Episode 12
Goosebumps ran down her spine, but Sophia shook her head with a calm expression.
“This isn’t my private property, so I don’t have the right to kick anyone out.”
“Why not? If it’s me, you can do it anytime.”
Joshua said that as he stood up. He had already realized from Sophia’s words that she wasn’t saying it was okay for him to stay here.
“I’m glad you look okay. But don’t wander around too late at night.”
“I’ll take care of myself.”
“…I interfered too much again. Sorry.”
He fiddled with his bangs awkwardly and looked away. Like Benjamin, Joshua was also gauging her mood.
The gift, her collapse, and Benjamin who had cared for her while she was ill—it was strange how everything was so different from her life before.
She shouldn’t have come to the garden. If Edmund was at the castle, it meant that both Benjamin and Joshua were spending the night at Rosent Castle.
“The flowers here never seem to wither.”
“That’s the kind of flowers they are.”
“Yeah. That’s why this place never changes.”
Because it remained the same—because it held the memories of her childhood—it was comforting.
When she sat here quietly, she felt as if she had returned to those peaceful and happy times.
A breeze blew, carrying a faint scent of alcohol. Had he been drinking? Now that she looked closer, he did seem a little tipsy.
“People are the ones who change—whether it’s their appearance or their personality.”
Right. Just like you did.
“It would’ve been better if things had stayed the same.”
The garden reflected in his eyes as he muttered to himself was bathed in morning sunlight. Benny and Chase sat under parasols, smiling at each other, while little Sophia admired the flowers nearby.
Joshua and Benjamin argued beside her about the names of the flowers, creating such a harmonious scene.
Unfortunately, Sophia couldn’t see it.
The faded memories had been torn and lost—nothing remained clearly anymore.
“You’re right.”
But she could understand it.
If everything had stayed the same, she wouldn’t have ended up like this.
“Sophia.”
“Yes?”
“I’m sorry.”
Again. Another apology.
“Sorry for what?”
“Just… everything. It won’t change anything now, but I’ve always wanted to say it.”
“…”
“I’m sorry for changing.”
Sophia listened quietly to his words before opening her mouth.
“It doesn’t matter.”
“…”
“I don’t care anymore.”
I’ve already given up on everything—that’s what her words meant. Joshua’s eyes wavered helplessly.
Was that guilt? Or was he just flustered that his apology wasn’t accepted?
Either way, it didn’t matter.
Without hesitation, Sophia turned and left the garden.
Once a month, someone from the House of Seviche—whether the Duke himself or another family member—would come to see Benjamin and Joshua.
Originally, they could come whenever they pleased, but after Chase had nearly killed Sophia, Bled had set a specific schedule.
Today was one of those days. Since the family would be staying at the castle for a week, Sophia couldn’t even go out to the garden for several days.
Even though Rosent Castle was quite far from Forne Castle, there was still a chance they could run into each other by accident.
Not that it made much of a difference—Sophia’s daily life wasn’t so different anyway. So to pass the time and also to learn more about the incident when she collapsed, she called for Serita.
“Would you like to say ‘ah’?”
“Ah…”
Serita checked her temperature, looked at her throat, and thoroughly examined her condition.
“You said you haven’t felt any discomfort since that day, right?”
“Yeah.”
“And you’ve been sleeping well?”
Sophia nodded confidently.
Ever since she had that late-night encounter with Joshua after losing sleep, she made sure to rest properly and not let it happen again.
“No strange dreams?”
“Nope.”
Oddly enough, Sophia had never once had a dream. Maybe she forgot them after waking up, but as far as she could remember, she’d never experienced one.
The only thing that felt like a dream was her past life.
“You’re still taking the Lofom well, right? It’s in pill form—has that been okay for you?”
“I’m fine.”
“That’s good to hear. Even Benjamin, at fifteen, couldn’t handle one little pill. Joshua teased him endlessly for that…”
Serita laughed softly at a memory only she knew, but her smile faded when she saw Sophia’s blank expression.
As the check-up neared its end, Sophia asked,
“Are you really sure I’m okay?”
“Yes. There’s nothing wrong with your body. You don’t have to worry.”
Serita wasn’t the type to lie about something like this, so Sophia believed her.
‘So Lorey wasn’t lying.’
Was it really okay not to worry?
She bit her lip, hesitating a few times before finally shaking off her thoughts. She was destined to die anyway. No point in stressing over it.
The fact that the incident happened right after she locked eyes with the Lord of the castle—she decided to brush it off as a coincidence.
“Then I’ll get going now. If you feel uncomfortable or unwell at any point, please let me know.”
“I will.”
As Serita turned to leave, her gaze happened to fall on the book resting on Sophia’s nightstand.
“Oh, that book!”
Startled by the sudden exclamation, Sophia flinched. Serita quickly apologized but continued to stare at the book.
“You know this book?”
“Yes! I really love this author!”
She picked up the book as she spoke excitedly.
A World Where Stars Fell by Eura.
It was a story centered on travel. Based on real locations, it described food, entertainment, and more in vivid detail. For Sophia, it was like a teacher from the outside world.
“What a coincidence. I like this author too.”
Eura was well-known for writing travel books, and Sophia had read several others as well. The writing was vivid, almost like being there in person.
“Really? Have you read Wait for Me There?”
“Of course. And also The Place Where the Sunset Sky Is Beautiful.”
“That’s a wonderful one too…!”
Serita let out a little gasp of admiration and sat back down in her chair.
“How about Where the Lark Lingers?”
“I haven’t read that one yet.”
“I have a copy! Would you like to borrow it? I’ll bring it tomorrow. I know you’ll love it.”
There’s nothing easier than sharing things you like when trying to get closer to someone. Serita wanted to open up to Sophia and ease her loneliness, so she wasn’t going to miss this chance.
Sophia blankly stared at Serita’s bright smile.
She really is a good, kind, proper person.
“I’ll look forward to it.”
When she chose to save Sophia despite knowing her fate, Sophia had hoped that if the chance ever came, they could become friends.
So now, she welcomed her gladly.
Even after several days passed, Sophia didn’t feel any strange symptoms. It was as if that collapse had been just a hallucination.
Maybe it was because she had been sleeping better lately. It seemed her body had simply given out from exhaustion.
The only thing that lingered in her mind was the difference in eye color, but considering the distance and her blurry vision, she figured she had probably just been mistaken. The whole sky had looked yellow at the time, after all.
But anyway… Serita’s persistence was amazing.
“How about this one, and this one… Oh! I think this one would look great too!”
Serita had come to return the book she borrowed but had quickly forgotten her original reason. She was now completely immersed in picking out clothes for Sophia.
A light yellow dress with a white ribbon tied at the waist, a deep purple one with frilly lace, and one that layered sheer fabric to create a darkening gradient of blue.
Those were the three finalists.
“I think purple suits you best, my lady. What do you think?”
“…Anything is fine.”
“And if you add this brooch here, it’ll look even prettier.”
Ignoring Sophia’s passive answer, Serita enthusiastically held the dress up against her and placed an amethyst brooch at her collar.
“Yep, it looks great.”
“You look excited.”
“Of course! I’ve always wanted to do this kind of thing.”
Choosing outfits, talking about what looks good or not.
After graduating from the academy and wandering around freelancing before ending up at this castle, she hadn’t had many chances to enjoy such things. She had missed it.
She had wanted to do this with Benjamin or Joshua, but they were no fun.
With Serita now in high spirits, Sophia changed into the dress she picked, then slightly tilted her head so Lorey could pin the brooch more easily.
“It really does suit you.”
Serita smiled brightly at the sight of Sophia dressed in the outfit she had chosen.
The light purple skirt matched Sophia’s hair, and the brooch mirrored her eye color, creating a lovely effect.
She had received similar compliments from the familiar servants before, but hearing it from someone else made her feel a little embarrassed.
Without a word, Sophia grabbed the doorknob.
“Um, I’ll go. To the study.”
“Wait! I’ll come with you, my lady!”
Blushing slightly, Sophia fled the room in embarrassment, with Lorey hurriedly chasing after her.
Left alone in the room for a moment, Serita chuckled, recalling the deep blush on Sophia’s ears just before she slipped out.
