Chapter 041
I never thought I would see Evelina again so soon after returning from Delint. Especially not like this, coming directly to find Sera.
“I’m sorry for showing up unannounced, Sera.”
As soon as Sera’s boss confirmed Evelina Regnis’s identity, she pushed her forward. How could anyone refuse Evelina, who was currently the center of attention?
So it was nice to come out comfortably, but…
Sera stared blankly at Evelina.
“This is a bribe for you, Sera. Um, it’s a way of saying I’m sorry for involving you in this.”
Her fingertips trembled slightly. She had never had a conscience before, but for the first time, she felt a pang of guilt. Sera swallowed hard.
“Thank you.”
Sera’s voice gradually faded. Evelina, oblivious to anything amiss, smiled slightly.
“I’m glad you’re safe, Evelina.”
“Honestly, I was worried that you might not want to see me again.”
Evelina smiled bitterly.
“The memory of being kidnapped is never a good thing. You probably noticed, but it was a kidnapping aimed at me.”
No matter how brazen Sera was, this was too much. To be precise, Sera had been an accomplice. She had separated Evelina from her group to facilitate the kidnapping and created a brief window of opportunity.
“That’s impossible. We are both victims here.”
Sera’s voice trembled involuntarily. It couldn’t be helped. For Sera to call herself a victim? Was she out of her mind?
Sera kept swallowing dryly.
However, even that seemed to Evelina like PTSD experienced by a victim. Evelina let out a long sigh.
“Things like this might happen again if you continue to be with me.”
That would probably be the case… The empress wouldn’t give up, and Sera couldn’t defy the empress’s orders.
Next time, if something happens again, Sera will be involved and will push Evelina into danger without hesitation.
‘Really without hesitation?’
After receiving such kindness?
“If you want, Sera, you can keep your distance from me. It can’t be helped. This isn’t something I can force you into.”
Sera squeezed her eyes shut. A sigh escaped her lips. In the face of Evelina’s kindness and consideration, Sera seemed to shrink down, almost withering away.
“No, Evelina. Thank you for coming here. I want to continue our connection moving forward. Of course, if you’re okay with it.”
Evelina’s eyes widened.
“Sera…”
Sera nodded. And in that moment, she sensed it. Sera would hesitate at every moment.
***
Sera stayed by my side.
I really thought she might push me away. However, Sera didn’t push me away and left a space for me.
Thank goodness.
Sera was not only a good person as a friend, but she was also a great help in what I was doing. She was someone I absolutely didn’t want to lose.
And there was someone completely the opposite.
When I returned to the mansion with Rebecca, Annie was waiting for me.
Her wrinkled face was filled with greed, and her gaze toward me was dark.
“Miss, did you have a good trip?”
“Annie, were you waiting?”
“Yes.”
Annie wiped away her tears.
“I just heard that you almost faced a terrible incident! How could such an unthinkable thing happen! Did His Highness the Crown Prince fail to protect you? He certainly said he would protect you.”
Annie burst into tears.
Wow, how can she be so different from Sera? And she really has no conscience.
Wasn’t it even more shameless to sell off the unconscious Evelina? Evelina almost died. If I hadn’t entered this body, Evelina would have already disappeared as a skeleton.
“Well, it’s okay. I came back in one piece.”
“No, Miss! You can’t just let this go! You must strongly demand from His Highness the Crown Prince…”
“I’m not in a position to do that. Were you waiting to say that to me?”
Annie cried uncontrollably. Rebecca looked at Annie, who was sobbing and gasping for breath, with disdain. I wasn’t looking at her with those eyes, was I?
“Really, this is ridiculous.”
Rebecca muttered quietly. When our eyes met, she shrugged. It wasn’t hard to understand her reaction.
“I was worried about you, so I waited. I couldn’t sleep until I confirmed with my own eyes that you were okay. Miss, please let me serve you by your side.”
So this was her true intention. Securing her own position.
“I can’t trust anyone. I want to protect you myself, Miss.”
A strong desire not to be pushed aside.
“Miss…!”
Rebecca cleared her throat.
But does it really matter? I’ll be home only in the evening anyway. Before that, I was busy working outside with Rebecca.
With no day or night and no weekends, even if I keep Annie by my side, we’ll hardly run into each other. The real issue is my belongings.
She hasn’t broken her old habits, so Annie will start touching my things.
“Let’s do that, Annie.”
“Miss…!”
Annie smiled brightly.
“I, Annie, will definitely protect you, Miss.”
There are many types of people in the world, but Annie was truly unpleasant.
“Thank you, Annie.”
Annie immediately ran off to move her things. Rebecca asked me,
“Are you really going to keep her by your side, Miss?”
“Well…”
I shrugged.
“If Annie steals my things and sells them, it’ll be easier for us to approach her. I can’t just let her stay in the mansion and eat for free, can I?”
“Miss…”
Rebecca clicked her tongue.
“You think of dozens of things at once.”
“That’s flattery.”
I smiled with the face of a conspirator alongside Rebecca.
“We’ll need someone to watch over Annie.”
“Can we get someone to do that? We can’t keep an eye on her ourselves.”
Rebecca nodded.
“Don’t worry, Miss.”
***
The next morning.
It was an ordinary morning like any other. I woke up, took a bath while receiving the now-familiar service, and had breakfast.
And that’s when the problems began.
As I was trying to choose my clothes, Annie suddenly appeared. She acted as if the dressing room belonged to her, with an incredibly confident demeanor.
“I’ll choose your clothes, Miss.”
The maids stared at Annie with bewildered expressions.
“What do you mean?”
Annie smiled brightly.
“I’ve been choosing the Miss’s clothes since she was little. Just trust me, Miss. I know best what suits you.”
Annie rummaged through the dressing room without permission.
“You should wear this dress today. And how beautiful you would look with this necklace and earrings!”
Annie murmured in a dreamy voice. But I could guarantee that what Annie was dreaming of was her own reflection, not mine.
The maids looked at me, their eyes asking what to do.
As Annie pushed the maids aside to bring over the clothes she had chosen, I spoke up.
“Annie.”
“Yes, Miss?”
I felt I needed to teach Annie that things would never be the same as before.
“I’ll choose the clothes.”
“Miss…?”
“Annie, you should do something else.”
“But!”
“Annie, the clothes I wear affect my business. Today, I’m meeting with the dressmakers, and in the evening I’ll have dinner with someone important to the business. The clothes you choose could impact my work.”
Annie’s wrinkled face trembled. From the redness of her face, it seemed my refusal was humiliating for her.
“Can you take responsibility for everything that happens because of your choice?”
“Ah, Miss, I…”
“Of course, I know Annie’s loyalty, but you know how important this business is, right?”
Annie bit her lip.
She must have wanted to control me somehow, but it didn’t work. I’m not Evelina; I won’t be easily swayed.
“…I understand what you mean.”
Annie said in a defeated voice.
“I wouldn’t dare ruin what you’re doing, Miss.”
“Thank you for understanding, Annie.”
I thought this would make Annie give up. But it didn’t.
