Chapter 10
After that day, I started exercising diligently, just like I had promised myself.
But despite my determination, Rosent’s body was still like a withered twig.
Without any muscles, I couldn’t manage more than three push-ups no matter how hard I tried.
I attempted sit-ups, only to give up soon after because of the pain clenching my stomach.
In the end, all I had left was…
“Milady, please just give up already!”
…Annie’s scolding and yoga.
Annie yelled that this wasn’t even real exercise, but I refused to quit.
And why should I? Noah said I was weak! Weaker than him, even!
And I had no intention of missing out on Noah’s growth just because of this weak body.
I tried to use what I remembered from my past life to hold some yoga poses.
But even that didn’t work out—my body was so stiff, it was practically a rock.
“Ugh.”
With no energy left, I collapsed onto the carpet, letting out a small whimper.
What a disgrace. This cursed, pathetic excuse for a body!
That’s it. I’m done. People can live just fine without exercising anyway.
Right—Rosent might be weak physically, but she’s supposed to be incredibly smart.
…Of course, the problem is that I’m not the smart one—Rosent is!
“……”
With that absurd bit of self-justification, I got up from the carpet.
My blood sugar must’ve dropped—there was no way I could do anything like this.
Come to think of it, grapes are in season. I wanted to eat some bread slathered with grape jam.
That juicy texture, the sweet and unique taste…
‘Should I just make it myself?’
Why not? I couldn’t work out, but I sure as heck could make some jam.
And while I’m at it, I’ll bring some to Noah too.
He loved sweets in the novel, and he still does. I’m sure he’ll be happy.
“Annie, shall we head to the kitchen? It’s been a while.”
When I got to the kitchen, the grape jam I made on a whim turned out quite well.
I boiled it for too long, so it ended up more like jelly than jam, but… who cares? As long as it tastes good.
Wait. Since I made jam, why not bake pancakes too?
I heard they turn out fluffier and tastier if you whip up some meringue…
Caught up in the fun of baking for the first time in a while, I didn’t stop at just grape jam—I ended up making pancakes too.
And pancakes obviously need syrup, so I made that as well.
Then I thought you have to have whipped cream for the decoration, so I made that too.
The maids watching me got into it as well and even brought out decorative fruit.
And how much did we add?
Before I knew it, I was no longer looking at grape jam—but at a full-fledged cake.
Something that looked good enough to sell in a bakery.
“Annie, I think I have talent.”
Should I consider going all in and opening a bakery?
Impressed by my own work, I proudly showed the cake to Annie. She gasped in admiration.
“Oh my, how pretty! It would go perfectly with some black tea. Shall I prepare it for you?”
“Yes, please.”
As I answered, I turned my eyes to the cake and picked up a knife.
Looking at its appetizing shape, I couldn’t decide where to start cutting.
I felt like I’d ruin it if I touched it anymore…
Ugh. I carefully placed each of those blueberries—what if they fall apart?
In the end, I lowered the knife and turned to Annie.
“Could you call Noah to the garden? It’s been a while since we’ve had a proper teatime.”
“Hmm… I’ll go check the young master’s schedule.”
Annie left the kitchen to ask another maid about Noah’s schedule.
But the reply wasn’t what I wanted to hear.
Because…
“Oh dear. The young master is currently in a swordsmanship lesson.”
Someone else had gotten to Noah first.
Wait a second.
Swordsmanship lesson?
[“You’re rather sensitive, my lady.”]
“Ah.”
Damn it. I remembered.
Clang.
At that sudden mental freeze, I stopped cutting.
The knife slipped from my fingers—it was only a matter of time.
As it grazed my finger, it left behind a small cut.
“Ouch…!”
I hissed and stared at the stinging cut.
Pain throbbed from the wound, and blood began to well up.
Startled by the sudden pain, my heart started pounding, so fast it felt like it might burst.
Blood kept dripping from my hand, my heart raced uncontrollably.
My body was a mess, but strangely enough, that pain snapped me back to reality.
At least I didn’t feel dazed or enchanted like before.
I closed my eyes tightly and then shook my head.
‘Huh.’
And then, strangely, my head started to clear up.
Wait… I’m fine?
“Young lady!”
Startled, Annie rushed over and wrapped my finger in a handkerchief.
I grimaced again at the pain but exhaled slowly.
“I’m fine. Can you move the cake for me instead?”
“Of course…”
Annie quickly picked up the fallen knife and tidied up the area.
But my attention had already drifted far from the cake.
[“Just keep feeling that way.”]
[“You’ll forget everything soon enough anyway.”]
Forget? What a joke.
I hadn’t forgotten a single thing.
In fact, now that my mind was clear, it was even harder to forget.
Was the pain in my finger actually helping?
I took a deep breath to steady my aching heart.
Something still felt… off.
“…I can’t let this go.”
Turning my head, I muttered.
If it bothered me, I should go and see for myself.
“Annie, Noah’s doing sword training right now, right?”
Clenching my fingers, I added, “Let’s stop by real quick.”
After getting my finger treated, I grabbed a parasol to shield myself from the sun and headed to the training grounds.
The finished cake would be brought to the garden by the mansion’s maids.
Here was my plan:
I’d go to the training ground first, then invite Noah to join me for tea during his break.
And naturally, that would mean Easton would tag along too.
That’s when I’d casually bring up what happened last time.
“Hmph…!”
I clenched my fist and let out a determined breath.
At that moment—
Clack.
The dull sound of wooden swords clashing echoed from the training ground.
The ones holding the swords were none other than Noah and…
[“If you come any closer… you won’t be able to escape.”]
“Ugh.”
The memory of that day hit me hard, and I tightened my grip on the parasol.
The poor parasol suffered under my pressure.
Of course, Noah and Easton, unaware of my inner turmoil, continued their practice.
“Your stance is good, but you’re not holding tightly enough.”
“Then I’ll grip it harder—”
Easton’s gentle correction prompted Noah to adjust his posture and strike again.
Twist, hit, repeat.
But not long after—
“Noona!”
Noah’s gaze turned toward me and he waved his hand enthusiastically.
His ruby-red eyes sparkled like summer sunlight.
Oh my. He’s waving because he saw me?
Even though he’s still training?
“…Adorable.”
That sudden cuteness knocked all other thoughts from my mind. I waved back with a smile.
And then, standing beside Noah, Easton looked at me with his serene blue-gray eyes.
A breathtaking, almost dreamy color.
It felt like I was losing my senses.
Oh no.
Just like last time, I—
“…!”
Panicking at the looming sensation, I hid behind my parasol again.
And of course, behind Annie too.
She had seen the same thing—maybe she was just as shocked as I was.
I glanced at her and asked in a whisper,
“Annie, are you okay? You felt it too, right?!”
“Huh? What are you talking about?”
But Annie only tilted her head, clearly confused.
And just like that, doubt crept into my heart.
Wait, why does Annie look confused?
Shouldn’t I be the one confused?
Maybe she’s so shocked she doesn’t even realize it herself…? No, that can’t be right.
But how could she not feel it, when it’s this overwhelming?
I decided to ask her directly.
“Your heart’s racing, right? Doesn’t it feel like your body’s heating up?”
“Oh, you must be catching a cold.”
Annie finally understood and placed a hand on my forehead.
“You have a slight fever. Shall we go inside?”
“No, no…!”
That’s not the kind of heat I’m talking about, Nurse Annie.
Sensing her about to drag me back inside, I hurriedly straightened my parasol.
And just then—
“Noona!”
Taking advantage of the gap in my parasol, Noah ran into my arms.
And with him…
“A pleasure to meet you.”
Easton approached and greeted me.
Thump.
Thump-thump.
My heart began pounding like crazy.
He appeared. He showed up again.
“Ugh…”
Bracing myself for the inevitable sensation, I clenched my fists and used the pain in my finger to anchor my mind.
But Easton, either unaware or indifferent, continued politely,
“My name is Easton Rosotherban.”
[Easton Rosotherban.]
The words weren’t all that different from last time.
As if it were a true first meeting.
Wait… huh?
“I’ve heard a lot about you from the young master. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m honored to finally make your acquaintance.”
Wait. First meeting?
But we’ve already met before.
