~Chapter 36~
“Is this the place?”
After walking for a long while along the castle wall, Eileen finally spotted a tall tower standing in an odd location. It had once been used as a watchtower, but now it was abandoned.
Feeling relieved that her memory was correct, she slowly approached.
“…Ever since she came, I’ve been pushed aside. It’s always Eileen this, Eileen that… what did Eileen say, what did Eileen do…”
As expected, a girl’s voice leaked from the slightly open door at the entrance.
Eileen pushed the door open quietly and saw the back of a blonde girl. In front of her, sticks were stacked in a circle—clearly, she was trying to make a fire.
“…Even though I was the one who was close with him first…”
Diana’s mutterings weren’t entirely clear, but the meaning was easy enough to grasp.
Eileen smirked bitterly.
To her, it was obvious that Diana was still Cedric’s top priority. But Diana seemed to believe only that Cedric had been stolen from her.
Since she already understood Diana’s feelings, there was no point in listening further.
Eileen pushed the door wide open and spoke:
“Don’t even think about making a fire here. Why don’t you just go back?”
“Huh…?”
Startled, Diana turned around.
“H-How did you… know?”
“I know everything.”
Without waiting for an invitation, Eileen walked over and sat beside her. Diana hesitated, glancing at her nervously.
“Sorry for eavesdropping, but it sounded like you were talking about me. You seem pretty angry at me.”
“I’m not angry.”
“Of course, you must also be angry at Cedric. Because he didn’t defend you openly.”
At that, Diana kept her mouth shut. Deep down, she must have wanted Cedric to strongly deny what Lady Talon had said yesterday. Something like: ‘How could I ever drive you out? That’s nonsense.’
Ironically though, in the “original story,” it was Diana who left Cedric.
Now, who knows how it’ll turn out…
Honestly, Eileen didn’t care whether Diana ended up marrying Cedric or Theorn. But since the castle servants liked Diana, and since Eileen still had to live here even after her planned cancellation, she knew she couldn’t avoid clashing with her.
It’s also a matter of my pride…
So she decided it was better to clear things up at least once.
“Listen. My presence won’t ruin your relationship with Cedric. That’s impossible. So you don’t need to get upset about what that lady said yesterday.”
“…”
“Don’t you see? Cedric does everything he can for you, within the limits of his status.”
Diana stayed silent. Eileen let out a heavy sigh.
“For example, if you and I fell into water at the same time, he would save you first.”
It was a silly example, but once she said it, she felt a little sad. Still, she believed Cedric would come back for her right after, so it wasn’t so bad.
“I can swim, so he’d tell me to save myself and then go save you.”
Hearing Diana’s grumpy but heartfelt words, Eileen smiled faintly.
She really believed it.
Cedric and Diana were alike in some ways—especially in how they fixated on irrelevant parts of her words.
“…Fine. Let’s assume something else then. That wasn’t my main point anyway.”
At least, from Diana’s attitude, it seemed she hadn’t overheard that Cedric and Eileen planned to cancel their engagement. That was a relief.
“The point is, your behavior yesterday could end up forcing Cedric to make sacrifices without you realizing it.”
“That’s not true. Cedric is the lord of this castle. The master of this house.”
Whenever Eileen dealt with Diana, she found herself calming down instead of getting angry. Diana’s denial and rationalizations were almost impressive.
“When I said ‘Cedric might have to drive you out,’ that wasn’t a threat. It’s the truth.”
Eileen leaned her chin on her hand and looked straight at Diana, who flinched and averted her eyes. Her emerald gaze always felt like it pierced right through her.
What do you know? You’ve barely been here. Stop acting like you understand everything between Cedric and me…
There were times Diana wanted to snap back. She wanted to tell Eileen: You’re only pretending. I’ve spent much more time with him than you.
But… she anxiously tapped at the ground with a stick.
She couldn’t deny it: whenever Cedric spoke of Eileen, there was always a tone of respect.
“When I’m not around, you can rely on Eileen, Diana.”
Why? Because she’ll be the duchess?
“…No. Because aside from me, she’s the only one you can truly trust.”
Diana could never say these things aloud, but the bond between Cedric and Eileen made her uneasy. She desperately wanted Cedric to prove that her bond with him was stronger.
“You’re already special to Cedric, Diana. Even without demanding proof.”
Diana flinched again. Somehow, Eileen seemed to know all her thoughts.
“Cedric will never abandon you. No matter what.”
“…Really?”
“Really.”
Unfortunately, it was true. Cedric would always side with Diana. That’s why Eileen was telling her this—so Diana wouldn’t push him into dangerous situations just to prove it.
“So stop caring about what others say.”
Eileen dusted off her skirt and stood up. That was all she could say. Whatever Diana did after this was out of her hands.
“…Are you leaving?”
“It’s colder here than I expected. Don’t you want to head back, too? Though I know you’d like to make Cedric worry and wander around searching for you.”
Diana stared at the hand Eileen held out. A moment ago, her words and behavior had been so provoking that Eileen could’ve slapped her—and Diana had even secretly wanted that. If Eileen acted rudely, Diana could run to Cedric and drive a wedge between them.
She scolded me yesterday. Surely she’d do the same today.
But instead—
“I’m not your enemy, Diana.”
Eileen remained calm, mature, and composed. She had everything Diana lacked. That made Diana jealous—and she hated that jealousy.
So, hiding her true feelings, Diana took Eileen’s hand.
“…Since Cedric worried, I’ll go back.”
“Good.”
Her tone was still pouty, but Eileen didn’t mind. The fact that Diana had accepted her hand at all was enough. Maybe it was even a sign their relationship could improve.
Just then—
“…Here…”
“…Maybe…”
The sound was faint, carried by the wind, but they both heard voices. Someone was outside.
