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Now, let's turn back time and go to the morning.
With Anna's help, I returned very quietly and completed the perfect crime.
Since it wasn't the first or second time I'd spent the whole day holed up in my room beating my bed into submission, no one thought it was strange.
'I don't know if I should call that a blessing or a curse...'
Regardless, the result was good, so let's count it as a win.
While I was changing my clothes after my usual bath, Anna, who was helping me dress, suddenly gasped in shock.
It was as if her throat had tightened; she couldn't scream, but the fact that she couldn't make a sound actually made her shock feel more palpable.
Her hands were trembling, her eyes were wide, and she could only gape, unable to control her mouth. I wondered what on earth was wrong.
"M-M-M-My Lady! Your n-name, your nameeee..."
"Hmm? Ah..."
Yevgenia blankly touched the area around her clavicle bone.
Since she had no intention of doubting Yulan's words, she had assumed it would naturally be gone, but confirming it through the reaction of those around her was a different matter entirely.
'It really is gone...'
It felt different from when she had heard this fact last night while exhausted.
Hearing that she had truly changed the original story—changed fate—with a perfectly clear mind... how should I put it?
It felt fresh, yet surreal.
Leaving the still-trembling Anna behind, she walked slowly toward the mirror.
Red hair cascading down to her waist.
Golden eyes that sparkled even more under the light of the Horse Lamp Stone.
Sharp, upturned eyes with long eyelashes casting dark shadows.
A pointed nose and a spitefully curved mouth.
Beneath a face that felt both awkward and familiar, her long neck was visible.
As she shifted her gaze along the neckline, the rounded curve of her shoulder came into view.
"...It's gone."
"W-We must, immediately, tell the Master—no, His Imperial Majesty—no, the Pope? The Pope..."
"Calm down, Anna. It's not something to make such a fuss over."
Perhaps it was because I, the person actually involved, was acting with a composure that bordered on coldness.
Anna, who had been fidgeting as if she were about to burst into tears, froze in place.
The question 'Why on earth are you so calm?!' was clearly written all over Anna's blank expression.
'If I told her it was actually the result I wanted... Anna might faint. Besides, Anna knows that I met Yulan last night.'
Right now, she was too agitated to connect these two facts, but there was no telling what would happen as time passed.
[Last night, the Lady met a back-alley man named Nox.
-
The next morning, one character of the Lady's name disappeared.
――――――――――
= The back-alley man named Nox erased the name?!]
...The moment it was connected like that, both Yulan and I would be seriously screwed.
It would be the natural course of events for Anna, upon discovering such a fact, to run straight to my father.
Therefore, to prevent suspicion from following the shock, surprise, and bewilderment, appropriate acting was required.
"It was bound to happen someday. God knew that... and Raymond, were not destiny."
"M-My Lady..."
"He must have given me this trial to awaken me, the foolish girl who didn't know that truth. Fortunately, I realized this from the moment my name manifested, but God has simply completed what He originally intended."
My lips grew dry from saying so many insincere words.
I wondered what I should say for the final line to make it impactful.
I deliberately swallowed hard to buy myself some time to think.
Ah, this will work.
"...That way, I can completely give up on Raymond."
Perhaps because I pondered for a bit too long, my voice came out slightly cracked.
But that was actually a good thing.
It gave the effect of making me seem more emotionally overwhelmed.
Wondering if my acting had worked, I glanced back.
"Oh, my goodness, our Lady... how heartbreaking... There's no way God would do something so cruel to our Lady..."
"...I-I must have been that wretched of a person. I'm reflecting on it. I did so many terrible things to Lady Aer. And to Raymond..."
I couldn't bring myself to say I was sorry to that bastard, so I kept it vague.
Fortunately, Anna didn't seem to notice my acting at all.
Her eyebrows drooped so low that she looked as if she would burst into tears at any moment.
Feeling a tiny prick of conscience, I quickly added more.
"B-But I'm okay, Anna! In fact, I want to be grateful. Grateful that He opened my eyes."
"My Ladyyy..."
"Honestly, my father and you must have been very worried. Thinking, 'What if she... that is... crosses the line?'"
It was a thought that anyone who knew 'Yevgenia Martyr' would have had at least once.
If the Imperial Princess really crosses the line, what will happen to House of Martyr?
...A thought that was simultaneously very rude and entirely understandable.
There was no way a member of the House of Martyr could openly speak of things that even people with no connection to her or the house whispered about.
However, it was impossible to block the subtle glances and the atmosphere.
The gazes clinging to her entire body made 'Yevgenia' sensitive, and the more sensitive Yevgenia became, the more gazes followed...
If you asked if I'd ever thought to myself while causing various accidents, 'Yes, see? This is the crazy bitch you all wanted to see!', it would be a lie to say no.
Of course, that feeling was only about 0.1%, and 99.9% of it was jealousy toward Stella for having Raymond, but regardless.
"But I'm grateful that I could stop before becoming such a monster. From now on, I'll quietly prepare to inherit the House of Martyr. I'll resume the studies I put off..."
"My Lady, this might be a very rude question, but was there a serious result found during your last check-up... or something like that? Did you keep it as a secret between you and the physician...?"
"Absolutely not. I was praised for having a body so sturdy that I wouldn't even catch a cold."
There was a very effective remedy for calming the still-fidgeting Anna.
First, say something positive regardless.
"Anna, don't worry too much. From now on, only good things remain."
Second, hug Anna and pat her shoulder.
"...Really, My Lady?"
"Of course, of course."
Soon, I felt Anna's body, which had been stiff with tension, gradually relax as she hugged me back.
Phew, thank goodness.
'If even this hadn't worked, it would have been truly dizzying. I can't just be reckless with Anna.'
In the original story, Anna was always by 'Yevgenia's' side, and she was a 'villainous supporting character' who had already vanished like dew in the execution ground long before Yevgenia received her death sentence.
In other words, along with my father, she was one of the only people in this world who cherished Yevgenia.
Perhaps because she was the daughter of her nanny and they had grown up like childhood friends, 'Yevgenia' had a softer side when it came to Anna.
The current Yevgenia, who had equipped herself with common sense and concepts after remembering her past life, was inevitably even weaker toward Anna.
Only after comforting Anna for a long time did I return to my room and collapse onto the sofa.
Only after burying my whole body in the plush cushions did I feel my muscles trembling.
"...Is it normal for muscle pain to hit the entire body like this?"
It was an awkward question to ask anyone.
All Yevgenia could do was pray that Nox was suffering the same pain.
Barely regaining her focus after a moment of blankness, she pulled the bell cord.
Tinkle— tinkle—
"My Lady, did you call?"
"Yes. When did Father say he would return to the estate today?"
"Hmm... He said he planned to return in time for dinner. He believes you are heartbroken..."
"To comfort me?"
"..."
"I can see right through Father's thoughts."
Tsk. Yevgenia clicked her tongue shortly.
Glancing out the window, the sky was nearly pink; the sun was about to set.
Father might have already departed from the Imperial Palace.
"Just how long did I sleep?"
"You slept for almost half a day. I was so worried that you might have collapsed..."
"Mmm. I guess I struggled a bit because I'm not used to going out at night. Don't worry, it won't happen again."
Rubbing her stiff nape, Yevgenia spoke after thinking it over.
"That dress Father gave me as a gift last time. You still have it, right? The light blue one, the design my mother used to enjoy wearing. I should wear that."
Isn't it common sense to put on armor before heading into a battlefield?
With Anna's help, I returned very quietly and completed the perfect crime.
Since it wasn't the first or second time I'd spent the whole day holed up in my room beating my bed into submission, no one thought it was strange.
'I don't know if I should call that a blessing or a curse...'
Regardless, the result was good, so let's count it as a win.
While I was changing my clothes after my usual bath, Anna, who was helping me dress, suddenly gasped in shock.
It was as if her throat had tightened; she couldn't scream, but the fact that she couldn't make a sound actually made her shock feel more palpable.
Her hands were trembling, her eyes were wide, and she could only gape, unable to control her mouth. I wondered what on earth was wrong.
"M-M-M-My Lady! Your n-name, your nameeee..."
"Hmm? Ah..."
Yevgenia blankly touched the area around her clavicle bone.
Since she had no intention of doubting Yulan's words, she had assumed it would naturally be gone, but confirming it through the reaction of those around her was a different matter entirely.
'It really is gone...'
It felt different from when she had heard this fact last night while exhausted.
Hearing that she had truly changed the original story—changed fate—with a perfectly clear mind... how should I put it?
It felt fresh, yet surreal.
Leaving the still-trembling Anna behind, she walked slowly toward the mirror.
Red hair cascading down to her waist.
Golden eyes that sparkled even more under the light of the Horse Lamp Stone.
Sharp, upturned eyes with long eyelashes casting dark shadows.
A pointed nose and a spitefully curved mouth.
Beneath a face that felt both awkward and familiar, her long neck was visible.
As she shifted her gaze along the neckline, the rounded curve of her shoulder came into view.
"...It's gone."
"W-We must, immediately, tell the Master—no, His Imperial Majesty—no, the Pope? The Pope..."
"Calm down, Anna. It's not something to make such a fuss over."
Perhaps it was because I, the person actually involved, was acting with a composure that bordered on coldness.
Anna, who had been fidgeting as if she were about to burst into tears, froze in place.
The question 'Why on earth are you so calm?!' was clearly written all over Anna's blank expression.
'If I told her it was actually the result I wanted... Anna might faint. Besides, Anna knows that I met Yulan last night.'
Right now, she was too agitated to connect these two facts, but there was no telling what would happen as time passed.
[Last night, the Lady met a back-alley man named Nox.
-
The next morning, one character of the Lady's name disappeared.
――――――――――
= The back-alley man named Nox erased the name?!]
...The moment it was connected like that, both Yulan and I would be seriously screwed.
It would be the natural course of events for Anna, upon discovering such a fact, to run straight to my father.
Therefore, to prevent suspicion from following the shock, surprise, and bewilderment, appropriate acting was required.
"It was bound to happen someday. God knew that... and Raymond, were not destiny."
"M-My Lady..."
"He must have given me this trial to awaken me, the foolish girl who didn't know that truth. Fortunately, I realized this from the moment my name manifested, but God has simply completed what He originally intended."
My lips grew dry from saying so many insincere words.
I wondered what I should say for the final line to make it impactful.
I deliberately swallowed hard to buy myself some time to think.
Ah, this will work.
"...That way, I can completely give up on Raymond."
Perhaps because I pondered for a bit too long, my voice came out slightly cracked.
But that was actually a good thing.
It gave the effect of making me seem more emotionally overwhelmed.
Wondering if my acting had worked, I glanced back.
"Oh, my goodness, our Lady... how heartbreaking... There's no way God would do something so cruel to our Lady..."
"...I-I must have been that wretched of a person. I'm reflecting on it. I did so many terrible things to Lady Aer. And to Raymond..."
I couldn't bring myself to say I was sorry to that bastard, so I kept it vague.
Fortunately, Anna didn't seem to notice my acting at all.
Her eyebrows drooped so low that she looked as if she would burst into tears at any moment.
Feeling a tiny prick of conscience, I quickly added more.
"B-But I'm okay, Anna! In fact, I want to be grateful. Grateful that He opened my eyes."
"My Ladyyy..."
"Honestly, my father and you must have been very worried. Thinking, 'What if she... that is... crosses the line?'"
It was a thought that anyone who knew 'Yevgenia Martyr' would have had at least once.
If the Imperial Princess really crosses the line, what will happen to House of Martyr?
...A thought that was simultaneously very rude and entirely understandable.
There was no way a member of the House of Martyr could openly speak of things that even people with no connection to her or the house whispered about.
However, it was impossible to block the subtle glances and the atmosphere.
The gazes clinging to her entire body made 'Yevgenia' sensitive, and the more sensitive Yevgenia became, the more gazes followed...
If you asked if I'd ever thought to myself while causing various accidents, 'Yes, see? This is the crazy bitch you all wanted to see!', it would be a lie to say no.
Of course, that feeling was only about 0.1%, and 99.9% of it was jealousy toward Stella for having Raymond, but regardless.
"But I'm grateful that I could stop before becoming such a monster. From now on, I'll quietly prepare to inherit the House of Martyr. I'll resume the studies I put off..."
"My Lady, this might be a very rude question, but was there a serious result found during your last check-up... or something like that? Did you keep it as a secret between you and the physician...?"
"Absolutely not. I was praised for having a body so sturdy that I wouldn't even catch a cold."
There was a very effective remedy for calming the still-fidgeting Anna.
First, say something positive regardless.
"Anna, don't worry too much. From now on, only good things remain."
Second, hug Anna and pat her shoulder.
"...Really, My Lady?"
"Of course, of course."
Soon, I felt Anna's body, which had been stiff with tension, gradually relax as she hugged me back.
Phew, thank goodness.
'If even this hadn't worked, it would have been truly dizzying. I can't just be reckless with Anna.'
In the original story, Anna was always by 'Yevgenia's' side, and she was a 'villainous supporting character' who had already vanished like dew in the execution ground long before Yevgenia received her death sentence.
In other words, along with my father, she was one of the only people in this world who cherished Yevgenia.
Perhaps because she was the daughter of her nanny and they had grown up like childhood friends, 'Yevgenia' had a softer side when it came to Anna.
The current Yevgenia, who had equipped herself with common sense and concepts after remembering her past life, was inevitably even weaker toward Anna.
Only after comforting Anna for a long time did I return to my room and collapse onto the sofa.
Only after burying my whole body in the plush cushions did I feel my muscles trembling.
"...Is it normal for muscle pain to hit the entire body like this?"
It was an awkward question to ask anyone.
All Yevgenia could do was pray that Nox was suffering the same pain.
Barely regaining her focus after a moment of blankness, she pulled the bell cord.
Tinkle— tinkle—
"My Lady, did you call?"
"Yes. When did Father say he would return to the estate today?"
"Hmm... He said he planned to return in time for dinner. He believes you are heartbroken..."
"To comfort me?"
"..."
"I can see right through Father's thoughts."
Tsk. Yevgenia clicked her tongue shortly.
Glancing out the window, the sky was nearly pink; the sun was about to set.
Father might have already departed from the Imperial Palace.
"Just how long did I sleep?"
"You slept for almost half a day. I was so worried that you might have collapsed..."
"Mmm. I guess I struggled a bit because I'm not used to going out at night. Don't worry, it won't happen again."
Rubbing her stiff nape, Yevgenia spoke after thinking it over.
"That dress Father gave me as a gift last time. You still have it, right? The light blue one, the design my mother used to enjoy wearing. I should wear that."
Isn't it common sense to put on armor before heading into a battlefield?
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