~Chapter 12~
Marquis Valandier, who had suddenly lost a close friend, missed me deeply. That’s why he left his mansion exactly as it was five years ago.
Given how he felt, there’s no way he didn’t know who I meant when I asked about “him.”
And yet, the Marquis didn’t answer right away like he used to.
I suddenly remembered something an old man had said casually:
“Hmm? You mean His Highness the Crown Prince? Well… he hasn’t been seen in public since that incident five years ago.”
I frowned instinctively. The Marquis, watching me, gently placed a hand on my shoulder.
“…He is well. But for now, Lady Livi— cough, I mean, Miss… you should get some rest. You really don’t look well.”
His concerned tone made me think, Do I really look that bad?
Even though something felt off about his words, I was relieved to think that Khalid hadn’t been locked away due to illness for the past five years.
“If he’s not sick and doing okay… then I’m really glad.”
The Marquis gave a complicated expression again but didn’t say anything else.
Just like he said, the exhaustion I’d built up over more than ten days had reached its limit. I quietly followed him without complaint.
The soft bedding, unlike anything from the cheap inns, pulled me into deep sleep.
After I crossed dimensions, I’d spent ten tense days out on the streets with no rest.
Filled with anxiety and worry, those days were far from peaceful. Even the familiar places now felt foreign, and that only added to the emotional exhaustion.
During those ten miserable days, I came to realize something: Livia Arfin was still a beloved and noble figure in this world.
No matter where I went, I heard people praising her at least once.
Back when I actually lived as Livia, I heard those words often. But hearing them now, in someone else’s body, brought a strange, indescribable feeling.
It felt… like something had been stolen from me. A childish, selfish feeling.
Whenever that thought came up, I slapped my own cheek and scolded myself.
Mine? No, I knew better than anyone that none of it was mine. It all belonged to “Livia Arfin.”
Even in my half-asleep daze, that thought crept in, like a habit — maybe because I was afraid I might start wanting things I shouldn’t.
I slowly got up and changed into the clothes the maid had prepared.
After washing up, I walked out into the living room, where a full breakfast was laid out neatly. I didn’t even notice when it had been brought in.
The Marquis had prepared everything in advance and was taking care of me like it was second nature.
Even though I had no official identity, he made sure I didn’t have to run into anyone else. It was a thoughtful act.
“He doesn’t owe me anything… but he’s doing all this.”
The kindness made my eyes sting.
I’d been vaguely hopeful that he might help me, but I never expected him to take care of me so thoroughly. That made my heart ache even more.
It also made me feel ashamed — like I’d acted selfishly.
Still, I had been desperate. Even if I could go back in time, I would’ve come to the Marquis again.
Strangely, I now felt grateful that he had discovered I wasn’t the real Livia. Back then, I had been terrified of being exposed. I’d spent many sleepless nights in fear.
But now, it all felt oddly ironic — like someone who knew everything had planned it so that the Marquis would recognize me in this form.
“Was it… Vessia?”
It was only speculation, but if all this had been arranged by Vessia… what on earth did they want from me?
I wasn’t even Vessia’s chosen anymore.
I gave a bitter smile and tried to shake off the thought.
Just as I was finishing breakfast, there was a knock, and the Marquis entered.
“Were you eating?”
“Yeah— I’m done.”
“Really? But you barely touched it.”
“I ate plenty. Seriously.”
But he frowned in disbelief.
“Maybe I shouldn’t ask this, but…”
“Ask anything.”
“Are people in your world… the size of ants inside?”
“What? Of course not! We’re still human.”
“Hmm…”
The look on his face clearly said: Then why do you eat so little?
Feeling awkward, I took a bite of the pudding and gave a sheepish smile.
“My body’s just not in the best condition. I still can’t digest this kind of food very well.”
“Ah…”
The Marquis immediately softened and looked at me with pity.
He glanced at me and sighed quietly.
“I see… You really were unwell. I thought maybe all people from your world were like that…”
“We’re just the same as you.”
The way he looked at me, like I was some unknown creature, made me chuckle.
I understood, though — crossing dimensions isn’t exactly believable. And in his memory, I was still the picture-perfect Livia Arfin.
As I poked at the soft pudding, the Marquis cleared his throat and cautiously asked,
“…Would you be willing to tell me what happened?”
After resting for a day, it was time to talk.
Since the moment I woke up, I’d been thinking about how to explain everything. So I started right away.
“…Where should I begin?”
I calmly told him the story — how I woke up in the hospital in the other world, and how I ended up coming back here.
I didn’t describe just how painful that year had been. There was no need.
The Marquis seemed to understand anyway. He quietly listened with a serious face.
“…And then I opened my eyes and found myself here again.”
“…I don’t know if I should say this, but… you went through so much.”
“Maybe a god took pity on me. Or maybe it was just divine whim… I really don’t know.”
The Marquis said nothing, silently absorbing my words.
“All I can say for sure is… a god was involved.”
There’s no way I could’ve returned to this world — not once, but twice — unless divine intervention had occurred.
The first time was only my soul. The second time, even my body came with me.
“Vessia is always watching over us… It’s a miracle,” the Marquis said, pressing his hands together in prayer.
The Empire of Epernia worshipped Vessia more than any other nation. So his reaction made sense.
But for someone like me, who had cursed the gods over and over, his piety felt a little hard to take.
“That’s… all of it. Not much, right?”
It wasn’t “not much.” The pain I went through was far from little. But for me, what had happened after I disappeared was even more important now.
I needed the truth — not rumors, not speculation. Real facts.
“…You can tell me now, right?”
I had already realized that the Marquis was buying time for me.
Five years had passed here. I could guess that a lot must have happened.
Maybe even things that would shock me to the core.
Because five years… is a long time.
I steeled myself and quietly set down my fork.
I licked my dry lips and looked at the Marquis. It was a signal — I was ready. He could tell me now.
The Marquis took a sip of water, as if preparing for a long story.
With a complicated look, he finally began.
“Livia Arfin opened her eyes… about a week after that day.”
His brow furrowed even deeper.
“…Of course, it wasn’t the you I once knew.”
