but I didn’t think they’d provide me with this kind of hospitality—it almost felt excessive. I’ve rescued noble figures before, but I had never received such thanks.

“And your sacrifice was done in full knowledge that we were the ones that brought ruin to your family. It is regrettable, the difficulties which we had caused you.” For the criminal injustice of that asshole, I thought he deserved to be punished. So I don’t blame the duke for anything.

“Please accept our apology—you too, don’t just sit there in silence.” The duchess spoke. Then with one hand she pressed Her Grace Astraea’s head down into a bow.

“Tsk…” To the point of forcing the taciturn princess to acknowledge me. “I’m sorry. It was a mistake of mine having jumped to conclusions.”

Was it because she felt guilty for what she did that she swallowed her pride to bring me here to meet her parents, or was there something else to this? I couldn’t imagine the typical villainess, no matter how sensible she was to undergo such humiliation.

‘A reincarnated person? But if so then why does she still act so pompous?’

Taking myself as reference, while I do possess Kairen’s memories and knowledge, his ego holds little power over the current ego that is me. Of course I’ve fully assimilated myself as Kairen now that I’ve lived as him for half a decade.

But in her case, even though it's sometimes hard to tell if her cruel actions were done out of kindness or malice, I don’t see any reason to continue keeping up some kind of facade as a reincarnator.

Also, a reincarnator should know how the story develops. And in that sort of situation, shouldn’t she have picked up on deviations in the story line and trace it back to me?

‘Or maybe this is really just a grounded villainess story without any isekai tropes involved… Lowe is the protagonist of the game, and she’s not a reincarnator either’

In any case, to bring a long story short, Astraea’s parents wanted to meet me personally to convey their thanks and apologies. With it came compensation and reward bundled into one.

As with typical developments of this kind, the supplementary ‘name what you want as a reward’ is the most troublesome. I didn’t know of any particular cheat items in this world that would help with saving the world, nor was I planning to shell them for cash. Thus I could only come to this conclusion.

“Please take care of my sister.” To reserve a favour from the Winterfall family, this was the most valuable option I could think of.

Of course, this also entailed that I would likely continue to get entangled with matters related to the Winterfall household.

I heard the duchess stifle a laugh. “Would you like for us to raise her as our adopted daughter then?”

“That… is overstating my request.” I don’t know if turning my sister into a noble was a good idea. It might be worth the shot? Yet I was concerned for her wellbeing.

“I’m joking.” The duchess chuckled. It didn’t make me feel any less comfortable knowing that.

Our banter continued with considerate topics like how my body was doing and if I had any troubles in my life. The duke and duchess were a lot more approachable than I imagined them to be. Yet it felt uncomfortable being asked questions like these, knowing these people who could sever my neck in a heartbeat.

I refused their further invitation to stay for dinner. It was enough that I got to talk to them over tea. I should return to the dormitory before things get any more complicated.

Of course, before I left, there was one last thing I needed to confirm.

“...”

Reene.

She looked well. In the manor’s official maid uniform, stared at me silently. A headpiece cutely sat atop her raven black hair which was tied into a neat bun behind. Her bright red eyes didn’t falter when it met mine.

She appeared different from the ambivalent sister I knew, showing neither joy nor desperation on her face.

Calmness. The kind of composure seen in someone who knew they had a firm foundation which their life could stand on.

‘I’m relieved.’

“Sorry.” I said.

‘But it also looks like I’m not needed anymore.’

She blinked, then nodded. A simple acknowledgement.

I smiled wryly. “Take care.”

A line had already been drawn between us. It told me of the now gone relationship we could’ve possibly had.

There wasn’t much of a point trying to force my perspective on her. All I wanted to confirm was that the Winterfall family had been taking care of her. Even if not perfect, she should be able to live a comfortable life here.

At the manor gate was a carriage already prepared in waiting.

Astraea personally came to see me off, it wasn’t like her parents forced her to do it so I found it unusual.

“Kairen, before you go. A word.” She stopped me.

“Yes?”

“To say it again, I apologise for the misunderstanding, and all the terrible things I’ve done to you all this time.If there’s ever anything you need, don’t hesitate to ask. We’ll be seeing each other in the academy.” She said with a firm expression.

‘I didn’t know the cold, ill-mannered ice princess had such a cordial side to her.’

The villainess of this world is really odd isn’t she? She may be misunderstood now, but in the future she was the pillar of hope which supported humanity.

“I understand.” She was too important a figure to antagonise, so I thought it was worth the patience to finally make her an accomplice.

Of course, I had no wish to plant a flag here. Our relationship should maintain this distance, and not develop past this.

“And… to confirm again. Do you still have intentions to harm Lowe?”

I was just about to board the carriage when she dropped a final question.

‘Intentions to harm Lowe huh…’

I didn’t know what kind of answer she wanted. My mind went blank as old memories surfaced.

“It’s not harm. I just want her. That’s all.” Was it because she saw my shameless display back at the church?

“I trust you.” Astraea covered her mouth with the fan. “However, I should remind you not to hurt her.”

“...Sure?” Is she thinking that I’ll be a leecher or something? I know I do have some womanizing tendencies but… that was something beyond my control.

“Take him to the academy.” Her Grace Astraea spoke to the coachmen.

“Orders note milady.”

I boarded the carriage, she turned back towards the manor. Soon the estate faded into the distance, replaced by the scenery of the afternoon baroque streets.

Sitting alone in the luxurious carriage, I contemplated her final question.

‘If she’s a reincarnator, she should know that Lowe’s isn’t who people think she is.’

⌌✧ ⫺⪼▫◆▫⪻⫹ ✧⌍

⋉◆⌌ Astraea’s POV⌍▫◆⋊.

“Was he the one who killed Lowe? Or was he framed” I muttered under my breath.

Kairen killed Lowe. There must be a reason for it.

Or, Kairen was framed, the murderer is still out there.

If it wasn’t him, then who? If all this time I had unjustly imposed my hate towards him, then who was the true enemy?

“Can I hold on to your promise?” Whichever the truth was, as long as I don’t ruin the original storyline, Lowe will be safe.

⌌✧ ⫺⪼▫◆▫⪻⫹ ✧⌍

Summer break.

Lowe was laying on her bed, pondering.

The past few days, she had been staying in the church. A senior nun had been helping her to adjust to the new environment.

Recalling the long winded lecture of the female pastor, Lowe realised that she was more pragmatic than she was faithful. Being a person who wasn’t deeply religious, all their teachings felt ornamental.

She did, however, appreciate the business nature of the church operations. To compensate for her service, a small salary would be paid to her monthly obtained from monthly tithes by generous sponsors. Additionally, her academy tuition fees for the next three years would be borne by the church.

With this, her financial worries were completely resolved. But in exchange, she belonged to the church and had to perform her sacred duties as a saint… which Lowe thought to be a drag.

Avoiding unnecessary contact from people. Studying and memorising scripture of the Privian faith. Attending meetings as a figurehead. Attending prayer services. Assisting healers in healing work. Meeting high nobles to offer them words of blessings…

It was an inescapable fate for the protagonist. The freedom she once had as a nobody no longer existed. Thinking back, maybe she shouldn’t have made such a commotion when healing Kairen. She should’ve left before being restrained by the priest. The title of saint carried with it more trouble than she thought.

She heaved a sigh and tried to imagine life if she didn’t end up being confined to the church. While she would be allowed back to stay at the academy once the holiday was over, she wished she had the freedom to wander and explore the empire without having to make major arrangements and disguise her identity.

With that said, Lowe knew it was ultimately for the best. If she had chosen to hide her abilities, Kairen would’ve died and… she didn’t know if she could live with the guilt that came afterwards. Moreover, since her abilities could be of benefit to people in this way, being caged like this was no different from joining the healer’s guild. She wanted to be a healer in the future anyways, what did it matter if she started early?

She raised a piece of paper towards the ceiling, reading the contents one more time.

The words were simple: Would you like to study magic at the magic tower during the vacation?

Her stubby bare feet curled, thigh peeking out as she slightly shifted her legs.

Yes, it was a letter. One that came from Glenn, arriving as a paper bird flying through her window. Lowe only knew it to be some kind of unique magic, and found the lifelike gestures of the paper bird amusing. It was disappointing when the magic wore off and the bird turned back into a sealed envelope.

There was no stipulated time written, so Lowe could only assume that Glenn was willing to engage with her anytime during the summer break. In any case, wouldn’t this make a good excuse to escape from her responsibilities?

Lowe wasn’t restricted from leaving the premise, but she needed a knight if she decided ever to do so. Kairen’s words echoed in her mind.

‘Make me your knight.’

“A knight.” Lowe muttered to herself in the room as she hugged the piece of paper, staring up listlessly at the ceiling.

The memory of him kneeling before her sent a rush of heat up her face. What was with that guy… kneeling down and proposing something like that in front of her...

Lowe had never understood why Kairen treated her the way she did. In the beginning when he offered her money for some embarrassing services… joining the baking club and making the most perfect dessert she had ever tasted… and those moments she accidentally met his gaze…

From it Lowe sensed some form of innate loyalty, as if he had vowed something in exchange for a part of her.

It felt eerie, and almost suffocating… yet for some reason she didn’t find it repulsive. He kept his distance, knew his place… unlike that other guy with black hair that very blatantly tried to seduce her.

Lowe heaved a sigh.

“Soren wouldn’t be happy to hear this.” Lowe didn’t think she could comfortably turn down Kairen’s offer as her knight. Because in the end, he was right. She didn’t want to become the church’s puppet after all.