I Possessed the Villain’s Childhood Friend – Chapter 67

“What’s wrong, Reina?”

As I sat silently, he spoke to me.

He was a boy with chestnut hair and blue eyes.

Before I knew it, our relationship had extended over a year.

He was Aike Akses, the second son of the Akses Duke House.

“Nothing’s wrong.”

After all, I was sure he wouldn’t look at me.

My father had said our relationship was purely political.

“That’s a lie.”

But Aike continued to pry.

“You’re not making a ‘nothing’s wrong’ face.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“It’s a bit much not to care when it’s just the two of us.”

Given his usual blunt expression, he couldn’t possibly have any real interest in me.

He was probably just momentarily curious.

I decided not to get my hopes up.

With that thought, I lowered my gaze and reached for the snacks on the table.

“Oh, you mentioned your debut in social circles yesterday, right?”

Aike repeated my words.

“I’m a bit disappointed that my debut has been pushed to my birthday next year, so I can’t participate.”

That memory I never wanted to recall—the one where no one noticed me—flooded back.

Clunk, the snack fell to the ground.

“Uh, what…?”

Aike’s voice trembled.

“Sorry, did I say something strange?”

For some reason, he stood up and came closer to me.

“I was wrong. I’m sorry. I’ll apologize. Don’t cry.”

“…sniff.”

What was I feeling from that haphazard apology?

“Waaah!”

Before I knew it, I found myself leaning into Aike’s arms, crying like a baby.

“…I’m sorry.”

After finally calming down, I apologized to Aike, who returned to his seat.

His clothes were completely soaked with my tears.

“It’s fine. I can change later.”

Aike spoke as if it were no big deal, his expression still stoic.

“So what’s going on?”

With that, he looked at me once more.

“…After the ball yesterday…”

I slowly began to speak.

“I’m sorry. I find it hard to understand.”

After listening to everything I had to say, Aike opened his mouth again, still wearing his blunt expression.

“I see.”

It was a bit shocking.

I had thought he would understand my feelings for some reason.

But his words didn’t stop there.

“Still, to put it simply, is it that you felt too lonely at home?”

“Ah, yes. No one praises the hard work I put in.”

The servants couldn’t even begin to talk to me.

Until just before we departed for Arcadia today, my father and mother hadn’t spoken a word to me.

Even though there were many people around, I felt utterly lonely and isolated.

“Okay then. I promise you this.”

“Promise?”

“Yes. I will stand by you no matter what. I won’t leave you alone. Father said we are childhood friends.”

Childhood friends.

It was a heartwarming term, but it also felt lacking somehow.

Did Aike think the same way?

I continued speaking naturally.

“No, if we’re friends, we could end up fighting.”

Aike pondered for a moment under his unsmiling gaze, then nodded and continued.

“Alright, sounds good. Our family is a knight family, so I will be your knight. It’s a promise.”

As Aike said that, it appeared he was smiling faintly.

★

“I want to be Reina’s knight.”

As soon as I said that, a fleeting thought of having crossed a line wandered through my mind.

Of course, I had no regrets.

From the moment I realized I had possessed this world, I had decided to live for you.

Days spent eternally lying in bed, staring at the ceiling and words with no human interaction at all.

Looking back, those days were no different from being dead.

And the one who breathed life into my existence in this world was none other than Reina.

“Reina’s knight, huh.”

But that statement I had just made was indeed a line I had crossed.

A knight must be prepared to sacrifice their life for the Empire.

To dedicate that life for a specific individual meant—

“Aike, you understand what that statement means, right?”

“Yes, I do.”

It meant one would give up their name, family, honor, and status to devote everything to that person.

“Hmm.”

Duke Ricard, who had been expressionless until now, finally seemed intrigued.

“What exactly did you see that made you want to be Reina’s knight? Would it be a rude question to ask?”

“…”

“Even if you said that to smooth over the current situation, just the fact that you said it in front of me changes its meaning.”

“I understand.”

Though it seemed Duke Ricard was trying to rattle me, I didn’t avert my gaze.

If I backed down at all, I would surely regret it.

“But right now, you only desire to be Reina’s knight; you’re not yet her knight.”

“That’s true.”

“I asked you what qualifications you have to stop this decision. Unfortunately, your answer just now isn’t convincing.”

But under Duke Ricard’s cold words, I gritted my teeth.

Was this answer insufficient?

So I had merely twisted the narrative of this world?

Did I need to have done nothing from the beginning and act according to the flow?

If that were true, certain other opportunities might have appeared…

And just as I was about to fall into despair—

“Father.”

Reina entered, opening the door.

★

To be honest, I had completely forgotten the promise I made with Aike.

If I were to make excuses, it was a promise shared between children who had just turned seven.

No matter how precious the memory, when one experiences new things every day, it’s inevitable to forget.

And yet, the events of that day had surely remained etched in my subconscious.

Despite having completely shattered the pride I held from my family, it was the desire to remain with Aike that led me, as a noble, through.

That feeling became an even more significant driving force for me to look upwards than ever before.

Of course, that led to the nickname “Ice Princess” circulating in social circles too.

And it was at Crown Prince Leon’s debut ball that I recalled that promise.

In the moment just before I was about to get stabbed by the blade of a mysterious assailant.

Seeing Aike rush toward me with a desperate look, I remembered the promise.

Could it be that Aike had remembered that promise all along?

A curiosity bloomed within me.

Though I had recently become aware of it, it surely was the catalyst that brought my emotions to life.

When my father first notified me of my leave from Arcana, I had defiantly run away.

It wasn’t planned this way, but I ended up spending time in Arcadia.

The days spent with Duke Ados, Duchess, and most importantly, Aike were truly enjoyable.

Yet, over time, the thoughts of eventually returning to my family grew stronger.

I convinced myself that nothing would change anyway.

Thus, I returned to Heros.

I hadn’t given up entirely.

But the thought of standing up to my father had died down.

I merely thought it’d be prudent to wait for my chance. I would ask again during the break.

To be honest, I was not filled with hope.

Then Aike came to Heros.

“I haven’t heard your answer yet.”

“Are you okay with that?”

“Is taking leave from Arcana fine with you?”

“Are you really okay with it?”

After all, my father’s decision would not change.

Reina Rozelia is someone who does not exist here, a puppet moving for the family.

But seeing Aike, I felt the urge to cling once more.

“…I don’t want to be alone anymore.”

It was a small statement, barely audible.

But Aike seemed satisfied by just that and gently smiled.

“Alright.”

And after patting my head kindly, he followed Anna to meet my father.

“Don’t just sit still.”

Am I an idiot or what?

I learned what was precious.

I vowed I wouldn’t let go of what was precious.

Yet I still planned to leave it all up to him in the end?

Act yourself.

Speak to your father directly.

Tell him you dislike taking leave.

Above all, I want to be with Miss Sophia, Miss Helen, Crown Prince Leon, Mr. Atal.

And most importantly, I want to spend time with Aike.

“…Um, excuse me. Is it alright if I go up by myself?”

After wiping my tears, I said to the maid of the Akses Duke House who had been sitting next to me.

I couldn’t quietly move without saying something to her since she was here at Aike’s request.

“Yes.”

She nodded quietly.

As soon as I heard her answer, I stepped down from the carriage and looked at the mansion.

The house I had thought I wouldn’t want to return to until the very end.

“Miss?”

Anna stood in a somewhat respectful position in front of the office on the second floor.

Seeing me, her eyes widened in surprise.

“Anna. I want to speak with my father.”

After a moment of looking at my face, Anna gave me a warm smile and nodded.

“As you wish, Miss.”

“Thank you.”

Taking a deep breath, I grabbed the doorknob of the office.

And gently opened the door.

“What qualifications do you have to reverse my decision?”

My father’s voice echoed in my ears.

I hesitated in opening the door and quietly listened.

“I am, I am Reina’s….”

And the moment I heard Aike’s response.

“…Because I want to be Reina’s knight.”

I didn’t need anyone to tell me.

I could sense my heart racing.

I felt the heat on my face.

The feelings I had for you grew stronger.

I could definitely recognize it.

★

“Father.”

Entering through the door, Reina looked at Duke Ricard with a cold gaze.

Standing side by side, it was clear that this cold look and atmosphere was hereditary.

But if there is one different part now.

Unlike Duke Ricard’s dull eyes, it felt like there was a burning heat behind Reina’s cold gaze.

I know it sounds contradictory, but that’s the only way I could express it.

“Reina. I thought I taught you to observe decorum when entering my office.”

“Father, I have a request.”

Although Duke Ricard frowned slightly, Reina continued without a care.

“I want to continue attending Arcana.”

“Reina.”

“Everyone I’ve met at Arcana is a precious connection to me. I apologize for the problems that arose within the faction, but I don’t want to give up my friends.”

Reina’s eyes were fixed solely on Duke Ricard.

“I still don’t know what’s more important, friends or factions. So, I’ll do my best to manage both while continuing my time at Arcana.”

Step by step, but unwavering, Reina continued speaking.

“If I cannot find the answer by the time I graduate, I will follow everything Father says. I will walk the path of nobility as Father describes it. So please, give me a chance.”

Finally, Reina bowed her head deeply.

“If I’m going to be lonely anyway, I might regret realizing it too late.”

“I understand.”

“I know a safe and sturdy path you could take. A path that would allow you to carry on without it affecting you too much even if you got hurt. Are you saying you don’t want that?”

“Yes. I want to find my own path.”

“Reina.”

“Yes, Father.”

At Duke Ricard’s call, Reina once again looked him in the eyes.

Duke Ricard’s gaze remained as unmoving as ever.

But Reina’s steady gaze wasn’t shaken at all.

And then, Duke Ricard slowly opened his mouth.

“I understand. The leave request from Arcana will be considered as if it never happened.”