Chapter 56

“Why are you doing this?”

Even to my own ears, my voice sounded sharp. Elia’s eyes darted around nervously.

“W-what do you mean?”

“I mean this.”

I slapped my chest in frustration.

“Why don’t you ever fight back?”

“…”

Elia lowered her head.

“Those noble ladies—what’s the big deal? Just snap back at them once! Is it really that hard?”

Every time I looked at Elia, I could feel my mood sink. I kept staring at her, willing her to say something—anything. After a long silence, she finally raised her head.

“…Laila, you don’t understand.”

“Understand what?”

“That every time I speak… they laugh at me.”

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

“…”

“I don’t know anyone here. I only came all this way because I wanted to succeed, even just a little. But everyone laughs at me.”

“…”

“My family is no different. They were angry that I couldn’t get a scholarship—that I was just going to waste money. I begged and begged to come here. I thought things would change if I made it to the Academy, but…”

Tears spilled down her cheeks.

“L-Laila, you think I’m foolish too, don’t you?”

“Elia…”

“I know you do. On the very first day… I heard you say I made you uncomfortable.”

“…”

She stared at me through tear-filled eyes.

“You really don’t need to bother with me anymore.”

Then she stood up.

“I’m going to quit the Academy anyway.”

“Elia!”

Startled, I grabbed her hand. She yanked free with all her strength, leaving my wrist stinging.

“Don’t touch me!”

She was sobbing uncontrollably.

“I don’t understand you, Laila. You look at me like you hate me, but then you keep trying to get involved. Is it because I’m such an idiot?”

“I…”

Only then did I realize how deeply I had hurt her.

“I’m tired of crying myself to sleep every night. I just want it all to stop.”

“Listen to me.”

“I don’t even know why I ended up sharing a room with you. We’re so different.”

“…On that much, I agree.”

My tone turned cold. Elia’s eyes wavered, and the force she had a moment ago drained away.

“…I know. Someone like me doesn’t belong with a lady like you.”

“…”

“So I’ll just step aside sooner rather than la—”

“Oh, honestly.”

I felt irritation boil over.

“Enough already!”

I shouted. Elia’s eyes widened in shock.

I had never once raised my voice at her before.

“I think the same thing! I don’t know what twist of fate paired us together, but if I had the choice, I wouldn’t have wanted to get close to you either.”

“Th-that’s…”

“But for some reason… I can’t help but care about you.”

I met her gaze squarely.

“Your actions worry me. They frustrate me. When you let yourself be pushed around, I want to get angry for you.”

That’s right.

Maybe deep down, I had already known why she kept catching my attention.

“…Because you look so much like someone I once knew.”

Her eyes widened.

Even that expression reminded me of the girl from my old world—my only friend.

Ye-eun.

The one I had left behind in the other world.

Why Elia resembled her so much, I didn’t know. Maybe it was because Ye-eun herself had written the original novel, and projected herself onto the heroine, Elia.

Her round eyes, her clumsy personality, her ridiculous quirks—they were all exactly like Ye-eun.

Elia stood at the complete opposite place from me, and the thought that she was the true heroine of this world made me uneasy. But because she reminded me so much of my friend, I couldn’t bring myself to ignore her.

“…I’m sorry for what I said that first day. I wasn’t thinking.”

I extended my hand.

“But now, I truly want to be your friend.”

A tear slipped down Elia’s cheek.

“R-really?”

“Yes.”

I nodded earnestly. She hesitated for a long time, staring at my hand. I waited patiently.

And finally—very carefully—she reached out and held it.

From there, things moved quickly. I sat with her on the sofa, first-aid kit in hand. When she rolled up her clothes, a painful-looking bruise spread across her knee.

I frowned. Even as I gently applied ointment, she flinched and trembled. It must hurt terribly.

The dormitory floors were marble—of course her knee would be ruined from hitting it directly.

Those noble girls…

Dark anger welled up inside me before I even realized it. Elia spoke timidly.

“Th-thank you.”

“It’s nothing.”

“…Eh?”

She blinked at me.

“Just speak casually. I’ll do the same.”

“I-I couldn’t, not to a lady like you…”

“We’re stuck seeing each other for the next four years. Might as well.”

I snapped the kit shut and looked at her. She fiddled awkwardly with her hands.

“You said you’re from the North, right?”

“Ah, yes. I mean… yeah.”

“Is it far from here?”

“…Pretty far, yeah.”

She glanced at me nervously.

“How long does it take to get there?”

“About… three days?”

“Three days?”

I clicked my tongue.

“Then you can’t really go home on weekends, can you?”

She lowered her eyes.

“It’s fine. I didn’t want to go back anyway.”

“Hm?”

“My family’s big—lots of siblings. It’s always noisy. They wouldn’t even notice if I wasn’t there.”

“…But if you don’t go home, you’ll be alone here.”

“That’s fine. I’m sure there are other students who can’t go back either.”

That may have been true, but I already knew she had no friends. I could picture her staying shut in her room all weekend, not speaking to anyone.

I sighed.

Father, brothers… I’m sorry.

They wanted me to come home every weekend. But I couldn’t just leave this girl all alone.

She was my roommate, after all.

Sometimes, I’d just have to stay with her.

“I’m heading home early tomorrow morning, but I’ll be back Sunday evening.”

“H-huh?”

“I’ll bring back some good food too. Don’t mope around by yourself.”

I pinched her cheek lightly. She rolled her eyes.

“Got it?”

“…Yeah.”

Somehow, we had become friends.

The next morning.

I rose early and peeked out the window to see a white Rosha Hill carriage waiting at the dormitory entrance. My luggage was already packed, so without hesitation, I stepped out.

“…Laila!”

I turned at the sound of Elia’s voice.

Still in her pajamas, she looked at me with sleepy eyes.

“Have a safe trip.”

“Mm, see you Sunday.”

I waved and headed for the carriage.

I greeted the family coachman as always and climbed aboard.

At first I felt nothing, but once I was seated, my heart began to race.

I’m finally going home!

It had only been a week, but it felt much longer. My brothers and father must be waiting eagerly. Should I have brought them souvenirs? It wasn’t like I’d gone on a trip, but the thought crossed my mind.

I had so much to tell them—the fun lessons, stories about my roommate Elia…

And surely they had much to tell me too. The thought made me smile.

The road from Rebecam to the capital was smooth. Soon, I arrived at the mansion. As I stepped into the garden, I noticed several unfamiliar carriages. Some of their crests looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t recall which families they belonged to.

Never mind that. I should go in first.

Everyone welcomed me warmly after a week apart.

“Oh my, Lady Laila!”

“How was the Academy? Did you enjoy it?”

“Heavens, we missed you so much!”

I beamed back.

“Me too! It was fun. Where’s everyone else?”

“The Duke is likely in his study.”

“Father’s study?”

Working even on the weekend?

Still, I wanted to see him, so I asked a servant to announce my arrival and walked slowly toward the study.

As I reached the quiet hallway, I felt the presence of people inside.

Knock, knock.

“It’s me, Laila. I’m coming in.”

I pushed the door open slightly and peeked inside—

“…!”

Standing there was my brother, Eddie.

But unlike his usual shirts and vests, he wore a full ceremonial uniform, glittering with diamonds and sapphires. I gaped.

“B-brother?”

“Lara!”

He strode over and wrapped me in a tight hug.

“Did you have a good trip?”

He held me as though he’d never let go. But before I could even respond—

“Laila!”

“…Huh?”

A voice I should never have heard here rang out, and I jerked my head up.

“W-wait…”

My jaw dropped. Unladylike, yes—but that was how shocked I was.

“I missed you!”

Just like Eddie, the man rushed forward and swept me up in his arms, even trying to spin me around. I barely managed to stop him—this was Father’s study, after all. Stammering, I pointed a finger at him, unable to form proper words.

But he only smiled cheerfully.

At last, I managed to say it.

“…Uncle Laska?”