07 — I Want to Survive, Though
Five days had passed since then, and I was still staying in the guest room.
“Good morning, Lady Lilybell!”
“We’ve prepared a slightly more substantial meal for you today.”
The two who entered the room were Berne and Rosalina, dressed in the deep blue maid uniforms I had grown completely used to seeing.
Seeing them no longer made my heart flutter with fear on its own.
“Wow… it looks delicious!”
Laid out before me was a warm vegetable soup, fragrant with herbs; a softly stewed white fish sauté; and a plate of fluffy bread sliced thin and lightly soaked in honey.
Everything was so good that I ate eagerly, holding my cheeks as I went. Lilybell’s stomach and intestines had been quite weakened, but thanks to this attentive care, they were steadily recovering.
“It’s hard to believe I used to live on nothing but bread porridge…”
At my muttered remark, Berne broke into a delighted smile, while Rosalina added a gentle one of her own.
“We’re so happy that the range of foods you can enjoy is gradually expanding!”
“We’ve also prepared herbal tea for after your meal.”
From those lonely, porridge-only meals to being greeted by such a colorful breakfast—
I felt deeply grateful that I’d been able to recover under such careful nursing.
I smiled at the two of them and spoke from the bottom of my heart.
“Berne, Rosalina, thank you very much. Everything is truly delicious.”
At that, Berne’s face lit up, and Rosalina placed a hand to her chest with a pleased expression—then stepped forward slightly, looking apologetic.
“Your words mean so much to us, Princess Lilybell. But please, call us simply Berne and Rosalina.”
“I— I’ll try to remember.”
“And there’s no need to use honorific speech with us either.”
“O-oh, right… right…! I’ll be careful.”
Lilybell was a princess. This was a world with clear social hierarchies—something I nearly forgot at times.
And yet… if that was the case, why had Lilybell been treated so coldly before?
When I said as much, Rosalina and Berne nodded with warm smiles.
That exchange alone made something deep in my chest feel a little warmer.
My once overly thin body had begun to fill out, my cheeks tinged with a healthy pink.
Even my hair felt silky smooth. I found myself thinking that this must have been what Lilybell was meant to look like.
(Lilybell was an incredibly beautiful girl…!?)
The Lilybell in my memories always looked so sad.
I hoped that she, too, had been helped like this somewhere, somehow.
—Knock, knock, knock.
Just as I was thinking that, the door was suddenly rapped.
The two maids exchanged glances, and Rosalina hurried over.
“Oh my…!”
I heard her startled voice, followed by hushed conversation.
When the door opened and the visitor entered the room, the atmosphere instantly tightened.
(…Brother Luke!)
The sight of his bright golden hair made me straighten my back at once.
“Good morning, Lilybell. How are you feeling?”
He greeted me cheerfully, his voice gentle, eyes narrowing slightly.
His composed demeanor truly embodied what it meant to be the perfect prince.
“…I’m feeling much better now. Thank you, Brother Luke.”
I returned his greeting with a carefully crafted smile—as elegant and princess-like as I could manage, as calm as possible.
For a moment, his eyes seemed to widen in surprise, but he quickly returned my smile.
“…Yes, you do look well. Almost like a different person. I’ve received reports that you’re able to take both the medicinal baths and meals without issue.”
“Yes. I’m truly grateful for how attentively I’ve been cared for.”
Every day had felt like living as a princess—though saying that was strange, considering I was one.
At least, for Lilybell, it certainly felt that way.
Brother Luke’s expression stiffened slightly.
“…I’m sorry I didn’t realize sooner.”
Those words fell quietly into the room.
(Really… shouldn’t things have been this way all along?)
Until recently, it was true that no one had paid much mind to Lilybell’s mistreatment.
Rosalina and Berne stepped back and bowed their heads.
I didn’t know what my brother’s true intentions were, but I gathered my courage and met his gaze.
“Um, Brother Luke. I was thinking it might be time for me to return to the detached palace.”
At my bold suggestion, Brother Luke froze for just a moment.
“Ah, I’m sorry. That place isn’t ready yet.”
He spoke calmly, but firmly.
“…Not ready? It’s already been five days…”
When I asked, he continued without changing his expression.
“Yes. We’re adjusting the environment of your room. As it is now, I can’t allow you to return.”
So… the detached palace had been deemed an unsuitable place for me to live?
It had been awful before, that much was true—but still, being this closely attended to was entirely unexpected.
“How long… do you think it will take?”
“It won’t be immediate. You’ll stay here for the time being.”
“…Um— what happened to Emma?”
“Oh, that maid was dismissed from the castle for neglecting her duties. You can rest easy.”
(W-what!?)
I was stunned by how casually he said it. Noticing my reaction, Brother Luke briefly glanced toward Rosalina and Berne.
“Well then… if you find these maids unsatisfactory, I can arrange for new ones.”
“N-no! They’ve been incredibly kind to me!”
“I see. That’s good to hear. Then you’ll remain here as you are.”
I glanced at the two maids; both looked at me with uneasy expressions.
(If I stubbornly insist on returning now… I’d feel terrible toward them…!)
“…All right.”
“Good.”
Faced with Brother Luke’s decisive expression, I accepted that I’d be staying here for a while.
If that was the case, then I’d eat properly and regain my strength.
There were many things I needed to think about now.
(I want to整理 the novel’s information. I should write things down while I still remember them.)
Just as I thought that—
I had an idea.
“Brother, may I ask one favor?”
After looking momentarily surprised, Brother Luke smiled as if nothing were amiss.
“…Is there something you’d like?”
“Yes. I’d like some paper and a pen, please!”
At my request, his brows knit slightly.
“Shouldn’t you still be resting?”
“Thanks to Rosalina and Berne, I’ve rested plenty. I’d like to at least do something as simple as writing.”
“Hm… very well. But don’t overdo it, all right?”
“Yes! Thank you very much!”
I thanked him sincerely, unable to hide my grin.
(Yes! Now I can organize everything I know!)
“Well then, Lilybell.”
“Yes. Please take care of yourself too, Brother.”
“…! Ah— I will.”
I watched him leave, looking slightly puzzled.
Not long after, paper and a pen were delivered to the now-quiet room. That was fast.
“Wow… they’re beautiful…”
Fine-quality paper and an elegant glass pen.
Sitting on the bed, I accepted them and gripped the pen with trembling fingers.
Now I could organize the information I remembered.
(First, I need to整理 the possible causes of my death.)
In the novel, the details of my death were unclear.
However, one recurring keyword stood out: “infectious disease.”
If that disease were to spread in this world as well, I would need to find a way to prevent an outbreak.
(Could it be… that I die because of that disease too?)
That illness marked the beginning of the heroine’s suffering.
Her mother died from it, and that tragedy led her father to bring in a new wife and stepdaughter, after which the heroine was abused.
(Yes—that was emphasized far too much. It might be connected to Lilybell’s death!)
As I moved the pen across the page, I made a silent vow.
“…I will never die a throwaway, narrated death.
I will survive.”
